Members of Microwave Dave & The Nukes are, from left, James Irvin, Rick Godfrey and Dave Gallaher. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Cool, home-fried blues, courtesy of Microwave Dave & The Nukes, will flow at the Madison Gazebo Concert on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

For 20 years, Microwave Dave has performed across the United States and Europe at venues from soccer stadiums in France to Bike Week in Daytona Beach.

“Blues is America’s first and still best self-help program,” Microwave Dave said. His real name is Dave Gallaher (microwavedave.com).

The stylized music of Microwave Dave & The Nukes led to their receiving the “Blues Achievement Award” in 2001 from the Alabama Blues Society. The group has released six albums.

Originally from Chicago, Gallaher got a boost in the blues when his family moved to Atlanta. His first band, the Majestics, played driving rhythm and blues and traveled the college circuit and then to Atlanta venues. He moved to Huntsville in the mid-1980s and organized the Nukes in 1989.

Nukes member Rick Godfrey handles bass, harmonica and backup vocals. A Huntsville native, Godfrey owned shops for 20 years as a visual artist in stained glass and woodworking.

Godfrey developed his one-of-a-kind, thumb-and-fingers style on guitar. A songwriter, he recently launched a series of solo gigs on acoustic guitar.

James Irvin was destined to be a drummer, receiving his first drum kit for his eighth birthday. He also plays bass and guitar. His first solo gig was at the Kaffeeklatsch in Huntsville in 1999 and he soon accepted jobs on guitar and bass with local bands. He and Microwave Dave first met at the Kaffeeklatsch, where Dave asked him to join the Nukes.

In Muscle Shoals, Irvin recorded a self-titled album of his original material. His work received international airplay on XM Satellite Radio.

Madison Arts Council sponsors the Madison Gazebo Concert series through summer months on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about gazebo concerts, call MAC member Laura Pope at 256-527-7802, email to lhp925@knology.net or visit artsmadison.org.