DECEMBER 2013: Charlie Musselwhite & James Cotton Tied For This Year's Top Blues Music Awards Nominees - Marcia Ball Also Nominated
With 5 nominations each, James Cotton and Charlie Musselwhite tied with Lurrie Bell for the most 35th Annual Blues Music Awards nominations of any artist this year. James Cotton's 2014 Grammy-nominated album, Cotton Mouth Man, garnered 3 separate nominations: Album of the Year, Song of the Year (for "He Was There"), and Traditional Blues Album of the Year. The album features James' high profile friends and mutual admirers including Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, Rosebud artist and 2013 Grammy-nominee Ruthie Foster, Joe Bonamassa, Delbert McClinton and Keb' Mo'. James was also nominated in the Harmonica and Traditional Blues Male Artist categories this year.
Charlie was nominated twice for Album of the Year for his two 2014 Grammy-nominated collaborations: Get Up! with Ben Harper and Remembering Little Walter with Billy Boy Arnold, Mark Hummel, Sugar Ray Norcia, and James Harman. Charlie was also nominated in the Harmonica category, Traditional Blues Album of the Year (for Remembering Little Walter), and Contemporary Blues Album of the Year (for Get Up!).
Marcia Ball was also nominated for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year. Marcia has won the award 5 times before and has been nominated for the award 15 times previously. Overall, Rosebud artists were honored with 11 BMA nominations for this year's awards. The 35th Annual Blues Music Awards will be presented at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday, May 8, 2014. For more info and a complete list of nominees, please see here.
To Catch Marcia Ball, Charlie Musselwhite and James Cotton Live, See Tour Dates >>
DECEMBER 2013: Rosebud Artists Score 8+ Grammy Nominations!
..Charlie Musselwhite was nominated for Best Blues Album for his role on the Remembering Little Walter CD and separately, in the same category, for his collaboration CD with Ben Harper on their CD, Get Up!. This in addition to a nomination for Best Music Film for I'm In I'm Out And I'm Gone: The Making Of get Up!
NOVEMBER 2013: Rosebud Artists Place High In DownBeat Readers Poll, Trombone Shorty Wins Best Trombonist, Bill Frisell #2 Best Guitarist
Ten Rosebud artists were ranked among the best musicians in the 78th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll (December 2013 Issue). Trombone Shorty won the Trombone category outright for the second year in a row, and he and his band, Orleans Avenue, placed in the top artists ranked for the Jazz Group category. Bill Frisell came in second in the Guitarist category (he won the category overall in the recent Downbeat critics poll for the fifth consecutive year and twelfth time in the past sixteen years!) and placed high in three additional categories: Jazz Artist, Composer, and Jazz Album of the Year (for Big Sur). Also scoring high in a variety of categories this year were some of Bill's recent collaborators including John Zorn, Gary Peacock, Kenny Wollesen, Brian Blade, Joey Baron, Eyvind Kang, Jenny Scheinman, Jason Moran, Charles Lloyd and Lee Konitz.
Multiple Rosebud artists took prominent spots in the Blues Artist or Group category, with Charlie Musselwhite, Marcia Ball and Duke Robillard as top contenders this year. Charlie also ranked in the top ten in the Blues Album category for Get Up!, his recent collaboration with Ben Harper. Also scoring in the Blues Album category was Jon Cleary for his album, Occapella, a collection of songs written by Rosebud artist Allen Toussaint. Toussaint himself was named in the Best Arranger category for the fourth consecutive year.
Meshell Ndegeocello was ranked in the Beyond Artist or Group category for the second year in a row as well as in the Electric Bass category, along with Robert Glasper Experiment bassist, Derrick Hodge, who Meshell appeared with on Glasper's album, Black Radio (2012).
Muddy Waters, a Rosebud artist until his passing, was ranked twice among the readers' top choices in the Historical Album of the Year category for his own album, You Shook Me: The Chess Masters, Vol. 3, 1958 To 1963, and for his collaboration with The Rolling Stones, Live At The Checkerboard Lounge Chicago 1981, which also features Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who Rosebud represents for his rare jazz performances.
Congratulations to all the artists. To Catch Them Perform Live On Stage, See Tour Dates >>
OCTOBER 2013: Elvin Bishop In Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nominations. John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite And Elvin Featured In Sweet Blues Documentary
Elvin Bishop, as a founding member of the groundbreaking Paul Butterfield Blues Band, has again been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other Paul Butterfield Blues Band members Michael Bloomfield, Jerome Arnold, Mark Naftalin, Sam Lay and Billy Davenport. This is the second year in a row the band has been nominated. Other acts joining the band on this years nominee shortlist include Chic, Deep Purple, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, KISS, LL Cool J, The Meters, Nirvana, N.W.A., The Replacements, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens, Link Wray, YES, and The Zombies. The inductees will be chosen by a secret ballot of over six hundred individual voters consisting of all past inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, musicians, historians, critics and membe
rs of the music industry. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has also opened voting to the public and the top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a "fans ballot" that will be counted along with the other ballots to choose the 2014 inductees. To cast your vote (through December 10 at 5 p.m. EST) click here.
John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite and Elvin Bishop are all featured in Sweet Blues, the new documentary about Paul Butterfield Blues Band guitarist Michael Bloomfield. The documentary, which filmmaker Bob Sarles spent twenty-five years working on, also features music legends such as Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Bob Weir, Bill Graham and Al Kooper. The film's Mill Valley Film Festival premiere on October 11, 2013 was commemorated by a tribute concert at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA where both Charlie and Elvin performed with world class musicians such as Jimmy Vivino (of Conan), Harvey Mandel, Nick Gravenites, Barry Goldberg, Maria Muldaur and Barry Melton. Of special note for us, Michael Bloomfield
was the first new artist signed to The Rosebud Agency. Founder, Mike Kappus, was already managing John Hiatt and booking Eddie Harris at the time but Bloomfield was the first new signing to Rosebud on Day One.
To watch interview clips from the documentary featuring Charlie, John and Elvin, click here.To Catch Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop and John Hammond Live See Tour Dates >>
AUGUST 2013: Rosebud Artists Ruthie Foster, Charlie Musselwhite, Marcia Ball And Muddy Waters Score Wins In The 2013 Living Blues Awards
Rosebud artist Ruthie Foster has been named Blues Artist of the Year (Female) in the 20th Annual Living Blues Awards Critics' Poll. This is the second time Ruthie has won this category. Meanwhile, Marcia Ball and Charlie Musselwhite have again been voted as winners in the 2013 Living Blues Reader's Poll. Marcia has been named Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) - for the third year in a row and for the fifth time overall since 2007. Charlie Musselwhite also continues to add to his wins in the Reader's Poll by being voted the Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica) - his 8th win in this category since 2004. He has also won this category twice before in the Living Blues Critics Poll. Muddy Waters (a Rosebud artist until his passing) and The Rolling Stones (whose drummer, Charlie Watts, is represented by Rosebud for his special Jazz projects) also received a nod for their live DVD, Live at Checkerboard Lounge, winning the Reader's Poll Best Blues DVD of 2012 category.
JUNE 2013: Elvin Bishop And Charlie Musselwhite Featured In Born In Chicago, Directed By Emmy-winner and Grammy-nominee, John Anderson
Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite are featured in Born In Chicago, a feature-length blues documentary by Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated director, John Anderson. Born In Chicago addresses the role of the young white musicians in the Chicago blues scene who changed the course of music history after learning to play from African-American blues legends such as Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon (both Rosebud artists until their passing), Howlin' Wolf, and Buddy Guy. The documentary includes archival and contemporary performance footage as well as interviews with music greats including B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Steve Miller, Jack White, Sam Lay, Eric Burdon, Hubert Sumlin and Marshall Chess in addition to Elvin and Charlie. The film, which first premiered back in March 2013 as an Official Selection at SXSW, had its Chicago premier during this year's Chicago Blues Festival on June 6, 2013. The Chicago event also featured performances from Chicago Blues Reunion (Barry Goldberg, Nick Gravenites, Harvey Mandel, and Corky Siegel) joined by special guests including Eric Burdon, Sam Lay, Charlie and Elvin. Michael Simmons of the Huffington Post and MOJO proclaimed about the film, "Finally! Born In Chicago sets the record straight about the mighty and tough urban blues scene that exploded from the Windy City in the 20th Century. The film also proves that many of the same musicians are still blowing harps and minds in the 21st. This is soulful stuff -- exactly what America needs to remind itself of what it used to be."
Marcia Ball and Charlie Musselwhite were each nominated for awards for Blues Artist of the Year and Most Outstanding Musician (for their respective instruments). Marcia has won both of these categories three times since 2009 with additional wins for Most Outstanding Musician in 2007 and 2008, and Charlie has won the Most Outstanding Musician category a total of nine times.
Also nominated for Most Outstanding Musician this year were Jon Cleary, Duke Robillard, and James Cotton for keyboard, guitar, and harmonica, respectively, while Mavis Staples was nominated for Most Outstanding Blues Singer.
Ruthie Foster scored two nominations for Blues Artist of the Year (her third year in a row) and for Best Blues Album of 2012 for her 2013 Grammy-nominated album, Let It Burn. Bettye LaVette garnered a nomination in the Best Blues Book of 2012 category for her tell-all, unapologetic biography with David Ritz, A Woman Like Me.
Elvin Bishop was nominated for Best Blues DVD of 2012 for That's My Thing, and Muddy Waters, a Rosebud artist until his passing, was nominated in the same category for his collaboration with The Rolling Stones, Live at the Checkerboard Lounge 1981. Live at the Checkerboard Lounge 1981 also features Stones drummer Charlie Watts who Rosebud represents for his rare jazz performances.
Voting is now open to the public until July 15, 2013. Please vote at livingblues.com.
MAY 2013: Marcia Ball, Ben Harper And Charlie Musselwhite, And Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue To Be Featured On AXS TV's Live Coverage Of 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Marcia Ball's performance, Charlie Musselwhite's performance with Ben Harper and Trombone Shorty's prestigious closing set at the 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will be broadcast on AXS TV. AXS TV's live coverage will begin May 3, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. EDT with programming continuing through May 5. This is the first ever live TV broadcast of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and it will also feature other major artists including Billy Joel, John Mayer, Willie Nelson & Family, Widespread Panic, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Phoenix, Gary Clark Jr., Cowboy Mouth and Galactic. The live coverage will also feature on-the-scene and backstage reports from around the festival with Savannah Jane Buffett, daughter of Jimmy Buffet, reporting. More info on broadcast times for each performance will be posted at axs.tv/jazzfest. To find an AXS TV channel on your TV provider please visit axs.tv/subscribe.
An audio stream of AXS TV's live coverage will be available on TuneIn, an online radio network. TuneIn's broadcast will also be from May 3 and continue through May 5, and it can be found on it's New Orleans Jazz Fest Radio Station. TuneIn's New Orleans Jazz Fest Radio Station is currently playing a mix of music from artists performing at this year's Jazz Fest.
To Catch Marcia Ball, Charlie Musselwhite, and Trombone Shorty Live, See Tour Dates >>
APRIL 2013: Charlie Musselwhite And Ben Harper On David Letterman, Plus People Magazine Ranks Get Up! The 5th Best Album Of 2013; Charlie's New Live CD, Juke Joint Chapel, Now Available
Charlie and Ben's recent collaboration, Get Up!, has garnered raves in high profile media including People Magazine, who ranked it fifth in "The 10 Best Albums of 2013 (so far)" and called Charlie "the harmonica godfather...". DownBeat Magazine's March 2013 cover story on Ben and Charlie said "the album conveys the heart of the great American blues tradition."
Charlie has just released his own new album, Juke Joint Chapel, which was recorded live at the Juke Joint Chapel in Clarksdale, Mississippi on August 12, 2012. The album is available for purchase exclusively at Charlie's live performances and from Charlie's online store.
APRIL 2013: Mavis Staples And Charlie Musselwhite To Perform At White House All-Star Celebration Of Memphis Soul
Mavis Staples and Charlie Musselwhite performed at The White House for the special music event, "In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul". This performance celebrates "the timeless classics of Memphis Soul," honoring the "memorable soul sounds from the mid- to late-1960s that came from Memphis, Tennessee and legendary labels like Stax-Volt Records." The all-star event includes performances by Alabama Shakes, William Bell, Steve Cropper, Ben Harper, Queen Latifah, Cyndi Lauper, Joshua Ledet, Sam Moore and Justin Timberlake, with Booker T. Jones as music director and band leader. The event was taped on April 9 for a sixty-minute PBS special to be broadcast nationwide starting on Tuesday, April 16 at 8pm EST (check local listings). This is the tenth "In Performance at the White House" that The President and First Lady have hosted to date.
Mavis and Charlie have also been invited, along with a few of the other performers, to participate in the First Lady's student workshop earlier in the day on April 9. The First Lady will host this interactive workshop for middle and high school students from across the country. At this workshop, Mavis and Charlie will have the opportunity to share their experiences in music as well as answer questions from the students. The workshop, "Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul", begins at 11:00am and will also be streamed live on whitehouse.gov/live.
Mavis Staples will release her new record in June. The new CD sees Mavis working once again with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, following up their previous collaboration on her GRAMMY winning album, You Are Not Alone. Stay tuned for more information about the new CD.
Working with Stax Records today, Charlie Musselwhite recently collaborated on the critically and commercially acclaimed Get Up! with Ben Harper via the legendary label. No Depression declared the CD as, "the first great album of 2013." The pair have just returned from playing shows in Australia and will continue to perform together on select dates in the US and Europe throughout the summer.
Catch Mavis Staples and Charlie Musselwhite perform live, see Tour Dates >>
I'm In I'm Out And I'm Gone: The Making of Get Up!
- Trailer
MARCH 2013: Charlie Musselwhite And Ben Harper's "Making Of" Documentary To Premiere On Palladia TV; Also Featured On NPR's World Cafe
Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper's film, "I'm In I'm Out And I'm Gone: The Making of Get Up!" premiers on Palladia TV on March 7 at 9pm EST. The film documents the collaboration between the two musicians and the creative processes behind their acclaimed album, Get Up!, which was released earlier this year. The documentary, directed by renowned rock photographer and filmmaker Danny Clinch, includes behind the scenes studio footage, in-depth interviews with Musselwhite and Harper and exclusive intimate live performances. "The Making of Get Up!" will continue to air on Palladia TV throughout March and April. For future broadcast times,please see scheduling >>
Tommy Castro's Greedy was featured on The BluesMobile, on December 29 - 30, 2012. "Greedy" was selected by show host, Elwood Blues, as Elwood's "Blues Breaker" or favorite new song of the week. This is at least the third time Tommy's music has been featured on The BluesMobile.
Another recent Blues Mobile "Bluesbreaker" was Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper's "I Don't Believe a Word You Say" from their recently released collaboration, Get Up! segment from the January 12 - 13, 2013 broadcast.
Ben and Charlie were again featured on The BluesMobile on February 9 - 10, 2013 as Elwood Blues' special guests. On the show they were interviewed on the unique nature of their collaboration which first began when they both recorded with the legendary John Lee Hooker (a Rosebud artist until his passing). Elwood Blues exclusively played music featuring Charlie and/or Ben throughout the show including multiple tracks from Get Up!.
Get Up!, also featured in The BluesMobile's Blues Of The Month Club, can be streamed in its entirety at getup.benharper.com.
2013 GRAMMY-nominated Ruthie Foster was also featured as Elwood Blues' special guest on The BluesMobile on February 2 - 3, 2013. On the show, Elwood showcased Ruthie's songs as well as music by winners of the Koko Taylor Award (The Blues Music Awards' Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year) which Ruthie has won several times in the past. Among the topics Elwood interviewed Ruthie about was her magic recording moment with Stax Records legend William Bell and her transition from singing Gospel to Blues.
On January 22, 2013 Ruthie digitally released Keep It Burning, an EP featuring two previously unheard takes from the Let It Burn sessions as well as live versions of "Welcome Home" and "Aim For The Heart" recorded at the 2012 Notodden Blues Festival in Norway. "Don't Get Too Comfortable", written and sung by Ruthie and Stax Records legend William Bell, and a funky New Orleans studio version of the Foster-penned "Truth!" are also included on the new EP.
Also coming up on radio is Marcia Ball's performance on NPR's eTown with Paul Thorn, which was taped on January 20, 2013. The show's air dates are not yet finalized, but it will be available for listening on NPR/public, commercial, and community stations. Click here for more info and to find a station near you. This performance marks Marcia's third appearance on eTown which was recorded live in front of a theater audience at eTown's new solar-powered music facility, eTown Hall, in Boulder, CO. Typically the performance is interspersed with informal interviews with show co-host Nick Forster that explore the artist's roots and influences as well as his/her interests in social and environmental causes. A known supporter of environmental activism, Marcia has participated in events that support conservation efforts in the Gulf Coast.
To Catch Marcia Ball, Charlie Musselwhite, Tommy Castro, And Ruthie Foster Live, See Tour Dates >>
FEBRUARY 2013: Charlie Musselwhite Joins Ben Harper On Jimmy Kimmel Live, Tavis Smiley, And DownBeat Magazine Cover Story; Plus Charlie On American Public Media's The Dinner Party
Charlie Musselwhite performed with Ben Harper on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday, February 18, 2013. Charlie and Ben played two songs from their latest collaboration, Get Up!, which was released January 29, 2013. In addition to Charlie and Ben, Kimmel's guests on the show that night included actor Andy Samberg and comic David Steinberg. Charlie and Ben will also be featured on the February 21st episode of PBS' Tavis Smiley. For more information and local listings click here.
Charlie himself was featured on The Dinner Party from American Public Media on February 7, 2013. During the show Charlie related a comical account of Blues legends Big Joe Williams and Rosebud artist, the late Muddy Waters, on a turbulent transatlantic flight.
Charlie and Ben were also recently featured on the cover of DownBeat Magazine's March 2013 issue. The cover story and interview delves deeply into Charlie and Ben's musical connection that has allowed them to become, what DownBeat writer Josef Woodard calls, "musical brethren, deep in the cause." The story also touches on Chicago blues lore and discusses the unique sound of Get Up! that goes beyond, but is simultaneously steeped in, traditional Blues. Get Up! has been receiving rave reviews from news outlets across the country, with a recent Rolling Stone review describing Charlie on Get Up! as "an understated virtuoso able to push past tradition without losing himself."
FEBRUARY 2013: GRAMMY / MusiCares News: Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite And More
Mavis Staples was featured at MusiCares' star-studded tribute honoring Bruce Springsteen as the 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year on February 8, 2013. At the event, Mavis joined 2013 GRAMMY Award Winner Zac Brown to perform Springsteen's "My City Of Ruins". Hosted by Jon Stewart, the event took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Mavis also performed during the televised GRAMMY Awards Ceremony on February 10, 2013 during a tribute to the late Levon Helm. She collaborated on stage with Elton John, Mumford & Sons, T Bone Burnett, Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes), and Zac Brown for a performance of The Band's "The Weight".
Charlie Musselwite was also featured at the MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony in a performance with Ben Harper and Natalie Maines (of Dixie Chicks). During his acceptance speech, Springsteen noted that he had opened for Charlie some forty years ago in San Francisco. Also featured at the event performing classic Springsteen songs were Neil Young, Patti Smith, Sting, Elton John, Tim McGraw, Eddie Vedder, Tom Morello, Alabama Shakes, Jackson Browne, Kenny Chesney, Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill, John Legend, and Mumford & Sons. Please see the set list at billboard.com.
2013 GRAMMY Nominated Ruthie Foster was also interviewed on the official pre-telecast live stream of the 2013 GRAMMY Awards. To check out video clips from the 2013 GRAMMY Awards and this year's pre-telecast ceremony, please visit grammy.com/live.
In other GRAMMY news, Bonnie Raitt's Slipstream featuring Bill Frisell and a composition by Joe Henry and Rosebud artist Loudon Wainwright III won the GRAMMY for Best Americana Album. Additionally, Zac Brown Band's Uncaged (featuring Trombone Shorty on "Overnight) won Best Country Album. Congrats to all of this year's GRAMMY winners and nominees!
To Catch Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, Ruthie Foster, Loudon Wainwright III, Bill Frisell and Trombone Shorty Live, See Tour Dates >>
FEBRUARY 2013: Jim Lauderdale, Carrie Rodriguez and Charlie Musselwhite Projects Top Americana Radio Chart And Roots Music Report, Jim Lauderdale Bluegrass Unlimited Cover Story
The latest releases from Jim Lauderdale, Carrie Rodriguez and Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite are all in the Top 10 on the Americana Radio Chart presented by The Americana Music Association. Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller's, Buddy & Jim, held the #1 position three weeks in a row and is ranked #3 as of this writing. Carrie Rodriguez.s Give Me All You Got made a rare top ten debut and now ranks in the #2 position as of this writing. Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite's single "I Don't Believe A Word You Say" from their collaboration, Get Up!, is rapidly climbing the chart and is currently ranked at #7. For the complete AMA chart, please visit americanaradio.com.
In other airplay news, Jim Lauderdale's Carolina Moonrise has totaled five weeks in the #1 position and is still at #2 as of February 4, 2013 on Roots Music Report's (RMR) Bluegrass Chart. Simultaneously, Jim's collaboration with Buddy Miller, Buddy & Jim, has been ranked in the top five on RMR's Country Chart since January 11, 2013. Also on the RMR Country Chart, Carrie Rodriguez has made a rapid ascent into the top five over the past few weeks with Give Me All You Got and currently ranks in the #2 position. And, for the past two weeks, Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper have maintained the #1 spot on the RMR Blues Chart for Get Up!. For the complete RMR chart listing, please visit rootsmusicreport.com.
Jim Lauderdale is also featured on the cover of the February 2013 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine. The in-depth cover story reflects on Jim's journey from his humble beginnings to his recent successes. These accomplishments include the just released documentary Jim Lauderdale: The King of Broken Hearts, as well as his racking up two GRAMMY Wins and six GRAMMY Nominations since 2000. Jim also has hosted The Americana Music Awards for the last ten years (2003-2012), and currently co-hosts The Buddy & Jim Show with Buddy Miller airing on SiriusXM Radio's Outlaw Country channel. To view the entire story online please visit bluegrassmusic.com.
To Catch Carrie Rodriguez, Charlie Musselwhite and Jim Lauderdale Live, See Tour Dates >>
JANUARY 2013: Charlie Musselwhite And Ben Harper To Appear On The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Tonight, January 22, On NBC
Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper will be appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as the musical guests on January 22. The show's other guests will include Dana Carvey and Emmy Rossum and will air tonight on NBC at 11:35 EST.
Charlie's performance with Ben Harper will promote their forthcoming collaborative CD, Get Up!. The CD has already garnered raves including the lead review in Rolling Stone's current issue (January 31, 2013) which proclaimed the project "a smoking album" and described Musselwhite as "an understated virtuoso able to push past tradition without losing himself." Billboard's featured review on the project noted "We certainly will not complain if the adventurous Harper opts to explore this partnership further."
Get Up! will be released on January 29. A track from the new CD, "I Don't Believe A Word You Say", is currently available as a digital download and can be purchased at amazon.com and iTunes store.
To see Charlie perform live, and with Ben Harper on select dates, see Tour Dates >>
JANUARY 2013: Charlie Musselwhite Inducted Into The Mississippi Musicians Hall Of Fame
Charlie Musselwhite was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall Of Fame on December 10, 2012. The induction ceremony took place in Jackson, Mississippi in conjunction with the groundbreaking for the new location of the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame Museum (the Mississippi Music Experience). This new location will combine a music venue and a center for the Mississippi Blues and Country Music Trails with the museum to preserve and celebrate the state's rich musical heritage. Charlie's induction into the Hall of Fame joins him with previously inducted blues legends such as Robert Johnson, BB King, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters to name a few.
Charlie's induction marks a long career of achievements and cultural contributions to the state including a GRAMMY Award win, seven GRAMMY Award nominations, twenty-seven Blues Music Award wins and eight Living Blues Award wins. In the meantime, Charlie continues to deliver new material with Get Up!, his collaboration with Ben Harper, set for a January 29, 2013 release. A brand new video trailer for the album featuring interviews with both Musselwhite and Harper is now available on YouTube. The track "I Don't Believe A Word You Say" from Get Up! is currently available for listening on SoundCloud.
OCTOBER 2012: Charlie Musselwhite Collaborates with Ben Harper on Forthcoming CD Get Up!
Charlie Musselwhite has teamed up with Ben Harper on the forthcoming studio album Get Up! Produced by Harper, the long time coming collaboration is set for release via Stax Records / Concord Music Group on January 29, 2013.
According to Harper, "Charlie and I have been looking to make this record for over ten years and now that we've gotten to it, I can't wait to play it live." Musselwhite and Harper's musical and personal friendship was forged when they both recorded with the legendary John Lee Hooker, a Rosebud artist until his passing. Commenting on their creative partnership, Musselwhite said that, "Ever since then we wanted to record together and being in the studio together is just natural. You can hear it and feel it in the music on Get Up!"
Charlie's renowned harmonica playing can be heard throughout Get Up!, which includes a collection of ten striking tracks, mixing elements of blues, gospel, roots and R&B. Charlie and Harper are backed by Harper's band, Relentless 7, featuring Jason Mozersky (guitar), Jesse Ingalls (bass) and Jordan Richardson (drums).
Also, Charlie's song, "Natural Born Lover" from his album, Rough News was featured on a recent episode of HBO's Treme entitled "Me Donkey Want Water."
Charlie is one of the most awarded artists ever by the Blues Foundation with twenty-seven Blues Music Award wins. He is wrapping up 2012 with an extensive touring schedule - hitting Australia at the end of October, then immediately heading to Europe in November. He will also play a select number of dates on the US West Coast before and after his international tour.
Ruthie Foster won the Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female of the Year, an honor awarded to her in 2011. In addition, Ruthie's Live at Antone's captured the DVD of the Year. Marcia Ball was honored with the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Award making this her 5th win of her 14 previous Blues Music Award nominations in this category.
Formerly known as the W.C. Handy Awards, the BMAs were staged at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, TN, by the Memphis-based Blues Foundation. The annual event brings together Blues performers, industry representatives and fans from all over the world to celebrate the best in Blues recordings and performances from the previous year.
Jim Lauderdale is also featured on the cover of the February 2013 issue of 
