Saturday in Norcross GA, one of our favorite festivals took place. The Bluesberry and Beer Festival completed its 9th year in tremendous style. Some of the best blues musicians in the Atlanta area entertained a large and happy crowd. First up was Frankie Lee’s Blues Mission. It was Frankie Lee’s 61st birthday, and we all […]
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!! Check below and see what’s happening and come out and enjoy all the Atlanta area has to offer, including Bluesberry and Beer on Saturday, one of our favorite festivals. Friday George Hughley & the Shadows are at Blind Willie’s and Northside Tavern has Stoney Brooks Swap […]
By Rhetta Akamatsu Sunday, June 9, was a super day at Blind Willie’s The Atlanta Blues Society presented a celebration of women in blues, featuring some of the best vocalists and instrumentalists who just happen to be female and live in Georgia! The show was put together by Diane Durrett, a fabulous blues musician herself. […]
It’s a weekend full of blues! There are a plethora of talented local blues artists all over Metro, so take your pick! Check it out! Friday Sandra Hall & the Shadows are at Blind Willie’s and Northside Tavern has Nathan Nelson from 6-9, followed by The Rib Shack Lady. The Rockin’ Blues Review is at […]
There are loads of blues for Memorial Day weekend and The Decatur Arts Festival too! So kick back and enjoy yourself with any of these events! Friday Sandra Hall and The Shadows are at Blind Willie’s Big C comes to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and Northside Tavern has Nathan Nelson from 6-8 pm, followed by […]
It’s a weekend full of blues! There’s the Atlanta Blues Society Gathering and Jam, the annual Harp Blowout, Magic Fredfest, and so much more. Go out and support some honest, homegrown blues! Friday George Hughley & the Shadows is at Blind Willie’s and Nathan Nelson at Northside Tavern has Nathan Nelson from 6-9, followed by […]
Jennifer Truesdale Through the Circle The first thing you will notice about Through The Circle is that Jennifer Truesdale has a thrilling voice. As a graduate of Berkeley School of Music and a 25-year veteran of the music industry who has performed hundreds of shows on the East Coast, she knows exactly how to use […]
Rev. Freakchild Road Dog Dharma Once again on Road Dog Dharma Rev. Freakchild breaks the mold. The mood is set by the sound of static as a radio is dialed, interrupted by a strong acapella version of “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad.” After that, about half of the 25 tracks are bits and pieces […]
While it hurt me to take Darwin’s out of the lineup since it has closed, there is still a lot of great blues this weekend, some in unusual places for this report. So wherever you are in the Metro area, you should be able to find a show you will love! Check it out! And […]
Reverend Shawn Amos Kitchen Table Blues Vol 1 and Vol 2 In February of this year, Rev. Shawn Amos released Kitchen Table Blues Vol. 1, Recorded Live Over Breakfast, Van Nuys, CA 2016, and also Kitchen Table Blues Vol. 2. Each volume contains five fabulous songs which came from f a podcast Amos did in […]
Blues are blooming all over the place around Atlanta! Visitors include Gary Clark Jr., Geoff Achison and The Lucky Losers. It is very important to come out and support Friday Tony Levitas & the Levitations are at Darwin’s in Sandy Springs and Sandra Hall and The Shadows are at Blind Willie’s. The Vipers are at […]
Ted Drozdowski came to Darwin’s last Friday with his fellow band members in the new group, Coyote Motel. That is also the name of the latest album featuring Drozdowski. The other members of Coyote Motel are Sean Zywick on bass and Kyra Curenton on drums. Ted, of course, plays guitars and handles vocals, plus the […]
I hope you enjoy your Spring holiday this weekend, whether it is Passover, Easter or just the promise of the season! There are a lot of great blues to appreciate around town too, including an Easter Gospel show at Blind Willie’s. Ted Drozdowski is in town on Friday too and there’s a plentiful complement of […]
When a person reaches the age of 91, you know they can’t go on forever, but if you love them, you still hope they will. That is how many Atlanta blues fans felt about Eddie Tigner. And so the news of his death tore a hole in the heart of us all today. Eddie was […]
Elles Bailey Road I Call Home Independent Elles Bailey is a British singer who, in 2017 released her debut album, Wildfire. It met with success and therefore she hit the road touring in support of it. That touring inspired this second album Road I Call Home, although love and matters of the heart figure greatly […]
Every year in April, music lovers in Atlanta gather to celebrate the life of Sean Costello, a young bluesman who left us too soon, but whose legacy goes on through his music, this celebration and the foundation his family established, The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research The concert is also a fundraiser for […]
Larry Griffith Bonafide Larry Griffith is a beloved musician around Atlanta and for this, his fifth album, he is joined by some fantastic musicians from a city that breeds fantastic musicians: Barry Richman is on guitar, Rashan Smith on drums and keys, Dana McCarthy on bass. Michael Milsap is also on keys. Tom Regeski is […]
The blues benefits and festivals have burst out with the spring with 4 of them on Saturday alone and the Dogwood Festival spanning all three days! Of all of them, my personal pick will always be the Sean Costello Celebration, both for the amazing lineup and the great cause. But you have a lot to […]
Tokyo Tramps If I Die Tomorrow Tokyo Tramps fit into a familiar origin story: young musicians come to America to get closer to the music, meet and form a band. What is unusual is that these two musicians came from Japan. Satoru Nakagawa had just graduated high school when he came to the States in […]
It’s Spring and the blossoms are blooming. So is the blues scene! Come on out and enjoy the best local talent and visiting artist Albert Castiglia. Check it all out below! Friday Sandra Hall and The Shadows are at Blind Willie’s and Kitty Rose & The Rattlers are at Darwin’s in Sandy Springs Little Joey’s […]
Jimbo Mathus Incinerator JImbo Mathus has a new album, out April 5, that, like everything he does, is surprising in the best sort of way. It is called Incinerator and except for the overdubs it was recorded in 2 days at Dial Back studio in Water Valley, Mississippi. In order to fully concentrate on the […]
Lazer Lloyd brought his strong positivity and impactful songs to The Crystal Moon in Dahlonega on Sunday, March 31 and I was so excited to see and hear him. Lloyd was born in New York and grew up in Connecticut. He now makes his home in Israel. He is Jewish by birth and by choice, […]
It’s a packed weekend around Atlanta and if you are looking for blues they are easy to find! Check it out and you will see it’s true. But if you’re in the mood to travel just a bit, I have to tell you that one of my favorite artists is at The Crimson Moon on […]
Ally Venable Texas Honey Ruf Records Ally Venable is a powerful young blues singer from Texas with roots that clearly show that proud tradition of blues-rock fostered by Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top, and so many others. Now, at not yet twenty, Venable is releasing her third album, Texas Honey, produced by fellow Texan Mike […]
The Taylor Made Blues Band rolled into town Friday night, and they were just as much fun as ever! The very tall Mick Kolossa and David Dunavent, looking about half the size he used to be, shared vocals and guitar and they had a new drummer and bass player from Atlanta (We’re half a hometown […]
The biggest music event this weekend is probably the Experience Hendrix Tour, which includes Taj Mahal and Jonny Lang among other stellar musicians. But there’s plenty of other great music happening. Don’t overlook The Taylor Made Blues Band with my friend Mick Kolassa, The Randall Bramblett Band, and Dane Durrett and Soul Suga and all […]
Atlanta musician and vocalist Kathie ‘Holmes is about to release her first album, Trouble Comes In Threes. While she is a classically trained musician, her heart belongs to the blues. She plays keyboards with a rollicking New Orleans style, sings and writes her own songs, and plays the flute. Yes, flute! The flute may not […]
Mardi Gras is almost here and you can be celebrating already with live blues and some great Mardi Gras parties, like the one at Tony and Carmen’s house! If you want to go to it, and you should, there is an open invitation on Facebook and it will really help if you RSVP! Their back […]
David T and Friends Racing Time Racing Time is a re-release of the third album by David T and Friends. It is the work of a large and exuberant group, consisting of twelve core members and various guests. Together they celebrate the original music of David Tannenbaum, who plays guitar and sax, writes, arranges and […]
What does a band do when the lead singer loses his or her voice? Most o the time, there’ a scramble to find someone to fill in Friday night, not only was Rae of Rae and The Royal Peacock out sick but the bassist, Harold Patillo, was out, too. Luckily, Darryl Lee, one of the […]
Amour Colin Linden and Luther Dickinson Stony Plain Records Master roots guitarists Luther Dickinson and Colin Linden pared up to make a stellar collection of love songs from many areas of Americana: Blues, country, rock ‘n roll, r&b, and folk are all represented on Amour and what a wonderful mix! Dickinson and Linden are joined […]
Some welcome visitors join the talented local blues crew this week. Damon Fowler and Gino Vinelli are in town on Friday, and Delbert McClinton shows up Saturday. Also in Saturday, Sweetwater has its “throwdown,”: bringing us Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Anders Osborne, Samantha Fish, and the Grassland String Band! With all that and our […]
Packrat’s Smokehouse Men of the Swamp LIVE If you are looking for genuine traditional blues with a strong swamp flavor, Packrat’s Smokehouse is for you! They have just released their fifth album, Men of the Swamp Live. The band hails from New Smyrna Beach, Florida and consists of Anthony “Packrat” Thompson on lead vocals and […]
The weather may be unpredictable in and around Atlanta these days, but you can always count on the blues! These performers and clubs need you, too, and your support. Come on out! Friday George Hughley & The Shadows are at Blind Willie’s and Crossfire Blues are at Darwin’s in Sandy Springs. Jet Black & The […]
Darwin’s was crowded Friday night. Some people there to celebrate music lover Ellen Hamby’s birthday, others to see Peter Karp, and many for both. A few were not really familiar with Karp, but before he finished his first song, “Gee Chee Gee Chee Wa Wa” everybody was tuned in and with him. Karp is a skilled […]
So we aren’t in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge! Look who we have right here in Atlanta this weekend! Arlo Guthrie Peter Karp Shawn Mullins, Lil Ed & The Imperials and so much more! Get ready to get out and get moving; at any one of the shows below! Friday Lil Ed & The […]
Saturday night, we had the privilege of sitting with my husband’s sister Maho and her husband Volker and an assortment of their friends in a coffeehouse called The Copper Coin in Woodstock. We were there to hear The Peter Ponzol Quartet play jazz. The Copper Coin is a cool space just right for jazz, with an eclectic […]
It may be cold outside, but the blues will keep you nice and warm all over town! Check the shows below, pick one and go forget the weather! Friday George Hughley & The Shadows are at Blind Willie’s and David Ashley Trent is at Darwin’s in Sandy Springs.TTodd Pruissin & Commins come to Fat Matt’s […]
Truett Lies and Lightning Truett has just released his second EP, Lies and Lightning, and it may just be five songs but how happy your ears are going to be! It all starts with an irresistible drumbeat, provided by Paul Hammer, leading directly into a thicket of wild guitar riffs and somewhat distorted vocals for […]
Brooks Mason Brooks Independent Brooks Mason has just put out his first solo EP., “brooks,” and you really should give it a listen. He’s only 22, but many of us around Atlanta have been hearing him play with his brother for years. The music he really loves is straight blues from the 50s and 60s, […]
2019 is off to a good start, and this weekend looks like a fun showcase for local blues groups (plus John Nemeth!) so get out and get your blues groove goin’! Friday John Nemeth is at Blind Willie’s and Barnyard Garden is at Darwin’s in Sandy Springs.The Rockaholics come to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and The […]
Attending a live blues event at a favorite club is a fantastic way to end 2018! Here is your chance to catch some of the best blues artists in Atlanta in town or all around! Just check the list below! A New Year’s Eve guide is on the way! Friday George Hughley & The Shadows […]
Because I know you need to start the New Year off with friends and the blues, here is a special roundup of blues events for New Year’s Eve in Atlanta, from casual to upscale! The Painted Pin has Larry Griffith, bowling, champagne and a balloon drop at midnight! $20 cover, $35 for bowling. Northside Tavern has […]
Happy Holidays! There’s plenty of great live blues all over Atlanta and all around to help you celebrate. Take any out-of-town guests if you have any, and be sure to be generous to the bands and your servers! Friday The North Mississippi Allstars are at the Variety Playhouse. Sandra Hall & The Shadows are at […]
It may be cold outside but the blues are still hot, and all your favorite spots have got ’em for you this weekend! So bundle up and go find yourself a mess of blues! Friday Sandra Hall & The Shadows are at Blind Willie’s The Keisha Pratt Band is at Darwin’s in Sandy Springs. Little […]
There was food. There was live music, There were toys galore, and Santa Claus! How could it not be a great party? Every year, The Atlanta Blues Society has a holiday party, catered by Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. For several years now, the party has been at the Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility, which […]
Are you in the holiday spirit yet? If not, here is your chance to get the right kind of blues with all sorts of special events, including the Atlanta Blues Society party, which we look forward to all year, and Diane Durrett’s Merry Little WooHoo! Choose something from below and get out and have some […]
Last Sunday. many Atlanta Blues Society members and potential members gathered as we do monthly at various clubs all around Atlanta and the Metro area. This time, it was at Darwin’s Burgers and Blues in Sandy Springs. Every meeting has a host band, which performs right after Society President George Klein says a few words. […]
The holiday season is officially upon us and no matter what you celebrate, there is a lot of great live blues music to help you feel festive! Just look at all the goodness listed below and go out and have some fun! Friday Tinsley Ellis and Tommy Castro & the Painkillers come to, City Winery. Sandra […]
Do you know why the Jeff Jensen Band is my favorite blues band of all? Let’s face it, there are a lot of really great bands out there. When you go to see a band at a club like Darwin’s, the odds are they will be good. What makes one of them stand out from […]
