Rod and Honey Piazza will perform with The Mighty Flyers at Rod Piazza’s annual birthday bash in Riverside on Sunday, Dec. 15. (Contributed Image)
As much as Rod Piazza’s fans love his annual birthday blues bash, they have demanded more of the blues legend.
Piazza and the Mighty Flyers will give the people what they want on Saturday, Dec. 15 in Riverside.
He said this year the band will perform an extended set for the hometown party at the American Legion Hall in Fairmount Park.
However, when you have dozens of albums in your catalog, like Piazza and the Mighty Flyers do, choosing a set list can be arduous. In fact, it’s not even a matter of choosing an album for Piazza.
“What era do I draw from?” he said.
In an area with strong blues roots, the harmonica player and singer is the face of the Inland Empire’s blues heritage.
Piazza’s most recent album, “Almighty Dollar,” was released in 2011. He recently inked a deal with Blind Pig Records, which has put out releases by iconic bluesmen including Buddy Guy and Charlie Musselwhite for an album due out next year.
“They’re a really strong blues label,” Piazza said.
For Piazza, writing music usually stems from a conversation, “a catchy phrase that sounds like it could be a good title for a tune and I could write a story about it.”
A lot of the magic happens in his Riverside garage, where the songs take shape.
Throughout the year, Piazza and the Mighty Flyers have played blues festivals around the world (and already have plans to perform in Belgium, Norway and Canada in 2014) as well as a few shows in Southern California. Some of the bands the group has shared bills with will join the birthday bash.
The lineup also includes the Igor Prado Band from Brazil, Lynwood Slim, The 44’s, Billy Watson, Little Barry G and some special guests.
2-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, American Legion Hall Post 79, 2979 Dexter Drive, Riverside, 951-788-8635, $20 at the door.
Visit www.themightyflyers.com for more information.