Scot Sutherland – 2018 Inductee
Scot grew up in the heartland of America. He started playing bass at the age of 14, and by 1987 he was playing professionally in Central Iowa and in Chicago. Although Scot claims to be self-taught, he has had several incredible teachers and mentors to help him hone his craft. Although, versatile in many musical genres, Scot has made his living and reputation as one of the best blues bassist currently playing.
Scot honed his craft in Central Iowa, playing and touring with several Iowa bands as well as Percy Strother. He was also a longtime member of the house band at the legendary Blues on Grand. From 2006-2012, Scot was a member of the Tommy Castro Band, and won the Blues Music Award (BMA) for Band of the Year in 2010. The Band was nominated again for the 2012 BMAs. The band’s album, Hard Believer, on which Scot played, was also awarded a BMA in 2010 for Best Contemporary Blues Album
As a member of the Tommy Castro Band, Scot was also the bass player for the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue. The LRBR, which is affiliated with the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, has toured from coast to coast and around the world, backing up some of today’s most notable blues artists, including: Ronnie Baker Brooks, Kenny Neal, Tab Benoit, Johnny Sansone, Joe Louis Walker, Coco Montoya, Michael Burks, Bernard Allison, Debbie Davies, Larry McCray, Magic Dick, Curtis Salgado, Rick Estrin, John Nemeth, Theodis Ealey, Deanna Bogart, Sista Monica Parker, Janiva Magness, Marcia Ball, and Elvin Bishop
In 2013, Scot was honored by The Blues Foundation with a nomination for a Blues Music Award for Bassist of the year. In 2017, two albums on which Scot was the primary bassist were nominated by the Blues Foundation for BMAs for Rock Blues Album of the Year: Mike Zito & the Wheel’s Keep Coming Back and Albert Castiglia’s Big Dog. Most recently Scot has been touring with Albert Cummings.
When home, Scot is very active in the Central Iowa music scene, hosting local singer/songwriter showcases and blues jams, playing with a multitude of talented local musicians in a variety or venues, composing his own original music, and so much more.
