Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities
17 Unique Stations from Border to Border
17 Unique Stations from Border to Border
The harmonica has been around since the early 1800s. It was first introduced to the American Blues genre in 1920. There have been and are many fabulous harmonica blues artists out there in the blues world of music. Mark Hummel is one of them and we’re featuring him today.
Most people associate Gary Moore with being a guitarist with the bands Skid Row and Thin Lizzie.
However, if you are a blues fan, you know the other side of Moore which was steeped in the Blues. He had a deep passion for the blues and from
1990 to the day of his passing in 2011, he followed his heart.
I’m focusing on the Meyers Brothers today on our Blues Cruise to shed more light on their significant role in the Chicago Blues scene. They were the ones who got the famous Junior Wells to become well- known and further enhanced Little Walter Jacob’s career in the band called the “JUKES”.
The Meyers brother share a large part of the Chicago Blues evolution; just as much as Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf, but never got the publicity and notoriety the former mentioned bluesmen received.
A group of like-minded brothers had an idea to put together a Blues band that could go out and not only “WOW” the St. Louis area (their home base) with their unique positive approach to the blues and superb musicianship, but to make a difference in this world. Eleven years later they are still going strong and have journeyed across the States performing at festivals, events, clubs and even recently, the National Blues Museum in St.’ Louis, MO. I had the opportunity to talk to two of the band’s members about the Blues today and the mission of the Kingdom Brothers.
Tinsley Ellis has achieved a lot of success and worked with some of the best in the business. He has toured the globe, released 19 albums, and hit the heights of commercial success with songs covered by other artists – notably, Jonny Lang recording “A Quitter Never Wins.” Today he continues to bring it night after night at one venue after another across the globe, sharing his blues-steeped legacy, fine songwriting, and deep pride in being a Georgia-based artist.
Little Walter, born Marion Jacobs May 1st, 1930 in Marksville, Louisiana, is remembered as one of the greatest blues harmonica players ever, emulated by many a blues harp player today. Although Walter is know for his harmonica playing, he was actually proficient in many instruments including accordion, piano and guitar. He actually played guitar on some of his recording- which is a fact unknown by many blues fans who presumed he only play the Harmonica, or “BLUES HARP” as it is known of in blues circles.
