Fred Thomas occupies a very special niche in the history of R&B. As James Brown’s principal bassist since 1971 (the “Make if Funky” era), he participated in one the most prolific periods in the Godfather of Soul’s incredible career as a member of Brown’s band, the J.B.’s. He can be heard on hits such as: “Hot Pants”, “Papa Don’t Take No Mess,” “Make it Funky,” “Get on the Good Foot,” “Doing it to Death,” “I’m a Greedy Man,” “I Got Ants in My Pants,” “There it Is,” “Stoned to the Bone,” and instrumental classics like “Pass the Peas” and “Gimme Some More.” Fred’s lines heard on songs li ..read more

American Blues Scene’s Bill Graham effuses, “Imagine you’re preparing a list of today’s top female blues/rock guitarists. No doubt you’ll include Bonnie Raitt, Samantha Fish, Susan Tedeschi and Ana Popovic. If you don’t include Debra Devi, your list is not complete.”  Find out why American Blues Scene calls Debra Devi one of today’s top female blues-rock guitarists at SOPAC Blues in the Loft in South Orange, NJ on Sunday, May 19. Doors open at 6:30 pm, followed by blues artist Dean Shot at 7 pm and Debra Devi at 8. This series is curated by Mike Griot.   “Mike is such a great gu ..read more

Award-winning, world-beloved Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon has announced the first set of dates of his Shut Up & Play! concert tour. The 28-city tour will take Cannon from the Midwest to the East Coast and back, including dates in Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Boston. Shut Up & Play! will be released on Friday, June 7, and is the third Alligator album from Cannon. It will be available on CD, yellow vinyl LP, and at all digital services. With his richly detailed, truth-telling original songs, blistering, inventive guitar work and impassioned vocals, Cannon ..read more

Recorded music revenues have shown strong growth for the eighth consecutive year, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Wholesale value revenues topped $11 billion for the first time and retail values topped $17 billion, also for the first time. Things are booming in the music industry. Unless you are an independent artist looking for a way to sustain your music career without having to hold down one or more second jobs. You may have a widely reviewed album, a strong social media presence, and go out on tour. You still will not make enough to manage without that se ..read more

Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr. lived an extraordinary life, from which we all benefitted. His combination of New Orleans R&B, blues, jazz, funk, and rock permeated the musical landscape of the late ’60s and beyond. While quite young, he was influenced by piano players, including Professor Longhair. As a teenage musical prodigy, Mac was a songwriter, arranger, A&R guy, and a producer for Ace Records, running sessions with legendary artists. During the 1960s, as a “first call” Los Angeles studio musician, he honed his chops doing session work for artists including Sonny & Cher, Canned H ..read more

The King Biscuit Blues Festival this year showcases more than 40 acts in four days, starting with Warmup Wednesday, October 9th and running through Saturday the 12th on the berm of the mighty Mississippi.  Three-time Grammy® winner and perennial King Biscuit favorite-son Bobby Rush is the Saturday night headliner. The Three Kings featuring Albert Castiglia, Chris Cain and D.K. Harrell pay homage to Kings B.B., Albert, and Freddie topping Thursday’s schedule, and eight-time Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year Curtis Salgado headlines Friday.  Now in its 37th year on ..read more

A live recording of a concert can preserve one powerful moment indelibly in time. Coming June 14, 2024, Smithsonian Folkways will release The Complete Friends of Old-Time Music Concert by Bessie Jones, John Davis & The Georgia Sea Island Singers with Mississippi Fred McDowell and Ed Young, presenting a riveting, historic look at the intersection of Black folk traditions and civil rights activism. Taken from a concert in April 1965, this recording showcases the haunting songs of the Georgia Sea Islands Singers, led by Jones and Davis–Black folk songs and spirituals ..read more

Live and Havin’ Fun, recorded at The Mint in Los Angeles, is Deb Ryder’s first live album. This stellar singer-songwriter and arranger once again exhibits her innovative and sensational talent. The album was produced with her husband/bass player Ric W. Ryder and features familiar names Johnny Lee Schell, Tony Braunagel, Jim Pugh, and Ric W. Ryder, plus Tex Nakamura, Alan Maggini, Lon Price, and Paul Litteral — as well as special guests Albert Lee, Joe Sublett, Joey Delgado, Artur Menezes and Big Llou Johnson. With music that swings along well suited to the words, the single “Fun Never Hur ..read more

Bayport BBQ Blues is the new studio album by Indiana-based blues duo Left Lane Cruiser, featuring Freddy J IV on guitar and vocals, and Brenn “Sausage Paw” Beck on drums, washboard and trash kit.  The album blends Freddy’s commanding, gritty vocal rasp and hoodoo slide guitar work with Sausage Paw’s rhythmic stomp to soundtrack your next backyard barbecue or juke joint get-down. Bayport BBQ Blues is dedicated to the memory of the late Chris Johnson, creator of the Deep Blues Festival. Premiering exclusively on American Blues Scene is “Big Momma Shake,” which follows lead single “Turkey Vu ..read more

LOST ANGEL: The Genius Of Judee Sill opens this week in theaters, on digital and on-demand (Apple, Amazon, Vudu , major platforms) in the US and Canada on April 12. The never-before-told story of folk-rock icon Judee Sill, who in just two years went from living in a car to appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone. The documentary charts her troubled adolescence through her meteoric rise in the music world and her early tragic death. Featuring Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Fleet Foxes, David Geffen, JD Souther, Big Thief, Weyes Blood, Tim Page and ..read more