Young Bonnie Raitt 1972

Last night on Blues Breakers our Artist of the Week was Bonnie Raitt as a guest on other people’s songs. Catch Ms. Raitt in XRT Shows this Saturday (sold out) and Sunday at The Chicago Theater. Bonnie has always been supportive of the blues by sharing her spotlight with blues artists. We found a bunch of good ones and mixed them in with the usual Blues Breakers fare of great blues from a Chicago point of view. Join us on Monday, May 21st when our Artist of the Week will be Bonnie’s recent touring buddy, Taj Mahal. And remember, only about three weeks until the Blues Breakers Blues Fest Broadcast from Buddy Guy’s Legends and the Chicago Blues Festival.

See the entire playlist with notes

Bonnie Raitt

Tonight on Blues Breakers, Bonnie Raitt as blues guest with be the focus of our Artist of the Week songs.  Next week be listening for Bonnie’s friend Taj Mahal on Blues Breakers which airs every Monday from 9pm to 10pm on 93fm.

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Eddie C. Campbell

As usual, there’s more good blues than you have time to take in this weekend in Chicago, but I’ve got to tell you about one pretty special show.

See Tom’s pick here

Artist of the Week Otis Clay

Our Artist of the Week this week on Blues Breakers was Chicago’s #1 Soulman, Otis Clay.  Next Monday, May 14, in advance of her two XRT Shows at the Chicago Theater on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, we’ll be featuring the blues of Bonnie Raitt. Hear Bonnie as a guest artist on the albums of several Blues artists to whom she gave support.

See the playlist with notes

Copyright © Columbia College Chicago

Doctor Mavis Staples [Photos]Yesterday, my dream came true. I have been an instructor at Columbia College Chicago for over 30 years. The college of rock and roll knowledge. For the past few years I’ve been begging everyone with a title I’ve met to see if they could help me get an honorary doctorate degree for Mavis Staples. Finally I met Michelle Passarelli from Alumni Relations and she connected me with Mark Kelly, Vice President of Student Affairs, and on Sunday at the Chicago Theatre it happened. And I got to do the honors of introducing Mavis. Mavis spoke to the graduates and led us all in a rousing version of I’ll Take You There. No one in that theatre will ever forget that magical moment. Congratulations to Dr. Staples and all of the graduates! Mavis and I were impressed by some of the shoes the grads wore, but as they filed by with their diplomas, Mavis and I were moved by each individual that walked by. All these young men and women who had worked so hard to get these degrees, going off to begin their careers and adult life. Mavis made a difference. Now it’s the class of 2012′s turn. Get busy and good luck.

Here’s my introduction for Dr. Staples (love the sound of that…Dr. Staples!)Read More From Terri Hemmert

Little Walter

Last night on Blues Breakers our Artist of the Week was Little Walter, born on May 1, 1930. Next week we’ll feature Chicago Soul Man, Otis Clay.

See Playlist with notes here

Little Walter

The man who, as much as anyone, invented amplified blues harmonica, Little Walter will be our Artist of the Week tonight.  And join us next week when Otis Clay, Chicago’s Number One Soulman is our feature on Blues Breakers. more

Little Walter

Little Walter, the undisputed King of the Blues Harp, the top blues harmonica player in the history of the blues, ever. He was there at the beginning of the post World War II blues explosion in Chicago, amplifying his blues harp and taking it places it had never been before. He was a major part of the legendary blues band of Muddy Waters of the fifties. From Maxwell Street to the very top of the R&B charts in the early 50′s with his hit, solo record, “Juke.” He was born on May 1, 1930, in Marksville, Louisiana and this Monday we celebrate the anniversary of his birth with the Artist of the Week tribute on Blues Breakers. More importantly to this post, Chicago’s top current blues harp player, Billy Branch will pay tribute to Little Walter this weekend in a 93XRT Show.

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Albert King

Last night on Blues Breakers our Artist of the Week was Albert King. Next week listen for Little Walter.

See entire playlist with notes

All eyes on Warner Bros. Records’ newest shining star, Gary Clark Jr. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Gary has no shortage of music coursing through his veins.

Clark’s first weekend at Coachella created so much buzz that his performance for Weekend two pulled in more onlookers than the 5,000 person capacity Gobi Tent could handle. Magazines like Rolling Stone called Clark the “Best Young Gun” and only a few months ago Clark Jr. played the Red, White, and Blues event at the White House.

Upon pulling into the KROQ Coachella House, Clark Jr. was diverted to the gifting suite where he paused for a fitting of a new pair of Dr. Martens. After weaving his way though the vendors, Clark Jr. relaxed under the hot summer sun with KROQ’s Nicole Alvarez and reflected on his big weekend in the desert.Gary Clark Jr. describes his blues inspirations.

Shemekia Copeland - photo by Amy Brat

Two of my best girlfriends are going to be in the same place tonight!  Granted, for many of us it’s a little too far to drive home from late at night, but still…  Mavis Staples and Shemekia Copeland will be performing tonight (Friday) at 8 at Northern Lights Theater at Patowatomi Casino in Milwaukee. As far as I can tell tickets are still available and go for as little as $25. (Please, check them out online or give a call to confirm.)

Shemekia will be joining us as co-host of our Blues Breakers Blues Fest Broadcast from Legends on the 7th of June. See more about that HERE. Mavis is going to be real busy this season as she’ll be on the Bonnie Raitt tour soon (though not in Chicago) but she’ll be back in our town to headline the Chicago Blues Festival on Sunday, June 10. (See complete Blues Fest schedule HERE.)

You got anything closer to home, Tom

Otis Rush

Last night on Blues Breakers our Artist of the Week was Otis Rush, we played a killer new track by Lurrie Bell and mentioned his upcoming album release events, played some new Johnny Winter in advance of his two XRT Blues Breakers shows next week, and announced the line-up for the Blues Breakers Blues Fest Broadcast from Legends. Join us for Blues Breakers next week when our Artist of the Week will be Albert King. See the Blues Fest Broadcast info HERE. See the Chicago Blues Festival Line-Up HERE.

See the playlist with notes

Co-hosted by Blues Breakers’ Tom Marker and Shemekia Copeland, the 15th Annual Blues Fest Broadcast at Legends will feature live musical performances by Joe Louis Walker and Ronnie Baker Brooks with special guest Billy Branch.

Admission to the event is FREE for blues fans 21 and older on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who are not able to drop in, can tune in to 93.1FM, or stream the broadcast live at 93XRT.com.Get More Details