ABOUT
The band was originally formed in 2001 by Joni (Weston) and Eric Buffalohead. Bluedog released their debut CD “From All Directions” in April of 2005. The CD was recorded at Oyate Studios in Albuquerque, NM. The CD received two nominations (Best Blues and Debut Recording) from the Native American Music Awards; and was also nominated for the best blues category for the Indian Summer Music Awards. Bluedog released its second CD “A Little White Lie” in December of 2006. This CD was recorded in Minneapolis, MN. The recording received a Native American Music Award nomination for Best Blues recording. In 2010 the band released a single called “Get Up & Get Out”; and, nominated in the Best Blues category for the 2010 Indian Summer Music Awards. “Get Up & Get Out” was also nominated in two categories (Best Blues & Group of the Year) for the 2010 Native American Music Awards (NAMMY’s). “Just Living the Blues” was released in December of 2011. This CD was recorded at Untouchable Studios in Grand Forks, ND and produced by blues guitarist Little Bobby and Joni. In 2017, Bluedog’s recording, "Red, White & Blues" was released and all songs were written by Joni, Eric and Alexandra. The recording received a Native American Music Award nomination for Best Blues recording. “Take a Stand” is the latest CD from Bluedog and was nominated for the Best Blues Recording for the 2022 Native American Music Awards. It was recorded at Winterland Studios in Minneapolis, MN. The lyrics to the CD’s 11 songs were written by Joni and Eric Buffalohead with the exception of “Look to the Sky” written by Keith Secola, Eric, Joni and Alexandra Buffalohead. Additional musicians on this CD include: Keith Secola, Ted and Angie Vig, Josh Levi, Jan Michael Looking Wolf and Jordan Carlson.
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The music is influenced by life experiences of Native people. Joni states that “Native people have experienced the blues too. For us it reflects a significant part of life for Native people and our relationship with the U.S. government in the past, present and future. All the pain we’ve endured from massacres, boarding schools, and forced removal from our homes, etc… all attempts to erase our culture and our people. We are still here. Our music celebrates life, the good and bad.”
The band has performed across the United States in support of their original recordings in locations such as: Hollywood, FL (Native American Music Awards), Milwaukee, WI (Indian Summer Music Awards), Toppenish, WA (Yakima Tribal Jam), Minneapolis, MN (Indian Summer Music Festival), The Fargo Blues Festival (2012 & 2014); and Thief River Falls, MN (Last Ride Blues Festival 2009 to 2015). The band has fronted notable blues acts including: The Robert Cray Band, Indigenous, Los Lonely Boys, Corey Stevens, John Mayall, Kenny Neal Band, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Coco Montoya, Ana Popovic, Walter Trout, Shannon Curfman, and the Jerry Garcia Band. The Bluedog band is a five member blues/rock band out of Minneapolis, MN.
BAND MEMBERS
JONI BUFFALOHEAD
Lead Singer
[Bdewakantowan/Dakota: enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe in South Dakota]
Co-founder and singer-songwriter. Growing up and attending church, Joni did not believe she could sing, she could not hit the high notes as the fellow church ladies. Later in life after becoming a mom she was discovered by her children. When Eric’s band toyed with the idea to add female vocals, Joni’s children highly recommended Mom to take that slot. After a few months of singing cover songs, Joni started to write music with Eric. This was the beginning of Bluedog.
ERIC BUFFALOHEAD
Lead Guitar
[Ponca: enrolled member of the White Eagle Southern Ponca Tribe in Oklahoma]
Co-founder and lead guitarist, Eric’s 30 years of guitar playing has taken him on a journey of performances in various categories of music including; classic rock, oldies, blues, country and reggae. His real love is the genre of blues and the Bluedog Band has been his chance to play the music that is in his heart.
GREG MANS
Drummer
Greg is a 2nd generation professional musician. As a child, he was inspired by watching his father's band perform 'Concert In The Park' in Austin, MN. As a teen, Greg started gigging with a Country/Western band in night-clubs around Rochester, MN.
Reviving his drumming career in 1998, Greg eventually joined forces with Twin Cities/Fargo bands: 'Cold Front' and 'Mark Anthony/The Shufflecats'. In 2004, Greg played the main stage at Moondance Jam; opening for Ronnie Baker Brooks, Little Feat, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Allman Brothers.
Greg spent 10 years with 'Inside Straight Blues Band' before joining Bluedog.
ALEXANDRA BUFFALOHEAD
Keyboard
[Bdewakantowan/Dakota: enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe in South Dakota]
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Alex is the youngest member Bluedog lineup. Alex became a member at the age of 16. The daughter of lead vocalist Joni and lead guitarist Eric, Alex has the ability to emulate her mother's voice exactly. She has provided well rounded backing vocals and has put years of piano lessons to good use by playing the keyboard, organ and guitar.
In 2014, Alex was a recipient of the Tiwahe Foundation Economic Self-Sufficiency grant. This grant provided funding for her Nord 4D Electro keyboard. Thank you Tiwahe Foundation for your support! See: www.tiwahefoundation.org
TOM SUESS
Bass Guitar
[Purely mixed European descent, longtime associate (20+ years) of Eric & Joni's]
Learning basic guitar as a young boy in the western burbs of Minneapolis, Tom picked up his first bass in Okinawa while in the Marines and hasn’t stopped learning. While drawing on his country, folk and rock upbringing, he is also influenced by pretty much everything he hears from classic & modern blues, jazz, alternative, and new age. In addition to playing the 5-string bass, he also provides backup vocals in addition to occasional lead vocal and harmonica.