"I guess that I regret seeing blues get removed from the regional life experiences that created it. I fear that it is and will continue to be more homogenized."

Steve Howell: Jazz Vehicle, Blues Wheels

When Steve Howell first heard Mississippi John Hurt's happy style of fingerpicking country blues in 1965 at the age of thirteen, he…

"I’ve learned the hard way not to self-righteously fight against every small thing I don’t like. More “go with the flow” if I can. And sometimes it’s better to be kind than to be honest. I try to choose my battles more now than I did 30 years ago."

Bob Margolin: Blessings and Blues

Bob Margolin is a Steady Rollin’ Blues guitar player…

"I believe that kindness and respect are so important no matter what field you are in. The music business is cutthroat for sure and I've seen it turn very kind, loving folks into bitter and angry people. On the flip side of that there is so much joy to be able to do what I love for a living and to hopefully be able make people forget their problems for at least just a moment. I've learned to remind myself of that when I get frustrated with the…

"I always strive for peace and love and all living as one. Also, empowerment. I try to write music that has the ability to take you out of the funk (the bad kind of funk!) and regain your power. One of the songs I released last year is called "Free," it's about women’s freedom, in a sense. It's the freedom from being done raising their kids, and now it's their time to shine and maybe take their journey!!"…

​"I think this music is timeless, and people will always love it, however, I think the reason blues has been able to generate renewed interest in recent years, is because newer artists are mixing blues with other genres, like rock, soul, pop, even hip hop."

Chris Antonik: Morningstar Blues

Since his nomination for Best New Artist at…

"Blues Music is all around us and has been for a very long time. Blues has been and still is the foundation for many art forms, not just music. Whether it be: Music, Film, Literature, Social Media, Story Telling, etc... People expressing their views and experiences with blues is a powerful way to reach an audience."

Spencer Mackenzie: Preach To My Soul…

"I find that in my case, the key to a life well lived is knowing what brings me joy and allowing that for myself. It's living according to what I KNOW my purpose is. It's loving out loud. It's understanding that every breath I take is a blessing… every moment, a gift. The ultimate key to a “life well lived" is to be grateful for it ALL!"

Kat Riggins: The Sound of Spiritual…

"I would only hope for a renaissance of music made by real artists with a new following that would appreciate and fully support the real artistry. I will continue to make music for this purpose."

Phantom Blues Band: Blues Breakfast

For all his considerable musical talents, Taj Mahal has always been shrewd. And smart. In the early 1990s he knew…

"I think music has a greater impact than poetry because you cannot dance to a poem, I have tried. Not that many people care about or read poetry, which is why the small press exists. With the Internet anyone can start a magazine, digital or Print On Demand. Music puts a couple together in a romantic embrace. At poetry readings, most people just want to read their shit and hit the road. Someday maybe things will get better."…

"Just to keep learning. It is absolutely incredible how you can play and write in a particular style, and there is always still so much to learn. It is never-ending. That is the gift to the performer, its a type of fuel. If you are open to it, there's always something new and interesting to try and get better at."

Jim "Dan Dee" Stefanuk: Real Blues…

"Music brings people together and reminds us of what we have in common. There are too many divisive forces in society that try to marginalize and turn people against each other. Music is a positive energy that counterbalances that. Music is a universal language that highlights what have in common and unites people."

Dennis Johnson: Slide Roads Blues…

"Music has been a part of human culture for thousands of years since we first gathered around a fire and chanted, moved our bodies, hit things, shook things, and ecstatically celebrated living and thriving together. I get up every day with an intention to serve that same purpose."

Jim Greiner: Rhythm Power, Hands Beat

Jim Greiner is a multiple…

"It is the birth place of American music with influences that are Caribbean, jazz, Indian, blues, gospel, etc. The music community has a vibe unlike other places because of the culture, the food, etc. It is like a gumbo with all the ingredients I just mentioned."

Nick Daniels III: Groovin' in New Orleans

Nick Daniels III was born in New…

"When people hear our music, I want there to be a bit of a shock factor, but still have a familiar sound to it. Obviously, this music won't be everyone's cup of tea. That's to be expected when making a new band. As far as impact goes, it does vary in my opinion. For some people music is a necessity, and for some it's not as much."

Xanthan: Succubus Swing…

"My hope is that the music affects people in the same way it affected me – brings them enjoyment at the same time as giving them access to the same tools I gained through listening to blues music."

Lyle Odjick: Through The Rain

Originating from the Algonquin reservation of Kitigan Zibi, QC, now based in Ottawa, ON, Lyle Odjick went from living in…

"I think every generation has a voice that’s expressed through the music, culturally as well and we’ve been through a lot. I’m glad to see, at least some recognition of humanity and the feeling that, you know, I would like to see all of this, nationalism, to me it’s one planet."

Edgar Winter: A Philosopher of Music…

"Undoubtedly, it had a huge impact of bringing people together and transcending the racial problems of the past. There’s something tribal about music that supersedes superficial barometers of judgment. As a musician and songwriter, I want my music to do that indescribable thing that happens when you hear a song you love. To touch people's souls."

Until The Sun: Roomful of Blues…

"I think music is a great way to communicate your perspective to the world, but I think it probably best reaches one person at a time. Interpretation and enjoyment of music is very personal, and what one person gets from a song might be totally different from someone else."

Gary Cain: Maple Syrup Blues

Gary Cain is a Canadian-born guitarist,…

"I miss the fact that a lot of the past music wasn’t following trends as much as today. Things seem very commercialized and repetitive today. Although on early music’s behalf, a lot of those musical ideas had never been done. And it was like a clean slate for a lot of artistry. And there weren’t too many trends to follow anyway back then."

Mike Ian: The Learning Tree…

"MUSIC, ART, and ARTISTS of all genres are taken for granted. They are not being paid for nurturing and cultivating their craft. If any employer told an employee that they would not get paid for their work, they would be screaming and infuriated at the lack of respect given them and yet this is how artists from all genres continue to be treated."

Christopher Garcia:…