Are You the Next Joe Bonamassa? Enter the Battle of the Blues Now!

Sign up now for Guitar Center’s Battle of the Blues, the search for the top undiscovered blues guitar player! The grand prize package, worth more than $50,000, includes $25k cash, plus gear from Gibson and Epiphone – including the winner’s choice of a custom ’59 Les Paul or ES-335 reissue and an Epiphone ’65 Elitist Casino. Plus, the six finalists will perform live at the grand finals featuring Gibson star Joe Bonamassa.

Visit GuitarCenter.com/BattleoftheBlues for more details, and check out the videos below.

Joe Bonamassa talks about the contest, and gives a few tips on playing the blues:

An overview of the Battle of the Blues contest:

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Johnny Otis, ‘Godfather of Rhythm and Blues,’ Dies

Songwriter and bandleader Johnny Otis, whose 1958 hit, “Willie and the Hand Jive,” was covered by Eric Clapton on the latter’s 461 Ocean Boulevard album, has died at age 90.

Dubbed “The Godfather of Rhythm and Blues,” Otis formed his first band in the mid-’40s and scored his first big hit with the song, “Harlem Nocturne.” In addition to having his own chart successes, he composed Etta James’ first hit, a song titled “The Wallflower,” which charted in 1955. (Sadly, Etta has also just passed away.)

He also penned the 1961 Gladys Knight and the Pips hit, “Every Bit of My Heart,” and produced the original version of “Hound Dog” in 1952, four years before Elvis Presley made the song famous. Otis also served as a talent scout for vintage rhythm and blues labels, an occupation that saw him discover or advance the careers of such figures as Little Esther, Big Mama Thornton and Jackie Wilson. Otis continued to tour well into his 70s, even as he become an ordained minister and opened a church in Los Angeles. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

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‘Surrey Delta’: 5 Great British Blues Albums

Swinging London, James Bond, The Beatles, mini skirts and Mini Cooper cars… 1960s England was an unlikely place for a blues revolution, but it did happen. The young white English guitarists who embraced and super-electrified the blues in the 1960s were hardly of a similar background to their original inspirations – pioneering bluesmen such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker – but they took electric blues to new places.

Indeed, the “Surrey Delta” – jokingly named because Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck were all born within a few miles and a year of each other – remains a world away from the Mississippi. Surrey remains an opulent part of England to the west of London where the river Thames winds into verdant countryside. There were never cotton plantations and chain gangs in Clapton’s home village of Ripley.

But imported American blues records helped shape British rock. Early “skiffle” star Lonnie Donegan, a huge influence on The Beatles, regularly covered Lead Belly songs. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards formed their alliance when the guitarist spotted the singer clutching blues albums in his arms at Dartford railway station. Jimmy Page reworked quite a few Willie Dixon songs in early Led Zeppelin…

Britain’s young blues-loving guitarists soon morphed their own style into something recognizable as rock. But early on, their unique take on Amercian blues resulted in some remarkable recordings. Here are just five…

John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers: Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton

If there was one British blues album that punched hardest, it was 1966’s Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton album by John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. Commonly known as the “Beano” album (due to Clapton reading the comic on the cover photo), it did much to reawaken guitarists to the majestic tone of single-cutaway sunburst Gibson Les Pauls.

Clapton told Guitar Player magazine that the famed six-string he played on Blues Breakers was “the best Les Paul I ever had… just a regular sunburst Les Paul that I bought in one of the shops in London right after I’d seen Freddie King’s album cover of Let’s Hide Away and Dance Away, where he’s playing a gold top. It had humbuckers and was almost brand new – original case with that lovely purple velvet lining. Just magnificent. I never really found one as good as that. I do miss that one.”

Clapton’s “Beano” Les Paul became near-mythical, after being stolen during rehearsals for Cream’s first gig in late July 1966. But the guitar lives on in Clapton’s stinging Les Paul/Marshall tone on the album, be it on Mayall/Clapton originals “Key To Love” and “Double Crossing Time,” to fiery covers of Willie Dixon/Otis Rush’s “All Your Love” and Freddie King’s “Hideaway.” This album remains a landmark of electric blues.

Fleetwood Mac: Fleetwood Mac

If there is a rival to Clapton’s guitar crown in the British 1960s blues pantheon, it is Peter Green. Londoner Green had briefly replaced Clapton in Mayall’s Blues Breakers when Eric formed the more psychedelia-tinged Cream, but it is Green’s work on Fleetwood Mac’s 1968 debut that impresses most. It’s a no-frills blues LP, with Robert Johnson, Elmore James and Howlin’ Wolf covers interspersed with Chicago blues-inspired originals.

And Green’s weeping Les Paul playing that sets it apart: B.B. King famously remarked, “He has the sweetest tone I ever heard, he was the only one who gave me the cold sweats.” Fleetwood Mac soon branched beyond “pure” blues to have pop hits with “Black Magic Woman,” (later a hit for Santana) followed by 1969’s #1 instrumental “Albatross.” Green had bailed out by 1970, after a binge of LSD left him fragile. Fellow guitarists Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer also left.

Peter Green still plays, but nothing quite recreates the sweet Les Paul sound he had on early Fleetwood Mac recordings. Play Fleetwood Mac’s debut album 44 years on, and you’ll still be amazed this is the blues guitar of Peter Allen Greenbaum, a 22-year-old Jewish man from a poor neighbourhood in East London.

Watch “Homework” from French TV in 1969, a song first recorded by the band on Fleetwood Mac in Chicago with Otis Spann on piano.

The Rolling Stones: The Rolling Stones

Even if held at knifepoint by Keith Richards, few would admit the Stones were ever a purist blues band. But alongside their love of high-tempo R&B and straight-ahead rock ’n’ roll, blues music was a touchstone for the Stones – from Jagger and Richards’ first alliance to their name (both indebted to Muddy Waters). Early leader Brian Jones, despite his dandy hair, was the real blues purist of the band and it’s his influence that stands proud on the Stones’ 1964 debut. Covers of Willie Dixon/Waters, Slim Harpo and Jimmy Reed are at the heart of the album, and if Jagger and Richards’ blossoming songwriting soon established their own sound, the blues never left them.

As Richards once said: “If you don’t know the blues, there’s no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music.” The Stones’ debut, remarkably, stands the test of time. Mick Jagger is no Howlin’ Wolf, but getting this “alien” music to the top of the U.K. charts in 1964 was some achievement.

 “Little Red Rooster” from 1964.

The Yardbirds: Five Live Yardbirds

The Yardbirds were just as much a psychedelic R&B/rock band as “pure” blues, but their impact was huge. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck all variously served as guitarists, and their early repertoire did much to introduce the blues to British teens – they covered songs by Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James, including “Smokestack Lightning,” “Good Morning Little School Girl,” “Boom Boom,” “I Wish You Would,” “I’m a Man,” “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” and more. The various guitarists use of early fuzzboxes, feedback, backward echo and super-distorted amps foresaw heavy rock by years – it was no coincidence that Page originally called Led Zeppelin “The New Yardbirds.”

For the proto-sound of their “blues” rave-ups, seek out Five Live Yardbirds, recorded in March 1964 at London’s legendary Marquee Club. It’s a bridge between British beatpop and psychedelia, but with the blues beating strong at its heart. After all, The Yardbirds acted as Sonny Boy Williamson’s backing band on his 1963 U.K. tour.

But a few years on, The Yardbirds were rocking harder. Watch this great clip of The Yardbirds in 1966 with Jimmy Page on bass and Jeff Beck on lead guitar.

Ten Years After: Ten Years After

The “classic” British Blues Boom only lasted a few years. John Mayall kept going, moving in a jazzier direction with Mick Taylor joining on guitar. Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin. The Stones became their own people, though their remarkable cover of Robert Johnson’s “Love In Vain” (from 1969’s Let It Bleed) proved their blues mojo was still working. Clapton’s Cream lasted only two years. Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer both left the music industry, after suffering mental health problems.

And as Brit Blues got harder and morphed into hard rock, there were few more aggressive than Ten Years After. Toting an ultra-amped Gibson ES-355, Alvin Lee turned blues tunes into proto-shred, paving the way – along with Jimmy Page – for blues pentatonic wigouts to form the basis of 1970s hard rock. Ten Years After’s version of “Spoonful” was surely not what writer Willie Dixon had in mind, but it and other cover songs kept the blues alive for a new generation of guitar blasters.

Here is Ten Years After’s version of “Spoonful” from 1968.

The notion of “British blues” pretty much disappeared with the dawn of the 1970s. But in its prime, the U.K.’s guitarists’ work revived old blues tunes and turned many fans on to the originals. The above players may not be your own “best.” And there may be others coming along. And we’ve had to omit a few worthy of mention, of course: Gary Moore, Mick Taylor, Paul Kossoff and Robin Trower all have their fans. Add your own favorites below!

More British blues:

John Mayall and the Les Paul Legacy of Clapton, Green, and Taylor

Get That Tone: Blues Breakers Era Eric Clapton

Peter Green, Gary Moore and The Holy Grail Les Paul

Andy Fraser of Free: Video Interview

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Ronnie Earl: Blues Guitar With Soul

This is a lesson with a true blues master, and is not to be missed by anyone who's really serious about their blues guitar. Ronnie Earl is known for being a soulful player, and on this video he doesn't hold back! You'll learn the special chords used by Little Walter, T Bone Walker, Magic Sam, Robert Jr. Lockwood, the style of B.B. King, the fingerpicking of Albert King, Country Blues styles, question and answer phrasing, bending and shaking, turnarounds, and how to get maximum feeling out of minimum notes the key to blues guitar. If it's blues you're looking for, they don't come much better than this. Includes booklet with tablature. Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

Price: $24.95

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How To Play Fingerstyle Blues Guitar Solos

Grammy winning guitarist and acclaimed author Mark Hanson teaches you how to play great fingerpicking blues guitar instrumentals on this DVD. Included are Mark's fun arrangements of Every Night When the Sun Goes Down, Stick With Me Baby, and his extended bluesy guitar solo of the classic Amazing Grace. Also included are Mark's sprightly ragtime composition 'Riff Raff' and a thorough explanation of developing fingerstyle solo techniques through multi-voiced back-up shuffle patterns. As an added bonus, Mark is shown performing his highly regarded arrangement of Water Is Wide. Contains complete music notation and tablature for all the five tunes. Includes individual lesson segments and multiple camera angles and close-ups all to help your learning!

Price: $19.95

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House of Blues Beginner, Acoustic Guitar

"60 minute DVD in Amaray Case, 28 Pg Booklet House of Blues and The Rock House Method® join together to bring you this unique and comprehensive beginner acoustic program. Jam-packed with a complete spectrum of techniques and components that will have you playing today. The one-on-one lessons with world renowned instructor and guitarist Kevin McCreery start with the basics of holding and tuning your guitar, then guide you step-by-step through chords, strum patterns, scales, song rhythms, finger picking, and more. Play along with the included full bass and drum backing tracks. Also, have fun while learning about the history and famous pioneers of acoustic guitar. Each Rock House product includes free lifetime membership to Rock House's online lesson support system. Enhance your learning experience, links with instructors, download backing tracks, access message boards, and much more. You'll connect with a community of musicians around the world learning to play music using The Rock House Method."

Price: $19.99

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House of Blues Beginner, Blues Guitar Level 1

"75 minute DVD in Amaray Case, 32 Pg Booklet House of Blues The Rock House Method® join together to offer this unique and comprehensive beginner program that will have you playing blues guitar in no time! Throughout the more than 90 minutes of one-on-one lessons with instructor and guitarist John McCarthy you'll develop a solid understanding of general guitar basics, a foundation for playing blues guitar and an historical perspective of the blues. The program features essential blues chords and scales, the BB Box, and lead techniques like string bending, vibrato, hammer-ons, pull-offs and other techniques used by greats such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy and B.B. King. There are complete blues rhythms including the 12 bar blues and much more! The full band backing tracks let you feel the excitement and energy of playing in your own band. Each Rock House product includes free lifetime membership to Rock House's online lesson support system. Enhance your learning experience, links with instructors, download backing tracks, access message boards, and much more. You'll connect with a community of musicians around the world learning to play music using The Rock House Method."

Price: $19.99

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Guitar Licks Goldmine: 200 Blues Licks

On a hot, sticky afternoon this June 2004, 46,000 people gathered at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas to witness the once-in-a-lifetime congregation of musical legends at 'ERIC CLAPTON CROSSROADS GUITAR FESTIVAL.'
The unprecedented gathering of dozens of the world's top rock, blues, country, jazz and folk guitarists featured artists such as Eric Clapton, Santana, ZZ Top, James Taylor, John Mayer, Joe Walsh, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughn, Robert Randolph, Eric Johnson and many more.
Special features will include behind-the-scenes footage, artist interviews, alternate angle viewing capabilities, and much more.

DVD 1 track-listing:
1. Open Montage (Texas Flood) - By Eric Clapton - Jimme Vaughan
2. Cocaine (Video)
3. Love In Vain Blues (Video) - By Robert Lockwood Jr.
4. Killing Floor (Video) - By Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Hubert Sumlin & Jimmie Vaughan
5. Sweet Home Chicago (Video) - By Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin & Jimmie Vaughan
6. Six Strings Down (Video) - By Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Robert Randolph & Jimmie Vaughan
7. Rock Me Baby (Video) - By Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, B.B. King & Jimmie Vaughan
8. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Video) - By Dan Tyminski with Ron Block
9. Road To Nash Vegas (Video) - By Dan Tyminski with Ron Block
10. Copperline (Video) - By James Taylor with Jerry Douglas
11. Steamroller (Video) - By James Taylor with Joe Walsh
12. Oklahoma Borderline (Video) - By Vince Gill with Jerry Douglas
13. What Cowgirls Do (Video) - By Vince Gill with Jerry Douglas
14. After Midnight (Video) - By Eric Clapton - J.J. Cale
15. Call Me The Breeze (Video) - By Eric Clapton - J.J. Cale
16. The March (Video) - By Robert Randolph & The Family Band
17. Green Light Girl (Video) - By Doyle Bramhall II
18. Jingo (Video) - By Eric Clapton - Carlos Santana
19. City Love (Video) - By John Mayer
20. Your Body Is A Wonderland (Video) - By John Mayer

DVD 2 track-listing:
1. Rag Bihag (Video) - By Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
2. Tones For Elvin Jones (Video) - By John McLaughlin
3. Josie (Video) - By Larry Carlton
4. Going Down Slow (Video) - By David Edwards aka David 'Honeyboy' Edwards
5. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day (Video)
6. Time Make Two (Video) - By Robert Cray
7. Give Me Up Again (Video) - By Jonny Lang
8. Neighborhood (Video) - By David Hidalgo
9. I'm The Hell Outta Here (Video) - By Steve Vai
10. Desert Rose (Video) - By Eric Johnson
11. Funk 49 (Video) - By Joe Walsh
12. Rocky Mountain Way (Video) - By Joe Walsh
13. I Shot The Sheriff (Video)
14. Have You Ever Loved A Woman (Blues In C) (Video)
15. La Grange (Video) - By ZZ Top
16. Tush (Video) - By ZZ Top

Price: $24.99

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Blues and Rhythm guitar for on the road

Getting started learning guitar can be frustrating - real frustrating. I have been teaching guitar on line for 10 years. So I know what works...and what doesn't. Our course - Blues and Rhythm Guitar for on the road - will teach you everything you need!

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BluesJamSession.com - 6% Conversions On This Blues Guitar Package

New! We boast a 6% conversion! Hot Seller With Low Refunds. Learn to play Blues Guitar with 60 Blues backing tracks, video lessons and courses. Get in early to make it big! Affiliate Center: www.bluesjamsession.com/affiliates.htm

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Steve Miller, Jason Lee Confirmed for Blues Music Awards

The 32nd Annual Blues Music Awards will start with bang—or at least, a bingo—this year, as it has just been announced that the Steve Miller Band will open the festivities on May 5. Miller’s latest album, Bingo!, garnered the Space Cowboy his first-ever BMA nomination this year. Miller is no stranger to the blues, having cut his teeth as a sideman on Chicago’s famous blues scene, playing alongside the likes of Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters.

Also appearing at the awards, as a presenter, will be actor Jason Lee, star of the TNT show, Memphis Beat. Lee himself closes many episodes of the show performing blues songs and Elvis covers live on stage. BMA winner Keb’ Mo’ arranges and performs much of the program’s music. The show also features Steve Cropper playing guitar on the theme song.

The 32nd Annual Blues Music Awards will take place at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. The presenting sponsor of the awards is The Gibson Foundation. For more information, visit the official Blues Foundation website.

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Blues and Rhythm guitar for on the road

Getting started learning guitar can be frustrating - real frustrating. I have been teaching guitar on line for 10 years. So I know what works...and what doesn't. Our course - Blues and Rhythm Guitar for on the road - will teach you everything you need!

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Chicago Blues Guitarist Lacy Gibson Dies

Chicago blues guitarist Lacy Gibson died after suffering a heart attack on Monday (April 11), according to Spinner.com. He was 74.

Gibson was born in North Carolina and learned to play guitar from his mother. He moved to the Windy City when he was just 13 and played alongside legendary players such as T-Bone Walker, Matt “Guitar” Murphy and Lefty Bates. He also served as a session player and sideman for Ray Charles, Buddy Guy and Willie Dixon.

Some of Gibson’s recordings include the album Wishing Ring, made with Sun-Ra (when the two were brothers-in-law) and the Chess Records single “My Love is Real,” which featured Guy.

Although Gibson’s heart trouble slowed down his career in later years, he still performed at Ann’s Love Nest, which was named for his wife. He is survived by her, one son, six daughters, 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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From Texas to the Delta - Acoustic Blues Guitar Lessons

Ragtime & blues guitar video downloads. This product had just been launched on CB and corners a very niche market - few equivalent competitors of the same quality. Great affiliate tools - flash video, Youtube embed codes, & free sample. 23 lessons.

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