Kelly Joe Phelps Returns To Hugh's Room Sunday May 4, 2008

TORONTO, Canada (Top40 Charts/ Hugh's Room) - Kelly Joe Phelps, considered one of the best guitarists playing today, built his career as a jazz and experimental musician, and then made a life-changing discovery of classic blues. But over the past few albums, Phelps has been shifting gears again - this time towards the fine art of songwriting.

Whatever his music - and he's been called "a one-man jam band" - Phelps has built a devoted audience of hardcore fans. His annual visits to Toronto always sell out, welcomed by an attentive, silent and enthusiastic audience - and one that always includes a considerable number of guitarists listening to a master at work.

He's returning to Hugh's Room on Sunday May 4, with a repertoire of pieces from his most recent CD, Tunesmith Retrofit - and new material he's developing for his next recording.

The opening artist, John Wort Hannam, is a singer-songwriter from Southern Alberta who was the 2007 New Folk Winner at the Kerrville Festival in Texas - previous finalists have included Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle. Hannam also won first prize for best song at the 2007 Calgary Folk Music Festival Songwriting Competition.

Who: Kelly Joe Phelps, with special guest John Wort Hannam
What: One of North America's best roots music guitarists
Where: Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W, south of Bloor St. W, Toronto
When: Sunday May 4, 2008, Doors 6 p.m., concert 8.30 p.m.
How much: Tickets $22.50 in advance, $25.00 at door, available from Hugh's Room (416) 531-6604 / www.hughsroom.com