Dive into the heart of blues music with Chesapeake Blues Band today!
About Chesapeake Blues Band
Our Mission
At Chesapeake Blues Band, our mission is to promote and preserve the rich history and culture of blues music. We strive to educate and entertain our audience with the best blues music content from around the world.
Our Band Members
Our team at Chesapeake Blues Band is comprised of dedicated blues enthusiasts who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and love of the music.
Members
Sam Anderson: Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Sam has been a local singer, songwriter and guitar player in the Mid-Atlantic region since 1994. Playing guitar since the age of 13, he took private lessons for a number of years. He taught guitar at Bender Music for over twenty years and performed with local blues, country and oldies bands in the area. Among the highlights of his career was opening for Terri Clark, Little Texas, David Lee Murphy and Rockapella in Florida in the early 2000’s.
John Duchala: Percussion
John Duchala is a talented blues musician and drummer, whose musical journey began at an early age in his hometown, Johnstown, NY. With a passion for rhythm that ignited in elementary school, John dedicated himself to mastering the drums and quickly developed a strong foundation in music. His formative years were spent playing in school bands during his junior and senior years, honing his skills and keeping his interest in music.
Over the years, John has collaborated with various local bands, showcasing his versatility and deep-rooted love for blues and rock music. In the 2010s, he co-sponsored a company-based band, which allowed him to tour and perform at company-sponsored gigs across the United States. This experience not only expanded his performance portfolio but also strengthened his connections within the music community.
Inspired by legendary drummers such as Charlie Watts, Jim Hodder, and Dallas Taylor, John has embraced the soulful rhythms of blues while infusing his performances with rock elements. His drumming style reflects a unique blend of influences, characterized by both technical precision and a deep groove that resonates with audiences.
Since retiring in 2019, John has continued to pursue his passion for music by playing exclusively with the Chesapeake Blues Band, a prestigious group based in Maryland. With their rich sound and captivating performances, the Chesapeake Blues Band has provided John with a platform to showcase his talent and engage with fans who share his love for blues.
As a dedicated musician, John Duchala remains committed to his craft, actively contributing to the vibrant blues scene and inspiring the next generation of drummers. Whether on stage or in the studio, John's passion for music shines through, making him a valued member of the blues community.
Doug Howard: Bassist/Vocals
Douglas James Howard was born with the Autumn harvest of 1966, in the pastoral Mohawk Valley Town of Paris and Village of Sauquoit New York.
One of his earliest musical memories was of his Uncle Ralph playing guitar on the living room couch. Doug also loved singing the hymns and creatively ringing the bells in church as an alter boy. His first stage performance opportunity came when he was in elementary school. The High School production of Music Man needed some younger kids for the onstage “band” right there in River City. Doug had at this point switched from Baritone Horn to trumpet, mainly for ease of transport, and was selected along with a few others to play a cacophony on cue for the performance. From there he went on to study Guitar and Bass Guitar. Doug wrote songs along the way capturing the essences of the life he lived within a 9-5 corporate existence, putting his musical interests and ambitions on the back burner. After a few short lived collaborations over the years Doug finally found a home in Chesapeake Blues, where he brings the Bass to the mix. His first recorded performance with the band earned him the moniker (Having too much fun!) Doug brings all of his Passion and Joy for the Blues to the Stage and delivers it to the audience.
John Dickie IV: Lead/Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Originally from Bel Air, Maryland, John first started playing the guitar back in high school. He was heavily influenced by listening to live blues bands during his college years and even crossed paths with Stevie Ray Vaughan in a club once.
Later he was the guitarist in several punk bands during the 1990’s, and played venues between Washington D.C. and New York City, including a set at the famous CBGB’s.
From there he took a different turn, and was involved in the Florida folk scene, performing his original material at many of the state’s premier festivals as a singer and songwriter.
Now back in Maryland, John has found a new interest in his electric guitars and contributes his rhythms and leads to the Chesapeake Blues Band.
Dale Hayman: Harp/Vocals
Piedmont Slim (aka Dale Hayman) has been playing harp longer than he can remember.
Early musical influences include Charlie McCoy, Norton Buffalo, Earl Scruggs, The Seldom Scene, Bad Influence Band
Mark Wenner, Paul Butterfield, Fingers Taylor, to name a few.
As time went on the list grew to include Little Walter, James Cotton, Rod Piazza, William Clark, Mark Ford, Jerry Portnoy, Jason Ricci, Dennis Gruenling and the list keeps getting longer.
Past bands playing guitar/banjo/ harp include
Backcountry - Derwood, MD
Backstreet Blues Band. - Rockville, MD
TBD Band. - Clarksburg, MD
The Distractions - Clarksburg, , MD
Unruly Blues Band. - Frederick, MD
Second Line Band. - Clarksburg, MD
The Semi-Tones. - Brookville, MD
Black River Band - Georgetown, SC.
Chesapeake Blues Band is a great group of guys with a common passion for Blues and having a good time.
"We got some blues, we got some swing c'mon out and shake that thing.....". Piedmont Slim.
Our Content
At Chesapeake Blues Band, we offer a wide range of blues content, including interviews, reviews, and videos. We cover everything from the history of blues to the latest releases and trends in the music world.
About Chesapeake Blues Band
Our History
Chesapeake Blues Band was founded in 2024 by a group of Blues enthusiasts. Since then, we have grown to become one of the leading online destinations for Blues music lovers.