Blues Access magazine described Blue Plate Special as "a hardworking trio with a big bag of original music full of experience and grit". Big City Blues said, "Power Fender guitar and sparkling compositions. Totally original material that will knock you out..." Blue Plate Special are: R.P. Michaels on vocals, bass, keyboards and songwriting, Harry Binford on guitar, and Gary Maier on drums. In a time when musical groups come and go as quickly as the rapid fire images on MTV, these three Chicago area men have stayed true to their blues roots for over 30 years. Harry Binford is one of the most unique guitarists anywhere in music today. Although the influences of other major guitarists of the past can be felt, Harry truly has his own style and voice. Bob Gabella of In The Mix magazine said, "Binford's searing guitar gouges at the bare walls for every last scrap of pain and heartbreak". Gary Maier propels the band on drums with the utmost in precision and class. His capability even as a teen got him the job as drum setup man for Jerry Edmonton of Steppenwolf in the late sixties. Gary listened to Mitch Mitchell and Fred Below and Sam Lay as well as a lot of Clyde Stubbelfield. Gary is the main reason In The Mix said, "Blue Plate Special is at home on every facet of the Blues diamond". He is totally on top of every rhythm and can change on a drop of a dime.

R.P.(Ron) Michaels wrings the gamut of emotion from a powerful set of vocal pipes and at the same time lays down a furious range of bass licks. His songwriting is at the heart of what BPS is all about and has been highly regarded in Blues Revue and Blues Access magazines. Half the time he mans the keyboards and gives the band a change of sound and sight onstage. Playing bass with his left hand while doing keys with his right and singing his heart out at the same time is truly a sight! A typical Blue Plate performance is about 75% in the groove originals mixed up with material by the founding fathers of the Blues - Muddy Waters, Albert King, BB King...

Blue Plate Special believes the blues is learned and then expounded on. Moving the Blues into the future has always been their job and they're still going strong-same guys-same attitude.

In 2008 Harry Binford retired and in November was replaced on guitar by Marty Macmillan from Detroit, Michigan. In 2009 the band has been busy gigging and recordings new material for their upcoming 2010 "Live" release.