Blues America

Mike Wheeler is regarded as one of the hardest working blues guitarist in Chicago. He cut his teeth performing with Muddy Water’s last piano player, Lovie Lee before getting gigs with the likes of Son Seals, Willie Kent, Koko Taylor, Jimmy Johnson and Big James. Now he commands his own band and released his second studio effort for Chicago’s legendary Delmark Records called “Turn Up!!” In 2014 Mike joined a legendary class of musicians after he was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame.

The Jerry Lawson Legacy Project is an exclusive series for Blues America that explores the history of singing legend Jerry Lawson and the famed Persuasions in chronological order as explained in biographical commentary by Jerry Lawson and guest host Julie Lawson. Jerry Lawson was the lead singer for the Persuasions for 42 years before launching a solo career and appearing on the CBS hit show, the Sing Off. On this episode, Jerry talks about the Persuasions fan favorite third studio effort, “Street Corner Symphony.” This album is the holy grail of contemporary a’cappella.

Thornetta Davis is the reigning Queen of Detroit Blues whose latest album “Honest Woman” has been climbing the music charts and earned her two Blues Music Award nominations. She confesses that her recent studio effort that has earned national critical acclaim was 20 years in the making. She was mentored by the great late Alberta Adams. The Queen has also had her music featured on the hit cable series Sopranos and has performed many times with Bob Seger, Kid Rock and Iggy Pop.

Elvin Bishop is a living legend whose great contributions to American music have been solidified by his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame followed soon after by the Blues Hall of Fame. He played a significant role in the success of the Paul Butterfield Band as a founding member and the lead guitarist on three classic albums during the 1960's before becoming a regular at the famed Fillmore Auditorium jam sessions alongside Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and BB King. Elvin had a top Billboard smash hit in 1976 with the gold record “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” which was prominently featured in a recent blockbuster film. Following his 2014 Grammy-nominated album, his new critically acclaimed release is called “Big Fun Trio” out now on the Alligator record label.

Speaking backstage with the “King of the Chitlin’ Circuit”, the Living Legend, Bobby Rush. One of the last of his era, Rush estimates that he has cut over 337 sides since he first began making music. After being honored with three Grammy nominations, he accepted his first Grammy trophy for his newest sensational Rounder Records release “Porcupine Meat.” Bobby has also racked up 41 nominations and 10 awards from the Blues Foundation, and a 2006 induction into the Blues Hall of Fame. The creator of “Folk-Funk” scored his first gold record with the 1971 immortal hit classic “Chicken Heads.”

Harmonica Ace, Pierre Lacocque is the founder and leader of Mississippi Heat which has been a hallmark band in the Chicago area for decades and a franchise brand for the Delmark Record label. Pierre is from Belgium and began performing on the Chicago scene with greats like Sunnyland Slim and Jimmy Rogers during the 90’s. His group released their sixth studio effort with Delmark, Cab Driving Man, which has received rave fanfare and topped the blues charts for consecutive months. Their lead singer, Inneta Visor, a star in her own right, has cemented the bands vocal foundation for over a decade and has been nominated for a Koko Taylor Award.

Standing 6’3” tall and weighing over 300 pounds, Oscar Wilson is a larger-than-life charismatic front man that carries on the great Chicago blues tradition. He is best known as the downhome singer of the Cash Box Kings. He grew up on the Southside of Chicago and lived in the same neighborhood as Smokey Smothers and David Honey Boy Edwards. The group’s latest album, Holding Court (Blind Pig Records) – has struck a favorable chord with the blues-loving public, overseas and closer to home, as well.

Jimmy Duck Holmes is one of the last guitar players of the Bentonia Blues style following in the footsteps of legends like Henry Stuckey, Jack Owens and Skip James. In fact, Henry was the first to teach him guitar and Jack was the last. He also operates one of the oldest juke joints called the Blue Front Café which is part of the Mississippi Blues Trail. This establishment was started by his parents 70 years ago. Most recently it was announced that an image of Jimmy will appear on a US Postage stamp.

92 year old multi Grammy-nominated blues piano master, Henry Gray is a living legend and a national treasure whose recording career spans seven decades. Despite his vibrant solo career, he is often remembered for his significant contribution to post-war Chicago blues during his time as a session player for Chess Records and a member of the Howlin’ Wolf band. In 2016, shortly after the release of his critically acclaimed Delta Groove Records called ‘The Blues Won’t Let Me Take My Rest,’ Henry was awarded a lifetime achievement award in Chicago. Later that year he lost everything he owned in a flood disaster that devastated communities in his home state of Louisiana.

Cedric Burnside is a 4-time Blues Music Award Drummer of the Year who grew-up in rural Northern Mississippi, without a TV or radio, across the street from Junior Kimbrough’s Juke Joint and under the wing of his famous Grandfather, RL Burnside. After many years of touring and recording with RL Burnside, Cedric continued to keep hill country blues alive with his own endeavor, the Cedric Burnside Project featuring his lifelong friend, guitar ace Trenton Ayers. Trenton is the son of Junior Kimbrough guitarist, Little Joe Ayers. Together the dynamic duo has released a handful of critically acclaimed albums with the latest effort being Descendants of Hill Country which was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Biscuit Miller, who is only one a handful of bass players who leads a band, just released his third studio effort, the critically acclaimed Wishbone. Miller is a Blues Music Award Winner who recorded with the late Sonny Rodgers and Mojo Buford before touring with Lonnie Brooks for 10 years. Later he toured with Anthony Gomes and co-wrote the chart burner, “Testify.” Born and raised in Chicago, Miller is known for his high energy shows and his million dollar blues with a smile.

Before we ring in the New Year and look 2016 in the rear view mirror, we rewind the tape to hear what 2016 sounded like with some of the best moments of the year jam-packed into one show. Featuring Paul Oscher, Billy Boy Arnold, Mac Arnold, Janiva Magness, Jontavious Willis, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Debra Devi, Walkin Cane Mark, Jerry Lawson, Julie Lawson, Paul Nelson and more. Happy New Year!

Throw on your bad Christmas sweater, untangle those lights and spike the eggnog as we gather around the stovepipe for Santa’s favorite show, the Blues America juke joint jingle jam. A home cooked BBQ smothered Christmas special featuring fine holiday blues, special guest Biscuit Miller and a live in-studio performance by the indie blues band Sonorous covering James Brown’s funky holiday classic, Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto. Then we hear the legendary singer Jerry Lawson carol in the studio and deliver a playful reading of the immortal classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.’

Lurrie is the second generation Bell playing traditional post-war Chicago blues after his famous father, harmonica master, Carey Bell. During the 70’s while performing with Willie Dixon and Koko Taylor, he was hailed as a prodigy and touted as the future of blues in Chicago; but his personal battles with depression and substance abuse threatened to derail his career. He made a miraculous comeback during the 90’s and never looked back. Today he’s held in the highest regard as one of Chicago’s biggest blues stars with an impressive resume of historic and popular recordings under his belt, including his latest studio effort, Can’t Shake this Feeling which has been nominated for a Grammy Award.

Mike Zito is one of the leading contemporary blues artists on the scene today. He has been releasing albums for over a decade in addition to his top notch production with Samantha Fish and Albert Castiglia. He was a founding member of the Royal Southern Brother, a popular band that also features Cyril Neville and Devon Allman. He recently opened up about his struggle with substance abuse and credits his mentor, Walter Trout for helping him to beat his demons. Mike continues his success with Ruf Records on his latest release, Make Blues Not War which is produced by one of the industry’s best, Tom Hambridge.