While it’s all too possible you may not know Bo Ramsey’s name, you’re sure to have been touched by him somehow — whether as a musician or a producer of something wonderful you’ve heard. For whatever reason, Ramsey has drawn more attention from musicians than from the general public. Perhaps he’s simply not a limelight man, a fact confirmed by his many performances in the dingy, din-filled corners of The Deadwood, in Iowa City during the ’90s. But despite his understated fame, Ramsey has played a tremendous role in shaping the midwest blues-rock scene. He’s one of the original Iowa City blues-rock boys, along with Greg Brown, David Zollo, David Moore. In fact, Ramsey’s guitar work can be heard on their albums, many of which he has even produced. But Ramsey’s biggest call to the spotlight probably came from Lucinda Williams, who contacted him immediately after hearing Down To Bastrop in the early ’90s. So impressed was Williams with his inimitable guitar work that she invited him to play on her Grammy-winning Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, after which he joined her on tour — twice, as he went on to produce and play on her follow-up album, Essence. With his new CD, Fragile, due for release on April 8th, Ramsey is on a solo tour this time, and gracing us with his music.
8 p.m., The Cedar, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-388-2674; $18.
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