About Brian

Brian has reformed his country acoustic blues duo, Roots & Blues (formerly Delectrified) with harmonica player/vocalist, Nel Nichols. They are an exciting new collaboration of veteran professional performing blues musicians/educators with over 60 years combined experience. The Duo’s repertoire encompasses Delta, Piedmont, Chicago, Texas, and Swamp Blues, West Coast Swing, Rockabilly, with a little Beach Music included. They perform at various venues in Wilmington, NC and the surrounding areas. < see events >

Brian is a founding member of the original DC Blues society band that performed at the 4th Annual DC Blues Festival at Carter Barron Amphitheater. They also performed at other venues and events in the Washington Metropolitan area including Howard University and city parks.

In The Beginning…

He started out like most blues musicians by attending the local blues jams. Having little performing experience at the time, it was challenging. Sitting in with other musicians, some experienced and some not. In the beginning, it felt like a sink or swim experience. There is an audience and he wanted to show that he belonged on that stage. Brian was playing for himself and the audience, but also for the other players. It's a great place for networking - meeting other musicians to become friends with and jam, and finding musicians to assemble a band with. Each time Brian went he felt himself improving. It was very rewarding. He remembers this happening during the spring and summer of 1994. After many successful nights, when Brian was done playing he would celebrate by picking up Chinese food from one of the many great Chinese restaurants in Wheaton, MD that were open well past midnight. He’d take it home and eat on the deck under the moon and stars. It was a ritual that Brian enjoyed for some time.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Brian has been a professional performing musician, band leader and guitar teacher since 1994.

  • Blues Hall of Fame 25+ Years

  • Band Leader, Performing Musician, Educator

  • Band Leader, BG & The Mojo Hands - Blues, Swing, Rockabilly

  • Band Leader, All Wheel Jive - Swing, Jump Blues

  • Band Leader, Brian Gross Duo, formerly Delectrified - Authentic Country Acoustic Blues Duo

  • Guitarist/Vocalist, Legendary R&R Band, Link Wray’s Wraymen

  • Founding Member, Washington DC Blues Society Band, 1994

PERFORMED OR SHARED THE STAGE WITH:

  • Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones (The Blasters)

  • Son Seals

  • RL Burnside

  • Scott Ainslie

  • Mark Stutso

  • Seth Kibel

  • Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes

  • Steve Jacobs

  • Matt Kelly

  • Gant Kushner

  • Jessie Yawn

  • OC Nunn

  • Cathy Ponton King Band

  • Bad Influence

  • Smokin’ Polecats/Dave Sherman & the Night Crawlers

  • Kenny Haddaway

  • Randy Lilleston

GUITAR LESSONS

For more than 25 years, Brian has taught guitar to thousands of students of all ages and levels. He teaches his students fundamental skills and techniques which they apply to learning their favorite songs and music styles.

Brian believes in encouraging his students through exhibiting patience and an understanding of their individualized needs. He incorporates his unique and effective teaching methods to meet diverse learning styles. Translation: He will have you playing your favorite songs in no time! Most importantly, He believes that learning how to play guitar should be fun!

(privately, semi-privately, and in the classroom)