Early Times & The High Rollers

Biography

Early Times, originally from Sacramento, California, emerged as a prominent figure in the local music scene during his youth, operating the internationally distributed record label Fantasia Music and releasing albums such as Society for the Misunderstood (named Best CD in Sac This Week), Hobo Deluxe, The Comedown, and Tickle Your Fancy. He garnered an unprecedented 10 nominations at the Sacramento Area Music Awards (Sammies), more than any other artist, including categories like Best Rock Musician/Vocalist, Best Singer/Songwriter, Best Rock Band, Best Blues Band, and Best Local CD, and received the Critics’ Choice Award as Sacramento’s Best Guitarist. Early Times also played in a jazz combo with future blues heavyweight Johnny Heartsman and served as lead guitarist on E.C. Scott's Blind Pig Records albums Hard Act to Follow and Masterpiece, touring nationally and in Greece with her.[1][2][3]

Transitioning to a multifaceted career, Early Times moved to New York in 1998, where he runs Manhattan Recording and Dealer’s Choice Records from his East Side studio, drawing inspiration from neighborhood characters for his songwriting. In 2001, he became a pioneering deejay on Sirius Satellite Radio's Blues channel, hosting a daily show until 2008 with guests like Buddy Guy, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, John Hammond, and Jonny Lang; he returned in 2016 to host on B.B. King’s Bluesville on SiriusXM, featuring artists such as George Thorogood, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bobby Rush, Popa Chubby, and Jimmie Vaughan. His blues-rock style, described as that of a 'street poet,' blends scorching guitar work, personal vocals, and Americana influences, evident in albums like Hit & Run (2017), The Corner (2020), and Electric City.[1][2][3][4]

Early Times & The High Rollers represent his current band project, delivering original blues-rock material that has earned critical praise for its authenticity and energy, positioning him as an enigmatic yet respected voice in the blues world with a legacy bridging performance, radio, and independent production.[1][2][5]

Fun Facts

• Received more Sacramento Area Music Awards nominations (10) than any other artist in the awards' history.
• Jokingly told high school friends he would one day host a blues radio show and live in New York—a prediction that came true with SiriusXM.
• Operated Fantasia Music, a Sacramento record label with international distribution through Bayside.
• His 2017 album Hit & Run featured the track 'Dogs of Karma,' which received heavy rotation on SiriusXM.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Johnny Heartsman - Played in a jazz combo together during youth in Sacramento (Unnamed jazz combo) [Youth in Sacramento (pre-1990s)]

Key Collaborators

• E.C. Scott - Lead guitarist on tours and albums (Hard Act to Follow, Masterpiece (Blind Pig Records)) [1990s-2001]
• Popa Chubby - Guest lead guitar on album track; radio show guest (Track on The Corner; SiriusXM appearances) [2020s]
• Anton Fig - Drummer on album (Electric City) [Recent (post-2020)]
• Joshua Keitt - Band member (percussion) (The Corner) [2020s]
• Dan Schnapp - Keys on album (The Corner) [2020]
• Hardan Long-Johnson - Bass on album (The Corner) [2020]
• Jay Messina - Percussion on album (The Corner) [2020]
• Colleen Messina - Backing vocals on album (The Corner) [2020]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz