An In Depth Interview with Jim Koeppel!
A music veteran and founder of various roots, blues and country blues combos, including Dust My Blues, Who Slapped John?, and Shuck & Jive. Jim has led bands in the New York area since the late 80’s, with some stints in Nashville and Mississippi. He has performed throughout the U.S. and internationally with various bands. Koeppel has opened for, played and recorded with artists such as Taj Mahal, Doc Watson, David Bromberg, Les Paul, Cash McCall, Rip Lee Prior, Robert “Bilbo” Walker, Selwyn Cooper, Libby Rae Watson, Austin Walkin’ Cane, Carlyse Guy, Pat Moss, Lucious Spiller, Watermelon Slim, Billy Branch, Gene Barge, The Tailgators, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Little Ed and the Blues Imperials. He performs solo, as well as with his acoustic combo, the Delta Coasters, and his electric band, Dust My Blues. His CDs include RSVP to Paradise (2016 – coproduced by Cash McCall), Lovesick James (2009 – produced by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel), and Johnny’s in the Doghouse (1998). Jim’s songs and music have appeared in several films, including the award-winning documentary Mortal Lessons, the Emmy-nominated documentary Carhenge, which he scored and was featured on the Documentary Channel, among others.
He has played at some of NY’s legendary venues including the Mercury Lounge, B.B. King’s, the Lonestar Roadhouse, the Rodeo Bar, the Stephen Talkhouse and more. He has performed nationally in Chicago, LA, NYC, Boston, Nashville, Memphis, Clarksdale, Helena, and more, including Buddy Guy’s Legends (Chicago), the Bluebird Cafe (Nashville), Nightstage (Cambridge) and internationally in Uruguay and Germany. He has played numerous festivals including the King Biscuit Blues Festival, the Pinetop Perkins Homecoming, the Deep Blues Festival, the Cat Head Mini Festival, 2nd Street Blues Party, Downtown Cabaret, etc.
