"Music is a different, but very powerful medium for reaching people - for giving ourselves hope, purpose, a sense brother/sisterhood, and just having a hell of a good time! Which we sorely need, all of us, in a challenging world."

Big Harp George: The Artisanal Blues

Big Harp George/George Bisharat is a San Francisco Bay Area blues singer,…

"I miss the older blues guys company. I hope live music is still being played. I fear live music won't be played!"

Joe Louis Walker: Blues DNA & Culture

Walker's output spans the gamut of American Roots music, and he is regarded as one of his generation's greatest bluesmen. On February 17th, Forty Below…

"The blues speaks to pain, loss, hope and love, universal experiences that anyone can relate to. It can be structurally simple but musically and emotionally complex."…

"I know it sounds cliché, but clichés exist because of the truth they define. Music IS the universal language because I have experienced music connecting people who don't understand the language of the lyrics. I have learned through music that we are all one and it can unite us, so I believe in the power of music."

Rocky Athas: Rockin' The Blues…

"I hope the blues affects people similarly to the way it affects me - I hope it provides some relief from their day to day struggles, and fosters a sense of community - I hope it helps people see that we’re all in this together."

Rick Estrin: A Genius Blues Nightcat

Rick Estrin was born in San Francisco, California in 1949, and grew up fiercely…

"Blues is just such a powerful force that I believe it will keep on inspiring people for generations to come, as long as the word is still being spread. We get to do that and hopefully may continue to do that for a long time."

Little Hat: One-man (Trio) Band

Little Hat is probably Holland's best-kept secret. Rockin’, sleazy and…

"Photography has taken me to many places. Both physical and spiritual. And what I have loved the most is the doors that my career has opened. I’ve found myself surrounded by objects/moments/people that many don’t get to see up close. I love being behind the scenes."

James Demaria: The Beauty of Photo-Art

James Demaria is a gifted photographer,…

"First of all, the blues has now become a universal language, which allows to express some of the deepest feelings anyone could have. In a very direct, effective, understandable and, let’s not forget, enjoyable way. Anywhere - in Europe too."

Freddie Albertoni: Blues Cannonball

Freddie & The Cannonballs is a Swiss blues band…

"I am working with kids whole my life, or through my TV show for kids, or as an art teacher, or as a father of three kids, and also through Blues At School that I am doing from Memphis to Croatia. Kids are pure essence of human being, so open, so natural and direct. Someone said that if you look into kids eyes you can see God. I am always learning from kids."

Boris Hrepić…

"Music does calm the savage beast, but also feeds him as well. I found that no matter what changing moods I have gone through in life; music has been the great equalizer. No matter if it is pain, happiness, sadness, anguish, exhilaration, love, music has played a key role in helping me cope and keep well adjusted."

Brian Tarquin: The Man, His Guitars, and The Brothers…

"I believe I am missing the days that there were Heroes and big talents in the Blues scene and all music genres. Even 80's 90's pop starts, rock starts, bands, greatest talents. My fear is Blues becomes only entertainer music for people only listens to dance and have parties and losing the soul and vibe same time, those great performing musicians / singers becomes really rare to see now a days."…

"I believe that the 60’s and the 70’s were magnificent years for the British scene. The most important bands in the world came out of those years, and it was revolutionary. Much of that audience lives still, and they transmit the passion for live music to their children and grandchildren. I have seen it at the CB’s shows."

The Cinelli Brothers: Blues Knights…

"Poetry can have the same subversive power as music. Although it is much more solitary both in creation and appreciation, it can open minds, unite them. Poetry is a door. It can open galaxies of space. It is infinite. In fact it is not much different that music and where music and poetry join, magic can result."

Omonoia Circus: Sappho's Little Boat…

"In the way that music provides a soundtrack for our lives, the messaging in songs impacts the way we think and perceive the world. Music can be a safe place to explore ideas. As songwriters, I hope that we can broach challenging topics. I also hope that we will have critical listeners."

Kate Weekes: Better Days Ahead

For her fourth solo album…

"I’ve learned that the hardest thing to do when you’re an artist/musician/writer, is to get outside of yourself and listen to others to help understand what makes the music work and flow even better. Some of us haven’t been able to do that since our own level of talent keeps us self -involved."

Charlie Souza: Live Your Dream…

"Music is a gift from God, I want it to heal and bring people together. Love, joy, and excitement."

Eric Turner: The Secret Place of Music

Eric Turner began his musical career with two years of classical piano study. Then, he picked up the guitar and has never put it down since! His first rock band, The Tropics, Florida’s number one show band, was…

""The interesting thing is, when travelling around, you realize that every human being aspires to similar things outside of life. They want a good home, a good mate, a decent job and some entertainment. Blues is appreciated anywhere I’ve travelled to It’s a bit of a universal language that can reach every culture."

Wolf Mail: On The Blues Road Again…

"I think the lines that connect the legacy of Blues with Soul and continue to Garage and Psychedelic are a common need for self expression and experimentation."

Freddie Steady Krc: Texasologist Ph.D

Austin Music Awards Hall-of-Famer Freddie Steady Krc comes by his name honestly. This multitalented renaissance Texan has plied his musical wares…

"I think music has really helped me to just learn a lot more about myself. The whole process of writing for me is a very inward journey and it’s one of the ways in which I process my emotions and experiences and make sense of them. It’s helped me learn to believe in myself and have confidence in myself, which is something I never had before."

Gayle Harrod: Epic Blues & Soul…

"So, I guess the point I’m making is, The Blues has never been ‘A Man’s World’! Today there are so so many great blues women, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the bill with; Susan Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland, Samantha Fish, Debbie Davis, Gina Sicillia and Joanne Shaw Taylor to name just a few..."

Dani Wilde: British …