"New Orleans music has the deepest roots of all American music. The grooves there are derived from generations passed, sometimes refined, sometimes raw, always grooving. It’s the origin of so much modern music, from rock-n-roll to blues to jazz, and often all mashed together in the same song. There is a looseness, freedom, uninhibited vibe to the whole city, and it shows in the music."

Jimmy…

"I believe that each of us has a spirit (lower case) and is a part of Spirit (upper case). Our spirits are the essence of who we are and the urges of spirit are part of what propels us on this journey."

Ryan Lee Crosby: Winter Hill Blues

Ryan Lee Crosby’s new album Winter Hill Blues (2022) captures the timeless power of music from the Mississippi…

"I don’t miss music from the past, I listen to it every day!! I don't have any understanding of modern music. I do wish sometimes that more of an emphasis on the cultural significance of traditional music was present in the modern world, but hopefully that will come back around."

Matt Woods: Roots Music with Love

Matt Woods is both a native of…

"Music is the most powerful artform that we as humans have. It is capable of incredible healing in many ways – emotional, physical and spiritual. People react to music in different ways and take what they need from it personally in their own unique way."

Cliff Stevens: Better Blues-Rock Days

Cliff Stevens is a Montreal-based blues rock guitarist…

"In a world of so much racial division, surely, we can all agree that music - and blues & soul music in particular - brings a diverse community of people together. I find that fact undeniable and incredibly powerful."

Miss Emily: Defined By Love...and Soul!

Multiple Maple Blues Award winner, and 2022 JUNO Nominee for Blues Album of the Year,…

"Blues is unique in that it can address every aspect of human existence: love, money, death, taxes, you name it. I think a successful performance is one in which your audience forgets about their troubles for a little while, and maybe they go home a little happier and a little frisky."

The Dig 3: Historical Blues Music in Mind

Unfettered by…

"I would say just be you. You play what you are. Music is the mirror of your soul. And that's so true!"

Breezy Rodio: Underground Blues Odyssey

By any standard, Breezy Rodio’s blues odyssey has encompassed quite a few more miles than that of most up and coming musicians now working the competitive Chicago circuit. In 2007 Rodio joined the band of…

"Blues is old and sad same bs. Blues is life, music is life. Blues my dad listens to as a kid is still played on the radio no other genres is universally played over time & time again."

Greg Guy: Keeping the Blues Alive!

Greg Guy is a recipient of the 2014 Chicago Blues Hall of Fame as an Honorary Master of Blues, and his guitar…

"My hopes is that a blues musician will be heroic as a player and a person and the money guys will back him all the way. Blues has resurgences. We just need a hero. My fear is that I won’t be able to pay my mortgage this month."

Michael Rubin: I’ll Worry If I Wanna

Michael Rubin was conceived in Memphis in 1969. He went to Woodstock in the womb,…

"The Blues have saturated our culture and become very mainstream, being played in commercials and such. I wouldn’t go so far as to say contemporary blues is watered down from the blues of say the 50’s and 60’s during the civil rights movement. But I think it’s more in the background as far as representing the black voice in our society."

Patty Tuite: Hard Case Of The…

"The thing I like about the music of the past, and especially the blues, is the honesty of the music. There was not days upon months of mixing, and overdubbing, and digital trickery. Four or five guys, or however many, would all go into a room big enough to facilitate the numbers, and set up and play, and the music was mixed and recorded on the spot “live off the floor”."

South Island Rhythm…

"Everybody gets the blues once in a while, no matter whom you are…"

JP Soars: The Deepest Cut of Blues

Born in California and raised in Arkansas, JP Soars has called South Florida home since 1985. John Paul Soars is not a typical blues guitarist. He has a diverse musical background that encompasses a multitude of influences.…

"I honestly don’t listen to much new music. Most of the music I listen to is timeless. Maybe a young person wouldn’t feel that way when they hear an old Elmore James or Snooky Pryor album, but I sure do. I don’t have any fears in terms of music. My hope is that people continue to make great blues music."

B. Christopher: Snapshots From The Blues…

"Music is important to me. It’s part of the language and expression of being alive - being human!"

Suzy Starlite & Simon Campbell:

A Fresh Taste of British Rock!

British award-winners Starlite Campbell Band Starlite release exciting third album 'Starlite Campbell Band -…

"The music industry is squeezing the last drops out of its old business model. It operates on a profit motive and doesn't feel obligated to promote music as music; it's content to promote it in the same way it promotes laundry detergent. It won't adapt until it sees that a grassroots movement coming from a music-starved audience can be profitable."

Al Basile: Through…

"In this day and age everyone can relate to the Blues just take a look at the unrest all over the world if that isn't the Blues, I don't know what is. Gospel on the other hand is healing the Spirit. Every morning I wake up giving thanks to God for a new day. Jazz blows all you cares away. "But it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing"."

Janice Harrington: The Great Grand…

"Without music there is no love, without love there is no world. Music is the foundation of survival, music is the foundation of youth development, without it as I said there is no progress and survival. Every dollar invested in music returns tenfold, not only as a material value, but as a cultural, sociological, philosophical one, and in the end we spread only positive energy and emotions through music."…

"Firstly, I hope it makes them feel good, take them away from any troubles they have and immerse themselves in the music, perhaps driving in the car with the music cranked up. Secondly, I hope to inspire people to pick up a guitar, pick up an instrument, as it can be a great creative outlet, and a way to build impressively strong discipline – if you want to take it that far. And it’s fun!"

Matty T…

"I feel that the Blues is a very misunderstood genre outside of the actual community. But even there, traditionalists tend to thumb their noses at artists who are trying to expand the genre. I think it’s ok to have a preference for a style or period of Blues, but to also be open minded about the future of the music. Even my own music is often hard to put into just one category…even on the same record!"…

"The Blues might be a lament but it makes you happy. All music at it's best heals."

Matt Lomeo: When You Call The Blues

Uttica, NY native Matt Lomeo received his first harmonica at 9. He soon began singing and playing in bands with his older brother Adam on guitar, and in 1999 became the youngest artist ever invited to perform at a…