LUCKY PETERSON - BMHOF CLASS OF 1996

Lucky Peterson was born into music. He was raised above "The Governor's Inn" a popular Buffalo blues nightclub operated by his father, vocalist/guitarist James Peterson. His early influences were the blues greats playing at his fathers club: B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, KoKo Taylor, Albert King, Jimmy Reed and Junior Wells. 

Lucky had the opportunity to learn music directly from the touring legends of the Blues circuit. He learned to play drums at 3. Was taught some techniques on the Hammond B-3 by Jimmy Smith. Acquired piano and guitar skills by sitting in with his fathers band. 

By age 5 he was nationally recognized as a child prodigy of music. This is when Willie Dixon took him under his tutelage and produced an album which had a hit single "1,2,3,4". At this time he made his television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show, The David Frost Show and What's My Line.

At 17 Lucky moved to Florida, where he and his father worked the blues circuit and recorded an album, "The Father, The Son, The Blues". He got a break with Little Milton was scheduled to play a show in Florida and his band was stuck up north in a snow storm. A call was made to James Peterson, who recommended Lucky's band. After one night, Lucky was hired as Little Milton's music director and toured with him for three years. This was followed by three years as featured soloist with Bobby "Blue" Bland and dates with B.B. King.

In the mid 80's, while touring Europe, Lucky recorded "Ridin" on the French label, Isabel Records. This was followed later in the decade with "Lucky Strikes". In 1991 he released "Triple Play" on Chicago's Alligator Records. 

These releases showcased Lucky's extraordinary musical talent, resulting in him becoming a 1st call session musician. He worked with Wynton Marsalis on the soundtrack of "Time in Tomorrow" and he did some underscoring on the movie "Jason's Lyric". He contributed to the best selling blues compilation "Red Blooded Blues".

In 1996 he released "Lifetime", a blend of funk, jazz and rhythm & blues, on Verve Records. The single and video "Time" was a collaboration with "Bootsy" Collins. This was followed by the 1999 Verve release "Deal with It".