The band was originally formed in 2001 by Joni (Weston) and Eric Buffalohead. Bluedog released their debut CD “From All Directions” in April of 2005. The CD was recorded at Oyate Studios in Albuquerque, NM. The CD received two nominations (Best Blues and Debut Recording) from the Native American Music Awards; and was also nominated for the best blues category for the Indian Summer Music Awards. Bluedog released its second CD “A Little White Lie” in December of 2006. This CD was recorded in Minneapolis, MN. The recording received a Native American Music Award nomination for Best Blues recording. In 2010 the band released a single called “Get Up & Get Out”; and, nominated in the Best Blues category for the 2010 Indian Summer Music Awards. “Get Up & Get Out” was also nominated in two categories (Best Blues & Group of the Year) for the 2010 Native American Music Awards (NAMMY’s). “Just Living the Blues” was released in December of 2011. This CD was recorded at Untouchable Studios in Grand Forks, ND and produced by blues guitarist Little Bobby and Joni. In 2017, Bluedog’s recording, "Red, White & Blues" was released and all songs were written by Joni, Eric and Alexandra. The recording received a Native American Music Award nomination for Best Blues recording. “Take a Stand” is the latest CD from Bluedog and was nominated for the Best Blues Recording for the 2022 Native American Music Awards. It was recorded at Winterland Studios in Minneapolis, MN. The lyrics to the CD’s 11 songs were written by Joni and Eric Buffalohead with the exception of “Look to the Sky” written by Keith Secola, Eric, Joni and Alexandra Buffalohead. Additional musicians on this CD include: Keith Secola, Ted and Angie Vig, Josh Levi, Jan Michael Looking Wolf and Jordan Carlson.
The music is influenced by life experiences of Native people. Joni states that “Native people have experienced the blues too. For us it reflects a significant part of life for Native people and our relationship with the U.S. government in the past, present and future. All the pain we’ve endured from massacres, boarding schools, and forced removal from our homes, etc… all attempts to erase our culture and our people. We are still here. Our music celebrates life, the good and bad.”
The band has performed across the United States in support of their original recordings in locations such as: Hollywood, FL (Native American Music Awards), Milwaukee, WI (Indian Summer Music Awards), Toppenish, WA (Yakima Tribal Jam), Minneapolis, MN (Indian Summer Music Festival), The Fargo Blues Festival (2012 & 2014); and Thief River Falls, MN (Last Ride Blues Festival 2009 to 2015). The band has fronted notable blues acts including: The Robert Cray Band, Indigenous, Los Lonely Boys, Corey Stevens, John Mayall, Kenny Neal Band, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Coco Montoya, Ana Popovic, Walter Trout, Shannon Curfman, and the Jerry Garcia Band. The Bluedog band is a five member blues/rock band out of Minneapolis, MN.