“Music is so powerful and we literally have that power in our hands and voices. Be conscious. Speak on things that affect you or could help someone else. Music should bring everyone together and not separate us. Look what Michael Jackson did to the world with just his music. It's a beautiful thing when used right.”

Jovin Webb: Southern Gospel…

“Acoustic Blues played as a solo performer will always be the essence of The Blues. When I was much younger, I saw older Blues artists like John Lee Hooker, Victoria Spivey, Piano Red and John Hammond perform solo. These were experiences I’ll never forget!”

Tinsley Ellis: The Love of Acoustic Blues…

“I think I miss the authenticity. It seems like so many people are just seeking validation and internet fame instead of focusing on the craft and originality. I'm afraid that people will just plug a few things into the AI machine and then think they did something original. My hope is that the young musicians who are true artists will shine and thrive.”

Chris…

“Music has different vibrations for different things that can open our minds and give us insight in the struggles of people all over the world. Music helps us understand the mysteries of life as we search for answers to help us understand ourselves and our world. Music speaks a language everyone can understand, even when they don’t understand the words in a different language. Sometimes the most difficult things can be understood…

“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 always been a mirror to society. It reflects our struggles, our triumphs, and our collective humanity. Growing up, I was influenced by artists like Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, R.L. Burnside, Muddy Waters, and Prince — all of whom challenged social norms, pushed boundaries, and spoke truth to power.”…

“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 wish I had more time and space to answer this properly but Blues is the beginning of all music here in the USA that isn’t classical. Every type of music we have sprung out of the Blues, which we can say began in 1619 when the first Dutch ship landed and traded slaves for supplies. Jazz, Soul, Rock, Funk, R&B, Country, all of it comes from the blues.”…

"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…