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A Central Illinois Blues Band performing music written in 1919 - 2007. The bands focus is post war blues through 1970. (See attached song list)

Shane Denney, Rich Hohnann, Keith Altevogt, Steve Suiter, Robert (Memphis Bob) Sampson

Accomplishments:
In February 2008 Pleasure Chest created and preformed “History of the Blues” a two-hour educational program using live music to introduce young people to the Blues. The Illinois Arts Council, the Blues in the Schools program of the Illinois Central Blues Club, and the Blues Foundation, made this program possible.

Band member Robert (Memphis Bob) Sampson was recently honored as one of six finalists at the 2008 International Blues Solo/Duo Challenge at the world's largest gathering of Blues bands in Memphis TN. This event draws competition from around the world. See http://www.blues.org/ibc/ for more information..

Pleasure Chest performed at the Springfield Blues and BBQ festival and the Chatham Sweet Corn Festival in 2007. The band is a regular at the Illinois Central Blues Club’s Blue Monday hosted at the Alamo in Springfield Illinois. Pleasure Chest has performed at Springfield’s Blues and BBQ festival, Chatham’s Sweet corn Festival and as the featured artist for the 2008 Black History Month at the Illinois Capitol Complex presenting “The History of the Blues”. Pleasure Chest it is currently booking 2008 festival dates in the Midwest region.

ICBC Review:
Blues fans had a real treat December 11, 2006 when “Pleasure Chest", first performed at Blue Monday. This band high-energy band is made up of consummate musicians. You won’t want to miss them!! The music was so much fun - and so good - and the personalities were great, too. The rapport with the crowd was super. Their music will entertain and delight your senses. These boys are performers in every sense of the word.

Judy Burgess - Secretary Illinois Central Blues Club

Robert Sampson, featured artist with Pleasure Chest, was recently honored as one of six finalists at the International Blues Solo/Duo Challenge at the world's largest gathering of Blues bands on Beale Street in Memphis. The event, which drew competition from around the world, Robert was one of the few to be selected to perform as a finalist at the at the historic Orpheum Theatre.

Sampson represented the Illinois Central Blues Club at the IBC.
Growing up as a foster child in East St. Louis, Sampson was exposed to a life of the blues in early life. A graduate of Illinois School for the Visually Impared, Robert had to rely on his gift of playing by ear as he couldn't see well enough to read music. He started playing piano at the age of 4, added drums at 9 years ,and harmonica by the age of 12. At 27, he is an accomplished Slide guitar, guitar, Harp, and Keyboard musician both as a soloist and with his band, Pleasure Chest.

"Robert's high energy blues will entertain and delight your senses. He is a performer in every sense of the word." said Shane Denney, of Pleasure Chest.