"Music is one of the greatest forms of expression and provides people with a voice, and want to see it continue to be used to convey important social messages to the community at large, whether it is political, social, economic, or just plain bringing hope and joy. Music is a tremendous medium to convey a message and story. Some artists may have introverted personalities but speak volumes with every note they play on their…

"Music you can’t see or you can’t touch … it’s something like magic or religion this is an amazing tool to touch people, it can move people, music is the most direct and wonderful art in the world, that is the reason many religions or governments want to forbid music because it is so damn free of everything..."

Reverend Beat-Man:

Blues…

"I’ve learned that all perspectives are definitely not equal, that culture is the quality of life. Love and respect are most important, the sin of pride is the most dangerous, common courtesy is a given. To love and be loved is all. I’ve never personally had anything to complain about besides social conditions. I’ve learned it’s too easy to be weak and decisiveness is key. Class struggle and solidarity show the way to a better world. I’ve learned that…

"Blues is definitely it's own identifiable music and it does have an artistic movement. There are always new blues artists showing up and that's a great thing. It's here to stay like Rock n Roll it will never die."

Head Honchos: Blues Alliance

HEAD HONCHOS continues to creatively refine their Blues craft for a musically astute 21st Century…

"We know it’s impacted world culture in many ways. So much music is inspired by jazz even if it doesn’t sound like jazz and because it was born from the African-American experience which was couched in racism and civil unrest, it will always carry with it a deep concern for diplomacy and human dignity. With instrumental music it’s not as easy to convey a message but I hope listeners feel something emotional and real when hearing my…

"Music should excite. It can do that in many ways. Intellectually and emotionally but fundamentally it’s three minutes or so of excitement and as an artist the game is to pack those three minutes with as much stimulating stuff as possible."

Nigel Barker: The Art To Be Artist

If you imagine Beck with Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen with the Delta Saints…

"Positive Music is timeless and full of energy and light. Positive music brings people together, it doesn’t discriminate or exclude people because of their racial, spiritual or socio-cultural background. Positive music inspires people to work together for the greater good. Positive music heals, it doesn’t steal."

Dione Taylor: The Spirits of Prairie Blues…

"Blues, rock, and soul music is truthful music and is about the good times and the bad times. I want the world to be a fair and equal place for everyone and I live life that way too in song and in daily life."

Vanessa Collier: Earth, Wind & Fire

Soulful blues singer/saxophonist Vanessa Collier's most recent album, titled "Heart On The…

"Stay true to yourself, don't try to be something you are not. Do not let the outside forces try to change you to something they want you to be. Each person is unique and should always be confident in who they are. I'm built from rhythm & blues, swamp pop, traditional country and rock 'n' roll; that's what I'm made of."

Lucas Spinosa: Southern Music Memories…

"The power of music can culturally, morally, and emotionally influence our society. Not only the way we dress, influencing style, the way we listen to music, Medicine (therapeutic soothing), it has also brought about more socio-cultural change than most people realize. Farm Aid, Live Aid, We Are The World, Concert for Bangladesh; everytime there is a catastrophe anywhere in the world, you can count on world class artists and musicians to step up and lend a…

"The music was, is, and it will always be one of the strongest, easiest, deepest and fastest connections between people no matter where they come from, how different they are, how old they are, what languages they speak and what skin colour they are. These connections are The Bridges."

Sunnysiders: The (Blues) Bridges of Music…

"It’s there even if people don't know it, Blues is soul, so anything soulful has a bit of blues and emotion to it. It's pure at least the true blues is to me."

Kirk Fletcher: My Blues Pathway

Widely considered one of the best blues guitarists in the world, Kirk Fletcher has commanded the respect and acclaim of critics, peers and fans…

"Because the Beats addressed many issues already in the 50s that we still have to deal with and are still red hot. Simple as that. And since mainstream writing is still as conservative as ever and still lacks courage, it’s still inspiring and refreshing to read Beat poetry and all their successors throughout the decades."

Dr. Thomas Antonic: The Beats Go On..…

"I believe Blues, when done well, has always provided that joy – that release – for people. This is not sad music. This is music that allows people to come together, to communally surpass their troubles, and escape from their problems. Blues music gives people energy, it gives people life. Blues music – when done right – connects with people intrinsically, it matters, and it makes someone happy. It brings joy. That is how I hope my music affects…

"I firmly believe that especially the progressive rock side of things is really more of a continuation of how classical music has developed as against its evolving with popular music. I mean the 20^th century brought some electronics into classical music Stockhausen and another writer John Cage, but somehow it still stayed separate from all classical music, or so we say mainstream classical music and I think prog rock in many respects  took that…

"Blues is human emotion conveyed through a simple form of music. Everybody can relate to that."

Sugar Ray Norcia: New England's Tones

Sugar Ray Norcia is a soul blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known for his work with his backing band, The Bluetones, with whom he has released seven albums since 1980. Norcia started to play his…

"If we go back to the roots of Blues music, we cannot deny the journey that got us here. Blues deals with love and heartache but also being tough and resilient. I guess it’s a bit of a no-nonsense genre where the instruments are allowed to ‘have the blue’s too”? hahah. All music is a state of mind, and all states of mind interpret music."

Malaya Blue: Still Got The Old School…

"I think perseverance is the greatest tool we have to becoming successful in any endeavor. The music business is a cold and hard place and the reason we have become successful in our 50s is from my persistence and drive to make it happen. It is one thing to be talented at something, it is entirely another becoming successful using your talent. You must find the desire to push and continue to push everyday… Merely showing up will not make you a…

"I think music is still hopefully a space where people can see their similarities rather than their differences. It might be a cliché, but music quite often literally brings people together and gives them an experience of oneness with each other and with the universe. I strive to do that with loud guitar noises."

Eric Johanson: NOLA Rockin' Blues…

"Music amplifies the emotion and connection to each other at a level that is non-verbal. Going back to intention, the recorded song taps into the intention of the artist. This is why, when people hear music in a language that is not their own, it can still connect and inspire."

Kirsten Thien: Between Music & Life

Kirsten…