Allison Thrash Performing at SXSW 2012 Allison Thrash tells us “Music is everywhere in Austin.” not only at the SXSW festival but is a diverse year-round musical Mecca. This year Allison is proud to be showcased at SXSW, and will be performing her songs with her band (Trevor Detling on Drums, David Love on Guitar and James Elmo “Jes” Sproat [...]
Archive for Category: "Interviews"
2011 Blues Grammy Winner Willie “Big Eyes” Smith
Last Year, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith won a Grammy with Pinetop Perkins. Life changes for everyone. This year, neither recipient will be attending the awards. We lost both of these Blues greats in the year 2011. Thursday, September 22, 2011 Celebration of Life Rosa’s Lounge 3420 W. Armitage Avenue Chicago, Il 60647 773 342 [...]
Reflections…Bubs Mckeg with Challenges within the Challenge
Reflection on Memphis…. Much preparation goes into an act getting to Memphis. More work and effort than most will realize. There are challenges within the challenge that each act must face. With that in mind, two past competitors were questioned about their trips to Memphis. Both are exceptionally talented musicians and both are members of [...]
Canadian Maple Award Winner: MonkeyJunk
Since the 2009 release of their debut CD, Tiger in Your Tank, Monkey Junk has had the “tiger” by the tail. Monkey Junk’s award winning sound comes from the talent and energy of Steve Marriner, Tony D and Matt Sobb. For the 2011 Canadian Maple Awards, they snagged three awards: Electric Act of the [...]
Shakura S’Aida: The Authentic Self…in Song
Canadian Maple Blues Award nominee Shakura S’Aida (Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year) was given a blessing. The story is that she chose her name at birth and she’s been making choices ever since. ..choices that reflect her growth as a woman who has come to understand who she is, what [...]
Julian Fauth: Gratitude: After the Fall
Imagine being a pianist. Imagine being a pianist who has accidentally fallen and broken a shoulder. Imagine not being able to play for months. Imagine finding -in the midst of all this – gratitude. Julian Fauth has done far more than imagine it – he has lived it. American Blues News spoke with Julian, who [...]
Matt Andersen An Overnight Sensation- One Night at a Time
When one talks to Matt Andersen, you come to understand that he is a man who has derived his roots in Classic Rock, Celtic music, to his family, and to his community. Being from a coal mining town, his latest release, “Coal Mining Music”, pays tribute to the hard workers that heat our homes and [...]
Mike Reid Making Blues Magic Happen
Mike Reid is the winner of the 2011 Maple Blues Award in the category of “New Artist or Group of the Year”. Mike is known as Shrimp Daddy, a name that was suggested by a young woman at a jam. We talk to Mike on writing music, dropping the walls as a person, and leaving his audience [...]
John Mays: “Do it From Your Heart”
With an impressive four nods for the Maple Blues Awards, Canada’s Fathead has already garnered 11 wins during their 20 year career. Nominations are: John Mays “Male Vocalist of the Year,” Al Lerman “Horn Player of the Year,” Omar Tunnoch “Bassist” and Bucky Beyer “Drummer of the Year.” Delivering music described as an “energetic blend of [...]
Bonnie Paul Reaching Souls a Song at a Time
Bonnie Paul is a singer; songwriter, and actress. She has worked with the likes of Jon Voight, Edward Tree of the Spencer Davis Group, Randy Travis, and Waylon Jennings. She speaks of reaching souls with her music, and the importance of conveying life’s ups and downs to her audience in order to be an excellent [...]
Stony Plain – 35 Years of a Musical Visionary
Holger Peterson, Founder and President of Stony Plain Records, believes in his musicians; he believes in their talent and he believes in their vision- a tribute to his labels longevity. Solid and grounded, Holger spoke with American Blues News about his “humble beginnings,” the truthfulness of the blues, the challenges that musicians face today and the realistic approach that has kept his company [...]
Winterize!
What does the Johnny Winter band call it when Johnny touches a Blues tune? Winterize! Join me as I meet up with Mr. Johnny Winter, Paul Nelson, Vito Luizzi, and Scott Spray, as they discuss Johnny’s new CD, “Roots”. On his new CD, Johnny features many guests such as Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and Vince [...]
Hubert Sumlin…There Comes a Time
It was the Christmas of 1997 and the time had come to put everything away. However, when I went to reach for my figurines in my my manger scene, I somehow broke my kneeling Wiseman in two. It would be easy to glue. I told my Dad about it, who was the best gluer that [...]
Bruce Iglauer-Providing Nourishment for the Blues Soul
It is said that for a 40th anniversary the traditional gift is a ruby. Why a ruby? It signifies love, vivacity, passion and power. As Alligator Records shares with the music community in 2011 their milestone of reaching music fans for 40 years in the industry, we speak with Founder and President Bruce Iglauer. He talks [...]
Pinetop Perkins – A Treasure of a Man
It’s a fine line that is walked between mourning and celebrating – and that’s what Pinetop’s friends are doing these days – walking that fine line. To say that this man was well loved is, most likely, an understatement. To say that he is a legend is, most likely, true. But in talking with Pinetop’s [...]
