Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
A Lake Tahoe Casino has raised the ante.
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe’s Tuesday Night Winter Blues will feature its highest-profile artist tonight when Chris Cain joins the Buddy Emmer Blues Band.
Cain’s singing voice has been compared to B.B. King’s and his musicianship on the guitar has been lauded by Robben Ford and Albert King.
The free Tuesday night show began in 2014, and from 8 p.m. until midnight it presents Emmer’s band along with a guest, usually a guitarist from Reno, Tahoe or Sacramento. Cain is the first nationally acclaimed player to appear.
Entertainment Director Brian Chandler said Harrah’s wants to feature a nationally known guest artist at the Center Stage once a month. Saxophonist Terry Hanck was scheduled to be the first in January. However, he underwent a medical procedure and had to postpone. He is expected to play here in the spring. Mighty Mike Schermer, a solo artist who also plays with Marcia Ball’s band, will appear on March 15.
Cain has played often at Squaw Valley’s summertime Bluesdays. But he hasn’t been at Harrah’s since appearing with Hanck, Tommy Castro and Debbie Davies in the South Shore Room in 2012.
Cain attended a B.B. King concert when he was only 3 years old. He studied jazz, which he taught at San Jose City College, and was a professional player before turning 18. His recording career began in 1987. He also plays piano, bass, clarinet and saxophone.
