“Be honest and be yourself. I think that shines through. Following trends or being all about style over substance is lame, and most folks know it. If you're good and can play from your heart, people pick up on that—especially live! Music is universal. Especially the Blues!”

Chris O'Leary:…

“The impact of music is immeasurable on the cultures around us and the implications endless. I want to tell stories listeners can better understand each other and make peace with the people around them and the lives they live.  Whether the winos or the wealthy, the scandalous or the pious, the young or the old, the lost or the found, we all deserve a measure of redemption, and a good song can offer that…

“New Orleans is ALWAYS an inspiration: the culture, Black culture, the history, the people, the music, the food, the architecture, the animals, and the average of 167 live shows A DAY here. The way musicians feel time here is different—more relaxed and advanced than anywhere else I've ever been.”

Jason Ricci: 13 Hours…

“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’m hoping people like me and other people that are in the music business really hone in on the fact that we have to preserve our genres of music we have to preserve the realness and what we do and produce and put out there to the world”

Alexis P. Suter: Keep the Music Love Roll…

“Music has the power to change the world. We’ve seen that throughout the civil rights movement in the United States, anti-war movements and anti-fascism movements. We see protest bands like the Russian band Pussy Riot banned by their own governments and put in prison because they’re found to be threatening to those in power.”

Debra Devi: The Language of the…

“I wish I had more time and space to answer this properly but Blues is the beginning of all music here in the USA that isn’t classical. Every type of music we have sprung out of the Blues, which we can say began in 1619 when the first Dutch ship landed and traded slaves for supplies. Jazz, Soul, Rock, Funk, R&B, Country, all of it comes from the blues.”…

“When I watch films, I am constantly impressed with the power of the soundtrack. Block your ears during an emotional scene and you will understand that power - and that manipulation. Music affects us deeply and we often don't give that credit. When I travel, I see that it is music that draws a culture together (the Irish pub, the Argentine dance group, etc.) and shouts out their identity when away from home; songs at a…

“Blues is the source for a lot of great American music. Rock, R&B and Jazz have it. I think it will outlive every trend in modern music. I got to see B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy and the list goes on. There’s nothing Ike hearing the folks that influenced generations of players. Music speaks to peoples emotions and brings back memories. Sometimes there’s a visceral response. Hopefully, musicians will continue to serve that…

“I’m not really sure what blues means to me. I mean it’s EVERYTHING to me. Almost every major decision I’ve made from the age to 16 to the present, like careers, relationships, moving places, etc. I’ve factored how it would impact my music.”

Ryan Hartt: Be About …The Blues!…

“Commit 100 percent every time and perform with emotional honesty - play to the people, bring them in. Make em feel good!”

Henri Herbert: Get It While It’s Hot

From an early age, Henri Herbert was fascinated by the piano-pounding pioneers Jerry Lee…

“The wheel turns, it’s always a surprise to see what’s become fashionable and trendy again! But the Blues has to stay true to itself, it’s an emotional medium. Once you remove the emotional impact to chase some kind of successful formula then the blues is gone. It will remain relevant while it’s moving people and hitting that deep place in their hearts.”…

“My hope is that music and the arts in general are supported as a way of culture that supports the human existence… Europe treats the arts as an essential form of the learning process… whereas in the US, arts funding is being cut and politicized as being non-essential. That is ludicrous.”

Dave Keyes: The King of the Keys…

“Music of the past had soul...not after 1976...It's all production now...so it seems the AI may have a future with people that don't know anything about music...most of the music coming out seems to be more like Broadway musical theatre type of music...who knows? Maybe Robots will be the future singers and people will LOVE them!!”…

“Most people forget that blues and early rock ‘n roll are the backbone of almost all popular music today. Looking further back, swing and jazz played a part in the development of early rock ‘n roll. Jazz and swing were in turn heavily influenced by blues music. Remembering the wonderful roots of today’s music lets us appreciate it even more.”…

“Music’s role in society is to bring people together through commonality/community, and the way to truly do that (in blues or any other genre), is to get back to basics and tell a solid, relatable story. I often introduce my guitar to the audience as a ‘life story machine,’ and it is. When those stories connect, it’s magic.”

Chris Vincent:…

“Musical chemistry is more important than being the best technical players. Also learn how to sew, always have duct tape, and check the expiration dates on the condiments in the green rooms.”

Billy Walton: New Jersey’s Rockin’ Blues

Billy Walton is an accomplished guitar master from the vibrant New Jersey Shore music scene. He earned his…

“I miss the open raw sound, I miss the space between the notes and the sense of timing. As Muddy Waters said “Less is more”. I love the feeling of the blues and will support artists like Kingfish and GA-20 whose recordings have a real taste of the past, and a fresh new sound at the same time. Bands like this will lead the way for other artists.”…

"Music allows us to feel human, love, tread lightly and taste a little wisdom to appreciate the sanctity of all life. Music can turn us towards compassion."

Matt Turk: New York Roots Troubadour 

Matt Turk is a musician, recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, veteran performer, troubadour, bandleader, eternal idealist, peace loving…

”Well, if there is one difference between Afro-American Roots music and the music from the Caribbean is that it is rare that you will find in the Caribbean the heaviness found in the American Blues.”

Benoît LeBlanc: Mô Kouzin, Mô Kouzinn

Benoît LeBlanc is a critically…