Michael “Wolf” Ingmire is relatively new to the Charlotte music scene (he moved here in 2004), but he’s been cooking up blues riffs for decades. The Norfolk, Va., native’s first inspiration came at age 11 after attending a Jimi Hendrix concert where Ingmire says he “totally got corrupted.” He then got into Robert Johnson and met Duane Allman who inspired his slide guitar work. He’s also performed with Wilson Pickett and opened for numerous artists, as well — John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Tinsley Ellis, to name a few.
He’s now formed a trio with bassist Randall Cowles and drummer Frank “Spoolie Hoffmann that play under the name Michael Wolf and A Side of Blues. Ingmire’s not opposed to playing covers during his set, but you may not recognize them, as he prefers unique songs. They hope to record an album of original music later this year.
“The songs I write are not the typical ‘my baby left me’ blues,” he says. “I also throw some chords in there that people won’t expect sometimes.”
The band will be performing at the Double Door Inn on July 20. You can find out more at asideofblues.com.
This article appears in Jul 18-24, 2007.
