He was born a few minutes after a full solar eclipse, on the dark side of the planet, as it slipped from the grasp of the shadow of the Moon. Raised behind Pete Pistol’s Wrecking Yard at the end of a dead end street, just north of Austin, Calvin Russell never left...

Queens native Little Mike grew up on the very competitive New York City music scene. He started playing harp at age 14 and took up piano two years later. His first brush with the blues came while hearing John Lee Hooker at Carnegie Hall and later listening to a Paul...

From the George Mitchell collection, Robert Johnson had given up the blues in 1927 for the church. Johnson's powerful, bluesy moaning vocal is heard on four riveting numbers accompanied by his daughters. There's some marvelous gospel on the final disc, a bonus CD by...

Johnny Christian was born John C. Christian on August 18/1936, Cleveland, Mississippi. His parents were both devoted Christians and Little Johnny spent many of his younger days in the church, when he was twelve he began sing in the choir. The choir singing made a big...

Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (born 19 August 1939, Lewisham, South London) is an English drummer, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith. He is also known for his numerous associations with World music, mainly the use of African influences. He has also had...

Brother Yusef has been described as a master solo guitarist, as well as a uniquely passionate vocalist. He remembers first hearing the call of the Blues as young child attending church with this grandparents in Bakersfield, CA. The raw and intense emotions in church...

Based in Cincinnati, Kelly Richey is one of the hardest working independent musicians out there, to date logging an extraordinary 800,000 miles touring, and at one point in her 25 year professional career, gigging a grueling 275 days out of the year. Richey started...

Sharrie has a powerful voice, with a range that can reach and rattle the castle tower one minute, while soothing the soul of a crying child the next, she possess an unaffected nature, which gives her grace and a sensibility that pays homage to the great female artist...

Jimmy Witherspoon (August 8, 1920 – September 18, 1997) was an American jump blues singerJames Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas. He first attracted attention singing with Teddy Weatherford's band in Calcutta, India, which made regular radio broadcasts over the...

Barkin' Bill Smith (August 18, 1928 – April 24, 2000) was an American Chicago blues and electric blues singer and songwriter. Although he was born in Cleveland, Mississippi, Smith spent his latter years in ChicagoSmith was raised in Mississippi, but later relocated to...