Since first forming The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling in 2016, master blues guitarist Nick Moss and world-class harmonica virtuoso Dennis Gruenling have become torchbearers for traditional electric blues. But rather than simply repeating what’s come before, the band’s high-energy take on old school Chicago, Texas and West Coast sounds is completely their own. With their new Alligator Records release (their third for the label), Get Your Back Into It!, Chicago native Moss and New Jersey native Gruenling—together with Rodrigo Mantovani on bass, and Pierce Downer on drums—deliver a deeply rooted, timeless blue collar blues album.

Andy Thomas has worked his way up the ranks as an electrifying guitarist across the United States and abroad, whether it’s fronting his own wild-n-out project The Trongone Band or being the six-string rocket fuel for the melodic muscle car that is acclaimed Americana act Yarn.

“It’s crazy when you set everything aside and put your mind to something,” Thomas says. “I’m a hard worker, and this album is a product of that.”

There’s a heaviness when you listen to Andy Thomas’ debut album, Highway Junkie. Not only from the swamp rock meets honkytonk melodies, but also the underlying themes and hard truths of this whirlwind journey of a singer-songwriter breaking into the next chapter of his promising career. Produced by fellow Virginia native and longtime friend Dave Schools, the legendary bassist for Widespread Panic, and captured at the renowned Spacebomb Studios, Thomas’ debut album, “Highway Junkie,” connects the dots of Thomas’ troubled past and hard-fought strength of self in the present—this juncture of fiery southern rock & roll and high-octane country blues.

“You just need to count the wins and be grateful,” Thomas says. “And this album is a token of gratitude—this is why I’m doing everything I’m doing.”

Intrepid Artists Int’l wants to congratulate All of the 2026 Blues Music Award Nominees! We especially want to recognize those we represent and send a Huge Congrats out to the Intrepid nominees listed below.

Annika Chambers
Soul Blues Female Artist

Carolyn Wonderland
Contemporary Blues Album – Truth Is
Contemporary Blues Female Artist

Chris Cain
Contemporary Blues Male Artist
Instrumentalist – Guitar

Curtis Salgado
Soul Blues Male Artist

Jimmy Carpenter
Instrumentalist – Horn

Joanna Connor
Instrumentalist – Guitar

John Németh & The Blue Dreamers
Band of the Year
Instrumentalist – Harmonica
Instrumentalist – Vocals
Soul Blues Male Artist

Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
Contemporary Blues Male Artist

Regi Oliver (Selwyn Birchwood)
Instrumentalist – Horn

Check out the official video for the new single “The Church of Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues” from Selwyn’s upcoming album.