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BRIEFCASE BLUES BIO 2025
Four decades of entertainment; they started when there WERE no OTHER tribute bands ...
In a world seemingly overrun with "tribute bands", Briefcase Blues stands out as the very first verifiable band to perform with look and sound of the original "Blues Brothers", and has outlasted other such tributes that came after them nation-wide.
Since its inception in the summer of 1983, the band has performed the catalogue of the music as performed by the "Blues Brothers" in concert: real full-length concerts for live audiences, long before the 1980 film was released. Performances are backed by an eight-piece band of seasoned, award-winning professionals. The band does not do a "scaled-down" roster (fewer musicians), preferring to bring a full concert experience to the stage - sometimes with guest appearances from regional performing instrumentalists who are more than happy to be featured with a band of this size and notoriety.
Through the 1980s and early 1990s Briefcase Blues made a name for itself as a popular club band in Dallas, Texas during a time when other bands were playing country, heavy metal, new wave, pop and techno music. By 1993 the show was being hired for special events, annual festivals and corporate events all over the U.S. In 2000 the band made its first international appearance at TELUS Field (now Re-Max Stadium) in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, with subsequent appearances including Acapulco (for a major beverage distributor) and two back-to-back appearances at U.S. Air Forces bases in Yokota and Misawa, Japan.
Into the 21st century the show has continued to appear at venues across the U.S., from a 4th Of July celebration in Los Angeles to the prestigious BB. King's on 42nd Street in New York. In the spirit of fun and true musicianship, Briefcase Blues has worked and, appeared with such names including Foghat, Howard Scott and WAR, John Butcher Axis, Glen Frey, Joe Walsh, country legend Jerry Reed, blues greats Joe Jonas, Taj Mahal and pop diva Taylor Dane. Besides music artists, the band has appeared at many events with actors and comedians that include Cheech and Chong, Judge Reinhold, Barry Bostwick, Sinbad, SNL's Dennis Miller, Rich Little, TV stars Ken Osmond and Tony Dow – and one notable onstage new-year's eve appearance with MARVEL Comics' Stan Lee.
Not to be outdone in front of the camera (or in the studio), the boys have been featured in a national test- commercial for Safe Auto Insurance, a "Chicago Teaser" for the National Trust (Mainstrteet.Org), a corporate video for the Gambrinus Company (for Corona Beer) and an exacting studio remake of the song :Everybody (Needs Somebody To Love)" from "The Blues Brothers" original soundtrack for inclusion in the interactive game Just Dance $ (4th edition) alongside the B-52s, Flo Rida, Nicki Minaj, One Direction, Will Smith, Barry White and Stevie Wonder. In the last 5 years Briefcase Blues has come to be endorsed by original Blues Brothers All Star Band members Tom "Bones" Malone and pianist Murphy "Murph" Dunne, with both agreeing to make appearances with the band whenever available.
Continuing to perform live concerts wherever they go and having celebrated a 40th anniversary in their home base of Dallas in September 2023, Briefcase Blues is looking toward doing something the original Blues Brothers never did: record an studio album of original songs. Band founder and lead vocalist J.W. Leggio stated, "we've done the music of others for over 40 years that has delighted audiences all over; I think we have a good idea of what works. We'll see!".
"The Music Is The Mission" – so here's to keeping that "mission" alive. Briefcase Blues: the longest performing "tribute band" anywhere.
"Briefcase Blues" is a registered trademark of MBE Productions. All materials and media on this website COPYRIGHT © 2025 MBE Productions. All rights reserved.