BLUES NEWS — April 2021
The Lost Interview: Albert Collins
Albert Collins' performance at the Blues Fest in 1993 was absolutely electric (watch here), but Albert also recorded a never-before-seen interview that year. From a tape sitting for decades in a dark box to a digitally archived MVBS Vault video comes an insightful and entertaining interview with one of the Blues' most iconic musicians. In one of his last known interviews, you'll learn what the Blues meant to Collins, hear about his experience shooting the movie Adventures in Babysitting, why they call him The Iceman, his favorite guitar, and more.
Cigar Box Guitar $5 Raffle: Proceeds Benefit Blues Fest 2021
Be one of the few owners of a J.P. Soars handmade and signed cigar box guitar. Raffle entries are only $5 or $4.25 for members. Unlimited entries! Help MVBS raise funds for Blues Fest 2021. Your contributions are critical to the success of our mission and this year's Blues Fest.
This fretless cigar box guitar is a simple chordophone that uses an empty cigar box as a resonator. The style hearkens back to early blues instruments built by musicians with the limited resources they had available. Watch J.P. Soars perform "Deep Down in Florida" by Muddy Waters on one of his cigar box guitars here.
The Pandemic Blues: Living Local Interviews MVBS President
Watch MVBS.org president, and longtime member Bob Clevenstine interviewed on Living Local. They discuss why it's important to sustain Blues heritage, what MVBS is doing to help, how the pandemic has impacted the MVBS, and what's coming for Blues Fest 2021.
Orphan Jon and The Abandoned Live at Gypsy Highway on April 25th
Orphan Jon and The Abandoned is an American Roots & Blues band from Bakersfield, California. Signed to SoCal’s highly respected and well established blues label Rip Cat Records. A 2018 Blues Blast Music Awards double nominee and a 2019 Independent Blues Award nominee. Currently receiving airplay throughout the world on many Blues and Roots stations for their debut album “Abandoned No More.”
Avey Grouws Band Live at Rhythm City Casino on April 23rd
The strength and grit of Avey's guitar and vocals are beautifully matched by the sheer power and nuance of Grouws' unmistakable voice. She's been called "a choir full of angels on a runaway train!" Gary Eckhart of Blue Monday Monthly saw their first performance in 2017 called Grouws "a rising star" and said, "It was their first show and they are already ready for festivals!" And ready they were. AGB wowed audiences at Mississippi Valley Blues Fest, Prairie Dog Blues Fest, Nordic Fest and Smokin' In Steele BBQ & Blues Fest. With the release of their EP "Road to Memphis" in May of 2018, Avey/Grouws Band is marking their spot on the music scene.
One of the Most Active Blues Education Programs in the Country
Mississippi Valley Blues Society has one of the most active Blues Education programs of any Blues society in the United States. MVBS has now archived hours of video in our Video Vault, including our Blues Education, Blues in the Schools, and BlueSkool programs. Support the award-winning Mississippi Valley Blues Society in its mission to preserve, promote and celebrate blues music. Your contributions enhance our ability to bring live blues music to the community and to educate K-12 students about blues music, history and culture. Our virtual Blues Education program has gained international attention and is only possible through the support of contributors like you.
What's Your Blues Bio?
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April Blues Bio: John Resch
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March Blues Bio: Dylan Parker
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Like all kinds of music, Blues music is about emotions and the expression of emotions, whether mad, sad, glad, or anywhere in between. If Country music is defined as “three chords and the truth,” how do we define Blues music? Three 7th chords and a shuffle beat? There’s more to it than that, so the MVBS Blues News is launching a new monthly feature: What’s Your Blues Bio? Please share your story and help MVBS keep the Blues alive!
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Other News
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42nd Blues Music Awards
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The Only Blues Festival Scheduled In Iowa for 2021
As of April, so far, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society is the only Blues Festival scheduled in Iowa for 2021. While we urge all Blues fans and artists to support our other Iowa non-profit Blues organizations, such as the Central Iowa Blues Society in Des Moines who stage an excellent Winter Blues festival every February, The Linn County Blues Society based in Cedar Rapids, and the North Liberty Blues & BBQ in North Liberty, IA, we are hopeful that the MVBS Blues Festival, scheduled for September 17-18th at LeClaire Park, Davenport will provide all Iowa and regional Blues fans with a long overdue dose of Blues music and entertainment.
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MPB Classics Television Programs Celebrate Mississippi Delta Blues Music
Every month for the next three years, a new set of MPB Classics programs will be available for free on-demand viewing here for two months. The programs document the local culture and history of Mississippi through literature, visual arts, folklore, music, storytellers and more.
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How 22-Year-Old Christone Ingram Is Making the Delta Blues New Again
Artist known as “Kingfish” started playing at five years old, now delivering traditional blues to younger audience. Kingfish wants you to understand something — the blues aren’t dead, not by a long shot. Read full article here.
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Six Definitive Songs: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Muddy Waters
Known as the father of Mississippi delta blues, Muddy Waters took the blues to Chicago and electrified it in every sense of the word. Read full article here.
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Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band Battles the Pandemic Blues with New Album ‘Dance Songs for Hard Times’
For timely relief from modern problems, you can’t top Dance Songs for Hard Times, the electrifying new long player from Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band. Read full article here.
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