“I want music to connect people with their inner feelings, raise awareness, and bring people together. To some extent individuals are listening to music with their earbuds on lower quality systems and not sharing the experience physically.”

Anton Roolaart: …

“I think the quality of our artists is what has led to such loyal Alligator fans. I can’t play any instrument, but I know good blues musicianship when I hear it. And I can feel the honest emotions when an artist can sing with real blues feeling. (That doesn’t mean that every Alligator artist is a great singer, but their singing can move me, and I hope has that soul-healing quality that I look for.) ”…

“Music has the power to change the world. We’ve seen that throughout the civil rights movement in the United States, anti-war movements and anti-fascism movements. We see protest bands like the Russian band Pussy Riot banned by their own governments and put in prison because they’re found to be threatening to those in power.”

Debra Devi: The Language of the…

"I mostly miss all the characters, the old timers, the real deal blues guys and all the craziness that we all experienced together. The situations we all found ourselves in the good and the lousy gigs. The cool clubs and the shithole clubs.  As for the blues music of the past, I miss the simplicity, the grooves, the soul."

Kenny Parker: Motor City's Hellfire Blues…

“The blues is a vital part of history and must be spreaded around the world because it is one of the main genre in the music industry and it should be treated as such. For example,  there’s Blues, Country, Rhythm & Blues, Pop, Pop Rock, Bluegrass, Folk etc. The role of the music is to tell a story that people can relate to and the musicians role is to bring it to light by playing in every key and note that’s required.”…

“When I watch films, I am constantly impressed with the power of the soundtrack. Block your ears during an emotional scene and you will understand that power - and that manipulation. Music affects us deeply and we often don't give that credit. When I travel, I see that it is music that draws a culture together (the Irish pub, the Argentine dance group, etc.) and shouts out their identity when away from home; songs at a…

"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:…

“Blues is the source for a lot of great American music. Rock, R&B and Jazz have it. I think it will outlive every trend in modern music. I got to see B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy and the list goes on. There’s nothing Ike hearing the folks that influenced generations of players. Music speaks to peoples emotions and brings back memories. Sometimes there’s a visceral response. Hopefully, musicians will continue to serve that…

“Ultimately, almost all music is imbued with the blues, even if sometimes only subtly... for me, the Blues is music. The blues can reach deep. It's warm. Without the blues, music would freeze. And music, which has always resonated in human beings, naturally plays a fundamental role. Good music makes our days better; each of us, albeit in different ways, seeks it and wants it in our lives.“…

“I’m not really sure what blues means to me. I mean it’s EVERYTHING to me. Almost every major decision I’ve made from the age to 16 to the present, like careers, relationships, moving places, etc. I’ve factored how it would impact my music.”

Ryan Hartt: Be About …The Blues!…

"I guess that I regret seeing blues get removed from the regional life experiences that created it. I fear that it is and will continue to be more homogenized."

Steve Howell: Jazz Vehicle, Blues Wheels

When Steve Howell first heard Mississippi John Hurt's happy style of fingerpicking country blues in 1965 at the age of thirteen, he…

“In my opinion, the Blues is immortal, because it is the true melting pot of the culture of the north and south of the world. Its simple and basic harmonic structures are stainless. Blues is the axiom on which Western music of the last two centuries was built. I believe the Blues can transform but never become extinct.”

Mora &…

“The mash up between blues and jazz is in the DNA of the city. You can feel the ghosts looking down at you…and one of my main gigs is literally only a few blocks from the corner of 12th Street and Vine. The Kansas City sound moves people in a way that makes them want to dance.”…

“However, I prioritize soul – technique is only a tool for expressing emotions and feelings. I don't focus on correctness and consistency; I'm interested in developing and discovering new possibilities for the instrument as my means of expression.”

Krzysztof Toczko (pARTyzant):…

“It’s important that we spread the blues in todays society because it’s hardly a part of society at all. Modern music is taking over which is fine cause obviously people seem to love it, but We need to work as hard as we can to bring back the blues and carry the torch to keep it alive. I will devote everyday of my life to create my own sound and bring the blues back!”…

“Blues and other types of folk music are social in nature. As we as a species become less and less connected due to the use of non-human intermediary devices, we certainly need that which can keep us connected in more wholesome ways... a good meal with friends, a chit chat, a quilting bee, sports, dance… music.”…

“think it’s because these music genres make you vibrate, no matter the language nor the culture. Once you hear it, you feel it, you don’t need to think or understand the lyrics (of course, it’s better if you do).”

Cecilya: Nostalgia of Old Good Music Days…

“Of course the socio economic background of most of the current crop of young blues guys is still difficult. But for the original generations it must have been like living in an occupied land-no rights, no respect. The original blues guys had messages in the lyrics, a form of censorship to circumvent, messages and secret ‘in’ messages about the harsh repression that they were under.”…

“I think the energy that Rock n Roll has is very unique and it could never die, that’s why a lot of young people fell in love with it even nowadays.”

Lovesick: Rockin’ Country Roll

Lovesick is an Italian based band formed of Paolo Roberto…

“miss the humanity of it and the sense of adventure and surprise, as opposed to perfect performances/appearances that are bending to every marketing force. I hope there are enough people of all generations that long for and appreciate that kind of humanity and surprise, and that those audiences and artists will find each other.”…