Author: Don Wilcock
Don Wilcock
Now into his second half century as the warrior music journalist, Don Wilcock began his career writing “Sounds from The World” in Vietnam, a weekly reader’s digest of pop music news for grunts in the field for the then largest official Army newspaper in the world, The Army Reporter. He’s edited BluesWax, FolkWax, The King Biscuit Times, Elmore Magazine, and also BluesPrint as founder of the Northeast Blues Society. Internationally, he’s written for The Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Awards program, Blues Matters and Blues World. He wrote the definitive Buddy Guy biography 'Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues,' and is currently writing copy for a coffee table book of watercolor paintings of blues artists by Clint Herring.
Now a retired special education teacher and still rocking with his band, the Iron City Houserockers, Grushecky discusses his path through music, his collaborations with legends like Steve Cropper and Mick Ronson, and his commitment to never quitting the guitar. With new albums out and his son Johnny joining the band, Joe remains passionate about playing, proving that the best musicians keep evolving with age.
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.
Led by Steve Eagon, the band’s chemistry and focus on both musicianship and camaraderie have set them up for their next big step—releasing a sophomore album that builds on their newfound confidence and collaborative spirit.
After winning the International Blues Challenge, Piper & The Hard Times rose from Nashville’s local scene to the global stage. Bandleader Steve Eagon shares the band’s story, from their humble beginnings to the release of their debut album ‘Revelation,’ which topped the Billboard Blues Chart. With powerful original music and a dedication to spreading joy, Steve reflects on their rapid success and the momentum driving their nonstop tour.
Kid Ramos on his forthcoming Nola Blue Records album ‘Strange Things Happening’ does gospel the way Metallica does rock: intense, hard-driving and with a dedication that is nothing less than obsessive.
From his humble beginnings in Louisiana to performing on stages worldwide, Nathan’s music is as soulful as his story. A Grammy nominee who puts God and family first, he’s built a career on heart-pounding zydeco, with wisdom earned in the oil fields. Don’t miss him live in Saratoga on February 7!
From playing alongside legends like Charlie Musselwhite to shaping the sound of artists like Diunna Greenleaf, Kid Andersen has built a career rooted in passion, precision, and musical understanding.
As the driving force behind Greaseland Studios, Kid blends technical expertise with deep emotional connection to the blues, treating the studio as an instrument in its own right. At 45, his journey from Norway to the U.S. has shaped him into a sought-after producer and guitarist whose sound is as soulful as the legends he admires.
Peter Yarrow’s passing leaves Paul Stookey as the only member of Peter, Paul and Mary left alive. The trio’s “Puff the Magic Dragon” in 1963 introduced a mass market to the folk boom that had been primarily the genre of choice for the academic community spearheaded by acts like Dylan, Tom Paxton, and Tom Rush.
At 87, Buck’s music is shaped by a deep connection to the city’s storied blues scene, which he entered in 1953. His album ‘Willie Buck and The Delmark All-Stars Live at Buddy Guy’s Legends’ reflects his lifelong dedication to the genre, with both original tracks and classic covers.
ICYMI: The Owsley Stanley Foundation of Grateful Dead fame released ‘You’re Doin’ Fine,’ a sumptuous three-CD set capturing John Hammond at two 1973 concerts at the Boarding House, a small club in San Francisco. The sound man was Owsley Stanley who invented the Grateful Dead’s wall of sound technology.
“I didn’t know that Owsley was recording that show. I was told he was the sound man, but I didn’t understand the significance of it. I mean the sound is great.”