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Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, the defining blues voice of his generation, will be interviewed on CBS News’ 60 Minutes program this Sunday, October 29. CBS News correspondent Jon Wertheim traveled to Clarksdale, Mississippi to meet the young blues giant to discuss the state of the blues and more. Check out the preview below.

60 Minutes airs on Sundays at 7pm ET. Check your local listings. 

        

"Chris O’Leary generates authority...with a huge voice [and] a force-of-nature harmonica sound." —Greil Marcus, Real Live Rock

"Gritty blues and soulful ballads [performed with] absolute authority…Chris O’Leary rocks relentlessly with assurance and a clear sense of passion and purpose. He is a potent, raging tour-de-force." —Living Blues

"The Chris O’Leary Band offer a virtual encyclopedia of entertaining roadhouse blues styles, from boogie woogie to Southside Chicago to Louisiana stompers." —Philadelphia Daily News

"O’Leary is a forceful harp player, a powerful singer and a natural frontman." —Blues Music Magazine

Alligator Records is pleased to announce the signing of soulful vocalist, dynamic harmonica master and gifted songwriter Chris O'Leary. His label debut, The Hard Line, will be released on Friday, January 12, 2024. It will be available at all digital services, on CD and on translucent red vinyl LP. O'Leary is among the blues and roots world’s most talented unsung heroes. The Marine veteran, ex-Federal police officer and former lead singer of The Barn Burners (featuring Levon Helm on drums) has walked a hard line from his upstate New York home to stages all over the world. No Depression magazine says, “O’Leary’s voice contains startling emotion…reaching an intensity and emotional rawness [that’s] primal. The performances practically vibrate with an authenticity that stays with you.”

Between his large, athletic frame and his military-style “high and tight” haircut, O’Leary commands attention, singing his indelible original songs with pure, unadulterated soul and playing harmonica with urgent locomotive power. His keenly written songs come directly from his colorful and sometimes harrowing life experiences. A disciple and friend of both The Band’s legendary drummer/vocalist/songwriter Levon Helm and iconic blues harmonica giant James Cotton, O'Leary has been playing professionally since the 1990s, with five previous solo albums to his credit. O'Leary is beyond thrilled to be with Alligator. On The Hard Line, he set his sights high and created what he says is “the best work I’ve ever done. It’s the most focused, most to-the-point album I’ve ever made.”

Alligator Records founder and president Bruce Iglauer is happy to welcome O'Leary into the Alligator family. “What first struck me about Chris was his terrific songwriting, which ranged from hilarious tales to soul-deep personal stories. I love the passion he puts into every song. As a musician, he’s a world-class harmonica player (and a fine guitar and bass player) but his goal is not to show off his chops. He plays emotional solos that tell the story of the lyrics and heighten the impact of the song.”

The Hard Line, produced by O’Leary and featuring 12 striking originals, has many stories to tell. With over 30 newly-written, never-recorded songs to choose from (mostly written during the downtime of the pandemic) O’Leary and Iglauer carefully picked what Chris calls “the best of them all.” The wildly energetic original song Lost My Mind premieres today. Watch the visualizer video below. 

Born in Schenectady, New York in 1968, Chris O’Leary was raised in a house filled with music. “My dad played everything from Beethoven to Springsteen,” he recalls. Having seen his first live concert at age 10—The Band (with Levon on drums)—O'Leary was drawn to their famous triple album, The Last Waltz, which included, among other guests, Van Morrison, The Staple Singers and Muddy Waters. O’Leary was captivated by Muddy’s ferocious performance and needed to hear more. His dad got him Muddy’s Hard Again album, which featured the great James Cotton blowing some of the most forceful harmonica of his career. This was the first time O’Leary had heard Cotton, and he was hooked.

O'Leary acquired a Hohner Marine Band harmonica and taught himself to play the real Chicago blues, listening to nothing but the classics of the genre. In 1986, O’Leary joined the Marines, following a tradition of military service in his family. Deployed to the Middle East, he and his fellow infantrymen experienced life-threatening combat. The raw emotions left by this experience would soon find expression in his deeply personal songwriting.

After leaving the service in 1993, O'Leary headed to Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he soon fell into the local music scene. Before long he was jamming with area musicians. Soon after, he formed his own band, quickly making a name for himself as the area’s foremost practitioner of authentic, classic Chicago blues. As luck would have it, an acquaintance who worked with Levon Helm gave Levon a tape of O’Leary’s band. Helm, who was still recovering from throat surgery at the time, liked what he heard, met up with O’Leary and recorded on some of O’Leary’s demos. He soon began showing up unannounced at many of O’Leary’s local gigs, often sitting in with the band and playing drums.

In 1997, Levon, out of the blue, asked Chris to pack his bags and move to New Orleans. He wanted Chris to front the house band—featuring Helm on drums and his talented daughter Amy sharing vocals—at his new club, Levon Helm’s Classic American Café, on Decatur Steet. For over a year, O’Leary and Helm performed five nights a week, often backing famous touring musicians, from Hubert Sumlin to Bobby Keys to O’Leary’s harmonica hero James Cotton, whom O’Leary befriended. While in New Orleans, O’Leary’s musical vision grew to include soul, jazz, country and straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll. With each performance, O’Leary was becoming a more fully formed artist. 

When Helm’s club closed, Levon took the house band—The Barn Burners—on the road. For the next six years, they barnstormed across the U.S. and Canada. But then O’Leary experienced problems with his voice, and his doctors told him he needed to stop singing for a while. He all but quit music and took a job as a Federal police officer. But he couldn’t let go of the music, and began hitting the blues jams once again, putting together his own band. As he grew musically stronger, he became an internationally touring bluesman while still holding his police officer’s job. O’Leary would save, trade, and use his time off work to tour the world, playing as many as 100 nights a year. Eventually, old injuries sustained as a Marine made it impossible to work both jobs. It was time to concentrate on his music.

O’Leary made his recording debut playing harmonica on blues legend Hubert Sumlin’s About Them Shoes in 2003. The album was produced by Keith Richards and features, among others, Helm, Cotton and Eric Clapton. It also included O’Leary’s good friend, blues guitarist and Muddy Waters’ band alum Bob Margolin (who also appears on both The Last Waltz and on Hard Again and has a number of solo albums, including three on Alligator). In 2010, Margolin helped O’Leary release his first album, Mr. Used To Be, on the Vizztone label. The album was nominated for a Blues Music Award and won the Blues Blast Award for Best New Artist Debut. Four more solo albums followed—two on Vizztone and two on American Showplace—as O’Leary grew his audience one scorching performance at a time. O’Leary has always been a monster road warrior, playing hundreds of shows a year all over the world, personally connecting with his audience through his fervent, heartfelt performances. Outside of the U.S., he’s played in Canada, Ireland, Spain, France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Portugal.

With The Hard Line, Chris O’Leary is at the peak of his creative powers, delivering memorable, thought-provoking original songs informed by the complex road he’s traveled. “I’ve lived a life,” he says. “Going to war, playing with Levon, getting to know Cotton.” And now, at long last, O’Leary is set to take his place among the blues world’s most passionate and exciting blues and roots artists. His astonishingly honest material, fierce harmonica work and torrid vocals stun his listeners to attention and bring his live audiences to their feet, all while making a lasting, personal connection. 

        

“Ingram plays guitar with dramatic, searing tone and sure-handed authority. And that’s just in the studio; he’s even scarier live.”
—NPR Music

“Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram has already made his mark as one of the best, and undoubtedly most exciting, blues guitarists in the world.”
—Guitar World

“Kingfish is one of the most exciting young guitarists in years, with a sound that encompasses B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and Prince.”
—Rolling Stone

“Incendiary gig, beautifully recorded…Ingram is a force to be reckoned with.”  
—AllMusic

On Friday, October 13, Live In London, the blistering new album from GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, will be released as a 2-CD and a 2-LP set. Both the CD and LP sets include encore performances as bonus tracks, not originally available when Kingfish surprised his legions of fans by dropping Live In London at all digital services back on September 15. The album was recorded on June 6, 2023, in front of a sold-out, standing-room-only crowd at the famous UK club, The Garage. Live In London is the guitar-driven live album Kingfish’s diehard fans around the world have been clamoring for since they first watched him perform on YouTube when he was a teenager.

Live In London debuted on the Billboard Blues Chart at #8 even though it was a digital-only release. Press has fully embraced the album, with positive reviews across the board. American Songwriter said Kingfish is "a reminder of the power of the blues…He is providing a youthful, modern, and necessary take on the genre...And while Kingfish’s studio records are remarkable, there is something even more magnetic about Live in London…the record is deep with history and feel. This album could be his best yet. His most compelling, the most authentic, not only to the genre but to Kingfish, himself.”

Radio has also been sharing in the excitement. Live In London's first single, Midnight Heat, was the #1 Most Added track on the Americana Radio Singles Chart and among one of the most added singles at AAA and college radio. Ingram appeared live in the UK on the BBC’s Radio 2 Blues Show with host Cerys Matthews, discussing his new release as Matthews featured multiple tracks from Live In London on the program.

“The response to Live In London has been amazing. From positive press reviews, people praising the record while chatting with me at shows, to an avalanche of wonderful social media posts and DMs, I am truly overwhelmed at how people have embraced my first live album,” says Kingfish. “I’m excited for the LP and CD release as I know there are folks who have been eagerly waiting for me to drop music on their favorite format. October 13 makes the record release full circle.”

VIDEO PREMIERE
Filmed at the concert, a video of the song Hard Times from Live In London premieres today, October 13, at 9:00AM Eastern time, on Kingfish's official YouTube Channel. On September 15, Kingfish released a video of the previously unrecorded track Midnight Heat. 

Throughout the concert, Kingfish’s command over his instrument is awe-inspiring. He remains in the moment, at times raining down incendiary solos, other times picking poignant, blues-drenched licks, but always playing deeply from his heart. Along with his versatile, tight-knit band – bassist Paul Rogers, drummer Christopher Black and keyboardist Deshawn Alexander – he brings intensity and honesty to each song, moving the audience from hushed disbelief to spontaneous, extended ovations. Guitar World, describing a prior Kingfish live performance, declared, “Ingram sets the bar terrifyingly high, all but setting the fretboard ablaze with nimble but tasteful runs that impress while never losing sight of the song.”

Soul-stirring and steeped in energy and excitement, Live In London finds the internationally recognized guitar prodigy and vocalist performing 17 songs, with tracks including material from both of his previous studio albums, 2019’s GRAMMY-nominated debut, Kingfish, and 2021’s GRAMMY-winning 662. Live In London also includes two potent, new original songs, Midnight Heat and Mississippi Night, as well as a blistering version of Michael “Iron Man” Burks’ Empty Promises. Singing with the deepest soul feeling and playing guitar with searing, organic intensity, Kingfish immediately draws fans in via his explosive set opener She Calls Me Kingfish. From the reworked, funk-inspired Hard Times to the tender tribute to his late mother, Rock & Roll, to the electric encore, Long Distance Woman (one of the two bonus tracks), Live In London takes the listener on an unforgettable, exhilarating ride.

“This album is a short lifetime in the making,” says Kingfish. “I’ve long had an interest in recording a live album and I finally felt the timing was right. Not only do I have a deeper catalog of music to choose from, but I also have been extensively touring with my band, both of which truly made recording a live album seamless. Sprinkle in the opportunity to perform in a city I love, it’s all a no-brainer and something that makes me deeply proud.”

Now, Live In London captures Kingfish’s lightning in a bottle. It's an onstage snapshot of the young singer, songwriter and guitarist creating musical magic in real time, leaving his listeners spellbound and always wanting more.

In addition to the 2-CD and 2-LP sets, Live In London is available at all streaming and download services, and can be experienced in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos at Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and Qobuz. Exclusive versions of the physical products with official merchandise from the concert are available on the Kingfish website, including his signature Fender Kingfish guitar.

Blues Blast magazine has announced the winners for its 16th annual Blues Blast Music Awards. This year, four Alligator artists have received a total of seven awards.

The Cash Box Kings won the coveted Blues Band Of The Year Award.

Multiple GRAMMY Award nominee Shemekia Copeland won the awards for Female Blues Artist and Vocalist Of The Year.

Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite's GRAMMY-nominated Mississippi Son won the Acoustic Blues Album Award. He also won for Harmonica Player Of The Year.

GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, whose new album Live In London just hit the digital services (with CD and LP release to follow on October 13), was named Electric Guitarist Of The Year.

Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, drummer for The Cash Box Kings, won for Percussionist Of The Year.

Voting was free and open to the public. Winners were announced at a ceremony held on September 23, 2023 at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria, Illinois. According to Blues Blast, more than 6,600  readers and blues fans voted in the 2023 Blues Blast Music Awards. The full list of winners can be found here.

Alligator artists and their nominations follow: 

Alligator artists and their awards follow:

Blues Band Of The Year:
The Cash Box Kings

Percussionist Of The Year:
Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith

Female Blues Artist Of The Year:
Shemekia Copeland

Vocalist Of The Year:
Shemekia Copeland 

Acoustic Blues Album Of The Year:
Mississippi Son

Harmonica Player Of The Year:
Charlie Musselwhite  

Electric Guitarist Of The Year:
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram 

        

"Ingram plays guitar with dramatic, searing tone and sure-handed authority. And that’s just in the studio; he’s even scarier live." —NPR Music

"Muscular guitar and gorgeous vocals… [there is] an intense rolling melodicism in Ingram’s singing and soloing" —AllMusic

"Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram has already made his mark as one of the best, and undoubtedly most exciting, blues guitarists in the world." —Guitar World

"Kingfish is one of the most exciting young guitarists in years, with a sound that encompasses B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and Prince." —Rolling Stone

On Friday, September 15, GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone "Kingfish" Ingram surprised his legions of fans by dropping his third release, Live In London, at all digital services. The album was recorded on June 6, 2023, in front of a sweaty, sold-out, standing-room-only crowd at the famous UK club, The Garage. Live In London is the guitar-driven live album Kingfish’s diehard fans around the world have been clamoring for since they first watched him perform as a teenager on YouTube.

Live In London is now available at all streaming and download services, and can be experienced in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos at Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and Qobuz. The album will be released as a 2-CD set and a 2-LP set on Friday, October 13. Both the CD and LP will include encore performances as bonus tracks. Exclusive versions of the physical products with official merchandise from the concert will be available for pre-order on the Kingfish website today, including his signature Fender Kingfish guitar.

Filmed at the concert, a video of the first single from Live In London, the previously unrecorded track Midnight Heat, premieres today, September 15, at 12:00PM Eastern time, on Kingfish's official YouTube Channel. 

"This album is a short lifetime in the making," says Kingfish. "I’ve long had an interest in recording a live album and I finally felt the timing was right. Not only do I have a deeper catalog of music to choose from, but I also have been extensively touring with my band, both of which truly made recording a live album seamless. Sprinkle in the opportunity to perform in a city I love, it’s all a no-brainer and something that makes me deeply proud."

Throughout the concert, Kingfish’s command over his instrument is awe-inspiring. He remains in the moment, at times raining down incendiary solos, other times picking poignant, blues-drenched licks, but always playing deeply from his heart. Along with his versatile, tight-knit band – bassist Paul Rogers, drummer Christopher Black and keyboardist Deshawn Alexander – he brings intensity and honesty to each song, moving the audience from hushed disbelief to spontaneous, extended ovations. Guitar World, describing a prior Kingfish live performance, declared, "Ingram sets the bar terrifyingly high, all but setting the fretboard ablaze with nimble but tasteful runs that impress while never losing sight of the song."

Soul-stirring and steeped in energy and excitement, Live In London finds the internationally recognized guitar prodigy and vocalist performing 17 songs, with tracks including material from both of his previous studio albums, 2019’s GRAMMY-nominated debut, Kingfish, and 2021’s GRAMMY-winning 662. Live In London also includes two potent, new original songs, Midnight Heat and Mississippi Night, as well as a blistering version of Michael "Iron Man" Burks’ Empty Promises. Singing with the deepest soul feeling and playing guitar with searing, organic intensity, Kingfish immediately draws fans in via his explosive set opener She Calls Me Kingfish. From the reworked, funk-inspired Hard Times to the tender tribute to his late mother, Rock & Roll, to the electric encore, Long Distance Woman (one of the two bonus tracks), Live In London takes the listener on an unforgettable, exhilarating ride.

In the four short years since the release of his self-titled debut album, Kingfish, Ingram has taken the music world by storm. From his hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi to stages around the globe, the young blues star has already headlined multiple U.S. and European tours, and amazed fans in Australia, New Zealand, and India. Selected in summer 2022 to open for The Rolling Stones in London’s Hyde Park, Kingfish has also performed and toured with friends including Vampire Weekend, Jason Isbell, Steve Miller and Buddy Guy, a mentor of his, with whom he appeared on Austin City Limits.

Major media has also continued to celebrate Kingfish’s story. In July 2021, NPR’s Morning Edition featured him in a seven-minute story broadcast to its 14 million listeners. In April 2022, Kingfish made his national television debut on CBS Saturday Morning, performing three songs as well as being featured in an in-depth interview segment. In July 2022, The Washington Post Magazine ran a 5000-word feature on the young musician, calling him "a generational talent." He’s appeared on magazine covers including Guitar World, Guitar Player, DownBeat, Living Blues and Blues Music Magazine.

Sparked by his non-stop touring, writing and recording schedule, Kingfish’s natural talent just keeps growing. With his jaw-dropping guitar playing and his reach-out-and-grab-you-by-the-collar vocals, he performs every song with unmatched passion and precision. With both Kingfish and 662, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram delivers contemporary blues music that speaks to his generation and beyond, bringing to bear the full healing and hopeful power of the blues.

Now, Live In London captures Kingfish’s lightning in a bottle. It's an onstage snapshot of the young singer, songwriter and guitarist creating musical magic in real time, leaving his listeners spellbound and always wanting more.

    

"In Ronnie Baker Brooks’ powerhouse hands, blues-rock never sounded so outrageous. Soul never sounded so delicious. And the blues never sounded so profound… one of today’s top live performers."
—Blues Music Magazine

"A monster guitarist with an ample supply of technique and passion."
—AllMusic

Alligator Records is pleased to announce the signing of blues powerhouse Ronnie Baker Brooks. Son of the late Alligator star, Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie is his own bluesman: a blistering guitarist, an innovative, boundary-pushing songwriter and an intensely soulful vocalist. As a live performer, his boundless energy and huge, crowd-pleasing personality keeps his fans on their feet. His label debut will hit in the first half of 2024.

According to Baker Brooks, "I grew up playing with my father, Lonnie Brooks -- witnessing and learning from the legends of the blues. I also watched as Bruce and the team at Alligator created a platform for blues artists. It inspired me to start my own label, Watchdog Records. Now, teaming up with Alligator feels like coming home. I'm excited to continue to create Chicago blues as part of my family legacy and our shared history."  

Alligator Records president and founder Bruce Iglauer is equally excited. "Anyone who has seen Ronnie Baker Brooks in live performance knows what a thrilling blues musician he is. He’s a fiery, world-class guitar player, a straight-from-the-shoulder singer and he writes memorable original songs. He brings the power and presence of his mentors—Luther Allison, Albert Collins and, most of all, his father, Lonnie Brooks—to the stage. Until now, Ronnie has self-released three excellent albums and had one larger-label album. I look forward to his Alligator debut capturing the fireball energy and soulfulness of his live shows in the studio."

Baker Brooks was born in 1967 in Chicago, first playing guitar with his famous father onstage at age nine. Having joined his father's band full time after graduating high school, Ronnie made his recording debut on Lonnie Brooks' Live From Chicago: Bayou Lightning Strikes album in 1988. In 1991, he hit the road as part of The Alligator Records 20th Anniversary Tour band, backing Lonnie, Elvin Bishop, and Katie Webster. He'd join them all, along with Koko Taylor and Lil' Ed Williams (and members of their bands) nightly for unforgettable blues jams. Ronnie performed with his father for 12 years, gaining valuable experience and sharing stages with such notables as Eric Clapton, B.B. King and Buddy Guy, among many others.

Baker Brooks formed his own label, Watchdog Records, in 1998 and released three solo albums over the next eight years: Golddigger in 1998, Take Me Witcha in 2001, and The Torch in 2006. His most recent album, 2017's Times Have Changed, was produced by drummer Steve Jordan (Rolling Stones, Robert Cray) and released on the Provogue label.

Since he was a teen, Ronnie Baker Brooks has toured the world, first with his dad and then leading his own band, and has earned his reputation as a white-hot live performer. He's considered one of the best artists on the blues scene, playing festivals and concert halls across the U.S. and throughout Europe.

Living Blues says, "Baker Brooks bristles with energy, inspiration and self-confident swagger." The Boston Herald calls him "ferocious and unrelenting." 

Album Originally Released In 1992 On CD Only

All Tracks Remastered Under The Supervision Of The Original Producer, Alligator Founder Bruce Iglauer

      

"Superb, original tinsel-sprinkled blues"  —Blues & Rhythm (UK)

"Entertaining and rollicking....a rare Christmas blues album."  —AllMusic.com

Alligator Records has set an October 6 street date for the timeless blues holiday classic, The Alligator Records Christmas Collection. The album, originally released on CD only in 1992, will be available on LP (red opaque vinyl) for the first time ever. The new LP has been remastered under the supervision of Alligator founder and president Bruce Iglauer. The original CD has sold over 90,000 copies.

The Alligator Records Christmas Collection features music recorded specifically for the album by 14 of the label's greatest artists. Songs include instant favorites by Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Kenny Neal, William Clarke, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, Katie Webster. Charles Brown, Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop, Son Seals and Tinsley Ellis.

THE ALLIGATOR RECORDS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

Side 1
Koko Taylor - Merry, Merry Christmas
Kenny Neal - Christmas Time In The Country
Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials - I'm Your Santa
Katie Webster - Deck The Halls With Boogie Woogie
William Clarke - Please Let Me Be Your Santa Claus
Tinsley Ellis - Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'
Charles Brown - Boogie Woogie Santa Claus

Side 2
Son Seals - Lonesome Christmas
Lonnie Brooks - Christmas On The Bayou
Little Charlie And The Nightcats - Santa Claus
Elvin Bishop - The Little Drummer Boy
Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women - One Parent Christmas
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Christmas
Charlie Musselwhite - Silent Night

   

"One of the most prodigious and gifted electric bluesmen on the planet...a deeply soulful singer and incendiary guitarist [with] a seemingly endless penchant for invention." —AllMusic

"Smoking songs and heavy hitting guitar full of fire and passion...Montoya’s rough-edged voice is filled with feeling. Bluesy, powerful and unpredictable...[It]really gets the blood flowing." —Blues Music Magazine

"Montoya is a show-stopper...heartfelt singing and merciless guitar with a wicked icy burn. He is one of the truly gifted blues artists of his generation." —Living Blues

On Monday, July 31, award-winning, internationally renowned blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Coco Montoya will release I Was Wrong, the first single from his upcoming album, Writing On The Wall. This signature, career-defining performance of the soul-baring I Was Wrong is among the most powerful tracks Montoya has ever recorded. According to Coco, the song -- written by Coco's friend and occasional writing partner, Dave Steen -- is one he's had his eye on for awhile. "I've known about I Was Wrong for some time and am a big fan of Dave's songs whether I write with him or not," Montoya says. "When we started recording I Was Wrong and getting into it, I realized that I was channeling my Bluesbreaker days with John Mayall. I wasn't thinking of that when we started, but it just naturally evolved. It felt really good to record this song and approach it from that style."

Writing On The Wall will be released on September 1, and will initially be available on CD and at all digital sites, with the 140g translucent blue vinyl LP to follow on September 29. 

With Writing On The Wall, Montoya delivers what he is calling one of the best records he’s ever made. For the very first time on Alligator, he decided to bring his road-tested band—noted keyboardist and songwriter Jeff Paris (Keb’ Mo’, Bill Withers), bassist Nathan Brown, and drummer Rena Beavers—into the studio with him. Guests on the album include Lee Roy Parnell, who adds his well-seasoned slide guitar to the smoldering A Chip And A Chair, and Coco’s friend, guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks (son of late Alligator star Lonnie Brooks), on the searing cover of Bobby Bland’s You Got Me (Where You Want Me) and on the droll Baby, You’re A Drag. Between the camaraderie of the long-time bandmates and the sheer talent of all involved, the results have Coco feeling, in his words, “over the moon." He continues, "I am so proud of this one. The band played so great, they ended up making me play even harder. They made me sound better than I am!” 

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Tony Braunagel (Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal) and co-produced by Jeff Paris, Writing On The Wall is a tour-de-force of memorable, hook-filled songs, sung with passion and fueled by Montoya's fiery guitar and the band's spot-on musicianship. The 13 tracks include five written or co-written by Montoya.

Now, with the dynamic Writing On The Wall and an overflowing tour schedule, Coco Montoya is excited to perform the new songs live with his burning-hot band. Montoya’s reputation as an incendiary live performer is well-earned, as he delivers the goods night after night. Vintage Guitar declares, “Coco keeps getting better and better. He plays with fire and passion rarely seen in this day and age.”

71st Annual DownBeat Critics Poll
Blues Artist Or Group Of The Year
Blues Album Of The Year - Done Come Too Far

"Singer Shemekia Copeland can belt with gusto. Her artistry has reached a new level …remarkable, substantive. Copeland’s work has expanded the audience for the blues."  —DownBeat

Legendary music publication DownBeat, in its August 2023 issue, announced the winners of the 71st Annual Critics Poll. The magazine honored Grammy-nominated blues, roots and soul singer Shemekia Copeland with two coveted DownBeat Critics Awards: Blues Artist Or Group Of The Year and Blues Album Of The Year (for her Grammy-nominated, Will Kimbrough-produced 2022 release, Done Come Too Far).

Copeland recently won the 2023 Blues Music Award for Best Instrumentalist -- Vocals, the 15th Blues Music Award of her career. She also just took home four Living Blues Awards, including Blues Artist Of The Year (Female) and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year for Done Come Too Far, and won the A2IM Libera Award for Best Blues Album as well. UK tastemaker magazine MOJO named the album the 2022 #1 Blues Album Of The Year. The equally influential Americana music site No Depression included the release among the top ten best albums of the year. Done Come Too Far’s title track was the #2 most played track on SiriusXM's Bluesville channel, where Copeland continues to host her own daily radio program.  
 
Possessing one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time, Copeland is beloved worldwide for the fearlessness, honesty and humor of her revelatory music, as well as for delivering each song she performs with unmatched passion. Copeland connects with her audience on an intensely personal level, taking them with her on what The Wall Street Journal calls “a consequential ride” of “bold and timely blues.” 

The full list of winners can be found here.

Alligator artists and their awards follow:

Song Written And Sung, Video Produced, Directed And Edited By
Harmonica Master Dennis Gruenling

      

"Gruenling is a contemporary harmonica master…impressive, genuine and fresh-sounding."
—Living Blues
 
"Gruenling’s harp, along with the Midwestern intensity of Moss’ blues guitar, is pure ecstasy."
—Vintage Guitar 

On Monday, July 24, Dennis Gruenling, harmonica wizard from the award-winning, Chicago-based blues group The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling, will premiere his new video for his original, harmonica-driven barn-burner, Man On The Move. The song, written and sung by Gruenling, is a featured track on the band's just-released new album, Get Your Back Into It!. Filmed, edited, directed and produced by Gruenling, the video follows the gifted Gruenling's grueling, gratifying life as a traveling bluesman.

Blues Music Magazine says the band "demonstrates their mastery of high-energy jump blues" on Man On The Move, which features Gruenling's "no-nonsense vocals and boisterous chromatic." According to Gruenling, being on the move is what makes it all worthwhile. "The idea for this song came from so many friends commenting on how I’m always so busy. And while it may look easy with all my animal print clothes and this fun group of guys, we’re always on the move to bring you our music. Won’t you join us as we celebrate our new release this year?" 

On the just-released Get Your Back Into It!, Chicago native, guitarist and vocalist Nick Moss and New Jersey born and bred harmonica player and vocalist Dennis Gruenling – together with Rodrigo Mantovani on bass, Taylor Streiff on keyboards and Pierce Downer on drums – deliver a deeply rooted, timeless blue collar blues album. According to Moss, “We are a rare breed as far as how authentic we like to keep the music." That's not a surprise to longtime fans, as Moss proudly represents the city of Chicago as one of the few bluesmen working today to have learned his craft firsthand directly from many of the genre’s original creators.

Get Your Back Into It! was produced by Moss and Mantovani and contains fourteen original songs -- twelve by Moss and two by Gruenling. Guests include saxophonist “Sax” Gordon Beadle and organist “Brother” John Kattke. The album is inspired by the electrifying blues sounds of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and is performed with taste, restraint, sly humor and pure joy. In addition to the expertly crafted lyrics, the album features three wild instrumentals that simply dare you to stay seated.

Moss first made a name for himself playing bass for bluesman Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins. Dawkins encouraged Nick to unleash his fire and passion. From there, Moss was chosen by Willie “Big Eyes” Smith to join his Legendary Blues Band, but Smith insisted Moss switch to guitar. Blues icon Jimmy Rogers (whose best known songs include Walking By Myself and Ludella) hired Moss as his touring guitarist, mentoring him on the blues lifestyle along the way. Today, Moss’ blistering fretwork, impassioned, soul-charged vocals and memorable original songs place him in a league of his own.

Dennis Gruenling, Moss’ friend of over 20 years, is considered among today’s most innovative and creative blues harmonica players. His high-energy, full-throttle reed work has earned him comparisons to many of the greats, including the late James Cotton. A self-taught player and a natural entertainer with seven solo albums and numerous guest appearances to his credit, Gruenling’s giant, fat-toned harp work, raw-boned singing and untamed energy are a perfect foil for Moss’ inspired guitar playing and straight-from-the-shoulder blues vocals.

   

"An incendiary brew…fiery fretwork and wailing harmonica…soulful, playful and exuberant."
—Living Blues

"Superb…Nick Moss is one of the best existing purveyors of Chicago blues. Dennis Gruenling wails expertly on harp."
—Blues Music Magazine
 
"Foot-stomping, classic Chicago blues with clever lyrics and great harp. You won’t be disappointed."
—Blues & Rhythm (UK)

On Friday, July 14, award-winning, Chicago-based blues group The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling released their new album, Get Your Back Into It!. This is the third Alligator release from the 2020 Blues Music Award-winning Band Of The Year. Also on July 14, Moss unveiled the new mini-documentary, The Making Of Get Your Back Into It!. Filmed, edited and produced by Moss' daughter, Sadie, the video reveals all the secrets behind Moss' and Gruenling's songwriting process and the fun and exciting time spent recording.

On the just-released Get Your Back Into It!, Chicago native, guitarist and vocalist Nick Moss and New Jersey born and bred harmonica player and vocalist Dennis Gruenling – together with Rodrigo Mantovani on bass, Taylor Streiff on keyboards and Pierce Downer on drums – deliver a deeply rooted, timeless blue collar blues album. According to Moss, “We are a rare breed as far as how authentic we like to keep the music." That's not a surprise to longtime fans, as Moss proudly represents the city of Chicago as one of the few bluesmen working today to have learned his craft firsthand directly from many of the genre’s original creators.

No Depression says This Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling is "a  great band," and that Get Your Back Into It! "feels so authentic you keep thinking the original offerings [are] obscure cuts from legends like James Cotton, Little Walter, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, and the Wolf." 

Get Your Back Into It! was produced by Moss and Mantovani and contains fourteen original songs -- twelve by Moss and two by Gruenling. Guests include saxophonist “Sax” Gordon Beadle and organist “Brother” John Kattke. The album is inspired by the electrifying blues sounds of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and is performed with taste, restraint, sly humor and pure joy. In addition to the expertly crafted lyrics, the album features three wild instrumentals that simply dare you to stay seated. “We're not reinventing the wheel," says Moss of the songs and performances on the new album, "but we like to push ourselves out of our comfort zone, and I feel like we accomplished that.”

Moss first made a name for himself playing bass for bluesman Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins. Dawkins encouraged Nick to unleash his fire and passion. From there, Moss was chosen by Willie “Big Eyes” Smith to join his Legendary Blues Band, but Smith insisted Moss switch to guitar. Blues icon Jimmy Rogers (whose best known songs include Walking By Myself and Ludella) hired Moss as his touring guitarist, mentoring him on the blues lifestyle along the way. Today, Moss’ blistering fretwork, impassioned, soul-charged vocals and memorable original songs place him in a league of his own.

Dennis Gruenling, Moss’ friend of over 20 years, is considered among today’s most innovative and creative blues harmonica players. His high-energy, full-throttle reed work has earned him comparisons to many of the greats, including the late James Cotton. A self-taught player and a natural entertainer with seven solo albums and numerous guest appearances to his credit, Gruenling’s giant, fat-toned harp work, raw-boned singing and untamed energy are a perfect foil for Moss’ inspired guitar playing and straight-from-the-shoulder blues vocals. Vintage Guitar says, “Gruenling’s harp, along with the Midwestern intensity of Moss’ blues guitar, is pure ecstasy.”

The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling's first two Alligator albums, 2018's The High Cost Of Low Living and 2019’s Lucky Guy!, hit blues fans, press and radio by storm. Moss, Gruenling and the band  received a total of five Blues Music Awards, with wins in 2020 for Band Of The Year, Song Of The Year (Lucky Guy) and Traditional Blues Album Of The Year (Lucky Guy!), and in 2019 for Traditional Blues Male Artist (Moss) and Instrumentalist—Harmonica (Gruenling). Blues Music Magazine says, “Nick Moss is a major force in contemporary blues. Dennis Gruenling plays soaring harp...infectious and finger-snappin’.” 

Living Blues magazine, in its new issue #285 (July/August), announced the winners of of the 30th Annual Living Blues Critics and Readers Awards. This year, five Alligator artists received a total of 10 awards: five Readers Awards and five Critics Awards.

Leading all artists with four wins is beloved blues and soul vocalist Shemekia Copeland. She received both the Readers and the Critics Award for Blues Artist Of The Year (Female), and also won the Readers Award for Most Outstanding Blues Singer. Copeland's 2022 Grammy-nominated release, Done Come Too Far, won the Critics Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album of 2022. Additionally, the album's producer, musician Will Kimbrough, won the Critics Award for Producer Of The Year.

Grammy Award-winning guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Christone "Kingfish" Ingram won the Readers Award for Blues Artist Of The Year (Male), and the Critics Award for Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar).

Blues icon Charlie Musselwhite won both the Readers and Critics Award for Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica).

Texas pianist/vocalist Marcia Ball won the Readers Award for Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboards). And Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith (drummer for The Cash Box Kings) won the Readers Award for Most Outstanding Musician (Drums).

The full list of winners can be found here.

Alligator artists and their awards follow:

CRITICS AWARD
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)
Best Blues Album Of 2022:
New Recording/Contemporary Blues - Done Come Too Far

READERS AWARD
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)
Most Outstanding Blues Singer

CRITICS AWARD
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)

READERS AWARD
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)

CRITICS AWARD
Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica) 

READERS AWARD
Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica) 

READERS AWARD
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboards)

CRITICS AWARD
Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith - Most Outstanding Musician (Drums)