"The popularity of the Blues always goes up and down, but it’ll never die. Right now, there’s a whole new generation of exciting young blues artists emerging who’ll keep the music alive and who’ll keep spreading the news to future generations."

Rick Estrin:

The Nightcats Hits Keep Coming…

"If it wasn't for the blues music rock and roll wouldn't never exist which eventually shook up the world's culture. In today's emotional coldness, the sounds and lyrics of that kind of music provide a direct outlet to real human essence, building a world that is more sensitive and hopeful."

Giotis Kyttaris: Blues, Roots & Black Jug

Athens…

"For those of us who have experienced the magic of that music, it is a worthy pursuit to try to convey that magic to others. It is important that we honor those who created and shaped that music, not just the famous names but also lesser known artists who despite their obscurity have created something profound."

Carl Sonny Leyland: Boogie Woogie Party…

"My travels have confirmed to me that music brings people together in ways that politics, culture or religion never can. I was in Austin, Texas in the early 70s when Willie Nelson brought the hippies and rednecks together. It was amazing. And I was blown away when I first went to Italy to find people who understood no English were huge Townes Van Zandt fans.  As long as music can continue to lead the way to our similarities as opposed to our differences…

"Roots music, plays a role today by connecting us to our cultural roots and reminding us of our shared experiences. In a fast-paced world, roots music provides a sense of grounding. It celebrates diversity, hopefully bridges divides, and understanding for people from different backgrounds. It's a timeless reminder of the power of music to bring us all together."

Shaun Murphy: The Voice of…

"My hope for the future is that the Blues gets more attention than it does, even the Grammy Award for Blues is not considered primetime worthy; to me that’s unfair. My fear is programming is the demise of American Blues Music."

Chris BadNews Barnes: Aristophanes Blues

Recent Nashville transplant Chris BadNews Barnes is a humorist, both by design…

"The impact of blues music on socio-cultural implications is far reaching, touching on themes of emotion, social justice, cultural exchange, community, and artistic expression. It inspires and resonates with people across generations and cultural boundaries."

Ground Zero Blues Club:

Celebrating the Heritage of Blues…

"I miss the honesty of music’s past. I miss great albums, where 8 out of the 10 songs were hits. I miss putting on a record and walking across the room to sit down, because you were invested, and you knew you were in good hands for the next 45 minutes, or so. Nowadays, it seems everyone is chasing that 1 hit. And the album is just the vessel to hold it. I miss really great records."

Cryin’ Out…

"Music moves and inspires me. I think my creative drive comes from the desire to create emotions in others or to inspire others to take action."

Guy Wall: Cardiac Rhythms of New Orleans

Aarythmers is a band that showcases some of the best songwriters and musicians in New Orleans playing songs written by Guy Wall. The group just released…

"Blues represents everyday life. Blues has given me the opportunity to make a living."

Merle Perkins: Everyday I have the Blues

As a teenager Merle played in the Spirit of St. Louis Drum & Bugle Corp. “There is where it all started for me with the drums. If it was not for drum corp., I would not be a drummer today. I owe it all to drum…

"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…

"Where would we be without it? Literature helps us to understand the world, to see and feel and empathise with other cultural values, other points of view. It stimulates our thinking and, on a very basic level, entertains us."

Leon Horton: Under the Counterculture

Leon Horton is a countercultural writer, interviewer, and editor. A regular…

"Στην μουσική βιομηχανία, για κάποιους λόγους κάνεις πράγματα πολύ δύσκολα, αλλά αξίζει, είδες κάναμε νέο άλμπουμ περνώντας μέσα από δύσκολες καταστάσεις μέχρι να γίνει, αλλά στο τέλος αξίζουν όλα. Η μουσική είναι η γλώσσα του σύμπαντος!"

Artimus Pyle:

The Anthems of Lynyrd Skynyrd

O…

"I think it’s a fine balance; you can have all the skill, technique etc., but if it doesn’t have the feel, the soul, and the emotion, I don’t feel that it really says much or that it can touch somebody. For me, it has the have the feel, soul, and emotion. That being said, it’s good to have skill and technique in there as well. I think it’s important to know your instrument, to strive for perfection, and to continually try to get better. For me, the guitar…

"Clarksdale is the birthplace of the Blues. Most people who travel here are looking for something. And I really don't know what that something is, maybe the presence of the fellas who started it all, I'm not sure, but I heard there is a feeling when you come here. And a lot of people come here to chase that feeling or they want to stand where Robert Johnson stood."

Anthony “Big A” Sherrod: Bluesman's…

"I would recommend young musicians slow down! There is no easy path to being an artist in any genre. You start with nothing. Just like a baby taking its first step-you have to learn the first note…then the next note. I’ve taught The History of The blues, History of Rock and Roll, World Music on the college level. Learning the history of your art is something that has always been important to me."…

"It’s very important to preserve the blues, due to its historical role that it plays as a generator of many of the current rhythms and subgenres that have been derived from it, in popular music. It’s much more than just a musical genre and has become a culture throughout the world."

Jose Luis Garcia Fernandez:

Blues a la Carta & The…

"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…

"Es importante preservar el blues, por su papel histórico que juega como generador de muchos de los ritmos y subgéneros actuales que se han derivado a partir de él, en la música popular occidental. Es mucho más que solo un género musical y se ha convertido en una cultura a lo largo y ancho del mundo."

José Luis García Fernández:

Blues a la…

“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…