It’s a good weekend for the blues around Atlanta! Along with our usual flock of great musicians, we have Jon Nemeth in town. And if you feel like taking a slightly further trip, about an hour and a half up to Blue Ridge like we are going to do, the wonderful Tullie Bae is playing […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The layout was simple at Darwin’s Burgers and Blues in Sandy Springs Friday night. There were two chairs on stage, in which sat Jason Ricci and JJ Appleton, and there was a huge upright bass, played by New Orleans legend Jack Joshua (“That’s 5 J’s,” they point out with a laugh.) There are no amps. […]
What a big weekend! The Chicken Raid, The Jeff Jensen Band, Damon Fowler, and all this tremendous talent everywhere! Pick your venues and have fun with live Indie Blues! Friday The 24th St. Wailers are at Darwin’s and Damon Fowler is at Blind Willie’s. Lola is at Northside Tavern. Sana Blues are at Fat Matt’s and Turnstile […]
It’s another blues-packed week, with one very special event I’d like to call your attention to. Atlanta Blues Society President George Klein and his wife Betty are celebrating their 50th Anniversary at Blind Willie’s on Thursday with The Larry Griffith Band! Congratulations, George and Betty! Elsewhere, you have a lot to choose from, so check it out […]
So much information cane in since I prepared the This Week article on Friday. What was already an exciting weekend exploded into a feast of blues delights! Don’t ask me how you’re going to decide. Just dive in and do your best! Friday Tab Benoit visits City Winery. Victor Wainwright & The Train come to the […]
The Rainmen were something new and different for us at Darwin’s Saturday night. ! This band plays rock ‘n roll from the 60;s and early 70’s, not blues but there was a lot of great music in that era, and The Rainmen capture the feel-good mood perfectly. The capacity crowd certainly thought so, with a lot of dancing […]
So much blues is happening all around Atlanta. Tab Benoit, Victor Wainwright & The Train, NMike Zito and Jonn Del Toro Richardson are in town among others. The Bad Ash Guitar Heroes Jam takes place and while not really blues, WRFG’s Americana in the Park supports our local blues source on the radio. Check it out: Monday Bob Page […]
There’s a lot going on this weekend! You can see The Bridget Kelly Band, The Ghost Town Band, Delbert McClinton and Casey James., as well as our usual wide range of blues artists. Come on out! Friday The Bridget Kelly Band is at Darwin’s and Beverly “Guitar” Watkins is at Blind Willie’s. Blue Roads are at Fat Matt’s. […]
There’s a lot of blues going on this week, and in honor of Mardi Gras, I’ve listed a bit of Cajun, too! Blind Willie’s will have King Cake and Will Scruggs celebrates Fat Tuesday on the real Fat Tuesday this time! It’s time to laissez les bon temps roulez (let the good times roll) wherever you go this week!’ […]
I’ve filled in a few blanks from The Week Ahead as information filters in. There’s so much good stuff going on. We get to celebrate Lisa’s birthday and Zydefunk has King Cake! And there’s a mess of tasty blues all around town, so go get your fill from the list below -Rhetta Friday Little G […]
Welcome to a week full of blues! It’s the first of the month and some of my info is missing. If you don’t see your favorite club listed, please contact them to find out who’s is playing. But I do know about a lot of good stuff, listed below! Monday Bill Sheffield is at Blind […]
Peter Karp is a compelling figure. He is a tall man. Dressed in a well-tailored suit with a white shirt, he dominated the stage, even with Tom Gray as his guest to his right. Gray is the well-loved lead singer and lap steel and guitar player for Delta moon, a very popular Georgia group. It turns out […]
Delta Moon, BIg BIll Morganfield, The Taylor Made Blues Band, and so much more for your entertainment this week! Just check the list below to find all the blues you can use! Friday Delta Moon is at Blind Willie’s. Donna Hopkins is at Darwin’s and Little Joey’s Jumpin’ Jive is at Northside Tavern. The Barry […]
Lots of blues all around town this week! Some of the special events include Peter Karp IN Decatur, Delta Moon at Blind Willie’s, and The Taylor Made Blues Band at Darwin’s. Monday Bob Page is at Blind Willie’s and Larry Griffith is at Fat Matt’s. The Blues Jam is hosted by Lola st Northside Tavern […]
Lots of good stuff this weekend, including Monkeyjunk all the way from Canada in Duluth Friday! Notice the Atlanta Blues Society meeting Sunday, as well as two benefits for great causes! Get out and participate! Friday The Mar-Tans are at Darwin’s and House Rocker Johnson and The Shadows are at Blind Willie’s. Swap Raw Deal […]
Not only do we have all the fine local talent we expect this week, but Jonny Lang is coming to town and Forrest McDonald brings his band to visit too! Come out for them and a lot more great blues in all these places: Monday Jonny Lang comes to Center Stage Theater. Matt Pendrick is […]
it’s time to shake your fist at the weather, get out of the house and party in Atlanta with some hot blues in warm environments! Here;s where you can find the live blues this weekend: Friday The Heather Gillis Band is at Darwin’s and The Chris O’Leary Band is at Blind Willie’s. J.T. Speed is at […]
There is never a lack of good music in Atlanta, and blues lovers are particularly blessed. Here is where to find the shows this week. Monday Mudcat is at Blind Willie’s. Larry Griffith is at Fat Matt’s, and the Blues Jam is hosted by Lola st Northside Tavern. There’s a jam with Mike Watson & Friends […]
Come in from the cold and wrap yourself in the blues at these great shows! It is mostly locals, which gives us a chance to rejoice that our locals are so spectacular! Monday Brandon Reeves is at Blind Willie’s. Larry Griffith is at Fat Matt’s, and the Blues Jam is hosted by Lola st Northside […]
It’s the first weekend of 2018 and that;s a fantastic reason to go out and hear some great blues in an awesome club! Here are some choices for you: Friday he Colin Alvarez Band is at Darwin’s and Watermelon Slim is at Blind Willie’s.Tyler Neal is at Fat Matt’s and Eric Gales entertains at Terminal […]
Goodbye to 2017! It’s the last weekend of the year and Sunday at midnight we get to welcome in 2018. The blues was good to us this year and we can count on them in the year to come! Choose your venue and see the year out right! Friday Eli Cook is at Eddie’s Attic. […]
What better way to see one year out and another in than with the blues? Here’s where to find them: Monday Most of the clubs, like Darwin’s, Blind Willie’s and Fat Matt’s, are closed for Christmas.The Blues Jam hosted by Lola at Northside Tavern still takes place. Tuesday Poverty Level is at Darwin’s and Mudcat […]
Celebrate the holiday week with lots of local blues and blues jams! Happy holidays! Rhetta Monday There’s a Toys for Tots drive with Cody Matlock at Blind Willie’s. The Pork Bellys are at Fat Matt’s. Mike Watson hosts the jam at Loco’s in Alpharetta and Lola is the host for the jam at Northside Tavern. Tuesday […]
As always there is a lot of good blues music going down this weekend, but the two HUGE things in my eyes are Victor Wainwright bringing good times and boogie-woogie piano to Darwin’s and the Royal Blue Holiday Celebration to benefit prostate cancer with Bobby Rush and Big Bill Morganfield! And don’t forget to take toys to Lola’s […]
Take a break from holiday frenzy and head for your favorite venue for some great live local music this weekend! Or catch Nick Moss at Blind Willie’s! Of the local acts you can choose from some of the best: Heather Luttrell, Cody Matlock and The Mothership, Delta Moon, The Cazanovas, and more! So get out, relax and […]
Monday Mike Watson hosts the jam at Loco’s in Alpharetta and Lola is the host for the jam at Northside Tavern. Tuesday Poverty Level is at Darwin’s and Ross Pead & Friends are at Front Page News in Little 5 Points. Swami Gone Bananas is at Northside Tavern and there is an acoustic open mic […]
It’s a festive weekend, with the Atlanta Blues Society Holiday Party, Diane Durrett and Soul Suga’s Merry Little WooHoo, and Albert White’s birthday party! Also, while Little Gee Weevil moving to Memphis is bittersweet for Atlanta fans, he is having one heck of a farewell party! Plus, Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials are in town! So get […]
The holiday season is in full swing but holiday parties like the Atlanta Blues Society one on Sunday are not the only special events this week. Little Ed and The Blues Imperials are in town and so are Squirrel Nut Zippers. But my first choice this week is slightly bittersweet because one of my favorite musicians is […]
Some performers are just mesmerizing to ‘watch. JP Soars is one of those. He’s not a particularly tall man, or physically imposing. He isn’t flamboyant in his movements or his speech. But on stage, with his excellent drummer (Chris Peet) and bassist (Fredrick Cleveland), he consumes your attention. Playing that red guitar or one of […]
Darwins Blues on the Block Festival got off to a great start on Friday with Poverty Level, The Way Back Band, and The Markey Blue Ric Latina Project. We missed Poverty Level because of work but thoroughly enjoyed The Way Back Band’s interpretations of hits from the past, announced in fabulous DJ style by drummer […]
The Atlanta Blues Society is so proud to bring Blues Stotts back this year in celebration of the life of Larry Stotts, one of the biggest fans of the ABS and of the blues that we’ve ever had the privilege to know. Mark your calendars and come down to Blind Willies and celebrate with us the […]
Picture a packed house at Darwin’s Saturday night for Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind. At first sight, dressed in loose white pants and shirt and with his hair pulled back by a headband, Ricci looked rather like a decadent angel. But when he started to blow that harp, it was immediately clear that the […]
AUSTRALIAN BLUES/ROOTS GUITAR SENSATION GEOFF ACHISON RETURNS TO THE U.S. Kicks off tour Oct. 5th ATLANTA, GA – Australian blues/roots singer/songwriter, guitar sensation Geoff Achison, who invokes the spirit of the great blues & soul artists to create his original sound, will hit the American shores for part II of his extensive CD release tour in […]
Seeing Bobby Messano at Darwin’s is like seeing an old friend. In fact, my husband and I are old friends of Bobby’s so I am far from unbiased. But I think everyone who sees him feels that warmth and connection and walks away feeling they have seen a very talented friend. Part of it is […]
JP Soars and the Red Hots played Darwin’s in Sandy Springs Saturday night. What an amazing musician that man is! Who else do we know who mixes original tunes in with not only blues but gypsy jazz and Latin music? He moves easily from his own songs to Django Reinhardt, Johnny Guitar Watson, and Muddy […]
By Rhetta Akamatsu Photos by Takesi Ken Akamatsu Markey Blue has changed its name to The Markey Blue Ric Latina Project but the high-energy, nonstop joy of the group live hasn’t changed a bit! Lead singer Markey and lead guitar player Ric Latina still lead the charge into electrifying blues and blues-rock with Ron De […]
By Rhetta Akamatsu Photos by Takesi Ken Akamatsu Norcross, GA is a perfect town for a music festival, nd every year they have one, the Bluesberry and Beer Festival, featuring some of the best local blues acts. The festival is totally free, and people come out in droves. This year’s festival took place last weekend, […]
Photos by Takesi Ken Akamatsu Friday, June 16, Reverend Freakchild returned to Darwin’s as the opening act before The Mike Lowry Band. My husband and I got to talk to him before after his performance and it was like re-uniting with an old friend, even though we only met him once before, at the former […]
A lot of people were very excited to see Rae and The Royal Peacocks at Darwins Friday night. They are a sort of Atlanta super-group. Long-time area favorites Danny Vinson on lead guitar, Art McNaughton on drums, and Harold Pattillo on bass joined with keyboard wizard Valerie Waters and Rebekah “Rae” Easley on vocals and […]
Brandon Santini and his band played Darwin’s on Friday night, May 19. Many fans were anxious to see Santini, who has played here enough to be a big Atlanta favorite. They were also happy to see Timo Arthur, the lead guitarist, as he lived in Atlanta and was part of our musical community before moving […]
The Breeze Kings played Guston’s Grille in Kennesaw Friday night. Guston’s is an inviting place with great, reasonably priced food, a bar and a friendly staff. The stage is sizable and we could see very well from where we sat. It turned out to be a case of the perfect band in the perfect venue. […]
Grant Green Jr. wowed the crowd at Darwin’s new location in Sandy Springs Friday night. A lot of young, fashionably dressed women in short dresses were up and dancing most of the time and Green seamlessly played to his audience, delighting younger and older by playing and singing a wide variety of songs. While he […]
Saturday night at Darwin’s, Jake Holliday rounded up Donna Hopkins and some other friends and called the show, appropriately enough, “Jake Holliday and Friends feat. Donna Hopkins.” That’s an irresistible title to anyone familiar with Jake’s fantastic bass playing and Donna’s talents as a singer, guitar player and songwriter, so off we went. There were […]
It was the first Atlanta Blues Society meeting at the new Darwin’s location and the place was absolutely packed. Many of the people were there to see the group who were playing for us, David T and Friends, and some were there to see the new Darwin”s. The club, which won the Keeping The blues […]
The room was buzzing at Darwin’s Friday night. Mick Kolassa and The Taylor Made Band were the first touring group to play the new location,, and people were pretty excited. By the time the music started, it was standing room only with people standing at the back wall. Aftr years of producing and making albums. […]