Phil Rader

Phil Rader performs blues and roots music to pay tribute to this uniquely American art form.  "Halfway between Nashville and Chicago" describes both Phil's origin and his sound.

Phil was raised on a farm in rural southern Indiana, exactly midway between the honky tonks of Nashville and the blues clubs of Chicago. He grew up listening to country and rock music on AM radio, and his early musical  influences include Elvis, Johnny Cash and The Rolling Stones.  As a teenager, seeing the Muddy Waters Band open for the Allman Brothers gave him a deep appreciation of authentic blues as the roots of rock music.  

Phil was also captivated at a young age by the great American southwest, making numerous trips across legendary U.S. Route 66 to visit family in Arizona.  For the past 35 years, he has lived in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, and currently resides in Prescott, Arizona and Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.

Phil sings and plays American roots music on guitar and harmonica, incorporating traditional blues, roots rock, outlaw country and original Americana music, with a southwestern roadhouse vibe.  He interprets classic songs by iconic songwriters such as Robert Johnson, Leadbelly, Hank Williams, J.J. Cale, John Fogerty and Bob Dylan.  Phil also plays harmonica, bass and slide guitar in a duo with his partner, Blair Williams.

When he’s not making music, Phil finds inspiration by riding his motorcycle on the lost highways of the great Southwest, where the road goes on forever….

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