REVIEW: Tommy Castro Band at SPACE.  Tommy Castro Band show why they won the BMA for best band with a fun night of solid, versatile musicianship and camaraderie.

REVIEW: Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010.  We take you to the nearly 12-hour marathon of nonstop music with performances by Sonny Landreth  (photo by Jennifer Wheeler), Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Cray, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, John Mayer, Keb Mo', Los Lobos, Jonny Lang, Steve Winwood, Z.Z. Top and many more, plus surprises!

REVIEW: Nothin' But The Blues, is a  tribute to Theresa's Lounge and a blues musical by Black Ensemble Theater. It sizzles with barroom characters, romance, calamity and a smokin' cast beltin' the blues.

REVIEW: Chicago Blues Festival 2010 Highlights & photos of the 3 day fest filled with Howlin' Wolf tributes and blues reunions.

REVIEW: Low Down Dirty Blues, a blues musical in Skokie, boasts a stellar cast, nonstop blues from the '20s-'60s, gospel, folk and more.

REVIEW: Dave Specter & Jimmy Johnson at SPACE in Evanston. Two kindred spirits of the blues  joined together for a musical journey that took the rapt audience to a transcendent meeting of the minds between guru and disciple.

REVIEW: Chico Banks Tribute & Birthday Bash at B.L.U.E.S.  It was a night to pay tribute, celebrate and remember a shining talent that the blues community lost too soon. The North Side club was packed as musicians, fans, friends and family shared music, memories, Martell shots and birthday cake in Chico's honor.

REVIEW: Pat Hall Memorial Concert at the Redline Tap. We lost keyboardist Pat Hall from Coupla Fat Guys on 1/24/10. A Valentine's Day benefit and memorial tribute brought an SRO crowd to a Roger's Park bar for an unforgettable concert by Pat's fellow musicians.

REVIEW: Mose Allison at the Jazz Showcase, Chicago. At 82 years young, the witty pianist has influenced generations of all musical genres. Like a bridge connecting sophisticate jazz with rural blues, Allison's unique influence on modern music remains relevant. His intimate performance showed him to be a timeless talent for the ages.

REVIEW: Dave Specter & Billy Flynn at SPACE in Evanston. Two blues guitar giants team up for a rare concert full of surprises at North Shore's  hippest new venue.

REVIEW: Blues Blast Music Awards 2009 at Buddy Guy's Legends. It was a star-filled night with outstanding performances from soul survivors, vibrant veterans and next-generation blues heroes. It also was filled with tearful, touching and triumphant moments. We have coverage and photos of the entire awards ceremony.

REVIEW: B.B. King live at the Paramount Arts Center, Aurora, IL At age 84, B.B. King shows no signs of slowing down as he captivated the SRO crowd for two solid hours with virtuoso guitar playing, commanding vocals, intimate storytelling and beguiling showmanship.

REVIEW: Blues on the Fox Fest June 19-20, 2009. Highlights and photos by Eric Steiner.  Storms shut down Friday's show. It turned into summer on Saturday for blazing sets by Sugar Blue(photo), Los Lobos, Watermelon Slim, Two Man Wrecking Crew, Henry Butler & Hix Brothers' Junior All-Stars.

REVIEW: Chicago Blues Festival, June 12-14, 2009. Highlights and photos.  It was a weekend of soul revues, ladies sing the blues and more.  (photo: Sharon Jones)

REVIEW: Chicago Blues Tour For two decades, this bus trip to the city's remote blues bars has given tourists a slice of real deal blues and R&B served up like the South and West Siders like it. Come along as we take you on the journey to see: Tail Dragger (photo)at Rooster's, Fantastic L-Roy at Linda's Place, Vance Kelly at the New Checkerboard and more.

REVIEW: Pinetop Perkins, Bob Stroger, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith bring classic Chicago blues to sweet home Seattle. Even at age 95, the blues piano legend still tickles the ivories and touches fans' hearts.

REVIEW: John Nemeth at Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago.  It only happens about every other decade -- a fresh young talent whose star power can't be denied comes along to take the blues by storm. John Nemeth has got what it takes to reach a major audience. Buddy Guy, who sat in, would agree.

REVIEW: Etta James at the House of Blues, Chicago. The feisty, three-time Grammy winner lets us know that, at age 71, she's one hot, sexy mama with a  voice like finely aged whiskey.

REVIEW: Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks & Indigenous at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet. Blues royalty holds court in palatial theater filled with devoted fans.

REVIEW: All-star jam at IBC with Shemekia Copeland, Toronzo Cannon, Russell Green and more. Chicago talent shines at Ground Zero for this year's International Blues Challenge weekend in Memphis, TN.

REVIEW: Ronnie Baker Brooks put on a show full of surprises at Buddy Guy's Legends. Highlights included superstar guests: Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks and Shemekia Copeland.

REVIEW: Blues Blast Music Awards 2008 at Buddy Guy's club. Blue musicians and fans from all over the country traveled to Chicago for the debut of the awards show. And the winners are...

REVIEW: Mavis Staples and Booker T. & the MG's reunite for Old Town School benefit at the Harris Theater in Chicago. It was a night to remember, filled with Memphis soul, Chicago style gospel and '60s protest songs.

REVIEW: Two Buddy Guy Special  Events

Tribute concert & awards in the park, plus CD release party in the club with special guests, all in one night.

 REVIEW:  Joss Stone & Ryan Shaw at Taste of Chicago

Joss Stone and Ryan Shaw have the kind of sensuous, passionate and soulful voices that can make you swoon, break your heart or shake your booty.

REVIEW: Stevie Wonder At Taste of Chicago

The superstar drew massive crowds to Grant Park for a free concert that lasted nearly three hours, with 30 songs and some surprises. It was a musical, political and cultural event, and a great party, too.

SOLID BLUES:  With Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, North Mississippi Allstars and Joe Krown

Friday, November 2, 2007-- McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007  Starring: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Robert Cray, Los Lobos, Sonny Landreth, Allison Kraus, John Mayer, Sheryl Crowe, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Albert Lee, Vince Gill and more. Read a full account of the entire 11-hour concert!!!