What a week again for the blues and, indeed, for music in general with the festivals in and around town! There’s Sweetwater420 at Olympic Park and the Big Shanty Festival in Kennesaw adding to the general merriment, so choose your indoor or outdoor pleasure and support live music! Monday Mudcat is at Blind Willie’s and The Larry Griffith Band […]
What a great week! John Nemeth and Ally Venable and The Celebration of Sean Costello with Jason Ricci and some of Atlanta’s best! The ABS meeting! And more! Choose your pleasure but don’t stay home. Get out and support live music! Friday John Nemeth and The Blue Dreamers are at Blind Willie’s and The Ally Venable Band […]
The Markey Blue Ric Latina Project was at Darwin’s Saturday night and thrilled old fans and new with their usual powerful, energetic show. they professed to be exhausted, having left Florida and headed for Atlanta in the cold rain for what turned out to be an 8 hour trip due to traffic. They got in […]
by Rhetta Akamatsu Photos by Takesi Ken Akamatsu Every year for 10 years now, Northside Tavern has hosted the Chicken Raid, a gathering of musicians and friends that honors the memory of Mr. Frank Edwards, a bluesman who died in 2002. The money raised at the event benefits the “mentors,” older musicians like Beverly”Guitar” Watkins, Eddie Tigner,and […]
What a week! You will notice it is packed, except for Sunday. Sunday is the first of the month and Easter, so there is not a lot happening in the blues. But as for the rest of it…well, just look for yourself! Monday Ron Roper is at Blind Willie’s. The Pork Bellys are at Fat […]
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 […]
Seth Walker Live At Mauch Chunk Opera House Royal Potato Family Greenville, North Carolina native Seth Walker recorded his debut album “When It Rains It Pours” in 1998. In 2006 Walker released his self-titled fifth album to critical acclaim. His most successful album was 2009’s “Leap of Faith”. This is Walker’s third album for the […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Let’s talk about Cody Matlock. There he is, on the stage at Darwin’s. two days after his 22nd birthday. He’s already a seasoned performer. His dad hauled him around to play Atlanta clubs when he was 13 We first saw him at 16, when he seemed shy on stage and didn’t sing much, just letting […]
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 […]
Victor Wainwright and The Train came to Darwin’s in Sandy Springs Friday night. He is a man of many titles, like “The Piano from Savannah,” and “the Ayatollah of Rock”n Rolla.”. Add to that the awards he has earned. He has been the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year three times, including in 2017, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
It was a great way to spend a Saturday. The scene was Blind Willie’s, one of Atlanta’s best-known and most popular blues clubs. At 2 pm, Garrett Collins, the youngest performer at 18, and Bennie Mobley, the most mature, started things off by proving that age means little to the blues. Mobley is 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 […]
Whata night! Little G Weevil celebrated his 40th birthday in the city of Budapest, Hungary, where he was born, but now he was back home in Atlanta and at Darwin’s and ready to celebrate again! He played the old Darwin’s many times, but after touring in Eastern Europe for four months, this was his first […]
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 […]
Sunday, June 25, the Atlanta Blues Society had its monthly Gathering and Jam. This time, the meeting was at The Vista at Napoleon’s in Decatur. The Vista is a wonderful venue with a large stage perfect for bands and jams, lots of tables and plenty of dancing room. In other words perfect for the ABS! […]
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 […]
Together for Nearly Three Decades, The Band Has Brought Their Raw, Guitar-Driven Grooves to Both Suspecting and Unsuspecting Audiences Winning Over Crowds with Their Energy and BIG Sound June, 2017 (Long Island, NY) — This Summer, audiences across New York will be treated to the thunderously soulful, dynamic, and gut-busting blues rock of Phil Varca […]
Seven years ago the city Norcross Georgia wanted to have a blueberry day with all the restaurants in downtown Norcross doing blueberry dishes and drinks. Mike Holley, who worked at The Iron Horse Tavern in downtown Norcross, figured why not add blues music to the combination and call it Bluesberry. His friend Tixie, who worked for the […]
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. […]
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. […]
Good news! Darwin’s is finally open in Sandy Springs! And they are celebrating with Mick Kolassa’s Taylor Made Band Friday, Jason Ricci Saturdy, and the Atlanta Blues Society meeting Sunday afternoon! The Rusted Hearts and The John Pagano Band are at The Earl, Big Bill Morganfield at Blind Willie’s, and a whole lot of good […]
Now that I have the February news, it turns out to be a busy blues weekend! There’s lots of stuff to choose from, including Tinsley Ellis at The Variety Playhouse and Francine Reed at Eddie’s Attic, plus much more! Just a quick update on Eddie Tigner, who I know Atlanta area blues fans have had […]
The music room at 5 Seasons Brewing Company in Sandy Springs was packed last Thursday for the “Little House” fundraiser to help Darwin’s get moved into their new location at the former Steve’s Live Music building and open for business. It was an act of love for Lindsay Wine and Jonathan Aiken and their club, […]
There are so many great blues-based artists working hard to give you a great musical experience! And while music is a very subjective matter, here are my picks for acts not to miss. Some tour more than others, so there is no guarantee the will in 2017. But they are all performers I really enjoyed […]
Saturday night, New Year’s Eve, was Darwin’s last night in its Marietta location. The little house was full, mostly with people who had been coming to the club since before Lindsay and Aiken took it over. We all felt nostalgic, I believe, thinking of all the memories and bands we had heard there. But we […]
Danny “Mudcat”Dudeck is well-known all around Atlanta. As Daniel Peter Dudeck, he is a skilled landscape artist and gardener and a blues scholar. As Mudcat, he is one of the most engaging blues musicians you will ever hear. Sometimes he plays with The Atlanta Horns, and those are special, exciting jazz and blues-infused shows. But […]
We had been at a big music event in Atlanta for six hours Saturday afternoon but we left at 7:30 in the middle of a set from one of our favorite acts and before another took the stage to drive back to Marietta to Darwin’s Burgers and Blue for the Jeff Jensen Band, thus proving […]
By Rhetta Akamatsu Photo Credit: Sandra Richardson Saturday night, October 29, Annika Chambers and her band entertained at Darwin’s Blues Club’s Halloween party in Marietta, GA. They had driven 11 hours from Houston, TX to do the show, but when they hit the stage they were energetic and high-spirited. Chambers, who performed the first set […]
The Atlanta Blues Society presented the first annual Georgia Roots and Blues Festival on Saturday, October 1 and it was a dream come true for the Society and for Georgia blues lovers. It took place at Mable House Barnes Auditorium in Mableton on an absolutely perfect day. The auditorium offers seating at tables, in bleachers […]
It was a beautiful day in Blue Ridge, GA. The sky was clear and the temperature was moderate. The air smelled like BBQ and filled with music. It was a blues lover’s dream. It was the Blue Ridge BBQ and Blues Festival and the theme was “Women Of Da Blues” so every band had a […]
HOME PAGE FACEBOOK Little G Weevil put on possibly the best show I’ve ever seen him perform Friday night at Darwin’s before a packed audience, and I’ve seen him perform a lot of times now. He seemed energized, happy to be back in the states after spending much of the year touring in Europe and […]
Photos by Sandra Richardson The packed house in Hard Rock Cafe’s Music Room exploded in cheers and applause again and again during the more than 7 hours of music we witnessed at the Atlanta Blues Challenge on Sunday, August 21. Twelve of the best blues acts in Georgia competed for the opportunity to win the […]
Charlie Wooton is a versatile guy. Last time we saw him was with Zabadodat with Laura Reed and it was all jazzy and tropical vibes. This time, it was The Charlie Wooton Project and it was blues and funk..We enjoyed both but Saturday night’s show was my favorite. With Daniel Groover on bass,Mike Phillips on […]
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Every year, the city of Norcross ,, GA, which neighbors Atlanta but maintains its small-town charm,, hosts a blues festival with a blueberry theme called Bluesberry. There’s always plenty of beer available, so now it’s the Bluesberry and Beer Festival. Yes, you can buy blueberry beer along with other blueberry-flavored treats But the real treat […]
The crowd at Darwin’s Blues Club in Marietta was fairly light but grew to a comfortable size for a Tuesday night as Dave Muskett took to the stage and began to entertain. The listeners were with him from the beginning, most of them having seen him in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge in January […]
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