As a child prodigy, Lucky was somewhat of a novelty act. Now he is a true blues veteran. Over the last three decades, Lucky has played to audiences all over the world, dazzling both fans and critics with his multi-instrumental talents (he plays keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and trumpet), his soulful vocal style and his youthful approach to the blues.

Chicago’s Reader raved, "His musicianship is unassailable…a combination of sleek-handed dexterity and imagination…a happy marriage of blues authenticity and foot-pleasing danceability. This is a young musician of unlimited enthusiasm and nearly unlimited potential having the time of his life and excelling at every stop along the way." Born Judge Kenneth Peterson in 1963, Lucky was raised on music in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, His father, James Peterson, was a blues singer and owner of the Governor’s Inn, a northern version of a Deep South "chitlin’ circuit" roadhouse club. Artists like Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Muddy Waters and Koko Taylor played there regularly. Virtually growing up on stage, little Lucky began playing almost before he began talking.

He started on drums, but after hearing the famed Bill Doggett one night, Lucky became fascinated by the huge Hammond B-3 organ. "Bill had a fit trying to keep me from it," recalls Lucky. After some lessons from Doggett and the legendary Jimmy Smith, Lucky focused most of his musical energy on the organ. In his spare time, he also mastered bass and piano, becoming good enough to sit in with his father’s band and back touring artists like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Jimmy Reed. "At first, people wouldn’t believe he could play so well," says James Peterson. "They would think the organ was rigged."

By the time Lucky was five, word of this child prodigy had spread among the blues community. Willie Dixon, a friend of James Peterson, heard little Lucky and produced the boy’s first record, a single entitled 1,2,3,4 and a follow-up album for Chicago’s Today Records. The single hit the airwaves with a bang and the national television appearances followed.

As Lucky continued to grow, he honed his instrumental skills by learning from and jamming with some of the best blues players in the world. When Little Milton’s band came up short an organ player one night, Milton asked the then 17-year-old Lucky to sit in. One gig was all it took for Milton to fall in love with Lucky’s playing. He asked Lucky to join the band permanently. After seven months, Lucky had become Milton’s bandleader. Opening shows with his own 45-minute set on vocals and keyboards, Lucky’s three-year stint with Milton led to an equally long gig with Bobby "Blue" Bland as Bobby’s featured soloist.

During a break in Bobby’s touring schedule, Lucky headed to Europe on a package tour billed as "Young Blues Giants." There he recorded his second career album this time for the French label Isabel Records. In 1988, Lucky left Bland’s touring band, relocated to Florida’s Tampa Bay area and began concentrating on a solo career. His reputation quickly led to regular session work for tiny Florida-based King Snake Records. His funky keyboards sparked Kenny Neal’s Big New From Baton Rouge!, Rufus Thomas’ That Woman Is Poison! and Lazy Lester’s Harp And Soul, which were all released by the more visible Alligator Records label. In 1989, Alligator released Lucky’s third solo outing, Lucky Strikes! Lucky co-wrote three songs for the album and played all of the keyboard parts and all but one of the guitar solos.

Alligator’s promotion helped to bring Lucky’s music to the attention of radio stations and music critics nationwide. They liked what they heard. Billboard called Lucky "…a prodigy whose raw talent bodes well for his future as a leader." Keyboard said, "Peterson is a 26-year-old blues master." The album received airplay on nearly 200 radio stations nationwide, and Lucky toured the U.S. several times.

Lucky’s next Alligator recording, 1990’s Triple Play, picked up right where Lucky Strikes! left off, again featuring his dynamic organ fills and leads with equal emphasis on his stinging lead guitar and soulful vocals. The material blended straight-ahead blues, Memphis soul and funky grooves that placed Lucky Peterson on the cutting edge of the blues.

Extensive session work behind everyone from Etta James and Kenny Neal to Otis Rush also commenced during this period. In 1992, Peterson's first Verve label album, I'm Ready, found him boldly mixing contemporary rock and soul into his simmering blues stew. More high-energy Verve sets followed, making it clear that Peterson's luck remains high (as does his father's, who's fashioned his own career as a bluesman with albums for Ichiban and Waldoxy). Lucky made his debut for new label Blue Thumb with a self-titled effort released in 1999. Double Dealin' followed in early 2001.

"Double Dealin' dips into the soul/blues arena, which I just love," Peterson says of his latest release. "I learned soul when I started playing with Little Milton, and then I worked with Bobby Blue Bland, who showed me another type of soul." Though this new album is infused with Lucky's own special brand of "soul," by no means has he left the blues behind. It's clear from the opening song (the album's title track) to the closer ("Remember the Day") that Double Dealin' is Peterson doing what he does best: playing the blues.

Peterson is in his prime-rich in roots but performing in the present. But that's just what one would expect from an artist with Peterson's resumé; his career began when he was just a child. Growing up in Buffalo, NY, Peterson was exposed to music his whole life; his father owned The Governor's Inn, one of the area's most renowned blues clubs. Willie Dixon produced Peterson's first record when he was but five years old, the R&B hit, "1-2-3-4." This resulted in television appearances for the blues prodigy on such shows as The Tonight Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, and What's My Line. As a teenager he attended Buffalo Academy of Performing Arts before paying dues in the bands of Etta James and Otis Rush. One of the most versatile players working in the blues, Peterson has since performed with a long list of greats, including B.B. King and Albert Collins. His 1993 Verve debut I'm Ready announced the arrival of a new force in the blues, while his 1996 collaboration with the legendary Mavis Staples saw him displaying his gospel chops and influences. Peterson's previous dates also include1994's Beyond Cool, 1996's Lifetime, 1997's Move (all on Verve), and 1999's Lucky Peterson, his first for Blue Thumb Records.

In addition to establishing himself through these recordings, Peterson has made his name through his electrying live performances, which are the stuff of legend. Following the release of Double Dealin', Peterson plans to tour, making stops at the major blues festivals throughout the United States and Europe. "This is a new beginning for me because I haven't been on tour in the States in a while," Peterson explained. "This is a coming home party. That's why I wanted to make sure the guitar is smokin'."

Now living in Texas, Lucky Peterson is ready for Double Dealin' to take him, and the blues, to another level. By capturing the virtuosity, intensity, and excitement that Peterson has brought to stages all over the world, Double Dealin' will definitely become a favorite of blues fans everywhere.

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