This week’s installment delves into the humble origins of the ‘one-strand-on-the-wall’ guitar, crafted from baling wire and ingenuity, and how it shaped legends like Hubert Sumlin, B.B. King, and Big Bill Broonzy.

Tony Holiday drops new single “She’s A Burglar” from upcoming album ‘Keep Your Head Up,’ out April 18! Produced by Eric Corne, the album features special guests like Eddie 9V, Albert Castiglia, and Laura Chavez.

An intimate evening of acoustic mastery, where the quietest moments spoke the loudest, as Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) and MC Taylor (Hiss Golden Messenger) mesmerized the Chicago crowd with stripped-down performances that left a lasting impression.

Singer-songwriter/guitarist Nikki O’Neill shares insights on her new album ‘Stories I Only Tell My Friends,’ her personal songwriting journey, and how exploring global cuisines influences her music.

This double vinyl captures the historic American Folk Blues Festival performances in 1962 and 1963, showcasing artists like John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson II, T-Bone Walker, and Willie Dixon at their peak. Restored to impeccable quality, these recordings offer a front-row experience of the blues’ transformative impact on European audiences, forever influencing the global music landscape.

Illiterate Light defies expectations by reshaping their songs live, creating unique, dynamic performances that stand apart from their studio recordings. With genre-bending music and eco-conscious initiatives like The Bike Stage at Newport Folk Festival, they continue to forge a new path in both sound and sustainability.

Exploring the meaning of ‘bag’ in the blues world: from musical influences to street slang, Debra Devi unpacks the layers of this iconic term in this week’s installment of The Language of the Blues.

Allison Russell shares her powerful journey, the role of Folk Alliance in her career, and her mission to empower women of color in the music industry, in a heartfelt conversation with NPR’s Ann Powers at Folk Alliance International 2025.

Iconic folk/blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist Chris Smither discusses his evolving approach to mortality, the organic songwriting process, and pivotal moments like his serendipitous debut at Club 47 in 1966. Now at 80, with a new album ‘All About The Bones,’ he continues to create poignant music, confronting life’s fleeting nature with grace, while still sounding as fresh as ever.

‘Blues is Still Alive’ is out now via VizzTone! In case you missed it, the title track is a scorching showdown between guitar and harmonica, featuring blues-rock legend Walter Trout. His masterful guitar work adds an undeniable authenticity to the performance.