Asamu Johnson - Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals

Some men have a way of standing out from the crowd. They walk a little taller, have strength, charisma, and are considered to be the real deal. Asamu Johnson is one of those men. To be around Asamu is to be in the presence of a "REAL" blues man. He is proud and passionate about the music that flows through him. He does doesn't need to reinvent the wheel, he is the wheel. While other performers apologize for the blues by trying to change it, Asamu embraces the blues. He understands that the blues are a form honest human communication from the heart and soul of real people.

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan after his family moved from Lake Cormeric, Mississippi, he grew up loving the blues. For over 35 years he has been performing the blues. Asamu first played in the Fred Johnson Blues Band in the early 70's. In the late 90's he created the Fatt Lapp Blues Band and preformed in clubs and festivals all over the state of Michigan until 2009. Asamu and the group released 2 cd's. 'Boogie This Blues' in 1998 and 'Bow Legs and Big Feet' in 2001.

Dedicated to preserving the Blues sound, his Lyrics will awaken the heart, stir the soul, as well as brighten the spirit. His music reaches deep down to the senses, and moves you beyond belief, pushing you to the dance floor. When writing a new song, Asamu's inspirations come from life around him. The song "Devil Wind" came from the destruction of a Tornado, and the song "Turnips and Greens" from his love of good down home cooking. As you listen to the deep soulful sounds of his voice, you can hear the influences of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and Brook Benton.

Mike "Blue Dog" Howe - Rhythm Guitar

When life get's tough a song can make it better. Mike was the 3rd of 6 children who's father passed away when he was 5 and a half years old. "We didn't have much but in the evenings we'd all gather around mother at the piano. Mother and music made us feel rich."

That set up a lifetime of musical activity. Life was alright for the "Dog" as long as he had a guitar and his music. What followed was 30 years of working day jobs so he could play at night and on weekends with his brother Gordon Howe.

In 1996 Mike met Asamu Johnson. When he was asked to join a band called Slick Blues INC. Robert Cray and Muddy Waters stole his musical heart. He "Dogged" the blues with a passion. In 1998 he followed Asamu into a band called Fatt Lapp Blues Band until 2007. Followed by 2 years with The Weezil Malone Band. In 2010, the Asamu Johnson Project became home.

Mike believes that music is God's language. An advanced form of communication that for the most part, we don't understand. He says, You can't lie when you play music, who you are comes through no matter what you do. The Asamu Johnson Project is a band about roots, traditions, and musical honestly. It's a good home for the Blue Dog.

Mike "Hurricane" Howe Jr. - Lead Guitar

Michael 'Hurricane' Howe is a top 25 finalist for Guitar Center's King of the Blues Competition 2010. He grew up in a musical family. Born in Hastings, Michigan in 1985, raised in Wayland, Michigan. He began playing the drums at the tender age of 3. Eventually graduating to the guitar 10 years later. He started gigging professionally at the age of 15 playing bass in a variety band. As soon as he turned 18 he joined the Fatt Lapp Blues Band fir the next next 5 years of his musical career.

In October of 2008, Mike began touring with Blind Pig recording artist "Harper". For the 14 months he was on tour with Harper, he preformed some 300+ shows all over the US, Canada, and made 2 trips to England. The Pijier Blues Festival in Vilvorde, Belgium, Harvest Time Blues Festival in Monaghan Town, Ireland and the Great British Rhythm and Blues festival in Colne, UK are just a few of the 30+ festivals preformed in one summer. He is also no stranger to the National blues circuit many bands tour in the states today. One thing Mike does well, is travel the road playing guitar for a living.

"Hurricane" has tremendous roots in the blues, along with a deep passion for precise timing. Some of his biggest influences are: BB King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Freddy King, Albert Collins, SRV, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Jimmy Reed, and the list goes on...

He prides himself on his sound, and the equipment he uses. From his trusty Hot Rod Deluxe, to his Custom made one of a kind guitar built by his good friend Mike Aronson. He will always deliver a sound that is pleasing to the ear, along with a great deal of passion for the blues. 'Traditional blues'.

Tony "T-Bone" Lubenow - Drums

Tony feel in love with music at a tender age of 4 years old while listening to bands like the Beatles and The Beach Boys. Around the age of 12 he began to find his own music. Bands like Rush, Ted Nugent, Pantera, The Meters helped shape his interests. Also at this time is when he signed up for the school band in hopes of someday getting to play like some of his idols including Vinney Paul, Neil Pert, Steve Gadd.

By age 15 he began private drum lessons at Rit Music in Grand Rapids, MI and started putting to put his own band together. For the first few year he pretty much played all the time. Putting his sticks down were not an option. He'd invite anyone over to his house for an after school jam session that that could play guitar and had an amp loud enough to play with drums.

Around the 11th grade he started to play drums for a local rock group called "The Blackout". They preformed many gigs all around Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Holland. A little bit late after high school finished up, this band fell apart and he set his sights on a new project with some high school friends. This band was called "Good Year Contract". This band was together for a few years and would play anywhere they could get a gig. This band came to an end due to a relocation to Colorado. When he returned to Michigan, he had hopes to make something a little bigger. At this point he joined a band called the "Legal Immigrants". They hit the floor running and did very good for the time they were together. For a while, checking out their show, was the in thing to do on the weekend in Grand Rapids. So he then began picking up other fill in gigs around town with a few other bands and musicians he knew in order to make music a main source of income. At this time he also picked up gigs playing in church at Fair-haven Ministry's in Jenison, MI. That is where he met Hurricane and got the opportunity to play with The Asamu Johnson Project.