Blue Avenue

The latest releases by Peter Karp & Sue Foley, San Francisco's Tip of The Top, and Canada's Treasa Levasseur; exclusive IPR recordings of Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Alter Boys at the 2010 Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids and some blues on vinyl by Homesick James and Otis Rush.

New releases by The Jimmy's, Walter Trout, and Mary Bridget Davies. Iowa blues by Cedar Rapids guitarman Bryce Janey and Des Moines' Bobcats. Plus exclusive IPR recordings of Deanna Bogart at the 2010 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore celebration in Cedar Rapids.

Three times a year, Blues Revue sends out a "sampler CD" to their magazine subscribers. The latest is out now and we'll hear tunes from that disc by Beverly McClellan and Shawn Starski. Also new releases from Joan Osborne and the late Pinetop Perkins. Plus exclusive IPR recordings of zydeco music master Chubby Carrier at last year's Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids.

This week, it's Blues In A Box! Selections from CD and vinyl blues boxsets including The Cobra Records Story, The Complete Robert Johnson Recordings, Hoochie Coochie Men-The History of UK Blues, and The Chess Blues Box all in the mix.

New blues releases from Contino, Watermelon Slim & Super Chikan, and Iowa Bluesman Rush Cleveland. Exclusive IPR recordings will take us back to the 2011 Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids for music by Perry & The Pumpers. And the blues on vinyl segment has records by Hubert Sumlin and The Seigal/Schwall Band.

New blues releases by Curtis Salgado, The Daddy Mack Blues Band and Swiss bluesman Philipp Frankhauser. Exclusive IPR recordings of Louisiana swamp bluesman John Lisi at the 2011 Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids. And the blues on vinyl segment includes records by Johnny "Clyde" Copeland and Duke Robillard

It's all about blues the way it was made to be played: LIVE in front of an audience! Joe Louis Walker on the Legendary R & B Cruise, Luther Allison in Paris France, Muddy Waters at Mr. Kelly's in Chicago, and exclusive IPR recordings of Grammy Award winner Chubby Carrier at last summer's Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids all part of the mix!

New releases by Nick Moss, Dion, and The Daddy Mack Blues Band, exclusive IPR recordings of Bryce Janey at the Campbell/Steele Gallery in Marion, and vintage blues on vinyl by Otis Rush and Freddie King.

Lots of new blues releases including the latest by Janiva Magness, The Heritage Blues Orchestra, and Hamilton Loomis. Plus, exclusive IPR recordings of Deanna Bogart at the 2010 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore celebration and we'll hear blues on vinyl by Otis Spann and Otis Rush.

After six weeks of surveying the nominees for this year's Blues Music Awards, it's back to a more "normal" show. Lots of new blues releases including the latest by Otis Taylor, Nick Moss, and the late Eddie Kirkland, plus exclusive IPR recordings of Reverend Raven & The Chain Smoking Alter Boys at the 2010 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids and some blues on vinyl by Electric Flag and Sleepy John Estes.

We continue our 6-week survey of nominees for this year's Blues Music Awards from the Blues Foundation by hearing selections from all the nominees for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album of The Year. Plus, hear exclusive IPR recordings of Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band at the 2011 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore Festival and new releases from Big James and the Chicago Playboys and Iowa's Candymakers.

This show originally aired on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

We conclude our six week survey of nominees for the Blues Foundation's Blues Music Awards by hearing from each nominee for Album of The Year and Band of The Year. Plus, hear exclusive IPR recordings of Perry & The Pumpers at the 2011 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids and some new Iowa Blues releases by The Candymakers and Rush Cleveland.

More music from Blues Music Award nominees! We'll hear all five women nominated for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year (The Koko Taylor Award) as well as all five nominees for Blues Music Entertainer of the Year. Plus, hear exclusive IPR recordings of Iowa Blues Challenge winner, Bryce Janey, at the Campbell/Steele Gallery in Marion.

We continue our six week survey of Blues Music Award nominees with music from all five nominees for Traditional Blues Male Artist of The Year and we'll hear all six nominees for Song of The Year. Plus we'll catch exclusivie IPR recordings of two-time Iowa Blues Challenge winners The Avey Brothers (from the Quad Cities) at the 2010 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore celebration in Cedar Rapids.

We continue our 6-week survey of nominees for this year's Blues Music Awards from the Blues Foundation by hearing selections from all the nominees for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album of The Year. Plus, hear exclusive IPR recordings of Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band at the 2011 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore Festival and new releases from Big James and the Chicago Playboys and Iowa's Candymakers.

We'll hear selelctions from all five nominees for a Blues Music Award (BMAs) in the Soul Blues Album of the year catagory and music from all 5 nominees for Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the year plus exclusive Iowa Public Radio recordings of The Holmes Bros., recorded by IPR's Phil Maass at the Temple for the Performing Arts in Des Moines.

We'll hear music from all five Blues Music Award nominees in the Best New Artist catagory and all five nominees for Best Rock-Blues album of the year. I'll have information on the Central Iowa Blues Society's Winter Blues Festival in Des Moines (Jan. 28) and the exclusive IPR recording segment will take us to Cedar Rapids for a set by Reverand Raven & The Chain Smoking Alter Boys at the 2010 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore Celebration.

The mix includes the latest releases by Bobby Rush, Terry Hanck, and Trampled Under Foot; exclusive IPR recordings of Bryce Janey, from Marion IA; and some blues on vinyl by Professor Longhair and IA Blues Hall of Famers The Mother Blues Band

Often promised, finally delivered, it's The 60s British Blues special! From it's founding fathers John Mayall and Alexis Korner to the next generation bands Foghat and Fleetwood Mac and including the British Invasion blues bands like The Yardbirds and Rolling Stones. Blues with a British accent!

Some holiday blues by The Mighty Blue Kings, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Otis Redding plus some of my personal favorites for 2011 including music by Shaun Murphy, Pat Donohue, and Richard Ray Farrell. And exclusive IPR recordings of Deanna Bogart at the 2010 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids.

This show originally aired 12/11/11

Christmas blues by Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials, Roomful of Blues, and Bobby Parker; some of my personal favorite releases of the year including 2011 releases by Victor Wainwright and Fiona Boyes; plus exclusive IPR recordings of Chubby Carrier at the 2011 Linn County Blues Society's Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids 8/6/11.

This show originally aired 11/27/11

New releases by Marquise Knox, Bad Influence, and Hadden Sayers. Some Iowa blues from The Candymakers and Bryce Janey. Exclusive IPR recordings of Perry & The Pumpers at the 2011 Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids. And some blues on vinyl by Jimmy Reed and Otis Rush.

This show originally aired 11/20/11

Some holiday blues by The Mighty Blue Kings, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Otis Redding plus some of my personal favorites for 2011 including music by Shaun Murphy, Pat Donohue, and Richard Ray Farrell. And exclusive IPR recordings of Deanna Bogart at the 2010 Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids.

New studio releases by Tab Benoit, Johnny Nicholas, and Warren Haynes. New live releases by Elvin Bishop and Tommy Castro. Exclusive IPR recordings of Minnesota guitar player Ross William Perry at the 2004 Bowlful of Blues Festival in Newton. And the blues on vinyl set goes way back for songs by Little Brother Montgomery and Big Bill Broonzy.

This program originally aired 6/26/11

Christmas blues by Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials, Roomful of Blues, and Bobby Parker; some of my personal favorite releases of the year including 2011 releases by Victor Wainwright and Fiona Boyes; plus exclusive IPR recordings of Chubby Carrier at the 2011 Linn County Blues Society's Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids 8/6/11.

New releases by Marquise Knox, Bad Influence, and Hadden Sayers. Some Iowa blues from The Candymakers and Bryce Janey. Exclusive IPR recordings of Perry & The Pumpers at the 2011 Bluesmore Celebrtion in Cedar Rapids. And some blues on vinyl by Jimmy Reed and Otis Rush.

New releases by Rod Piazza, EG Kight, Marquise Knox, The Cashbox Kings, and Kent Burnside. Exclusive IPR recordings of Reverand Raven & The Chain Smokin' Alter Boys at the 2010 Bluesmore celebration in Cedar Rapids and some blues on vinyl by Son Seals and Jimmy Rodgers.

New releases by Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, Fiona Boyes, and Levee Town. Exclusive IPR recordings of John Lisi at the 2011 Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids, and some blues on vinyl by Bessie Smith and Dave Ray & Tony Glover.

Go trick or treating with me down The Avenue with all kinds of blues songs about hoodoo, voodoo, bad luck, evil spells, deals with the devil and your black cat bone.

New releases by Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, Maria Muldaur, and Shane Dwight. We'll make a stop at the Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore Celebration (2010) in Cedar Rapids for exclusive IPR recordings of Deanna Bogart. And the Blues On Vinyl segement is all about the Kings (not B.B., Albert, or Freddie!)

This program previously aired on 9/25/11

New releases from The Cashbox Kings, Julius Pittman & The Revival, and Shaun Murphy. Exclusive IPR recordings of The Holmes Bros at the Des Moines Temple for Performing Arts. And blues on vinyl by Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows and Hound Dog Taylor.

New releases by Big Joe & The Dynaflows, Ana Popovic, and the 2011 Iowa Blues Challenge winners The Candymakers. Plus exclusive IPR recordings of Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Alter Boys at the 2010 Bluesmore celebration in Cedar Rapids and some blues on vinyl by James Cotton and Eddie Taylor.

New releases from Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, Victor Wainwright & The Wild Roots, and Johnny Winter. Exclusive IPR recordings of zydeco master C. J. Chenier at the 2008 Iowa Arts Festival in Iowa City and blues on vinyl by Charlie Musselwhite and Albert Collins.

New releases by Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, Maria Muldaur, and Shane Dwight. We'll make a stop at the Linn County Blues Society Bluesmore Celebration (2010) in Cedar Rapids for exclusive IPR recordings of Deanna Bogart. And the Blues On Vinyl segement is all about the Kings (not B.B., Albert, or Freddie!)

New releases by Duke Robillard, Chubby Carrier, and Candye Kane, exclusive IPR recordings of The Avey Bros at the 2010 Bluesmore Celebration in Cedar Rapids, and some blues on vinyl by Fenton Robinson and Slim Harpo.

New blues releases from Johnny Rawls, Jackie Johnson, and Spencer Bohren. A quick spotlight on the career of the late Honeyboy Edwards. Exclusive IPR recordings of Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Alterboys at the 2010 Bluesmore celebration in Cedar Rapids. Blues on vinyl by Smokey Hogg and Roscoe Gordon.

A reprise of the Ladies Night show that originally aired 3/27/11 featuring new blueswomen on the scene like Eden Brent and Jackie Scott, award winning blueswomen Janiva Magness and Fiona Boyes, classic blueswomen Memphis Minnie and Ruth Brown and Iowa blueswomen Vickie Price and Cindy Grill. Ladies sing the blues!

The newest releases by Tracy Nelson, Shawn Pittman, and Seasick Steve. Exclusive IPR recordings of Louisiana zydeco man C. J. Chenier at the Iowa Arts Festival in Iowa City, 2008. And some blues on vinyl by Big Mama Thornton and Gatemouth Brown

Lots of new blues including the latest releases by Ana Popovic, David Bromberg (with Keb' Mo') and Candye Kane. Vintage 50s blues including Willie Dixon and Little Milton. Exclusive IPR recordings of The Holmes Bros in Des Moines and some blues on vinyl by Freddie King and Mississippi Fred McDowell.

New releases by Samantha Fish, Colorado's one-man blues band Grant Sabin, and Prarie Home Companion's Pat Donohue, plus vintage 50s blues including Willie Mabon and John Lee Hooker and exclusive IPR recordings of Minnesota guitarman Ross William Perry at the 2004 Bowlful of Blues Festival in Newton.

Hear new releases from Quintas McCormick, Laurie Morvan, and Iowan William Elliott Whitmore. Plus we'll listen to exclusive IPR recordings of Texas guitar player Byther Smith at the 2005 Bowlful of Blues Festival in Newton. And the blues on vinyl segment has tunes by the late Big Jack Johnson and John Mayall & The Blues Breakers featuring Eric Clapton.

On this week's drive down Blue Avenue we'll step into the Way Back Machine and spend the entire program with music from the most classic of blues eras, the 50s, with tunes by the most classic of blues performers including Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Jr. Wells, and Bobby "Blue" Bland, just to name a few.

On this week's trip down Blue Avenue, we'll hear some contemporary blues women like Jackie Scott and Teresa Lynne; some new bands with a traditional blues sound including The Sugar Prophets and Morry Sochat & The Special 20s and some rockin' blues by Shawn Pittman and Warren Haynes. Plus we'll listen to exclusive Iowa Public Radio recordings of Iowa Blues Hall of Famer, Patrick Hazell (from Washington IA) This show originally aired 6/12/11.

The latest music by Seasick Steve, David Bromberg, and Too Slim & The Taildraggers, plus exclusive IPR recordings of Louisiana Zydeco Man, C J Chenier at the 2008 Iowa Arts Festival in Iowa City and some Blues On Vinyl by Big Mama Thornton and Gatemouth Brown.

On this week's trip down Blue Avenue we'll hear music by 2010 International Blues Challenge winner Grady Champion; one of the world's great blues mandolin players-Rich Del Grasso; and a track from the first Hot Tuna record in 20 years! Plus we'll hear exclusive IPR recordings of Sonny Rhoads and some blues on vinyl by Freddie King and Little Charlie & The Nightcats.

Lots of new blues CDs for this week, including the latest by 2009 International Blues Challenge winner J. P. Soars, a solo effort by long time Lonnie Brooks and Anthony Gomes bass player Biscuit Miller, and 2011 Australian Blues award winner for Female vocalist of the year Stevie Paige. Plus, at 6 o'clock, hear exclusive Iowa Public Radio recordings of The Holmes Bros, recorded at The Temple for the Performing Arts in Des Moines, May 1, 2010 and the Blues on Vinyl set includes vintage records by Shuggie Otis and Johnny Shines. This program originally aired on May 1, 2011

New studio releases by Tab Benoit, Johnny Nicholas, and Warren Haynes. New live releases by Elvin Bishop and Tommy Castro. Exclusive IPR recordings of Minnesota guitar player Ross William Perry at the 2004 Bowlful of Blues Festival in Newton. And the blues on vinyl set goes way back for songs by Little Brother Montgomery and Big Bill Broonzy.

This week's bus ride down Blue Avenue will make frequent stops along the way to check out live performances in juke joints, night clubs and concert halls. We'll hear classic live performances by Muddy Waters and B. B. King, contemporary performances by Joe Louis Walker and Janiva Magness, and exclusive IPR live recordings of The Holmes Brothers in Des Moines. It's live blues performances all night. Get on the bus!

On this week's trip down Blue Avenue, we'll hear some contemporary blues women like Jackie Scott and Teresa Lynne; some new bands with a traditional blues sound including The Sugar Prophets and Morry Sochat & The Special 20s and some rockin' blues by Shawn Pittman and Warren Haynes. Plus we'll listen to exclusive Iowa Public Radio recordings of Iowa Blues Hall of Famer, Patrick Hazell (from Washington IA)

LOTS of new blues releases throughout this week's cruise down Blue Avenue including the latest by Keb Mo, Johnny Rawls, Grady Champion, Gina Siciia, and Elvin Bishop. Plus exclusive IPR recordings of Iowa Blues Hall of Famer Joe Price at the 2007 Bowlful O' Blues Festival in Newton.

This Memorial Day weekend show remembers the bluesmen and women who have passed on. Hear classic blues from Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, 70s icons Albert Collins and Son Seals, and some harmonica blues by Gary Primich and William Clarke. Plus an excerpt from an interview I did with Willie Dixon in Iowa City in 1975!

Hear new releases from Marcia Ball, Trampled Under Foot, and The Jason King Band. We'll take you back to the 2010 Iowa Arts Festival in Iowa City for a set by Louisiana Swamp guitar master Sonny Landreth. And the Blues On Vinyl segment includes records by the late Pinetop Perkins and The Siegal/Schwall Band. This show originally aired on April 10.

Be sure and check out next week's Memorial Day weekend program, remembering blues performers who have passed on.

On Thursday May 5th, The Blues Foundation in Memphis awarded it's annual Blues Music Awards. This week on Blue Avenue, we'll hear music from the winners. Buddy Guy (he won FIVE BMAs!), Charlie Musselwhite, Ruthie Foster, and The Nighthawks are part of the mix and we'll have exclusive Iowa Public Radio recordings of Sonny Rhodes, playing his award winning instrument-the lap steel guitar-at the 2004 Bowlful O' Blues Festival in Newton.

New blues from Colroado singer/harp player Teresa Lynne, swamp master Tab Beniot, and acoustic bluesman Eric Bibb. Some Iowa blues by JC Monroe and Joe Price with Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts. Plus exclusive Iowa Public Radio recordings of native Iowan (now from Austin TX) guitar player Jeff Banks at the 2005 Bowlful of Blues Festival in Newton, and some Blues On Vinyl by Albert Collins and Robet Nighthawk.

New releases from Tracy Nelson, Grana Louise, and the late Solomon Burke. The first new release by Hot Tuna in 20 years! Exclusive Blue Avenue recordings by Iowa Blues Hall of Famer Joe Price, sittin' in with Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts last New Years Eve. Exclusive Iowa Public Radio recordings of New Orleans guitar player Bryan Lee at the 2007 Bowlful O' Blues Festival in Newton and some blues on vinyl by Hound Dog Taylor and Dave "Snaker" Ray.

Hear new releases from Joe Bonamassa, Long Tall Marcia Ball, and Tommy Lee Cook plus we'll flashback for some vintage British Blues by Fleetwood Mac and John Mayall. Our exclusive Iowa Public Radio recording goes back to 2008 for an Iowa Arts Festival performance by C. J. Chenier and the Blues On Vinyl segment includes records by Lonnie Brooks and Slim Harpo.

Hear new releases from Marcia Ball, Trampled Under Foot, and The Jason King Band. We'll take you back to the 2010 Iowa Arts Festival in Iowa City for a set by Louisiana Swamp guitar master Sonny Landreth. And the Blues On Vinyl segment includes records by the late Pinetop Perkins and The Siegal/Schwall Band

New blues releases by Kelly Hunt and Studebaker John, some Louisiana gumbo from Buddy Flett and Sonny Landreth, Iowa blues from Bryce Janey and James Kinds, plus exclusive Iowa Public Radio recordings of The Holmes Brothers.