Nick Schnebelen, a member of the powerhouse Kansas City blues-rock band Trampled Under Foot, is a flashy guitarist. In 2008, the same year Trampled Under Foot was named the top band at the International Blues Challenge, he claimed the Albert King Award as the top guitarist.
Schnebelen performs regularly at BB’s Lawnside BBQ. And Trampled Under Foot’s next area engagement is at Knuckleheads (July 14-15), which is where Schnebelen recorded his new album, Live in Kansas City, accompanied by bassist Cliff Moore and drummer Adam Hagerman.
Notable among Live in Kansas City's tracks is the Johnny Winter composition “Mean Town Blues,” which showcases Schnebelen's ferocious attack and gruff vocals.
Nick Schnebelen performs at the annual Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest on Friday, June 2. The two-day celebration of the blues is held at Oak Grove Park, 76th and N. Troost. Amanda Fish and Albert Castiglia round out Friday’s lineup; Zac Harmon, Fiona Boyes, the Andy T Band and Brody Buster are on Saturday’s bill.
Bill Brownlee’s writing appears weekly in The Kansas City Star and Ink magazine. He blogs about Kansas City’s jazz scene at Plastic Sax.