"Music should always be a focal point in bringing people and communities together. Music is the one universal language that everyone speaks."

Mike Guldin: Good Ole Butt-Shakin’ Music!

Mike Guldin first picked up the guitar at age 15 and since then has honed his craft playing in roadhouses, clubs and bars, and Festivals and Theaters for over 45…

"I miss spontaneity, the most. I don't like all this polished and well-rounded, super-edited and highly commercial sound, and generally I tend to dislike or, to not prefer, virtuosos, or let's put it in other words, show-offs. I cannot see this changing, as we enter a more digitalized era with so much technology, but still hope for a difference! I also dislike tags, when people put tags on musicians and expect them to be a certain way, and criticize them…

"Most of the lessons I learned when teaching children were joyful. For instance, I learned that every youngster could be motivated to play well enough to enjoy ensemble or choral work at a basic level. I also learned that gracious parents and brilliant colleagues could guarantee such results. There was one lesson that was not so joyful. Music education was starting to be considered…

"Western music is one of the few music’s that have been used for secular purposes. In most cultures it is religious. So, I think it’s important that it not only reflects the times but appeals to the human condition. That it offers hope and upliftment to the human spirit. It can be instrumental (for example Coltrane's music was deeply spiritual and uplifting), or with words. Music can be bleak and depressing, which also portrays a state of mind and lays it…

"Blues music is an existential music. It comes from the unfathomable pain that lies within the Afro-American’s experience, the agony of despair behind slavery and racism, as well as the experience of rejection because of the color of one’s skin. It remains that we all have the blues in some form or another. We all are trying to make sense of what it means to be alive. Most of us will experience aloneness, and physical or spiritual…

"Blues started as a racial and socio-cultural protest but with time, it has evolved, and we all live the Blues in our lives one way or another. We all have struggle and we all experience pain, so I believe it’s safe to say the we all have the Blues whether we know it or not."

Jose Ramirez: Major League Blues

At 34 years old, blues…

"Music is truly the Universal Language of the heart. The timeless themes of Love, & Being loved, embodies every song ever written. Jazz ushers in a world of fantasy…Blues the agony of defeat, but both the delight of laughter! I feel music opened my eyes to see we are all the same…no matter the Country, Nationality or age for that matter.  I am more connected as a human being, than ever before."…

"Their music hits on so many levels and, because of that, can reach so many. They did not limit their influence to any one particular genre - pulling in elements of blues, jazz, soul, funk, country... and they revolutionized what music sounded like. I hate to sound cliché in any way, but their music is really timeless... at least to me, anyway. People who are truly seeking genuine inspiration and creativity in music that stirs that place deep within us all,…

"I think the blues help people to realize that others have the same problems and issues they do. Empathy, I want people to understand and connect to what I’m writing about."

David Owen: Americana Blues

Masterful Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist David Owen to release his new album “Oh Suzana Blues”. Recorded in Nashville, David…

"I truly believe that music, generally, brings people of all colors and backgrounds together. That’s power. And, that’s love. The human spirit is an amazing thing to witness. The Blues genre is no pariah, yet the Blues community is small: is represented by a small community of devoted listeners, avid followers and creative genius. Notably, we’ve seen artists from all backgrounds become great creators of blues music, and that speaks volumes for it is the art…

"I’d like to see more music classes available in schools. I’ve learned so much, culturally, through music. It really can open a lot of eyes about what we all truly have in common."

Ned Bollé: New Americana Blues

Art may imitate life, but without a doubt, life has shaped the music of slide guitarist/multi-instrumentalist, Ned Bollé. He…

"The blues has one outstanding ingredient - personality. It’s not about technic or scholarship, it’s just about - Being yourself!"

Hans-Peter Nilsson: Blues Connexion

Malmoe-Copenhagen Blues Connexion is a blues association in the region of Greater Copenhagen. It was founded in 2000. The prime idea is to support live Blues and…

"I feel like we have a ministry of distraction. If I can provide people a few moments of joy or move folks out on the dance floor, then I have performed a great service as a worship minister. People go out to see live music performance to forget about their troubles and enjoy life and I am pleased to be a part of that."

Rev. Nathon Dees: Texas Outlaw Blues…

"There is a great poetic similarity between blues and Argentine tango. Since it talks a lot about the city, the neighborhoods, the loves and heartbreaks, which is very similar to the poetics of blues."

Yulian Taylor: Blues With Friends

Yulian Taylor, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With great influences from musicians and bands Like Eric…

"Our mutual philosophy is based on our love for blues music and the artists. To present the artists and their music in the best way possible whatever their age, color, creed, or race."

Betsie Brown: The Blues Heart of Love

Betsie Brown has over thirty-five years of experience in entertainment and music promotion, media relations & marketing…

"The Blues was certainly the main artistic movement of the last century. Since then, music has become a tool for the freedom of oppressed peoples. And apart from everything that happened afterwards with the songs that were created having the Blues as their roots. I want music to touch people's hearts and make them think how music is one of the greatest gifts we have in our existence, and it is always present in our lives."…

"Trueness. I want to speak the truth about how I feel about whatever it is and hope people accept me for who I am and what I do. People don’t have to love me, but respect what I do. People can say “I don’t like Bobby Rush, but damn he’s good.” That’s fine by me. Also to be able to keep the groove going so I can tell my story on top of the groove I create."

Bobby Rush: Sitting on the Blues…

"Blues, and all music, has always had a major impact on racial, political and socio-cultural situations. Artists are responsible for getting there messages out to the world, to have people feel their pain and joy. We have a responsibility to send out the word."

Regina Bonelli: True Groove, Truth Music

Regina Bonelli Brooklyn born, New York…

"I feel so lucky to be supported by incredible women and men in music. There are incredible women who have paved the way and now I truly believe we are in a time where women are just killing the game. Sheila E. has been one of my heroes since I was a little girl and now she supports me and other incredible women in music. "…

"Blues is the root, everything else is the fruit. Many music lovers today don't know this. So it would be nice to educate music lovers about the history of this beautiful music called BLUES. It is the foundation that most modern music is built on. It would be a shame to lose the root."

Big Daddy Wilson: The Music Key of Love

Big Daddy Wilson was…