“Music introduced Black culture to many starting in the 1960's with the coming of rock and soul and the emergence of FM radio and college radio stations. That helped change attitudes, and there is now a general acceptance of African American culture.”

John Colgan-Davis: Blues Brother John

John Colgan-Davis started playing the harmonica in local blues and folk clubs back in the late 1960s while he was still a high school student. He played and recorded with Philadelphia singer-guitarist Jesse Graves and played and recorded with Bonnie Raitt when she lived in Philadelphia in the early 1970s. Through Bonnie, John got to meet and play with Mississippi Fred McDowell, Arthur Crudup, Buddy Guy, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt, and others. He has toured the Midwest and recorded two CDs, Cold and Lonesome on a Train and Heroes and Hard Times, with Tennessee bluesman Sparky Rucker. He performed and toured for three years with The John Cadillac Band. He is a founding member of The Dukes of Destiny?

(Photo: Brother John is the duo of Johnny Never on guitar and John Colgan-Davis on harmonica)

The core of Brother John is the duo of veteran Philadelphia blues artists, Johnny Never and John Colgan-Davis. The name "Brother John" reflects the strong bond of their musical partnership, as well as the humanity and enduring power of collaborative musical creativity that has always defined the blues. Johnny Never has been performing Delta and Piedmont style blues for over two decades and John Colgan-Davis has been performing since the 1970s. Brother John's new album, “Black Crow” (2026), has a full dozen original new blues and a cover of Charley Patton's Down the Dirt Road Blues.

Interview by Michael Limnios            Special Thanks: Betsie Brown (Blind Raccoon)

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you? 

The blues is an emotional place for me; It brings feelings, joy, and surprises. It gives me a depth of feeling. The tones of the notes and the music and  the voices connect with me and touch me in a deep way. The music moves me.

What keeps a musician passionate over the years? How do you describe your sound and songbook?

The fun and pleasure of playing is a constant for me. I try new things on my instrument, learn new songs, have incredible moments of spontaneity with other musicians, connect with the audience, do something musically that surprises me, play in a place that I love, get a chance to re-experience favorite songs and feelings. I love playing with new people and playing in front of new crowds.

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!

I have been playing for more than 50 years, so I have had many great experiences. I have sat in with a number of great players; Johnny Shines at the National Folk Festival in WInfield KS, Bonnie Raitt at a radio concert in Philly on station WMMR; opening up for and being the backup band for Otis Rush, Terry Evans, and Gatemouth Brown; with my group, The Dukes of Destiny. Johnny Never and I had some wonderful gigs as well at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in 2025, Jamey's House of Music, where we got a standing ovation, The Kennett Blues Fest, where I got to do a song with Johnny backed by my band, a concert at a wonderful church venue in Lancaster PA, outdoor gigs at Sugartown, in Malvern, PA, Bucks County Blues Fest, and in Media, PA.

“I miss the older acoustic blues players who were around when I started; Son House, Skip James, Lightnin Hopkins, etc, The next generation after that had a good number of folks who could and do play acoustic and electric, such as Taj Mahal, but there aren't as many young folks paying acoustic blues these days.” (Photo: John Colgan-Davis)

How has your experience with the “golden era” of blues influenced the way you compose and perform today?

I started playing in the late 1960's when blues was just  getting noticed by mainstream media, young rock fans, and folk music people. There were a number of folk music clubs in my hometown of Philadelphia, PA, so I got to see a lot of musicians and met a number of them; Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Son House, James Cotton, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Skip James; and a hell of a lot more. Watching how they worked an audience, put sets together, interacted with other musicians, dressed, etc. all had an influence on me. I started as an acoustic player then joined a band, Jame Cotton, whom I saw several times and got to meet, influenced me big time in being onstage leading a band. 

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?     

I miss the older acoustic blues players who were around when I started; Son House, Skip James, Lightnin Hopkins, etc, The next generation after that had a good number of folks who could and do play acoustic and electric, such as Taj Mahal, but there aren't as many young folks paying acoustic blues these days. I miss the small club intimacy. That is one of the things I love about playing with Johnny.We play a number of what are now called “listening rooms,”Yes, I would love to play large festival crowds on a regular basis, but I also love intimate listening rooms. I like the emergence of blues societies and Meetup groups that put on festivals and concert series. They give me hope for the future of the blues because they attract more younger followers. 

What is the impact of the Blues on the racial and socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Music introduced Black culture to many starting in the 1960's with the coming of rock and soul and the emergence of FM radio and college radio stations. That helped change attitudes, and there is now a general acceptance of African American culture. Of course, we are at a place where there are certain people who resent and/or do not like our culture, so it will continue to be a challenge. The hope is that that the embrace of different cultures continues, but there are political differences in American life that play to and depend upon exploiting cultural differences. I believe they are on the wrong side of history, and the power of music captures people and helps them open up to new ideas, sounds, and thoughts. I see that  happen regularly at gigs Johnny and I play. There are almost always people who come to talk to us between sets and say they weren’t familiar with this type of music, but they now are interested in it. That always feels good.

“The blues is an emotional place for me; It brings feelings, joy, and surprises. It gives me a depth of feeling. The tones of the notes and the music and  the voices connect with me and touch me in a deep way. The music moves me.” (Photo: The veteran Philadelphia blues artist, John Colgan-Davis)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Musically I have learned that difference between being a soloist and an accompanist. I have learned that one of the important things for a harmonica player to do is to provide support and work intimately with the singer/guitarist. I have learned as a musician the difference between being a soloist and a supportive player, and that is important in life as well. Being a partner with someone means listening and paying attention, one to the other. I have also learned the importance of practicing and learning from mistakes. That is important in life as well as in being a musician. I have also learned the importance and value of surprise and being open to new places, people, and experiences. 

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

Johnny refers to our music as, “Modern Roots Blues", and that is an accurate description. We use rhythms, themes, progressions, and more that are firmly based on the old blues scales, riffs, and patterns, but we combine them in different ways that produce new sounds. Johnny is also a good songwriter, and his lyrics are clever and engaging. Svelte Man Blues, New Sovereigns Blues, and To the Bone all have solid blues tunes and rhythms, and the lyrics encourage people to sing along and clap. If people hear us, they connect.

Brother John - Home

(Photo: Brother John is the duo of Johnny Never and John Colgan-Davis)