Over FIFTY major roadhouse blues artists will be appearing at blues festivals in Europe, Canada, and three locations in the United States this weekend. In Belgium (Swing…Blues for the People Festival), Canada (Edmonton Blues Festival), New Hampshire (White Mountain Boogie and Blues Festival), New York (Chenango Blues Festival), & Indiana (Madison Ribberfest), people will be on the road today headed for a weekend of family, friends, food, and some badass music.
I will be spinning songs by some of the artists appearing at the festivals during my Roadhouse blues show from 3-5 pm ET on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com. I plan on squeezing in as many tunes as I can from Keb’ Mo’, Samantha Fish, Walter Trout, Jimmie Vaughan, Popa Chubby, Sue Foley, Ghalia Volt, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, Angel Forrest, Ana Popovic, the Altered Five Blues Band, Joyann Parker, G-20, Mud Morganfield, and the other fabulous acts that will be on stage.
For a complete listing of all the artists, checkout my video on the Ben Vee Youtube channel!
Join me for my Roadhouse Blues Nooner on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm ET today. I have contemporary blues from Jimmy Hall, Laura Evans, Larkin Poe, Tommy Castro, Dave Thomas, Derrick Procell, Karen Somerville, Nick Andrea, and much more.
Hope ya have time to chill with us from home or on your phone!!
If you get a chance, please check out my new Youtube Video, 14 Female Roadhouse Blues Artists You Should Know on the Ben Vee channel. And please also comment on the video (or here) with the number of the artists that you were aware of previously on the list…..I gotz to know 🙂
Here is a list of the artists, their latest studio recording, and a link to a video from their careers that is on Youtube. I hope ya enjoy!!
Ben Vee started out spinning songs on terrestrial radio and at nightclubs back in the 1970’s in his home state of Louisiana. After a career in the construction business, he returned to DJing in 2011. He now hosts two shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and writes about the blues at http://www.benveeblues.com from his home in Connecticut. He also has a personal 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB as well as a Youtube channel.
Join me at 12 pm ET today for my Roadhouse Blues Nooner on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com. I have some new tunes from the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Born Healer, Lily Locksmith, the B. Christopher Band and music by the Rolling Stones, Levon Helm, Ronnie Earl & Duke Robillard on the playlist!!
I hope your summer is goin’ fine. I’ve got some roadhouse blues from 1991, 2001, 2011, 2021 and several new tunes in my playlist today on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm ET. I hope ya get a chance to tune in and chill for a bit. Selections include songs from B.B. King, Albert King, Albert Collins, Walter Trout, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eliza Neals, The Achievers, Shawn James, and Gov’t Mule.
Join us today for some more incredible contemporary roadhouse blues on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm ET. I have new tunes by The Strongman Blues Remedy, JD McPherson, Diunna Greenleaf, Karise Eden, Moblues, AND Hank Williams Jr. as well as some favorites by Justin Townes Earle, Steve Earle, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Tinsley Ellis.
The new Todd Sharpville album Medication Time, that is due out July 8th on Dixiefrog Records, is a powerhouse blues recording that is sure to garner nominations for album of the year. Exhilarating on some tracks and pensive and thoughtful on others, the new album bubbles with energy from a life lived in the blues.
Some people encounter deep sadness and tragedy in their lives and never recover. Others, like Todd, rise from the ashes of a personal meltdown with a renewed sense of purpose. Almost two decades ago, Todd suffered a nervous breakdown after losing custody of his children during a divorce. Severe depression and suicidal thoughts led to a stay in a mental institution. The ability to continue playing and writing music during his stay as well as the support of family and friends (including fellow bluesman Larry McCray from Detroit) got him through the worst of times and honed his blues talents in the fiery cauldron of depression and recovery.
The new album features 12 songs of which 9 are originals. Two of the recordings have been released as promotional videos and both are well worth the time to watch. (Both are also available on my Youtube Channel playlist for cool roadhouse blues.) Todd and Larry McCray do a really creative animated video for the song Brothers From Another Mother. And Todd does an intensely personal video performance of the Dylan tune, Walk Out In the Rain.
There is also an interesting and powerful blues’d up rendition of the Dire Strait’s tune, Money for Nothing, included on the recording. Guest artist Sugar Ray Norcia heightens the intensity, resentment, and jealousy of the lyrics on vocals; it is well worth a listen. My favorite on the album is the blues rockin’ tune, God Loves A Loser and I also love Get Outta My Way, the slow pretty I Don’t Need to Know Your Name (with a fabulous sax solo) and his rousing version of the Bruce Springsteen song, Red Headed Woman.
Undergirding this powerful recording is Todd’s guitar virtuosity and the production values that Duke Robillard, a two time Grammy Nominee and multiple Blues Music Award winner, brings to any recording that he produces. Todd got his start back in 1992 with the album Touch of Your Love. It won Best Album and Best Guitarist awards at that year’s British Blues Awards. I have a strong feeling that Medication Time will do the same this time around!
#blues #roadhouseblues #bluesrock #britishblues
Ben Vee started out spinning songs on terrestrial radio and at nightclubs back in the 1970’s in his home state of Louisiana. After a career in the construction business, he returned to DJing in 2011. He now hosts two shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com, does weekly sets on the SecondLife grid, and writes about the blues at http://www.benveeblues.com from his home in Connecticut. He also has a personal 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB as well as a Youtube channel.
I got some Summer time Solstice blues for ya today on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm ET. I am gonna be spinning an all Euro show with songs from Thorbjorn Risager, Kiko Garcia, Maria Daines, Veronique Gayot, Ben Granfelt, and more! There are alot of fabulous European contemporary blues artists and they are spread out all over the continent: the UK, Hungary, the Netherlands, Greece, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain to name a few! I hope you get a chance to tune in and listen to the roadhouse bluzin’ stream!
Here is the intended playlist:
ARTIST
TITLE
Hans Van Lier
T Bone Shuffle
Baba & The Tonebones
Little Poor Chicken
Kiko García Band
Mojo Ringer
Thorbjorn Risager
Burning Up
Otis Rush & Friends
All Your Love (I Miss Loving) (Feat. Eric Clapton)
It’s summertime here in the northern hemisphere and many of us will be taking road trips to see family and friends. Whether the journey is an hour away or across the continent, here are the Roadhouse 66 best blues songs of 2021 to listen to along the way. And this year, for the first time, the playlist is available on the Ben Vee Youtube channel and on the Ben Vee Spotify account. I hope you enjoy reviewing and listening to the songs. And bear in mind that music is not a sports competition…..whether the song is listed at number 4 or number 64, these are all truly great tunes culled from an initial list of over 4,000 new songs that I reviewed or streamed during the course of 2021!! And if you have a comment or want to tell us what your best roadhouse blues song of 2021 was, just leave a comment below.
The Roadhouse 66 Best Blues Songs of 2021 Top Ten
#1 Altered Five Blues Band – Full Moon, Half Crazy
Another in a long series of vibrant upbeat tunes from this amazing band out of Wisconsin, the group is powered by the voice of Jeff Taylor.
#2 Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Long Distance Woman
The Kingfish is a true superstar of the contemporary blues and…..he is only 23!! He first came to my attention four or five years ago and his musical trajectory just keeps rising and rising!
#3 Dion – I’ve Got to Get to You (ft. Boz Scaggs, Mike Menza, and Joe Menza)
His career started over 60 years ago and at the age of 82 he is still kickin’ out some badass blues songs!
#4 Colin James – Open Road
Stevie Ray Vaughan opened the door for him in the 1980’s and in the years since he has become a mainstay of the Canadian music scene. This is the title cut from his latest album that was also the Roadhouse Blues 61 best album of the year!
#5 Tommy Castro – Somewhere
This California based bluesman is a personal favorite. I have seen him in concert 3 times and he is an absolutely incredible performer. He also walked away from this year’s Blue Music Awards in Memphis with a bevy of the top awards. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
#6 J Lee and the Hoodoo Skulls – Highway
This blues rock band out of the UK just cranks out some badass music!
#7 Atomic 44s – Fade to Black
I tried to see this southern California band last summer when I went to visit my younger daughter. They are the perfect roadhouse blues band. Unfortunately, COVID cancelled the show. I hope to see them on a future trip!
#8 JP Williams Blues Band featuring Ekat Pereya – Mighty Dangerous Boogie
I just love JP’s style of roadhouse blues. And I appreciate the fact that he appeared in chat on several of my BluesMusicFan Radio shows during 2021.
#9 Polly O’Keary & the Rhythm Method – I’m Not Guilty
A long time star of the blues from the American northwest, Polly O’Keary has paid her blues dues! I just love her voice!
#10 Blues Traveler – Roadhouse Blues
John Popper and company do an amazing blues version of the Doors classic. Easily one of my favorite tunes of 2021….I wonder why?!!
The entire Roadhouse 66 Best blues songs of 2021
The Roadhouse 66 list includes perennial music stars like Melissa Etheridge, Jimmy Barnes, Billy Gibbons, Van Morrison, and Doobie Brothers as well as personal favorites like Uncle Watson’s Widow, Mike Zito, Carolyn Wonderland, the Black Keys, and Davy Knowles. There are a slew of contemporary blues stars on the list such as Eddie 9V, Joanne Shaw Taylor, the Record Company, and Sue Foley. Also included are some rising stars of the genre that you may not have heard before; 8 Ball Aitken, Veronica Lewis, Ben Levin, Hendrikse, and AJ Fullerton to name just a few! I hope you get a chance to listen to all of them sometime soon. Just remember you can use my playlists on Youtube and Spotify to listen to them all and hopefully buy and download a few….the ultimate compliment to the artists!!
ARTIST
TITLE
1
Altered Five Blues Band
Full Moon, Half Crazy
2
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Long Distance Woman
3
Dion
I’ve Got To Get To You
4
Colin James
Open Road
5
Tommy Castro
Somewhere
6
J Lee and the Hoodoo Skulls
Highway
7
Atomic 44s
Fade To Black
8
JP Williams Blues Band featuring Ekat Pereyra
Mighty Dangerous Boogie
9
Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method
I’m Not Guilty
10
Blues Traveler
Roadhouse Blues
11
Mike Zito
Dreaming Of You
12
Billy F Gibbons
Stackin’ Bones (Feat. Larkin Poe)
13
Markus K.
Rollin’ and Tumblin’
14
Sean Chambers
Rockin’ Daddy
15
Carolyn Wonderland
Broken Hearted Blues
16
8 Ball Aitken
What Goes Up
17
Eddie 9V
Dog Me Around
18
Sue Foley
Hurricane Girl (ft. Jimmie Vaughan)
19
The Black Keys
Coal Black Mattie
20
Uncle Watson’s Widow
Nasty Dogs Funky Kings Precious and Grace
21
Melissa Etheridge
For The Last Time
22
Jimmy Barnes
End Of The Road
23
Joanne Shaw Taylor
Stop Messin’ Round
24
Steve Marriner
Take Me To The City
25
Simon Kinny-Lewis
Swamp Rat
26
Chickenbone Slim
Serve It to Me Hot
27
The Dirty Mojo Blues Band
My Little Sue
28
The Doobie Brothers
Cannonball
29
Dirty Dave Osti
River Of Shame
30
Eldon Backhouse And The Electric Blues Band
Another Man
31
Band Of Friends
Livin’ Like a Trucker
32
Steve Cropper
She’s So Fine
33
Joe Metzka
Walk
34
Tom Feldmann and Noah Levy
Going Away Baby
35
The Record Company
Today Forever
36
The Kokomo Kings
She´s Shaking Up A Storm
37
Superdownhome
Homework
38
Vintage Trouble
Low Down Dirty Dog
39
Delta Fuse
Letter on the Table
40
Gov’t Mule
Snatch It Back And Hold It
41
AJ Fullerton
The Forgiver And The Runaway
42
Davy Knowles
One & The Same
43
Captain Morgan Express
Hanging Tree
44
Quinn Sullivan
Wide Awake
45
Dave Kalz
Shes Got A Hemi
46
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Too Cool To Dance
47
Tommy Z
Tommy Guns
48
Hendrikse
Try to Save Your Soul
49
Andy Lindquist
The River Queen
50
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux
Choo Choo
51
Dionne Bennett
Full Time Job
52
Cactus
Preaching Woman Man Blues
53
Bernie Marsden
Me And My Guitar
54
Teresa James and The Rhythm Tramps
Gonna Rise Together
55
Ben Levin
I Can’t Stop It
56
The Liberators
Wrong Distraction
57
Trainman Blues
Troubled Mind
58
Mike Goudreau Band
Tonight’s The Night For Big Fun
59
Van Morrison
Deadbeat Saturday Night
60
The Immediate Family
Slippin’ and Slidin’
61
Colin Linden
4 Cars
62
WellBad
One Kiss Too Late
63
Dennis Siggery
Gypsy Woman
64
Early Times & The High Rollers
Do What She Do
65
Selwyn Birchwood
I’d Climb Mountains
66
Veronica Lewis
Put Your Wig On Mama
#blues #roadhouseblues #bluesrock
Ben Vee started out spinning songs on terrestrial radio and at nightclubs back in the 1970’s in his home state of Louisiana. After a career in the construction business, he returned to DJing in 2011. He now hosts two shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and writes about the blues at http://www.benveeblues.com from his home in Connecticut. He also has a personal 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB as well as a Youtube channel.
Got some mighty fine Roadhouse bluzin’ tunes for today’s Nooner on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm ET. I will be spinnin’ new music from Sass Jordan, GeminiiDragon, Cristina Vane, and Stan Edward Moore plus some classics from Otis Rush, Bobbie Blue Bland, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Ben Vee Blues 