NEWS: Hubert Sumlin dies at age 80    Legendary Howlin' Wolf guitarist, who influenced  Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page and countless others, passed away on Sunday, December 4 in a Wayne, NJ hospital from heart failure.  Our sincere condolences go out to family, friends and fans. We will miss him. Dec. 13: Tribute & Benefit for Hubert Sumlin at FitzGerald's in Berwyn, IL. It has been announced that Keith Richards and Mick Jagger will pay for Sumlin's funeral expenses. Any money collected at this event will benefit the HART fund, a charity that helps indigent blues artists. Read about Hubert in the Chicago Sun-Times Click HERE for info about services in New Jersey photo: Michael Kurgansky

NEWS: Willie "Big Eyes" Smith dies at age 75. R.I.P. Jan. 19, 1936 -Sept. 16, 2011. Chicago blues musician Willie Smith, a master drummer, harmonica player, singer/songwriter who played with Muddy Waters, passed away on Sept. 16 in the morning from a stroke.  Earlier this year, he and Pinetop Perkins had won a Grammy for their CD, "Joined At The Hip." Our sincere condolences go out to Mr. Smith's family, friends and fans. We will miss him.

NEWS: David "Honeyboy" Edwards dies at age 96.  Legendary bluesman Edwards, the last living link to Robert Johnson, died  from congestive heart failure in his sleep at his Chicago home early Monday morning, Aug. 29, 2011. Visitation will be held Thurs, Sept. 1 from 2 - 7 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home, 851 E. 75th St., Chicago. From 7-9 p.m. there will be an open mic for remembrances and tributes. Services on Friday are private. R.I.P. Honeyboy. We will miss you.

NEWS: Shemekia Copeland crowned Queen of the Blues at Chicago Blues Festival. (photo: Jennifer Wheeler)  Singer Shemekia Copeland, age 31, was surprised during her set at Chicago's Blues Fest on Sunday June 12,  when Cookie Taylor, daughter of the late Koko Taylor, presented her with a crown and declared her to be the new "Queen of the Blues." Koko Taylor, known throughout her long career as the Queen of the Blues, passed away two years ago and was like a mom and mentor to Shemekia, who started her career at age 17. It was a moving and historical moment, followed by honors bestowed upon blues legend Lonnie Brooks and Alligator Records' president Bruce Iglauer. Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a proclamation declaring June 12, 2011 to be "Lonnie Brooks Day" in Chicago. Alligator's 40th Anniversary was honored with a congratulatory letter presented to Iglauer onstage during the label's festival showcase with Eddy Clearwater, Rick Estrin and Michael Burks. We will have coverage and photos of Chicago Blues Fest 2011 coming soon!

Lacy Gibson dies at age 74 Chicago Blues guitarist and singer Lacy Gibson died of a heart attack on April 11, 2011. He was an in-demand studio player for Chicago labels, including Chess Records. He played in bands with legends like Willie Dixon, Otis Rush, Jimmy Reed, Sun Ra, Son Seals and more. He also ran a club on the West Side called Ann's Love Nest. Photo: D. Shigley Funeral service info is pending.

NEWS: Pinetop Perkins dies in Austin, TX at age 97    Legendary blues pianist Pinetop Perkins dies in his sleep on Monday, March 21, 2011. Photo: Jennifer Wheeler For funeral and service info, click on Pinetop's photo.  R.I.P. Pinetop,  we will miss you and we'll never forget you.

NEWS: Rob Blaine wins Albert King Award, band comes in 3rd!   Chicago's Rob Blaine won the Albert King Award for Best Guitarist at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis on 2/5/11. Blaine and his Big Otis Blues Band took third place in the band competition finals. Congratulations!!!

NEWS: Little Smokey Smothers passes away on November 20, 2010 at age 71.  Services: Tues, Nov. 30. Viewing: 6 p.m. / Funeral: 7 p.m.  Where:  A.R. Leak Funeral Home, 7838 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago.  Phone: 708-206-0860  Born in Tchula, Mississippi in 1939, Albert “Little Smokey” Smothers, followed his older brother Otis “Big Smokey” Smothers into the music business at the height of Chicago blues’ golden era. In 1958, Howlin’ Wolf hired..read more

NEWS: Rob Blaine Blues Band wins final round of WCBS Blues Challenge.   Blaine earned the highest score, beating out five other bands at Buddy Guy's Legends on Nov. 7. The Blaine Band,  along with Donna Herula & John Jochim and Jemiah "On Fire" & The Red Machine will compete in Memphis in February at the IBC competition.

NEWS: Rob Blaine wins WCBS Band Challenge, Round Two. Doug James & the Pocket take second place. In the Youth Division, Jemiah "On Fire" & the Red Machine win first place.  Also competing were Rick Simcox & The ToneQuesters, Charles Hayes and The Hix Bros. All-Stars. The competition was held at The Heartland Cafe, Oct. 24. The finals will be held at Buddy Guy's Legends, Nov. 7.

NEWS: Charlie Love wins WCBS Band Challenge, Round One. Chainsaw Dupont takes second. Dawn O'Keefe Williams, J.B. Ritchie and Harry Garner and their bands also competed at Rosa's on Oct. 14. The Band Challenge, Round 2 will be held Oct. 24. The finals will be held at Buddy Guy's Legends on Nov. 7.

NEWS: Swississippi Records launches new blues label in Chicago.  Switzerland's blues harp player Chris Harper (photo) explains why he and partner Dave Katzman took the plunge.   Label launch party at the Mayne Stage on Sunday, Oct. 3.

NEWS: Donna Herula & John Jochem win WCBS Challenge for solo/duo act.  Vocalist/dobro player Donna Herula and harp blower John Jochem won the honor of representing the Windy City Blues Society in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge in January 2011. The Blues Challenge took place Sunday, Sept. 26 at the Harlem Ave. Lounge in Berwyn, IL.  Diamond Jim Greene, Khalfani & Phelps, and Raven Desmond Songs also competed. WCBS will hold band competitions Oct. 14 & 24. Visit www.windycityblues.org for info.

NEWS: The Windy City Blues Society is now accepting applications to compete in the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Deadline for the Solo/Duo and Youth categories is August 15. Deadline for the Band category is Sept. 1. Applications can be found at www.windycityblues.org.

NEWS: Grana Louise (photo) wins best band  at Chicago Blues Challenge Finals, hosted by the Windy City Blues Society Matt Hendricks & Bill Curtis, a guitar/drums duo, won best solo/duo act. Will Jacobs & Dirty Deal won the youth band slot. All three acts will represent Chicago in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge in January 2010. The final round was held November 15 at Buddy Guy's Legends.

NEWS: Six Generations of the Blues from Mississippi to Chicago film to premiere Nov. 27 on national public TV. Documentary celebrates Chicago's Earwig Music's 30th Anniversary with interviews and live performances by Honeyboy Edwards (photo), Big Jack Johnson, Johnny Drummer, John Primer, Aron Burton and more.

NEWS: 2009 Blues Blast Music Awards Winners Announced Click on photo or link for list. Photo: Joyce "Cookie" Threatt accepts Lifetime Achievement Award for mom Koko Taylor from Marie Dixon (right). Check back for our photos and coverage of the entire awards ceremony!

NEWS: Grana Louise (photo) takes first place in Round 4 of Chicago Blues Challenge, hosted by the Windy City Blues Society. Wild Card Winners were Linsey Alexander, Rockin Johnny, Chainsaw DuPont and Dave Herrero bands. They, plus winners of earlier rounds, will compete at the final round at Buddy Guy's Legends on Nov. 15. The earlier finalists are Diamond Jim Greene, Nigel Mack, Alex Wilson, Toronzo Cannon, Matt Hendricks, and Will Jacobs & Dirty Deal. All eleven acts will perform on Nov. 15 to determine which solo act, band and youth band will represent Chicago in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge.

NEWS: Matt Hendricks (photo) takes first place in Round 3 of Chicago Blues Challenge, hosted by the Windy City Blues Society. Diamond Jim Greene came in second and Nigel Mack took third in the solo/duo competition.  All three soloists, along with the earlier round winners, Alex Wilson Band and Toronzo Cannon & the Cannonball Express,  will compete at the final round at Buddy Guy's Legends on Nov. 15. For info on Round 4, click on Matt's photo.

NEWS: Toronzo Cannon & the Cannonball Express win 2nd round of Chicago Blues Challenge, hosted by the Windy City Blues Society. They, along with the 1st round winners, Alex Wilson Band, will compete at the final round at Buddy Guy's Legends on Nov. 15. For info on upcoming Rounds 3 & 4, click on Toronzo's photo.

NEWS:  Blues singer Jesse Fortune collapses on stage, dies at age 72. We pay tribute to the "singing barber"

NEWS: Lester "Mad Dog" Davenport passed away on March 17, 2009 at age 77. Visitation: Fri. March 27, 10 am-10 pm. Service: Sat. March 28, 10 am-Noon Where: A.A. Raynor & Sons Funeral Home, 5911 W. Madison, Chicago. Phone: 773-626-4222 Mr. Davenport was best known for playing harp with Bo Diddley and the Kinsey Report. He recorded solo CDs on Earwig and Delmark.

NEWS: Black History Month tribute. Personal essays by Booker T. Jones, Mavis Staples, Bettye Lavette and Swamburger.

NEWS: Chico Banks dies at age 47. Chicago blues fans shocked to hear of the guitarist's sudden death. Funeral services to be held Wed., Dec. 10. (click on photo for info)

NEWS: Bluzapalooza's second tour of Iraq to include Shemekia Copeland, Michael Burks, Deanna Bogart and more.

NEWS: Koko Taylor's band in van crash; seven injured

NEWS: Chicago blues guitarist Pete Allen passes away; services to be held September 12

NEWS: In Memory of Phil Guy & Little Arthur Duncan Your music will live on forever.

Phil Guy(right): April 28, 1940 - Aug. 20, 2008

 Little Arthur Duncan: Feb. 5, 1934 -Aug. 20, 2008

NEWS: In honor of Jerry Wexler, the soul man of Atlantic Records: 1917-2008. Hitmaker for Aretha, Wilson, Etta and Ray Charles dies at age 91.

NEWS:  May 22 -- Dave Specter CD Release Party at  Evanston’s New S.P.A.C.E   Delmark recording artist Dave Specter will be joined by  singer Tadd Robinson and other special guests, on Thursday May 22 for the release of his new CD/DVD, Live in Chicago.

NEWS: Chess Records Gets Star Treatment; Beyonce To Portray Etta James

Chicago's Chess Records, the famed indie label that launched the careers of legends like Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Chuck Berry, will get the Hollywood treatment in an upcoming film.