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Wendell Holmes, vocalist, guitarist, pianist and songwriter of the acclaimed soul/blues band The Holmes Brothers has recently been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and has announced his retirement from performing and touring. He plans to continue writing songs. Wendell's brother, bassist, vocalist and songwriter Sherman Holmes will continue to perform, billed as The Sherman Holmes Project with Brooks Long. Wendell has been mentoring Long since 2013. Holmes Brothers drummer Willie "Popsy" Dixon died on January 9, 2015 of cancer.

Since forming the band in 1979, The Holmes Brothers toured the world, releasing 12 albums beginning with 1990's In The Spirit on Rounder Records. Their most recent release is 2014's Brotherhood on Alligator Records. The New York Times called The Holmes Brothers "deeply soulful, uplifting and timeless."
 
In September 2014, The Holmes Brothers were honored with a National Endowment For The Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor the United States bestows upon its folk and traditional artists.

Wendell Holmes, the man Entertainment Weekly calls "a timeless original," was born in Christchurch, Virginia in 1943. He and his older brother Sherman were raised by their schoolteacher parents, who nurtured the boys’ early interest in music. As youngsters they listened to traditional Baptist hymns, anthems and spirituals as well as blues music by Jimmy Reed, Junior Parker and B.B. King. According to Wendell, “It was a small town, and my brother and I were about the only ones who could play anything. So we played around in all the area churches on Sundays.” The night before, though, they would play blues, soul, country and rock at their cousin’s local club, Herman Wate’s Juke Joint. “When he couldn’t get any good groups to come from Norfolk or Richmond, he’d call us in,” Wendell recalls. “That’s how we honed our sound. We used to say we’d rock ‘em on Saturday and save ‘em on Sunday.”

Once Wendell finished high school, he joined Sherman, who had already begun playing professionally in New York. The two brothers played in a few bands before forming The Sevilles in 1963. The group lasted only three years, but they often backed up touring artists like The Impressions, John Lee Hooker and Jerry Butler, gaining a wealth of experience. Sherman and Wendell met drummer Popsy Dixon, a fellow Virginian, at a New York gig in 1967. Dixon sat in with the brothers and sang two songs. “After that second song,” recalls Wendell, “Popsy was a brother.” They continued to play in a variety of Top 40 bar bands until 1979, when the three officially joined forces and formed The Holmes Brothers band.

Alligator Records is proud to announce the re-signing of blues/soul/Americana singing sensation Shemekia Copeland to the label she called home from 1998 through 2005. Over the course of her four Alligator albums and her two most recent for Telarc, Copeland's wide-open vision of contemporary blues, roots and soul music showcases the evolution of a passionate artist with a modern musical and lyrical approach. The Chicago Tribune said Copeland delivers "gale force singing and power" with a "unique, gutsy style, vibrant emotional palette and intuitive grasp of the music." She is currently recording new material for a Fall 2015 release with musician Oliver Wood (of The Wood Brothers) producing.

Copeland, a two-time Grammy nominee and daughter of late Texas blues legend Johnny Clyde Copeland, is excited to be back on Alligator. "Historically, Alligator has consistently put out the world's best blues music. Now I'm back to make a little history myself."

Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer couldn't be happier. "I’m thrilled to welcome Shemekia back into the Alligator family. When we first signed her in 1997, she was already a mature and extremely soulful blues singer. Now, with the experience of thirteen more years of live performances, she has blossomed into a charismatic artist who can deliver roots rock, Americana and blues with equal power and authority, and with wonderful subtlety, shading and nuance. Oliver Wood has proven to be a terrific producer for her. We’re very much looking forward to her next album, and proud to have it coming on Alligator."

When a young Shemekia Copeland first appeared on the scene in 1998 with her groundbreaking debut CD, Turn The Heat Up, she instantly became a blues superstar. Critics from around the country celebrated her music as fans of all ages agreed that an unstoppable new talent had arrived. News outlets from The New York Times to CNN took note of Copeland's talent, engaging personality, and true star power.

Copeland followed up with 2000's Grammy-nominated Wicked, 2002's Talking To Strangers(produced by Dr. John) and 2008’s The Soul Truth (produced by Steve Cropper). In that short period of time, she earned eight Blues Music Awards, a host of Living Blues Awards (including the prestigious 2010 Blues Artist Of The Year) and more accolades from fans, critics and fellow musicians. Two highly successful releases on Telarc (including 2012's Grammy-nominated 33 1/3) cemented her reputation as a singer who, according to NPR's All Things Considered, "embodies the blues with her powerful vocal chops and fearless look at social issues." USA Today said, "Copeland is a singer with fervor and funk, power and range.” She has appeared numerous times on national television, National Public Radio, and in newspapers and magazines. She is a mainstay on countless commercial and non-commercial radio stations. 

Copeland has performed thousands of gigs at clubs, festivals and concert halls all over the world. She's played with Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, James Cotton and many others. She opened for The Rolling Stones and entertained US troops in Iraq and Kuwait. At the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival, Joyce Threatt, daughter of the late Koko Taylor, presented Copeland with Taylor's tiara, and both the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, by official proclamation, declared Copeland to be the new “Queen of the Blues”. In 2012, she performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama.

Like always, Copeland has her eyes fixed firmly on the future, prepared to continue to break new musical ground. "I want to keep growing, to be innovative," she says. "So it's not that I'm going back to Alligator. I'm moving ahead with Alligator. Together we are going to make the most exciting music of my career."

On January 15, 2015, Alligator Records will release nine new digital-only "Best-Of" collections from some of the label's top artists over the course of its 43-year history. Alligator Records founder and president Bruce Iglauer personally remastered the sets from blues stars Koko Taylor, Hound Dog Taylor, James Cotton, Coco Montoya, Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials, Tinsley Ellis, Roomful Of Blues, Eric Lindell, and Lonnie Mack. Each "Best Of" will contain 15 - 20 tracks, run from 70 to 90 minutes, and will be available for download from all major sites.

According to Iglauer, relistening and remastering was not an easy task. “It was a very enjoyable but tough job choosing which tracks constitute the ‘best’ of these great artists. We chose their biggest radio songs and most-requested fan favorites, but also included some tracks that we consider unrecognized gems among their recordings. New fans will find these a great introduction to these artists, and established fans will find tracks they may be unaware of. I think the remastering brings out more details of the music and makes the listener appreciate the quality of these performances even more.”

Willie "Popsy" Dixon, drummer and vocalist of the critically acclaimed soul/blues band The Holmes Brothers, died in Richmond, Virginia on Friday, January 9. He had recently been diagnosed with stage four bladder cancer. He was 72 years old.

Dixon, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 26, 1942, was celebrated for his soaring, soulful multi-octave vocals and his driving, in-the-pocket drumming. He first met brothers Sherman and Wendell Holmes at a New York gig in 1967. Dixon sat in with the brothers and sang two songs. "After that second song," recalls Wendell, "Popsy was a brother." They played in a variety of Top 40 bar bands until 1979, when the three officially joined forces and formed The Holmes Brothers, which The New York Times described as "deeply soulful, uplifting and timeless." They toured the world, releasing 12 albums starting with 1990's In The Spirit on Rounder. Their most recent release is 2014's Brotherhood on Alligator.

Dixon first played the drums when he was seven. He told Blues On Stage, "My mom and dad took me to the store and told me to get anything I liked. There was this tiny red drum set, with a tiny little kick drum and snare...little cymbals. Now, that's what I wanted! By the next morning, the thing was in the trash can. I beat it all to death. But, I tell you what...I knew how to play after that. I just knew. I had the rhythm down pat and had timing too. Just that fast. I been playing ever since."

The Chicago Tribune described Dixon's voice as "otherworldly...a gift to the world of music." Living Blues said, "Popsy’s voice is a wonder...spontaneous and raw."

In September 2014, The Holmes Brothers were honored with a National Endowment For The Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor the United States bestows upon its folk and traditional artists.

Dixon is survived by daughter Desiree Berry and longtime partner Isobel Prideaux.

Funeral service information is pending. Interment will be at the Holmes' family plot in Saluda, Virginia.

llie "Popsy" Dixon, drummer and vocalist of the critically acclaimed soul/blues band The Holmes Brothers, died in Richmond, Virginia on Friday, January 9. He had recently been diagnosed with stage four bladder cancer. He was 72 years old.

Dixon, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 26, 1942, was celebrated for his soaring, soulful multi-octave vocals and his driving, in-the-pocket drumming. He first met brothers Sherman and Wendell Holmes at a New York gig in 1967. Dixon sat in with the brothers and sang two songs. "After that second song," recalls Wendell, "Popsy was a brother." They played in a variety of Top 40 bar bands until 1979, when the three officially joined forces and formed The Holmes Brothers, which The New York Times described as "deeply soulful, uplifting and timeless." They toured the world, releasing 12 albums starting with 1990's In The Spirit on Rounder. Their most recent release is 2014's Brotherhood on Alligator.

Dixon first played the drums when he was seven. He told Blues On Stage, "My mom and dad took me to the store and told me to get anything I liked. There was this tiny red drum set, with a tiny little kick drum and snare...little cymbals. Now, that's what I wanted! By the next morning, the thing was in the trash can. I beat it all to death. But, I tell you what...I knew how to play after that. I just knew. I had the rhythm down pat and had timing too. Just that fast. I been playing ever since."

The Chicago Tribune described Dixon's voice as "otherworldly...a gift to the world of music." Living Blues said, "Popsy’s voice is a wonder...spontaneous and raw."

In September 2014, The Holmes Brothers were honored with a National Endowment For The Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor the United States bestows upon its folk and traditional artists.

Dixon is survived by daughter Desiree Berry and longtime partner Isobel Prideaux.

Funeral service information is pending. Interment will be at the Holmes' family plot in Saluda, Virginia.

Willie "Popsy" Dixon, drummer and vocalist of the critically acclaimed soul/blues band The Holmes Brothers, has been diagnosed with stage four bladder cancer. He is celebrated for his soaring, soulful multi-octave vocals and his driving, in-the-pocket drumming. Shortly after performing with the band on December 6, Dixon was hospitalized with pneumonia. Doctors then discovered the cancer. He is currently in hospice care in Virginia.

Dixon, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 26, 1942, met brothers Sherman and Wendell Holmes at a New York gig in 1967. Dixon sat in with the brothers and sang two songs. "After that second song," recalls Wendell, "Popsy was a brother." They played in a variety of Top 40 bar bands until 1979, when the three officially joined forces and formed The Holmes Brothers band. The band has toured the world, releasing 12 albums starting with 1990's In The Spirit on Rounder. Their most recent release is 2014's Brotherhood on Alligator. The New York Times calls The Holmes Brothers "deeply soulful, uplifting and timeless."

In September 2014, The Holmes Brothers were honored with a National Endowment For The Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor the United States bestows upon its folk and traditional artists.

Fans can leave messages for Dixon at The Holmes Brothers Facebook page.

 

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Blues guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Elvin Bishop will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as an original member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Other inductees this year include Lou Reed, Green Day, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Joan Jett.The induction ceremony will be held at Cleveland's Public Hall on April 18th, 2015.

Bishop is thrilled with the recognition. "The Butterfield Blues Band was in the right place at the right time. Blues was overdue to cross over to a white audience. And I'm proud that we were the first interracial band to deliver the goods and introduce the public to the blues."

Bishop's critically acclaimed 2014 Alligator Records CD, Can't Even Do Wrong Right, led to his receiving six Blues Music Award nominations, including nods for Album Of The Year and the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year. The album finds Bishop playing, writing and singing some of the most spirited and distinctive blues and roots music today, and proves that Bishop is as vital and creative an artist now as he was when he first hit the national scene in 1965 with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. He is as slyly good-humored and instantly crowd-pleasing as he was when he was scoring Southern rock-styled hits during the 1970s. For five decades, he has never stopped touring or releasing instantly recognizable music featuring his groundbreaking playing, easygoing vocals, witty lyrics and good-time humor.

Also in 2014, Bishop's 1975 hit Fooled Around And Fell In Love found new life in the box-office smash film Guardians Of The Galaxy. The soundtrack hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and recently received a Grammy Award nomination.

On December 14, 2014, soul singer/songwriter Jesse Dee won the prestigious 2014 Boston Music Award for Male Vocalist Of The Year. Dee, whose Alligator Records debut On My Mind / In My Heart, broke him out of Boston and introduced him to a national audience, also won the 2010 Boston Music Award for R&B Artist Of The Year. This year's awards ceremony was held at Boston's Revere Hotel. Dee is currently at work on his next album.

Jarekus Singleton's Alligator Records debut CD, Refuse To Lose, and Blues Hall Of Famer Joe Louis Walker's second Alligator Records release, Hornet's Nest, both appear on MOJO Magazine's influential Top Ten Blues CDs Of The Year list. Newcomer Singleton scored the #2 spot, while legendary guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Walker earned the #6 position.

Alligator Records recordings from Jarekus Singleton, Michael "Iron Man" Burks, Son Seals, Eric Lindell and Hound Dog Taylor will soon appear on network television programs. Singleton's Gonna Let Go will be featured in an upcoming episode of Netflix's Bloodline, airing in Spring of 2015. CBS Television's The Mentalist will feature, all in the same episode, Burks' Little Juke Joint, Seals' Crying Time and Sitting At My Window, and Lindell's Lullaby For Mercy Ann. The air date has yet to be announced. In addition, Taylor's It's Alright and She's Gone will air during The Messengers, a new series set to air on the CW Network in 2015.

SEVEN ALLIGATOR ARTISTS RECEIVE 19 BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS

Elvin Bishop Receives Six, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Receive Four

Newcomers Jarekus Singleton and Selwyn Birchwood Both Nominated

Previous Winners Marcia Ball, Joe Louis Walker and Curtis Salgado Also Receive Nominations

On Wednesday, December 10, 2014, The Blues Foundation announced the nominees for the 2015 Blues Music Awards, the blues world's highest honors. Seven Alligator recording artists received a total of 19 nominations.

Legendary guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Elvin Bishop leads the pack with six nominations, with nods in all the biggest categories: Album Of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year (for Can't Even Do Wrong Right), B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year, Band Of The Year, Song Of The Year (for the title track) and Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year. Bishop has been nominated eight previous times, though he has never won a BMA.

Harmonicist/vocalist/songwriter Rick Estrin, of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, received two nominations, including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of Year and Instrumentalist Of The Year - Harmonica. The whole band received a Band Of The Year nomination. Nightcats guitarist Kid Andersen received a nomination for Instrumentalist Of The Year - Guitar. Estrin has been nominated 15 previous times and holds two BMAs.

Newcomer Jarekus Singleton received three nominations including the prestigious Album Of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year for his Alligator debut, Refuse To Lose. He also was recognized with a nomination for Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year.

Fellow newcomer Selwyn Birchwood received a nomination for Best New Artist Album Of The Year for his breakout Alligator debut, Don't Call No Ambulance.

Austin piano queen Marcia Ball received nominations for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year and the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Of The Year. Ball has received 42 previous nominations and has won nine BMAs.

Blues Hall Of Famer Joe Louis Walker also received two nominations: one for Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year and the other for Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year for Hornet's Nest. Walker has been nominated 52 times previously, and has won four BMAs.

Vocalist/harmonicist Curtis Salgado received a nomination for Soul Blues Male Artist Of The Year. Salgado has been nominated 12 times previously and has won five BMAs, including Soul Blues Male Artist Of The year three times.

The 36th Annual Blues Music Awards will be presented in Memphis on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Cook Convention Center.

TuneIn -- the world's largest audio network -- officially launched Alligator Records Radio today, December 9, 2014. The Alligator Records Radio station on TuneIn will stream songs from Alligator's extensive catalog of music covering 43 years of blues and roots rock releases. Exclusively available on TuneIn, Alligator Records Radio is one of only a handful of label stations to be developed and curated by TuneIn itself.

The station is available at http://tunein.com/radio/Alligator-Records-Radio-s231181/, or fans can simply search "Alligator Records" on the free TuneIn Radio app or on TuneIn.com to listen to Alligator Records Radio. TuneIn is also available on more than 200 platforms, including smartphones, tablets, vehicles and gaming consoles.

Starting today, TuneIn First will preview the entire upcoming Alligator Records digital-only Best Of compilation from roots rocker Eric Lindell. That feature will be available here.

TuneIn -- with over 50 million monthly active users -- provides listeners access to over 100,000 real radio stations and more than four million podcasts streaming from every continent.

According to Summer Watson, TuneIn's VP of Content, "TuneIn has always been focused on connecting people and communities through their shared love of audio. Working with such a seminal voice as Alligator Records to expand our footprint in blues and independent music was a natural fit for TuneIn. With this new curated station, blues fans all over the world will now have a place they can go to hear classic blues favorites, mixed in with new releases from internationally recognized artists."

Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer is in full agreement, saying, "The timing is right. TuneIn is a perfect fit for Alligator. The launch of Alligator Records Radio will bring our music to a whole new generation of blues fans all over the world."

Proudly independent Alligator Records is home to some of the world's foremost blues and roots rock talent and is regarded by fans and the media alike as the top contemporary blues record label in the world. The Washington Post said, "Alligator is the premiere blues label." The Chicago Sun-Times added, "Alligator is numero uno among indie blues labels, with artists representing the best in contemporary blues." The current roster reads like a Who's Who of contemporary blues, featuring established artists including James Cotton, Elvin Bishop, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, The Holmes Brothers, Marcia Ball, Joe Louis Walker, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Curtis Salgado, Roomful Of Blues and newcomers Jesse Dee, Jarekus Singleton and Selwyn Birchwood. The catalog features classic albums by Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Charlie Musselwhite, Son Seals, Johnny Winter, Albert Collins, Luther Allison, Professor Longhair, Mavis Staples and many others.

From the early days of recording only Chicago blues artists to the addition of national and international artists to the label's commitment to younger roots acts who are creating new blues for a new generation of blues fans, Alligator continues to forge full steam ahead. After four decades, Alligator is still dedicated to discovering great new talent, proving that the passion, soul and redemptive power of blues and roots music is alive and well.

According to Iglauer, "Alligator is committed to bringing blues and roots music to new fans and getting them as excited about the music as I am. I want the future of the blues and the future of Alligator Records to be one and the same."