Browsing: Interview

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.

Paul Thorn’s new album ‘Life is Just a Vapor’ (out February 21 via Thirty Tigers) explores life’s fleeting nature, inspired by a scripture from James 4:14. Raised as the son of a Pentecostal preacher, Thorn contemplates life’s transience, urging listeners to live fully and enjoy the present.

Songs like “Tough Times Don’t Last” encourage resilience, while “Geraldine and Ricky” offers a tongue-in-cheek commentary on toxic relationships. Thorn’s humor and empathy shine through his music, making it both relatable and uplifting.

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.

Lilli Lewis, singer-songwriter, composer, and visionary behind Black American Music Summit invites us into the heart of her latest endeavor, reshaping the narrative around Black American music and its place within the wider cultural conversation. Now, she’s expanding her impact through children’s literature.

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.

From heartbreak to victory, Josh Hoyer and his band Soul Colossal win top honors at the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, highlighting their unique soul-blues sound and original music. Hoyer reflects on the band’s journey, the late Benjamin Kushner’s lasting impact, and how the experience has shaped his views on success and music’s healing power. The win represents a milestone in their musical journey, but for Hoyer, it’s about more than just trophies—it’s about spreading joy through music, wherever it may lead.

Corky Siegel reflects on his 60-year journey of merging blues with symphony, from his early days playing with blues legends in Chicago to pioneering symphonic blues collaborations with the Chicago Symphony. In this interview, he also shares the creative process behind his latest work, ‘Symphonic Blues No. 6,’ and how his music continues to evolve while staying true to his roots.

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.”