Born with more sizzle than Coca-Cola, Ma Rainey made her debut in the same year as the effervescent drink, in 1886. Growing up in the soulful south of Columbus Georgia, Ma Rainey forged a path for generations of women, including her own, who longed to sing the blues. The “Mother of the Blues” as she [...]
Archive for Category: "Features"
Shemekia Copeland, Making Blues History by Monica Yasher
Shemekia Copeland is one busy lady! Recently, Shemekia was crowned Queen of the Blues, from the legendary Koko Taylor’s daughter. Shemekia talks about her time with Koko, and the lasting impression she has made on her life. Shemekia is a modern day woman taking her place in Blues History, as a real person who believes in the [...]
Elizabeth Cotten: “Cotten Style”
Counted by Bruce Springsteen as one of his “heroes” (RS Feb. 2009), Elizabeth Cotten rose above an unlikely beginning as a young mother and completely self taught musician. Born in Chapel Hill, NC in 1893, Elizabeth was playing the banjo by the age of 8. She soon graduated to her brother’s guitar until she was able to [...]
Billie Holiday, Living the Blues by Monica Yasher
Billie Holiday Lived the Blues Billie Holiday (1915-1959) was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Billie’s blues started at an extremely young age. At the age of thirteen she was thrown out of her parents home after becoming pregnant. She then lived with her grandparents and an older cousin while her mother left to work in New [...]
Through The Years With Grammy Nominee, The Black Keys
The Akron, Ohio rock band, The Black Keys consisting of the Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have been nominated in 2012 for Best Pop Duo/group Performance for “Dearest” from “Rave On Buddy Holly”. This follows 2011 in which the band was awarded Grammy’s fro Best Rock Performance for Duo with Vocal(“Tighten Up”) , Best Alternative Music Album [...]
The word on the street ….
The streets are busy with the influx of blues fans. In a few hours, blues musicians will be scurrying to their designated venue. It is a site to behold… players carrying their guitars and such…cleaned up and ready to do battle. They will all walk tall with a purpose…knowing that they ALL were winners just [...]
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 by Monica Yasher
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 by Monica Yasher
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 [...]
Memphis Mourns Two Blues Souls Sease and Galloway
(Memphis, Tennessee) Blues legend Marvin Sease died at 64. Sease started his career with a gospel group called the Five Gospel Crowns out of Charleston, South Carolina. After singing with them, Marvin then left at age 20 settling into New York. There he joined another gospel group called the Gospel Crowns. Marvin left the gospel circuit [...]
Is That All There Is? Jerry Lieber by Monica Yasher
It all starts with a song. The performer, the singer, the instrumentalist, they all need a song. The creative spirit of Jerry Lieber will always live on and be remembered through a song catalog that includes “Hound Dog“, “Jailhouse Rock“, “Kansas City“, “Stand by Me”, and many more. Though the lyrics of Jerry, more people [...]
David “Frankie” Toler – A Year of Tears And A Lifetime Of Music
Drummer David “Frankie” Toler passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2011 in Bradenton, FL. Frankie was in hospice care after prolonged illness and two liver transplants. He was 59. Blues fans may remember him from his tenure in the Allman Brothers Band from 1980 to 1982. Frankie Toler was raised in Connersville, Indiana and got [...]
The Sky IS Crying-the loss of Doyle Bramhall Senior
Beloved blues drummer, songwriter and singer Doyle Bramhall Senior passed away at the age of 62 on November 12 at his home in Alpine, Texas. Doyle had a huge influence on blues music in Texas in particular, where he played an integral part in starting the scene. Early in his career he played for Lightnin [...]
