"The blues is a gift that African Americans gave to American music. The blues was always there at the heart of everything, but it wasn’t expresses with such feeling."

Rusty Ends: Hillbilly Hoo Doo Blues

Rusty Ends is the real deal, a true link between the rock and blues of the 50’s and 60’s and the 21st century. Rusty learned his craft as a…

"The message is immediately accessible in heart and soul. So, I think the music that was being created that addressed these issues was had a huge impact on the thinking of that generation and deeply motivated activism and getting involved to go down and go on civil rights marches in the south and protest the Vietnam War and everything since."

Maria Muldaur:…

“The blues is a music that will never go away. It's of course the foundation for all popular music. It needs to both be respected and preserved while also being pushed forward by new artists and ideas. Music as a whole has seemed to change its role for current generations.”

Josh Smith: Real Blues, Real…

“Music is magical, it can perform miracles. It can provoke feelings such as happiness and sadness. For instance, I have seen demented people not able to communicate verbally react to music. Music is the only tool that can join people across cultures, religions and language barriers.”

Vigdis & Blå Tråd: Rainbow's Blues…

"The blues is more than music, it’s a document of survival, resistance, and resilience. It tells the story of people who were never supposed to make it, yet did, with soul intact. It carries history in every bend of the note. I want the music to remind people of their strength, their humanity, and their right to feel deeply."

Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport:…

“Try to treat everyone with respect. Music can be the great unifier. Teach those who want to learn. Never think you are the best, continue to improve, never think you know it all.”

Jimi Bott: Feeling the Beat & Rhythm

Jimi Bott is an award winning blues drummer, recognized across the globe as one…

"My inner life is the source that determines how I write about what I am experiencing. What influences me is everything that I experience. By this I mean from love and friendship to politics, the working world from tech to traffic to social media, rain walking, etc."

Fred Hostetler: Blues Back Pages

Fred Hostetler is an indie artist, American…

"It’s (Blues) great and powerful music that moves people - with soulful feeling, honesty, true stories and emotion."

Dave Specter: Blues From The Inside Out

Blues guitarist, bandleader and producer Dave Specter has earned an international reputation as one of the premier talents on the Chicago blues scene. Since 1985 Specter has performed…

"It’s time to all join hands. We’ve got to live together. It’s time to stand up united as one through the hard times and stormy weather. I say hey, hey, the Blues is all right!"

Forrest McDonald: Songs From My Soul

Award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist Forrest McDonald has been performing and recording earthshaking,…

“I believe both visual art and music have helped expand my understanding of the world. The arts allow me to enjoy and experience other cultures. I’m able to see what’s available for me as an artist. I don’t look at art from one culture as being superior to another, they’re just different. They all have much to teach me.”…

“Though by no means the most popular music, blues and jazz has continued to stand the tests of time and evolve in amazing ways, I believe it will continue to do so. For my own part, my hope is that my music touches people and gives them something that moves them and is lasting in their minds. I hope they listen to it not in passing but with depth, to take in all the passion, nuance and tones of what is played."…