By booking his CD release party for Friday the 13th, Rick ‘Poppa Dawg’ Halisheff is drawing inspiration from an old Howlin’ Wolf blues song.
And, if we’re lucky, the Wolf’s I Ain’t Superstitious might even be part of the set list that night.
“It seemed somehow appropriate, releasing a blues album on that day,” said Halisheff.
His new 11-track album, entitled What You Got, features all-original songs, recorded over a few weeks at a Westside studio.
“Most of the songs were written before, but a couple of tracks were put together in the studio,” said Halisheff. “I love being a little unprepared – makes it more exciting”

Halisheff has become a Kelowna blues fixture over the years, first with his band Dogskin Suit and then on his own as Poppa Dawg. Straight-up hard-core blues fans have come to love Halisheff’s guitar and voice, channeling personal influences that include Albert King, Howlin’ Wolf, Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl, JW-Jones and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Some of those influences come through on the new album. For instance, the song Dub Step features one of his influences on guitar.
“I wrote this for JW-Jones when he agreed to be a part of this project and I love how it came off,” Halisheff said in the liner notes to the song. “A stellar musician and a true blues gentleman.”
And then there’s Ronnie’s Song, written for Ronnie Earl.
“I stole many ideas from Ronnie over the years and this is my song for him,” Halisheff said. “Never met him, never played with him but have been inspired by his playing ever since I started playing these blues.”
All the songs were written by Halisheff except for the last track, Stay Away Baby, which was penned by his friend, Brandon Isaak.

Musicians featured on the CD include Cameron Ward on bass; Scott Grant, drums; Michael Garding, saxophone; and, of course, Halisheff on guitar and vocals.
The album is available for download on iTunes and Amazon, as well as CD Baby. The link to the latter is cdbaby.com/cd/poppadawg3
The CD is dedicated to Halisheff’s mother.
“I ain’t the easiest of dudes to get along with,” he said. “But she has pointed me in the right direction for my whole life and shown me what it means to live a meaningful life and enjoy it.
“I love my mommy – and yes – you can print that.”