Eighty-two is not an age when most musicians feel like trying something completely new.

Not John Mayall. Earlier this spring, his guitarist couldn’t make it to a gig. So for the first time in a career that spans more than half a century, the legendary British bluesman led his band through a full show as a trio.  “I’d never even thought about it until I did it,” he said in a recent call from his home in Los Angeles. “My god, looking back, I can’t remember any instance where I’ve gone any smaller than a quartet.”  Now, though, it’s all he wants to do. When Mayall hits the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater on Thursday (click here for details), he’ll be joined by bassist Greg Rzab, drummer Jay Davenport, and no one else.

“They’re a really special rhythm section,” Mayall said. “We’ve been together many, many years, and it’s just the interplay and the way we work together that makes it all very cohesive.”

High praise from a man who’s best known as one of the blues’ foremost pack rats of talent...

His newest album, If Nothing Ever Changes, has finally earned him the acclaim to match his talent.

As he nears the 50th anniversary of his first recording session, Wee Willie Walker is hotter than ever. Long the top soul singer in the Twin Cities, Walker is basking in the acclaim that greeted his 2015 album, If Nothing Ever Changes (Little Village Foundation), which was nominated for a Blues Music Award. On Saturday he and his band We "R" will heat up the stage at Petrillo.

Produced by veteran blues harpist Rick Estrin and guitarist Kid Andersen, the album has given his career a welcome boost. "It has made a big difference. Otherwise I wouldn't be in Chicago," Walker says. "That's a big festival, and without that CD I never would have even been mentioned for that."

Though born in 1941 in Hernando, Mississippi, Walker is a product of Memphis, where his schoolmates included future soul stars Spencer and Percy Wiggins as well as Ovations lead singer Louis Williams. In his early teens, Walker...

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The Blues Matters Magazine "Writer's Poll" has named "Confessing the Blues" Radio 2014 Best International Blues Radio Show ....  I'm so humbled and at the same time thrilled by this honor.  The popularity of our efforts are a reflection of the love of Blues Music from fans and enthusiasts around the planet.  It is quite the accolade for me and confirmation that what we do is indeed recognized as fine Blues radio programming. Hard work, dedication and the drive of doing things right appears to have brought our program to the top of the Blues Radio Industry.  Blues Matters Magazine is the largest and most respected Blues Publication in the UK.  Find their current issue at www.bluesmatters.com.