News

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has revealed its 2025 lineup featuring Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, hometown hero Lil Wayne with The Roots, Lenny Kravitz, Kacey Musgraves, John Fogerty, Luke Combs, Santana, and Burna Boy as headliners.

Other notable acts set to play include Haim, Cage the Elephant, My Morning Jacket, Goose, Laufey, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, Kamasi Washington, Banda Ms, The Wailers featuring Julian Marley, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick, Trombone Short & Orleans Avenue, Harry Connick Jr., The Revivalists, Margo Price, Irma Thomas, Tank and The Bangas, Branford Marsalis, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly “The Legacy Band”, Morris Day & the Time, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Hurray for the Riff Raff, James Bay, Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Cyril Neville, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, James Bay, Dumpstaphunk, The Radiators, Samantha Fish, Anders Osborne, Kenny Wayne Shepherd with Bobby Rush, Terence Blanchard, and more.

Blues music festival Mahindra Blues Festival is set to be held in Mumbai on February 10 and February 11. The festival which started in 2011 brought along significant developments in the Blues culture of the country.

Regular attendees have been treated to performances by greats such as Buddy Guy, John Mayall, Taj Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmie Vaughan, Billy Gibbons, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Johnny Lang, Beth Hart, Ana Popovic, Matt Schofield, Shemekia Copeland, along with a diverse roster of artists including Charlie “Kingfish” Ingram, Arinojoy Sarkar, Ivan Singh, and many more. Adding to its global appeal, the festival is also held biannually in Chicago at Buddy Guy’s Legends Club.

This time around, the festival will amp up the experience for the attendees with specially styled food and beverages, a comfortable den with a viewing screen for a more relaxed experience, and exclusive merchandise and record stalls.

Jay Shah, Vice President – Cultural Outreach, Mahindra Group,...

Blues music festival Mahindra Blues Festival is set to be held in Mumbai on February 10 and February 11. The festival which started in 2011 brought along significant developments in the Blues culture of the country.

Regular attendees have been treated to performances by greats such as Buddy Guy, John Mayall, Taj Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmie Vaughan, Billy Gibbons, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Johnny Lang, Beth Hart, Ana Popovic, Matt Schofield, Shemekia Copeland, along with a diverse roster of artists including Charlie “Kingfish” Ingram, Arinojoy Sarkar, Ivan Singh, and many more. Adding to its global appeal, the festival is also held biannually in Chicago at Buddy Guy’s Legends Club.

This time around, the festival will amp up the experience for the attendees with specially styled food and beverages, a comfortable den with a viewing screen for a more relaxed experience, and exclusive merchandise and record stalls.

Jay Shah, Vice President – Cultural Outreach, Mahindra Group,...

The Black Opry Revue, Joshua Ray Walker, Miko Marks, Asleep at the Wheel, Town Mountain, Sunny Sweeney, Kaitlin Butts, and James McMurtry are among the first batch of artists announced for AmericanaFest 2022. The annual celebration of roots music returns to venues around Nashville from Sept. 13 through 17.

The 89 artists announced on Wednesday marks just the initial dump of performers ­— hundreds typically play the festival. This year’s lineup also marks the official AmericanaFest debut of the Black Opry, a collective of Black country artists that, since loosely coming together for the...

Brothers Osborne, nine-time nominees, won their first career Grammy award during Sunday’s streaming Grammy Premiere Ceremony. The duo of Tj and John Osborne won Best Country/Duo Group Performance for their introspective song “Younger Me,” written shortly after the duo’s singer Tj Osborne came out as a gay man.

“I never thought I would be able to do music professionally because of my sexuality and I never thought I would be on this stage accepting a Grammy,” Tj said, his voice cracking.

“I want to thank my younger self for pursuing this,...

Jason Isbell’s Ryman Auditorium residency will reestablish its place as a Nashville fall tradition in 2021 with eight nights of performances. After being forced to take 2020 off because of the pandemic, the singer-songwriter’s run of shows will return to the Ryman October 15th and stretch through October 24th.

In addition to fiery sets from Isbell and his band the 400 Unit, the Ryman residency shows have also become known for their thoughtfully selected supporting performers. In 2018 he opted for Nashville-based bands like Bully and Diarrhea Planet. The most recent series...

Whether it’s coming out of Nashville, New York, L.A., or points in between, there’s no shortage of fresh tunes, especially from artists who have yet to become household names. Rolling Stone Country selects some of the best new music releases from country and Americana artists.

Shemekia Copeland, “Uncivil War”

Blues queen Shemekia Copeland recruits bluegrass greats Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas for this rootsy message song about the divided states of America. “Lines are drawn, gloves are off/smiles are gone, we’re all talking tough,” she sings,...

This year marks five years since B.B. King’s death, but the thrill of King’s music will live on during two ambitious nights: February 16th and 17th, 2020, at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York.

The Thrill Is Gone: A Tribute to B.B. King will be an an all-star concert featuring Anthony Hamilton, Bob Margolin, Bobby Rush, Buddy Guy, David Hidalgo, Derek Trucks, Ivan Neville, Jamey Johnson, Jimmie Vaughan, John Scofield, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Little Steven, Robert Cray, Robert Randolph, Shemekia Copeland, Southside Johnny, Steve Cropper, Susan Tedeschi,...

Since 2014, when Austin City Limits celebrated the 40th anniversary of its pilot episode, the long-running public television series has inducted influential musicians, songwriters, and others into its Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. On Saturday, December 28th, a special episode of the series will take a look at highlights from this year’s gala celebration, which honored 2019 inductees Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, and Buddy Guy.

Hosted by Robert Earl Keen, the special features collaborative performances from Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin, Shemekia Copeland and Buddy Guy, and Edie Brickell with...

Nashville singer-guitarist Will Kimbrough has announced plans to release his new album I Like It Down Here on April 19th, his first solo LP since 2014’s Sideshow Love. Today, the Americana Award-winning performer is previewing the release with a pair of new songs: the haunting “Alabama (for Michael Donald),” which features blues singer Shemekia Copeland, and the melodic rocker “Hey Trouble.”

In “Alabama (for Michael Donald),” the Mobile native — a longtime Nashville resident and former sideman with Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell and Todd Snider — sings about the horrific murder of...

In what will be a groundbreaking first for two of the most important roots-music organizations in the country, the Americana Music Association and the Blues Foundation are joining forces to stage “Across the Great Divide,” a joint benefit concert set for Friday, October 19th, at the Ace Theatre in Los Angeles.

Artists slated to perform include John Prine, Bob Weir, Lucinda Williams, Lee Ann Womack and Shemekia Copeland, along with Doyle Bramhall II, Larkin Poe, Joe Louis Walker, Tash Neal and other surprise guests. Leading the house band as musical...

The 55th Grammy Awards have arrived, and music's biggest night promises a ton of trophies, and hopefully some great live performances by today's hottest acts. Who has the best record of 2012? How about the year's best new artist? Stick with Zap2it throughout the night, as we continue updating the list of this year's winners!

All of the award categories are below, with the winners in bold.

Record of the Year"Lonely Boy" by The Black Keys"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" by Kelly Clarkson"We Are Young" by Fun., featuring Janelle Monáe"Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye, featuring Kimbra"Thinkin Bout You" by Frank Ocean"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift

Album of the Year"El Camino" by The Black Keys"Some Nights" by Fun."Babel" by Mumford & Sons"Channel Orange" by Frank Ocean"Blunderbuss" by Jack White

Song of the Year...

Eric Clapton and Keith Richards will perform at “Howlin’ For Hubert,” a celebration of the musical legacy of the late Hubert Sumlin and his influence on every guitar hero of today, on February 24 at New York’s legendary Apollo Theater. The evening will benefit the Jazz Foundation of America.

The concert will also feature performances by Doyle Bramhall II, Gary Clark Jr., James Cotton, Shemekia Copeland, Billy Flynn, Barrelhouse Chuck Goering, Buddy Guy, David Johansen, Steve Jordan, Danny Kortchmar, Dr. John, Keb Mo, Todd Mohr, Ivan Neville, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Sheperd, Larry Taylor, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Jimmie Vaughan, Jimmy Vivino, Willie Weeks, Jody Williams, Kim Wilson, and other special surprise guests.

Read more...

Here is the latest celeb gossip about the following topic from one of the freelance news writers at Green Celebrity Network. Will inviting celebrity friends to the White House come treating the home more like a pop culture icon than a famous place with historical significance hurt Barack Obama's chance at re-election? If it does, he and the family will most likely be heading back to Sweet Home Chicago. Michelle Obama had the crew from Extreme Home Makeover in to remodel the house. Then B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Gary Clark, Jr., Shemekia Copeland, Buddy Guy, Warren Haynes, Mick Jagger, Keb' Mo', Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks with Taraji P all came to a house party to celebrate Black History Month. Why is his choice to invite stars right and hers wrong? Keep reading...

Washington — The president just couldn't say no: Mick Jagger held out a mic almost by way of command, and soon Barack Obama was belting out the blues with the best of them.

The East Room of the White House was transformed into an intimate blues club on Tuesday night for a concert featuring blues all-stars of the past, present and future – and the president himself.

The surprise performance by Obama came at the end of the playlist when the blues ensemble was singing "Sweet Home Chicago," the blues anthem of Obama's home town.

Buddy Guy prodded the president, saying he'd heard that the president sang part of an Al Green tune recently, and adding, "You gotta keep it up."

Then Jagger handed over the mic, and Obama seemed compelled to comply.

"Come on, baby don't you want to go," the president sang out twice, handing off the mic to B.B. King momentarily,...

By Nancy Benac, The Associated Press

Washington (AP) -- The president just couldn't say no: Mick Jagger held out a mic almost by way of command, and soon Barack Obama was belting out the blues with the best of them.

The East Room of the White House was transformed into an intimate blues club on Tuesday night for a concert featuring blues all-stars of the past, present and future - and the president himself.

The surprise performance by Obama came at the end of the playlist when the blues ensemble was singing "Sweet Home Chicago," the blues anthem of Obama's home town.

Buddy Guy prodded the president, saying he'd heard that the president sang part of an Al Green tune recently, and adding, "You gotta keep it up."

Then Jagger handed over the mic, and Obama seemed compelled to comply.

"Come on, baby don't you want to go," the president sang out twice,...

Washington -- Mick Jagger, B.B. King and Jeff Beck are teaming up with musical up-and-comers at the White House to celebrate the blues.

Jagger tweeted that President Barack Obama popped in during a rehearsal for Tuesday's A-list concert and "seemed really relaxed and happy!"

Grammy-winner Keb Mo, for his part, joked during a break in Tuesday morning's rehearsal that Obama himself would be performing three numbers, and there could even be a record in the works. Mo joked that Obama's record would be called, "After the second term, now I can finally get my groove on."

The lineup for Tuesday's concert spans generations, from legends like King and Buddy Guy to young faces such as 26-year-old Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and Gary Clark Jr., whose style blends hip hop, contemporary soul and indie rock.

Andrews said he got a chill just hearing King play a few notes during rehearsal. He...

This year, Chicago’s Alligator Records will celebrate their 40th anniversary. To commemorate four decades of putting out blues and rock records, Alligator will release a two-disc compilation representing the label’s definitive sound. The Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection will feature the likes of Koko Taylor, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Shemekia Copeland, Mavis Staples and more....

Blues singer has potential, but needs to take control of her music

There’s no denying that this 30-year-old blues belter has inherited some estimably smoky chops from her father, Texas bluesman Johnny Copeland. But there’s a sense of restraint hovering over Shemekia Copeland’s latest, which seems to hew closely—and safely—to producers Oliver Wood and John Hahn’s vision for her (instead of her own). She jumps headlong into the sinister, shuffling grooves of their co-penned “Broken World” and “Never Going Back To Memphis,” but she’s tied to a short tether for the rest of the ho-hum compositions, and only starts tearing it up on covers of Percy Mayfield’s “River’s Invitation” and her dad’s “Circumstances.” She has the potential to be the next Ann Peebles, a real superstar in the blues world. But first she needs to snap that leash.

Listen to Shemekia Copeland's "Dirty Water,...