On Saturday, June 8, the KCBS hosts its 3rd annual Celebrating Women in Blues showcase, in which we spotlight some of the excellent women making blues music today. Women in Blues is one of our signature annual events and we’re very proud of the partnership we’ve built with BB’s Lawnside BBQ to make this happen. Sister Lucille Interview with Sister Lucille’s Kimberly Dill by Debra Rooney It has been nearly 3 years since the Blues Society has talked with the Sister Lucille Band and I was fortunate enough to catch up with Kimberly Dill, have a lovely lunch and see what the band has been up to. DR ..read more

On Saturday, June 8, the KCBS hosts its 3rd annual Celebrating Women in Blues showcase, in which we spotlight some of the excellent women making blues music today. Women in Blues is one of our signature annual events and we’re very proud of the partnership we’ve built with BB’s Lawnside BBQ to make this happen. Lauren Anderson Band Lauren Anderson is a very soulful blues rocker, originally from Chicago, who has had a passion for singing throughout her entire life. Growing up in a household that was rich in music, her influences were widely varied from artists such as Susan Tedeschi, Bonnie Rai ..read more

The Love You Bleed Artist: Danielle Nicole Label: Forty Below Records Released: 2024 Number of Tracks: 12 Duration: 55:00 Website: https://daniellenicolemusic.com/home Review by Blues Blast Magazine Senior writer Marty Gunther A double threat as both a world-class vocalist and a decorated bassist, too, Danielle Nicole hasn’t been in the studio since earning a Grammy nomination for the album Cry No More five years ago, but she’s destined to earn another with this long awaited CD, which exhibits all the grit and determination needed to transverse the world of romance and all the pitfalls fac ..read more

I AM Artist: Kelsey Miles Label: self-produced Released: 2023 Number of Tracks: 12 Duration: 43:00 Website: https://kelseymiles.com/ Review by Bob Sutcliffe, Knuckleheads Saloon staff Kelsey Miles is a new musician to the Kansas City music scene, having recently relocated to Kansas City from Wisconsin. She just released her new album, “I AM” and it’s a very good look into the passion and soul of this very talented lady. Whatever mood you are in or feelings you are having, there is a song on the cd to go along. From her soul-baring opening track “Beautiful Mistake” to the great horns on the ..read more

LaVette! Artist: Bettye LaVette Label: Jay-Vee Released: 2023 Number of Tracks: 11 Duration: 54:06 Website: https://www.bettyelavette.com Review by Mixmaster Linc I was listening to my friend Jeff Harshbarger’s show during the last week of the year, and he dedicated the last hour of his show to playing songs that were nominated for Grammys this year in the jazz category. The concept inspired me, and I decided to look at the Grammys’ blues album nominations for the choice of this month’s CD review. Well, I’m here to tell you, the Recording Academy does not define blues the same way I do, an ..read more

CONGRATULATIONS to our 2023 Road to Memphis winners! Support our winners by attending their shows! Your presence and support for our musicians will be greatly appreciated! Thank you to all of the talented musicians who entered this year’s challenge! BAND WINNER, Big Luke & The Soul Disciples upcoming dates Friday and Saturday, December 29 and 30, 7-9pm, at Jonathan’s Restaurant in Overland Park, KS. Friday Jan. 12 at BBs Lawnside BBQ, 7 – 10:30pm – IBC Sendoff Show with Drum & Dye! Can’t make the show? You can still support the band by donating at: CashApp: $SoulDisciplesKC Venmo: @Ad ..read more

Buried in the Hail Artist: Dom Martin Label: Forty Below Released: 2023 Number of Tracks: 11 Duration: 39:43 Website: https://www.dommart.in Review by Mixmaster Linc I first reviewed Dom Martin’s Spain to Italy (from 2020) back in February, and now I’ve run across his brand new release, Buried in the Hail, that came out this September. The album is fairly short (less than forty minutes), but the music is strong. It opens and closes with short acoustic instrumentals, and sizzles at most points in between. The album contains two ballads, “Government” which comes off as kind of flat for me, a ..read more

Legendary Rhythm & Blues cruise (LRBC) #39, which set sail from San Diego on October 28, had a new crop of blues musicians on board. We called them the “youngsters” of blues music. They’re young, talented, have great vocals and play instruments, love blues music, and are the future of blues music. If anyone tries to convince you that blues music is losing momentum, just introduce them to Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, D.K. Harrell, Mathias Lattin, and Dylan Triplett, and members of their bands. Their presence on the cruise was a collaborative effort between Kimberly Horton, President of the ..read more

The Kansas City Juke House, 1700 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, located in the historic 18th and Vine entertainment district, is searching for a blues band or band that plays blues music to host either a brunch or evening happy hour event starting in 2024. If you are interested, please contact Andrea Shelby, owner/operator, at (816) 668-4647 or kcjukehouse.com for details ..read more

Smack in the middle of a Westport neighborhood in Kansas City is a music store that bills itself as the place “where vinylists come to play.” It’s a small store located at 1616 Westport Road and owned by Marion Merritt. She prefers to keep a low profile, but if you’re into vinyl records, it’s the place to visit. If she doesn’t have it in store, she can find it for you. She can also dazzle you with her in-depth knowledge of all things’ vinyl. Over the past several years, vinyl has had a resurgence and is now either outselling CDs or is on par with their sales. Marion is an enthusiastic particip ..read more