Blues at Centrum

Live Video Interview with UK Bluesman John Crampton

We hope you can join us on Thursday, February 12 at 1pm (PST) for a live video interview with the amazing UK blues musician John Crampton.

Visit our interview page on the Blues at Centrum community site for details on how to participate.

Crampton was born in London, and  is self taught on the guitar and harmonica. John started out as a solo performer 13 years ago creating a very big and powerful sound of hard hitting and very danceable uptempo blues and bluegrass. John plays slide or bottleneck style on a 1930’s National steel guitar with harmonica and thumping his foot on foot box to provide a driving rhythm. John plays mostly his own songs.

We like this quote about John from Blues Matters Magazine:

"... John Crampton doesn't so much approach the raw blues of Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Bukka White with reverence as wrestle it to the floor and stamp his unique mark on it!"

We hope to see you at the interview, but if not, we'll make the interview available as a podcast for your viewing and listening pleasure.

The 25th International Blues Challenge

This week, Memphis, TN is home to the 25th International Blues Challenge (IBC). Our very own Son Jack Jr is on scene and will be posting audio reports.

We've just posted a podcast interview on our Blues community site featuring Son Jack Jr. and Jack Olmsted talking with Joe Whitmer, the producer of IBC, which is billed as the world’s premier Blues music competition, featuring more than 100 bands and 60 solo/duo acts from 36 states and nine countries.

What is a Blues Poet?

North Carolina blues poet Gary Copeland Lilley describes blues poetry, and what he was able to do with a residency in Port Townsend.

A full series of interviews with Lilley can be found on our Blues at Centrum community site.

Join Our Interview with the Producer of 'M for Mississippi'

We hope you can join us in a bit over on the Blues at Centrum community site for our interview with the Producer of 'M for Mississippi', Jeff Konkel. Should be a good conversation.

Date: Friday, January 23
Time: 1pm (PST)
To call into the show:
Phone: 310/984-7600
Show ID: 254183
Caller ID Block: Dial *82 before calling show

To Listen To The Show:
http://www.nowlive.com/show/digitalreporter

NOTE: In order to chat during the show, you need to get a free nowlive.com account.

Amazon Editorial Review
Everyone knows the blues came from Mississippi. Here's an update: They never left. This compelling new DVD documents the heart of Mississippi's current blues scene. This is the intensely personal music recorded was captured by two self-proclaimed blues fanatics - Jeff Konkel and Roger Stolle - on a week-long road trip across the state. The DVD explores the thriving underbelly of a dying American art form in the land where it began by filming real-deal blues performances in its home, where it is most comfortable and authentic. Professionally filmed largely on-location in the region's juke joints, house parties and living rooms. Featured musicians include James 'T-Model' Ford, Jimmy 'Duck' Holmes, Robert 'Bilbo' Walker, Wesley 'Junebug' Jefferson, Terry 'Harmonica' Bean and others. For veteran blues fans or newbies, this is the perfect DVD to buy or recommend. CD version also available.

Listen to Son Jack Jr. Interview

Son Jack Jr. is one of our favorite members of the Centrum Blues Community. In addition to being an astute student of acoustic blues traditions, Son Jack has begun to carve out a great career as a musician.

Our digital reporter, Jack Olmsted, will be conducting a live interview with Son Jack on Wednesday, January 14 at 2pm (PST) over on our community site. You can listen live, or even participate in the interview if you like. We'll also make a podcast available for download. Please join us!