“The impact of the music of the Hippie Generation was enormous. It changed the way we think asindividuals and as a culture - even today. It brought more meaning to the lyrics than prior music like old R&R. It made people think about new ideas and new possibilities. It is true that, as a culture, we have gone back to old ways - mainly fueled by money and the need to feel safe but at least we know that there are other…

"I miss the rawness of the old recordings. I don’t mind hearing mistakes, if the performance delivers the feeling it’s designed to."

Kevin McKendree: The Rock House Roll

Kevin McKendree was born with an inherent, obsessive love of music. He began to play the piano at the age of three. Teaching himself by ear, listening to records by Little…

"I believe music can heal and educate people. Music can be used for social change and can help break down walls bring people together."

Tom Hambridge: The Real Power of Music

Tom Hambridge is a Four-time Grammy™- winning producer, songwriter, & drummer for his production work on three of blues legend Buddy Guy’s most critically acclaimed…

"I think jazz and blues will be combined with new musical elements to create a new music."

Tom "Bones" Malone: Sliding The Wind

Tom "Bones" Malone is a multitalented jazz musician, arranger and…

"Music is incredibly social. We choose the artists and music we listen to, based on how they relate to our lives. On the other hand, music is also a powerful tool that can have great influence over a demographic of people."

Alia Logan: Imagine If...Creative Music

The Imagine If, the enigmatic band renowned for their fusion of blues, rock, and…

"What I miss nowadays is that so many of the guys I used to work with and play with have passed away. There are very few younger people playing the blues. I think if that doesn't change, the survival of the music is in trouble."

Tom Morris: Illinois Slim Plays The Blues

Tom Morris (aka Illinois Slim) is a veteran American blues guitarist,…

"There is a universal feeling that comes from this music. It does not matter where a person lives, or what language they speak, the power of blues music can speak to everyone. Blues/Roots music is the musical foundation from which all popular American music stems, it is part of our culture and brings people together."

Cedar County Cobras: Homesick Blues…

"There will always be an audience. Young people in the United States tend to come to blues and jazz later in their lives, but there are still younger people interested. Everywhere else in the world, blues and jazz is very well received and respected, and there’s a younger fan base. A lot more so than in the US. There’s always a new fan made every day, and someone else gets excited by this music, and it will carry on for many more…

"I believe that the 60’s and the 70’s were magnificent years for the British scene. The most important bands in the world came out of those years, and it was revolutionary. Much of that audience lives still, and they transmit the passion for live music to their children and grandchildren. I have seen it at the CB’s shows."

The Cinelli Brothers: Blues Knights…

"I’ve learned that the hardest thing to do when you’re an artist/musician/writer, is to get outside of yourself and listen to others to help understand what makes the music work and flow even better. Some of us haven’t been able to do that since our own level of talent keeps us self -involved."

Charlie Souza: Live Your Dream…

"Blues was the foundation of rock music, but the more rock sound took over. music has to come from the heart, you must have music knowledge, but playing from the heart is the key."

Delta Wires: Rocking Big Band Blues

The DELTA WIRES is a big, high-energy harmonica and horns blues band from the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area. They were Finalists…

"Music is not a competition. I entered lots of battle of the band style contests as a young musician and it builds an unhealthy view of what music should be like."

Tom Gee: Say It Loud... Blues, Soul & Rock

Tom Gee is just about starting again. The 30 year-old singer songwriter from Bradford has been playing across the UK since the age of 16…

"Blake was a great visionary English poet. His line rang true for me, as I’ve indulged in plenty of excess in my time, and I feel now that I’ve been relieved of a hopeless state of mind and body, I should have learned something from the fun and games-and suffering!"

Tom Hyslop: A True Blues Knight

Blues Foundation “Keeping The Blues…

"Music can uplift and heal. What a breath of fresh air this grassroots music is, especially in today's modern, fast-paced, upside-down, plastic, digital world. But music (if we can even call it that) can also harm."

Tom Shaka: Mr. Delta Thunder

Tom Shaka, an American Bluesman of Sicilian ancestory, began singing and playing the guitar at the age…

"I’m not a big fan of modern contemporary pop music; just a personal preference. As far as modern blues music, I feel like it’s in a pretty good place. The blues tent has enough room for all tastes and styles. I would like to see more younger people follow the genre as fans to ensure we all have fans to enjoy the music we create moving forward."

Tom Craig: Get Ready For The…

"Boundaries are for the media reporters, not for the participants. There’s a tradeoff between perspective and objectivity. When you’re in the game, the game is invisible to you."

Tom Constanten:

Awareness of Artistic Expression

Phil Lesh was standing in line at Cal Berkeley's music…

"I think the main thing I learned already a long time ago, when I was really into black music, big time, and especially the blues, was that people are the same everywhere. No matter what nationality, what color, what race you are, we all have the same feelings of love, frustration, sorrow, joy and so on. Blues is a form of universal communication between people."…

"They are all linked, but music is superior to literature and politics. You can listen to a great song 5000 times and grow each time. You can't read a novel or a poem or hear a political speech too often...its unmoving - sometimes it's rhetoric. Toilet paper."

Tom Russell: The Rose of…

"If you look at any blues lyrics, the themes are always the same - the expression of tribulation and hardship, which originates from the slave trade in Africa and debatably the very place human life began."

Tom Bell: The Face of Classical Blues…

"Music certainly broke down cultural barriers, and the color of your skin didn’t matter when you moved your feet to a Ray Charles tune."

Mark Moormann:

Music…