Delbert McClinton To Play Heights Theatre On Friday

HOUSTON, TX — Country music legend and three-time Grammy winner Delbert McClinton continues his nationwide tour with a stop at The Heights Theatre this Friday night. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. with Kree Harrison.

McClinton grew up around Lubbock and Fort Worth, and spent his early career in the desegregating roadhouses of Fort Worth’s Jacksboro Highway, leading the house bands for Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, and others, while making a local name for himself.

His unique musical style grew from his Texas music beginnings. Influenced at a young age by Tejano, Western Swing, Rhythm and Blues and War songs, he developed a signature sound that served him well.

McClinton has been a leading Americana artist since before the genre was established. He has won two Grammy awards in the blues category for Best Contemporary Blues Album; and one in the rock category (Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group), with Bonnie Raitt for "Good Man, Good Woman."

McClinton just released his 19th studio album, Prick Of The Litter (Hot Shot Records/Thirty Tigers). The new offering captures the balance of soulful energy and restraint that the legendary performer has been delivering in his live performances for decades all over the world. On Prick of the Litter, Delbert incorporates a variety of styles, and as always, just enough to keep him comfortably outside the traditional marketing categories.

Prick Of The Litter blends McClinton's signature rhythm and blues sound with a newer jazz-influence inspired by Johnny Mercer, Nat King Cole and other legendary crooners. He includes some upbeat traditional blues (“Don’t Do It”) with a romantic take on Tony Bennett’s San Francisco (“San Miguel”) while “Skip Chaser” paints a vivid picture of the perils of the profession. A highlight is the album’s closer, the gentle and hopeful “Rosy.”

McClinton's road band, Self-Made Men provide a hard-driving rhythm section, powerful guitars and innovative piano, accented by punched-up horns. Delbert’s definitive vocals and distinct harmonica licks bring it all together.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Image: Delbert McClinton performs at the 12th Annual Americana Music Honors And Awards Ceremony Presented By Nissan on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival)