Lenny "Fuzzy" Rankins

About

Lenny Rankins (“Fuzzy”) was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, performing with such artists as the Gospel Ambassadors and the Shield Brothers. Moving to York, Pennsylvania, he played gospel and toured with gospel artists Shirley Caesar, Al Green, Five Blind Boys, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Gospel Keynotes, and James Cleveland. At 19, Fuzzy formed God’s Angels, and continued to perform on the East Coast. He later organized the 14 Karat Band, an R&B group that toured with and/or opened for Tone Tone, Basic Black, Patty Labelle, and Gerald Levert, and many others.

In 1990, Fuzzy relocated to California where he performed with blues and jazz artist legend Fro Brigham (formerly associated with Louis Armstrong). Discovering the diversity of the blues, Fuzzy formed Fuzzy and the Bluesmen in 1992. In 1993, his first blues CD, Not Gonna Work This Time, won the “Best Blues” music award and, that same year. Fuzzy received the Jim Croce Blues Award. Fuzzy has performed at multiple festivals and TV shows, including the Jerry Lewis Telethon, and has opened for blues legends B.B. King, Etta James, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, as well as Bobby Womack, Zapp and Rogers, and many others. Fuzzy’s second CD, Good Lovin’, was later released and nominated in the “Best Blues” category. His newest blues album, Take A Brotha Home, was released in June 2010.

In 1999, Fuzzy was the lead guitarist in the musical production of It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues written and produced by actor/vocalist Ron Taylor. The show opened in San Diego and was a major success. The cast ultimately performed on Broadway and to audiences across the U.S. and in Europe, ultimately being nominated for and receiving an Emmy.

Fuzzy went on tour and, in 2001, released his first jazz production, Stirring Up The Mix, which that same year was nominated in the “Best Jazz Album” category. At that time, he launched MoonCook Productions, producing for many artists, including Ike Turner. Fuzzy was featured on Ike’s blues album Risin With The Blues, playing lead guitar on the track named “Jazzy Fuzzy.” The album was nominated and won a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues.

Lenny Rankins (“Fuzzy”) has a dynamic stage presence that captures audiences of all ages. Fuzzy’s musical talent has gained him the recognition and respect of fellow musicians as well as his fans. His music has received both national and international airplay. A true performer, Fuzzy’s style incorporates his gospel, R&B, blues and jazz background and guarantees audiences a night of professional entertainment.

Personnel

Lenny "Fuzzy Rankins: Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Cheryl Peters: Partner/Manager
Bruce Hutcherson: Drummer, Vocals
Cecil McBee: Bass
Michael Hankins: Piano and Vocals

Influences

Stevie Ray Vaughan; B.B. King; Al DiMeola; Etta James; Gatemouth Brown -- too many to name them all!

What to Expect

Pure entertainment from first note to the very last. This group "reads" the audience well and can keep their attention throughout the entire performance. Lenny is an entertainer through and through, so a good time is guaranteed for everyone!

Stage/Setup Requirements:
Stage Plot (3-7 pc band).pdf

Set/Song/Sequence List:
ORIGINAL SONGS (blues and jazz), plus a wide variety of material by other artists:
1999
1 Thing
Ain’t No Stopping Us Now
A Lover's Holiday
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
At Last
Baby It's You
Back To Black
Back to Life
Bad Girls
Bad Mama Jama
Be My Baby
Billy Jean
Boogie Oogie
Brick House
Bust A Move
Candy
Careless Whispers
Celebration
Come Back to Me
Con Los Anos Que Me Quedan
Creep
Criticize
Cutie Pie
Dancing Queen
Delayed Devotion
Dirty Man
Don’t cha
Don't Know Why
Don't Want To Fall In Love
Early in the Morning
Fair Weather Friend
Fantastic Voyage
Fell in Love with a Boy
Get Down On It
Get This Party Started
Good Times
Hangin on String
Heaven Only Knows
He Loves Me
Holiday
Hollaback Girl
I Call Your Name
I Can See Clearly Now
I Can't Stand the Rain
I Didn't Mean to Turn You On
I'd Rather Go Blind
If I Ain't Got You
I'm In Love
In the Midnight Hour
I Want You
Just Because
Killing Me Softly
Kiss
Ladies Night
Lady Marmalade
Let Me Love You Down
Let’s Groove Tonight
Let's Stay Together
Like A Boy
Lose My Breath
Love
Love is a Losing Game
Love Me in a Special Way
Mama Said
Material Girl
Midas Touch
Minute by Minute
My Guy
My My My
Natural Woman
Never Knew Love Like This
New Year's Day
No One
No Parking on the Dance Floor
Nowhere to Run
One of These Nights
Outstanding
Play That Funky Music
Please Don't Stop the Music
Pride and Joy
Ready or Not
Rehab
Rub You the Right Way
Sarah Smile
Saturday Love
Secret Lovers
Sex is on Fire
She’s Fresh
Signed Sealed Delivered
Slow Down
Slow Jam
Smooth
So Amazing
So Have I for You
Someday We’ll Be Together
Something Just Ain’t Right
Son of a Preacher Man
SOS
Stay a Little While Child
Stormy Monday
Stormy Weather
Sukiyaka
Summer Time
Syrup and Honey
Take Me to the River
Tender Roni
That’s Just The Way It Is
That’s the Way Love Goes
That’s the Way of the World
The Closer I Get to You
The Midas Touch
Too Close
Too Hot
Torture
Touch
Two Occasions
Umbrella`
Waiting for Tonight
Wake Up Alone
Warwick Avenue
Waterfalls
We Are Family
What a Girl Wants
What You Won’t Do For Love
What’s Going On
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Word Up
You and I
You Are My Sunshine
You Can Have My Husband
You Know I'm No Good
You Me and He

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Bar/Lounge, Birthday Party, Casino, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Cruise, Fair, Festival, Grand Opening, Holiday Party, Hotel, Private Party, Restaurant, Reunion, Seminar, Sporting Event, Studio Session, Trade Show, Wedding Reception

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