“Music is a different level of awareness than normal everyday life. It’s usually a unique experience, a unique experience often beginning at birth. Now after a whole lifetime of doing music professionally for the love of it, I realize very clearly what a special rare gift it is.”

Charlie Miller: The Music Gumbo of…

“I don't believe all blues is great just because it's got that name. I think some is redundant and not creative and not original, but done well, it's just, you know, it's the real thing, it's real feeling.”

Mike Kappus: The Rosebud of Music

Mike Kappus has…

“Music introduced Black culture to many starting in the 1960's with the coming of rock and soul and the emergence of FM radio and college radio stations. That helped change attitudes, and there is now a general acceptance of African American culture.”

John Colgan-Davis: Blues Brother John…

“I once wrote that McLaughlin’s music sticks out like a jagged rock. To me, there is nobody like him and never will be. I can’t explain the draw of his music to me outside of using a metaphor like Star Trek’s Tractor Beam. I am drawn to his music. I believe it is the same for others. When it comes to McLaughlin’s music, you either get it or you don’t. There is no middle! For me, and I assume for those that remain spellbound, there is a…

"I think that blues music is a release, from today's problems [I define blues as a sad story that when combined with the right music is uplifting], for the people and that's why its important. I feel that it was the same generations ago and as it has been around a long time there is a historic side of it that I hope will continue to grow in today's society."

Studebaker John: Nothin But The…

“I miss how the musicians were more accessible back in the 70's. You could walk into their dressing room because the door was open and strike up a conversation with Buddy Guy and Jr. Wells. I hope the torch will continue to be passed on for the blues to the younger generation. I have faith in the future generations, I fear that we will not be able to pass this beautiful earth on to the children in a healthy…

“Of course the socio economic background of most of the current crop of young blues guys is still difficult. But for the original generations it must have been like living in an occupied land-no rights, no respect. The original blues guys had messages in the lyrics, a form of censorship to circumvent, messages and secret ‘in’ messages about the harsh repression that they were under.”…

"Preserving blues, and acoustic music in general, is crucial to our society’s mental health. It’s a world away from computers, television, traffic, and troubling political events. There are some folks in this world who don’t understand blues music. I always try to remind them that blues is not about giving in to adversity but overcoming it. It has always been a celebration of life, even in life’s difficult times."…

"Everybody likes music in some form and whether they know it or not, it gives succor to the soul."

John Helliwell: Music from the Heart!

John Helliwell is a multitalented English musician, saxophonist and occasional keyboardist, woodwind player, and background vocalist for the rock band Supertramp. He also served as an MC…

"All instruments require a technique, the complexity or mastery of which is decided by the form of music played. The music I played on the acoustic guitar required a very comprehensive technique. Most jazz and classical guitar music can be equally demanding. In performance, though, it should appear effortless."

John James: Dewin Cymru…

"Today there is far too much imitation and archival creation of the music of the past. All the great jazz artists in the history books had their own unique individual style. It’s important for every musician to manifest their unique musical voice in the same way that every face and every fingerprint are unique!"

John Di Martino: The Poetic Element…

"It's interesting to see how the listener reacts to the music and how much they love the music in other parts of the world. It seems to be a universal music that moves people everywhere."

John Clifton: Coast to Coast Blues

As a co-founder (w/ brother Bill Clifton) of Fresno's The MoFo Party Band, John Clifton has solidified himself as one of…

“So, I can always stay connected to the past for inspiration into the future. The music industry is ever expanding and I think the future looks bright. Young upcoming musicians have a lot to look forward to. I have no fears, the Blues are alive and kicking and will remain so.”

Joe Yuele: The Blues Beat Flag…

"Blues is a part of all music. The younger generation has reached back and infused the blues in their music of today. Each generation has to grow up to realize how important the Blues is to their music and understand how it broadens their sound and feel of their music."

Zakiya Hooker: Keeping The Blues Real

Her newest 9-tracks…

"San Francisco is a mecca for avant-garde and eclectic artists; as the city has historically had a migration of people coming from areas of the country where they were suppressed economically, artistically and spiritually!"

Natalie Martel: San Francisco Echoes

Canadian born, San…

"Most people react to the energy of music and blues music is a very direct form of that energy. One of the most beautiful aspects of blues music is its ability to cross between the cultural perspective."

Rev. Richard John: Nothing But The Blues

The Reverend´s music is foot tapping blues which appeals to audiences both young and old. The Reverend's…

"Blues just means every emotion you could feel in music. This is the magic of the blues, is how it makes you feel, whether it makes you feel sad and get out the sadness that comes with every-day life, but it also gives you the chance to rejoice all the good things in life. Blues is not just one kind of feeling, it’s all the feelings you can have, that’s what I do love about the blues.…

"My belief is a musician should be as proficient on their instrument as the music they want to create so the emotions can flow through the musician without the restrictions of the body and mind."

John "Papa" Gros: The Sound of NOLA

New Orleans has its fair share of musical ambassadors; but few are more rooted in the cracked sidewalks…

"Most folks have really strong views about the blues, both positive and negative. I find the negative opinions are generally due to ignorance, and with a proper introduction, those opinions change positive more often than not. The Blues chronicles the human experience of joy, pain, success, failure, work, play and love. There is no ‘Hate’ in the Blues. It is a tapestry of culture that embodies the best of humanity. Luther Allison said it best: “No Black, No…

"Photography has taken me to many places. Both physical and spiritual. And what I have loved the most is the doors that my career has opened. I’ve found myself surrounded by objects/moments/people that many don’t get to see up close. I love being behind the scenes."

James Demaria: The Beauty of Photo-Art

James Demaria is a gifted photographer,…