Billy Branch and Sons of the Blues

MVBS.org is proud to welcome Billy Branch and Sons of the Blues to Blues Fest 2022. Billy was discovered by Willie Dixon, the “father of modern Chicago Blues,” while Billy was still in college. Willie encouraged Billy to finish his college education, which he did, but instead of going to law school after receiving his political science degree,​ Billy began touring with the Willie Dixon Chicago All-Stars. This gave Billy the unique opportunity to travel and work as an understudy for Carey Bell who was planning to leave the All-Stars and form his own band. When Carey took his leave, the young Billy Branch took his place, touring with Willie Dixon for 6 years.

Billy has three Grammy Award nominations, having lost one nomination to BB King and Eric Clapton! He served two consecutive terms on the NARAS Grammy Board of Governors and founded the First Grammy Blues Committee. Because Billy’s Blues credentials include dozens of years spent working side-by-side with many of Chicago’s illustrious Blues musicians of years gone by, he is considered an ambassador of Chicago Blues.

Billy Branch is a blues education pioneer. He was one of the first artists to develop a Blues in Schools curriculum. Since 1978, in addition to recording and performing, he has taught hundreds of thousands of children around the world. Let him teach you the blues at 6:45pm on Friday, Sept. 16 at the 2022 Blues Fest!

Visit the 2022 Blues Fest site to view the entire lineup/stage times, listen to the artists, view the fest guide, get Blueskool details, and find out who’s performing on the Pedigo-Jones Stage.