Gerry Hundt Trio

One More For Me

Steady Groove Music

Originally from Rockford, Illinois, Gerry Hundt makes the sound of Chicago blues undeniable whether he picks up guitar, mandolin, harmonica, or drums. He began his career in Colorado on harmonica with the late John-Alex Mason and was later featured on Mason’s final album alongside Cedric Burnside, Lightnin’ Malcolm, and Lionel Young.

After coming home to Illinois, Gerry played festivals and venues across the U.S. and Europe during a five-year stint with Nick Moss and the Flip Tops. During this time, Nick and his wife, Kate, founded Blue Bella Records, with Gerry as engineer for a dozen releases, including his own mandolin album, 2007’s Since Way Back. Blues Music Award nominations followed, as well as international festivals such as the Montreal Jazz Fest and Blues Station in Touron, France.

Starting in 2013, Gerry served as manager, guitarist, and songwriter for the Corey Dennison Band, which recorded two albums for Delmark Records, garnering a 2016 Le Prix du Blues award as well as more BMA nominations. Post-2020 saw the creation of Dig 3, a collaboration that featured Gerry’s one-man band augmented by Andrew Duncanson (Kilborn Alley Blues Band) and Ronnie Shellist for two critically acclaimed albums. One More for Me was recorded live on 10/22/25 at Holtz Sound Studio in Tuntange, Luxembourg, by Charles Stoltz and produced by Hundt and Tom Lehnert. It was mastered by Justin Perkins.

The Gerry Hundt Trio is completed by Renaud Lesire on bass, harmonica, and vocals, who also fronts his own band, Well, Well, Well; his resume includes Bobby Rush, John Primer, James Harman, Candye Kane, Junior Watson, Candice Ivory, and Sean Mack McDonald. On drums is Tom Lehnert, who comes from the charmingly pastoral village of Useldange, Luxembourg. He has competed in the European Blues Challenge, most recently with the Nightcallers.

The album opens with the instrumental “Pimenta,” Portuguese for “hot sauce” — literally, “pepper” — inspired by one from Bo Diddley.

On “Caught in the Middle,” more a tribute to Lil’ Ed than Elmore James, Gerry sings, “I got caught in the middle, I could not tell a lie, I could not tell a lie…I was so surprised, I knew it all along.”

“Pretty Baby” is a foot-stompin’ party song, the kind that’d get the Zoo Bar or the Kingston Mines rockin’, as Gerry chimes, “Pretty baby, honey you look so fine, you got me thinkin’, how am I gonna pass the time.”

“Kid Man Blues” is a throwback to the days spent absorbing legendary mandolinist Johnny Young, as mandolinist Gerry chants, “I have to get something off my chest…went upstairs packed my stuff…I guess your doin’ alright.”

“Ruby Doobie,” a true story, is a goofy fun number showcasing Renaud on the low-tuned harmonica — a double-harp boogie — as Gerry moans, “Ruby doobie, I know you gotta go…leave behind another bottle, I could be going home, but I think I’ll stay right here.”

“Runnin Wild” is a funky Eddie C. Campbell instrumental that mixes blues and dance music.

On “I’m Gone,” a crowd favorite, “The Deacon” rides again as Gerry groans, “was it something you heard…you heard right I’m gone, it’s too late…I’m gone.”

“Rambler’s Blues” is a guitar song by Hudson Whittaker (Tampa Red), translated to mandolin, as Gerry wails, “I got a mind to ramble, I might leave this town, if I don’t make Memphis, I’ll be Alabama bound.”

On “Strange Things Happening,” written by Gerry while watching the news, he howls, “They say things are happening…I saw a policeman arrested with evil on his mind.”

On the closer, the instrumental “End of the Day Blues,” first recorded in 2007 as a mandolin instrumental, the song gets the full treatment.

One More for Me was named for the recording process. The sound of Chicago blues is undeniable when Gerry Hundt picks up an instrument. This powerful, exuberant, and subtle statement is his most personal to date, and a celebration of the city he calls home.

Richard Ludmerer

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