FOLSOM — The weekly Powerhouse of Blues in Historic Folsom will showcase another national-level talent this Sunday when Chris O’Leary takes the stage at Powerhouse Pub. Known for his fiery harmonica, commanding vocals, and emotionally charged songwriting, O’Leary is an artist who blends raw authenticity with decades of musical experience alongside some of the greatest names in blues and rock.
O’Leary first gained attention as the lead singer and front man for The Barnburners, the band led by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy winner Levon Helm. For six years, O’Leary and Helm toured across the U.S. and Canada, lighting up stages and carving out a reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in blues. Along the way, O’Leary shared the stage with legends like Bobby Keys of the Rolling Stones, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmy Vivino, Jeff Healey, Dan Aykroyd, Albert Lee, Dave Edmunds, Dave Maxwell, and the late great James Cotton. He also recorded with icons Bill Perry and Hubert Sumlin.
That experience set the foundation for O’Leary’s solo career. His debut album, Mr. Used to Be, earned the 2011 Blues Blast Award for Best New Artist Debut and was nominated at the American Blues Music Awards the same year. Since then, he has continued to evolve as a songwriter and performer, earning recognition for both his powerful voice and his locomotive harmonica style.
In 2024, O’Leary joined Alligator Records, one of the premier blues labels in the world, with the release of The Hard Line. The album, available on CD, digital platforms, and translucent red vinyl, has been praised as his most focused and hard-hitting work to date. A Marine veteran and former federal police officer, O’Leary draws heavily on his colorful and sometimes harrowing life experiences in his songs, giving them a resonance that No Depression magazine described as “primal…performances practically vibrate with authenticity.”
Beyond his large, athletic presence and trademark high-and-tight haircut, O’Leary commands attention on stage with the emotional force of his vocals and the storytelling power of his harmonica. His music carries the imprint of mentors and friends like Levon Helm and James Cotton, while still carving out its own soulful space in today’s blues world.
Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer called O’Leary’s work a perfect fit for the label, noting, “What first struck me about Chris was his terrific songwriting, which ranged from hilarious tales to soul-deep personal stories. I love the passion he puts into every song. As a musician, he’s a world-class harmonica player…but his goal is not to show off his chops. He plays emotional solos that tell the story of the lyrics and heighten the impact of the song.”
The Powerhouse of Blues show with Chris O’Leary begins this Sunday at 3 p.m. All shows at Powerhouse are 21 and over. For tickets and more details, visit www.powerhousepub.com.
To explore more about Chris O’Leary and his music, including The Hard Line, visit www.alligator.com.
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