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HOT SHOW - Sept. 2: Billy Flynn at Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts.


Billy Flynn & Friends w/ Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, Bob Stroger, Bro. John Kattke, Dave Katzman, Amy Lowe

Sept. 2, 2021

Doors: 6:30 p.m. Show: 7:30 p.m.



Delmark recording artist Billy Flynn is a guitarist's guitarist with deep roots in Chicago Blues. His authentic guitar playing was featured on the soundtrack of the film Cadillac Records, and the versatile string master has shared the stage with luminaries like Keith Richards and Eric Clapton. Flynn backed Beyonce Knowles at Barack Obama’s Neighborhood Inaugural Ball and he played on her Grammy winning single from the movie Cadillac Records. From his prolific sideman work to his ten albums as a leader, Billy Flynn is a true blues man, who also plays rock 'n'roll, funk and surf rock.


Flynn's 2018 release on Delmark, Lonesome Highway features 16 new original songs and special guest vocalist Deitra Farr. Producer Dick Shurman says of the set, “It’s one of the great Chicago blues guitar albums.” Kim Wilson, who regularly calls Billy for sessions, observes that “Billy Flynn is one of the greatest blues guitarists alive and one of the greatest to ever live. He is truly the musician’s musician.”


Born August 11, 1956 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Billy Flynn is a highly regarded blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He also plays mandolin and harmonica.


In 1970, a local blues club opened and Flynn was inspired by the music provided there by Luther Allison, Johnny Littlejohn and Mighty Joe Young. Flynn was fortunate to be spotted playing outside the venue by Jimmy Dawkins, who arranged for Flynn to play with him on stage. Flynn joined Dawkins's backing band in 1975, and he played and toured with them until the end of the decade.


Flynn also worked locally during this period and played alongside Sunnyland Slim. In the early part of the 1980s, Flynn was a member of the touring ensemble Jim Liban and the Futuramics. In the late 1980s, he joined the Legendary Blues Band with members of Muddy Waters band. He also played with Mississippi Heat.


Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's 2008 album, Born in Arkansas, utilized Flynn, plus bassist Bob Stroger, pianist Barrelhouse Chuck, Little Frank Krakowski and Smith's son, drummer Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith.

In August 2010, Flynn and Kid Ramos backed Kim Wilson at the Edmonton's Labatt Blues Festival.


Flynn has worked and recorded with Jimmy Dawkins, Luther Allison, Otis Rush, Mighty Joe Young, Bryan Lee, Little Smokey Smothers, Piano Willie Oshawny, Mark Hummel, James Wheeler, Bill Lupkin & The Blues Coalition, Blue Fuller & the Chicago All-Stars, Willie Kent, Snooky Pryor, Big Bill Morganfield, John Brim, Jody Williams, Little Arthur Duncan, Al Miller, Steve Nitros, Lester Davenport, Nora Jean Bruso, Cash Box Kings, Deitra Farr, Billy Boy Arnold, Sunnyland Slim, with ex-Muddy Waters side musicians Pinetop Perkins, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Calvin Jones in The Legendary Blues Band, Mississippi Heat, Jim Liban and the Futuramics, Bob Stroger, Barrellhouse Chuck, Kid Ramos and Kim Wilson, among many others.


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