News

The City of Chicago will host the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival Thursday, June 5 through Sunday, June 8, taking place at Millennium Park and other venues citywide. 

Blues Hall of Famer and harmonica giant Billy Branch and his band The Sons Of Blues will perform as part of the Chicago Blues Festival's Conference and Kickoff Concert at the Ramova Theatre on Thursday, June 5. The opening night performance is free with online RSVP.

Alligator Records' newly signed artist D.K. Harrell will give two performances on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion Stage in Millennium Park on Friday, June 6, 2025. The Louisiana-born blues phenomenon D.K. Harrell will celebrate the June 20 release of his Alligator Records debut album, Talkin' Heavy. 

GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone "Kingfish" Ingram will perform on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion Stage on Friday, June 6 and Saturday June 7.

For more information, visit ChicagoBluesFestival.us or follow on Facebook (@ChicagoBluesFestival), Instagram (@ChicagoDCASE), (@Millennium_Park); or X/Twitter (@Millennium_Park) or (@ChicagoDCASE). Sign up for the DCASE Newsletter to receive monthly updates and event information.

BILLY BRANCH Since Billy Branch's 1978 debut on Alligator Records' Living Chicago Blues series, Billy Branch has earned a place among the world’s best blues harp players. He was mentored by Chicago’s harp royalty—James Cotton, Junior Wells and Carey Bell. They all considered him their successor as the Windy City’s next harmonica king. His all-star band, The Sons Of Blues, is among the premier blues bands anywhere. With hundreds of studio sessions and 15 albums of his own, including the 2019 Alligator Records album Roots And Branches--The Songs Of Little Walter, Billy Branch is one of the most-recorded blues artists in the world.  BILLY BRANCH & THE SONS OF BLUES PERFORMANCE Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 Venue: Ramova Theatre Address: 3520 S. Halsted St. Doors: 3:30pm

D.K. HARRELL Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter D.K. Harrell, one of the most formidable young stars of the current blues resurgence, sounds like no one else on the scene today. With his stinging, single-note string bending, deep soul vocals, and attention-grabbing original songs, the 27-year-old Harrell--a major draw at blues festivals around the world--is already in a league of his own. With his soon-to-be released Alligator Records debut, Talkin’ Heavy, D.K. Harrell cements his place among the leading voices of the new generation of blues players D.K. HARRELL PERFORMANCES Date: Friday, June 6, 2025 Stage: Jay Pritzker Pavilion Venue: Millennium Park Address: 201 E. Randolph St. Showtimes: 4:00pm-5:00pm (D.K. Harrell) 7:30pm-9:00pm (B.B. King Centennial Tribute featuring Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, D.K. Harrell, and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band)

CHRISTONE "KINGFISH" INGRAM At just 26-years-old, Kingfish is considered among the greatest blues players of his generation. All three of Kingfish’s albums – 2019’s Kingfish, 2021’s GRAMMY-winning 662, and 2023’s Live In London – have received GRAMMY nominations. Living Blues Magazine named Kingfish the 2024 Blues Artist Of The Year (Male) in both their Critics' and Readers' Polls. He has won 13 Blues Music Awards since his 2019 self-titled debut, including Male Artist Of The Year and Album Of The Year for Live In London. CHRISTONE "KINGFISH" INGRAM PERFORMANCES Date: Friday, June 6, 2025 Stage: Jay Pritzker Pavilion Venue: Millennium Park Address: 201 E. Randolph St. Showtime: 7:30pm-9:00pm (B.B. King Centennial Tribute featuring Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, D.K. Harrell, and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band) Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025 Stage: Jay Pritzker Pavilion Venue: Millennium Park Address: 201 E. Randolph St. Showtime: 7:45pm-9:00pm

        

One of Texas’ finest guitar-slingers…from blues to country to rock ‘n’ roll and beyond, she is fiery and deeply soulful.
 —Austin American Statesman 
 
Pure electricity…astonishing playing and soulful, sophisticated singing…Wonderland delivers her cleverly penned lyrics with sly joy as her guitar bites. Her passionate singing is expressive, romantic and sensual. Her solos burn and elevate the groove.
—AllMusic 
 
Carolyn Wonderland is the sound of Texas. She’s a feisty free-ranger, lassoing a variety of roof-rattling styles into her own inimitable take on twangy blues dripping with honky-tonk grease. Her vocals are a bluesy cowgirl’s dream come true.
—No Depression 
 

Today, Tuesday, May 6, Texas' award-winning, guitar-slinging, straight-from-the-soul singing Carolyn Wonderland has announced initial dates for her upcoming Truth Is tour. Her new Alligator album, Truth Is, will be released on Friday, May 16, and will be available on CD, maroon vinyl LP and at all major streaming services. The tour will kick off in her home state of Texas before taking her to the Midwest, East Coast and West Coast.

On Truth Is, Wonderland, with her vividly detailed, instantly memorable songs, reflects on the world with honesty and righteous conviction. Wonderland delivers a timeless album for these times. Her bold and insightful songs tell common-sense truths that, in her words, “need to be told.” They are driven by her sometimes savage and other times gently melodic guitar fingerpicking, along with her full-throated yet still vulnerable vocals.

Truth Is was produced by legendary guitarist and songwriter Dave Alvin (producer of Wonderland’s Alligator debut, Tempting Fate), who also co-wrote four songs, three of which he plays on. Along with bassist Naj Conklin and drummer Giovanni “Nooch” Carnuccio, Wonderland is joined on Truth Is by guests including Alligator labelmate Marcia Ball and friends Shelley King, Ruthie Foster, Cindy Cashdollar (“the Girl Gang,” says Wonderland), Red Young, Bukka Allen, Kevin Lance, Henri Herbert and Stuart Sullivan. The album was recorded and mixed by Sullivan at Wire Recording in Austin, Texas.

In addition to her musicianship, Wonderland is also known for her blistering live performances. She is excited to bring her new music to fans across the country and around the world, saying, "I’m happy to continue to have the opportunity to play music for the kind folks who are adventurous enough to take a chance on me and my hard driving band. We have some new music that I cannot wait to share with you! This will be our second album produced by Dave Alvin and our second release for Alligator Records. I’m over the moon with how we captured these songs and hope you can feel it, too. I’ll bring a pocket of joy and meet you at the show!"

Carolyn Wonderland — 2025 Truth Is Tour
Please check here for latest information as more dates continue to be added 

May 15, 2025 - The Kessler Theater, Dallas, TX
May 16, 2025 - Cactus Music In-Store Performance, Houston, TX (duo with Shelley King)
May 16, 2025 - The Heights Theater, Houston, TX
May 17, 2025 - Antone's, Austin,TX
May 21, 2025 - The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL
May 23, 2025 - The Southgate House Revival, Newport, KY
May 24, 2025 - Delaney Chevrolet Westsylvania Jazz & Blues Festival, Indiana, PA
May 25, 2025 - Levon Helm's Birthday Weekend at Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock, NY
May 29, 2025 - The Falcon, Marlboro, NY
May 30, 2025 - The Iridium, New York, NY
May 31, 2025 - Thirty-Second Annual Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest, Augusta, NJ

Jun 04, 2025 - Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, Portsmouth, NH
Jun 05, 2025 - Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY
Jun 06, 2025 - Chan's, Woonsocket, RI
Jun 07, 2025 - Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, MA
Jun 10, 2025 - The Tin Pan, Richmond, VA
Jun 11, 2025 - Middle C Jazz, Charlotte, NC
Jun 12, 2025 - Levitt AMP Whitesburg Music Series, Whitesburg, KY
Jun 14, 2025 - The 58 at Eastside Bowl, Nashville, TN
Jun 19, 2025 - Riverbend Centre for the Arts Unplugged @ the Chapel, Austin, TX
Jun 21, 2025 - Pleasure Garden Blues Fest, Kerrville, TX
Jun 27, 2025 - Utah Blues Festival, Salt Lake City, UT

Jul 10, 2025 - Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO
Jul 11, 2025 - The Zoo Bar, Lincoln, NE
Jul 12, 2025 - Vangarde Arts, Sioux City, IA
Jul 13, 2025 - Dakota, Minneapolis, MN
Jul 17, 2025 - Brewminatti, Prosser, WA
Jul 18, 2025 - Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR
Jul 23, 2025 - Yoshi's, Oakland, CA
Jul 26, 2025 - Benicia Waterfront Rocks Weekend, Benicia, CA
Jul 27, 2025 - Sunday Blues in the Park, Seaside, CA

Aug 02, 2025 - The Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ
Aug 10, 2025 - Heritage Music BluesFest, Wheeling, WV
Aug 24, 2025 - Mountain Stage with host Kathy Mattea at the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center, Clarksburg, WV

With her dynamic guitar playing, sublime songwriting, and pure Texas vocals, Wonderland has more than earned her reputation as a fiercely independent artist. She has been performing professionally since the age of 15 and has been on the road her entire career. She’s played with icons from Townes Van Zandt to Levon Helm, from Buddy Guy to Hubert Sumlin, from Bob Dylan to John Mayall (as the first female guitar in the iconic Blues Breakers), all while writing her own story.

In 2008 Wonderland recorded the first of four albums produced by her friend, famed musician Ray Benson, founder of the multiple Grammy-winning band Asleep At The Wheel. According to Benson, “Carolyn’s got that unbelievable, incredible voice, one of the great voices of our times.” 

Wonderland’s 2021 Alligator Records debut, Tempting Fate, brought her to her largest audience yet. The response was immediate and glowing. Premier Guitar proclaimed, “Wonderland is a Texas legend…a rising global star. She has a ferocious fingerpicking style and a passion for bringing fire to the blues.” Living Blues said, “Every song showcases Wonderland’s never-waste-a-note guitar work and warm, soaring vocals. There may not be a better album this year.” For her efforts, she won the Austin Music Award for both Best Blues Artist and Best Guitarist and was inducted into the Austin Music Hall Of Fame. She’s been nominated for three Blues Music Awards.

With Truth Is, Carolyn Wonderland stakes her claim among the most influential roots music voices today, delivering the blues’ honest truth to all who will listen. Her courageously empowering music packs an emotional wallop, with every track on the album performed with a rare intensity that is welcoming and ultimately uplifting. “She’s something else,” Bob Dylan once said to Ray Benson. “She should be nationwide.” 

Living Blues magazine, in its just-released issue #296, announced the nominees for the 2025 Living Blues Awards. This year, eleven Alligator artists received a total of 24 nominations. Three artists each received four nominations: GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Shemekia Copeland, harpist/vocalist/songwriter Rick Estrin (of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats) and guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Ronnie Baker Brooks. All three were honored with nominations for Blues Artist Of The Year, Best Live Performer and Blues Album Of The Year.

GRAMMY-winning guitarist Christone "Kingfish" Ingram received three nominations, including Blues Artist Of The Year. Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon and Memphis' soul roots family band Southern Avenue received two nominations each.

Texas pianist/vocalist Marcia Ball, harmonica master Billy Branch, vocalist and songwriter Chris O'Leary, Atlanta guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Tinsley Ellis and deep blues vocalist Oscar Wilson (of The Cash Box Kings) each received one nomination.

Living Blues fans may vote with the Readers' Ballot, available at www.livingblues.com, by June 15, 2025. Alligator artists and their nominations follow: 

Shemekia Copeland
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)
Best Blues Album of 2024 (Blame It On Eve)
Best Live Performer
Most Outstanding Blues Singer 

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (The Hits Keep Coming)
Best Live Performer
Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica) 

Ronnie Baker Brooks
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (Blues In My DNA)
Best Live Performer
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) 

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Best Live Performer
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) 




Toronzo Cannon
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (Shut Up & Play!)
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) 

Southern Avenue
Band Of The Year
Best Live Performer 





Tinsley Ellis
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (Naked Truth) 






Chris O'Leary
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (The Hard Line)  

The Cash Box Kings
Oscar Wilson - Most Outstanding Blues Singer

Marcia Ball
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboards) 

Billy Branch
Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica) 

        

“A leading light of the younger generation of blues artists…a jubilantly raucous, crispy, fully realized sound enriched by unselfconscious virtuosity…musically adventurous, biting and exploratory.”
—Living Blues 
 
“D.K. Harrell picks up the baton and carries his [music] into the future, creating formidable electric blues.”
—Vintage Guitar 
 
“D.K. Harrell stands tall. His mature musical conversations are inspiring…his voice custom-built for the blues. A funky soul stew of traditional music and contemporary lyrics.”
—Blues Music Magazine 
 

On Friday, June 20, Louisiana-born blues phenomenon D.K. Harrell, will release his Alligator Records debut album, Talkin' Heavy. The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter is one of the most formidable young stars of the current blues resurgence. He sounds like no one else on the scene today. With Talkin’ Heavy, D.K. Harrell cements his place among the leading voices of the new generation of blues players. The album will be available on CD, transparent blue vinyl and at all digital service platforms.

This Blues Music Award-winning guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has a well-earned reputation as a mesmerizing live performer. He delivers fresh, emotion-packed blues played with the foot-pounding fervor of a revival tent preacher. With his stinging, single-note string bending, deep soul vocals, and attention-grabbing original songs, the 27-year-old Harrell—already a major draw at blues festivals around the world—is in a league of his own.

Talkin’ Heavy continually surprises with twelve instantly memorable self-penned songs filled with Harrell’s biting guitar work and authoritative, church-born vocals. Produced by studio wizard and musician Christoffer “Kid” Andersen and recorded at Andersen’s now-famous Greaseland Studios, the album shows Harrell as a generational guitar talent with a wide-eyed vision and a street-smart singing style bringing life to the timeless songs he’s writing. Talkin’ Heavy is an affirmation of the sheer power of modern blues.

The new lyric video for the first single from the album, Grown Now, premieres today. Of the song, Harrell states, "Grown Now is about remembering my days of being without. And now I'm proud and happy that I've overcome those hardships and I feel more responsible, taking care of business. And ladies love a man who takes care of business.“

BIOGRAPHY
D.K. Harrell was born D’Kieran Harrell in Ruston, Louisiana in 1998. He first heard B.B. King at age two and responded by singing along. He sang in his church choir as a boy while continuing to be drawn to the blues. Films like The Blues Brothers, Cadillac Records and Ray made him eager to sing and play. He received his first guitar at 12, and by 16 was writing his own songs. Initially inspired by B.B. King, the youthful Harrell spent hours studying every video of King he could find, learning not just King’s licks but ultimately his tone, his finesse, his stage craft, and his band leadership skills. Harrell’s first paying gig was as an invited guest to the B.B. King Symposium in Indianola, Mississippi, where he played The Thrill Is Gone on King’s iconic guitar, Lucille, backed by members of King’s touring band.

In 2022 Harrell won the B.B. King Of The Blues Award for Preserving Traditional Blues Heritage from the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation. In addition to B.B. King, Harrell fell under the spell of blues masters including Albert King, Freddie King, Elmore James, Muddy Waters and more, and made their styles part of his musical vocabulary. His debut album, The Right Man, was released on the Little Village label in 2023 to rave reviews and wildly excited fans. Rock & Blues Muse said, “D.K. Harrell raises every roof in town…he’s a phenomenon coming across like a lifetime blues master…an outstanding singer and guitarist with a big-league presence. Amazing…he’s an absolute beast.” His massive, immediate success led him to win the prestigious Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist from The Blues Foundation.

Harrell has toured the U.S. and Europe multiple times, astonishing audiences everywhere he plays. People all over the world can’t get enough of D.K. Harrell’s high-energy and always unpredictable live shows. In 2024 alone he performed across the U.S. and Canada, and toured all over the European continent, with shows in Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Spain and Norway. Blues Blast called him, “The fastest-rising talent in the blues today…his stinging, single-note runs hit like a hurricane. His rich tenor swings like a pendulum. A new star is born.”

Joining Alligator is a thrill for Harrell. “I’m a huge Hound Dog Taylor and Koko Taylor fan,” he says. “When I was a kid maybe 15 or 16, before I really knew how to play, I sent Bruce (Iglauer, Alligator Records president and founder) some videos that were not very good. He got back to me with all kinds of encouragement, telling me to keep at it.”

Now, with Talkin’ Heavy, D.K. Harrell is ready to bring his new music directly to his fans and to his peers. He already has more than 20 festivals booked for 2025 and that number continues to swell. Using his expansive blues lexicon to create his own inimitable sound, Harrell is forging his own path with every performance he gives. As he explains, “The past gives a blueprint that you can add yourself to. I keep progressing by keeping all the genres in the mold. And I keep exposing my music to younger folks everywhere I go. I am hell-bent on crossing the blues over to a new generation of fans.” With a future as limitless as his talent, D.K. Harrell will be welcoming new fans to his music for generations to come. 

        

Southern Avenue showcases the soul of Memphis...they continue to evolve and inspire. They take listeners into a world filled with stories that resonate long after the last note fades....unforgettable music [and] electric performances. 
—Rolling Stone

Rootsy stripped-down Memphis soul…masterfully written songs [featuring] Tierinii Jackson's soaring vocals
—AllMusic

Inquisitive and uplifting…The band’s signature whisk of roots, blues and soul stylings lean into the spirit of Memphis [and] maintain a timelessness and soul-laden delivery not unlike The Staple Singers.
—Relix

Today, GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based roots, blues, and soul band Southern Avenue release their new radio single, Upside. The song, available on all digital service platforms, is a featured track on the band's new Alligator Records debut album, Family. A new lyric video for Upside premieres today. Family will be released on April 25, 2025, and will be available on CD, translucent green vinyl LP and at all digital service providers.

Southern Avenue -- recently nominated for a Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year -- is unlike any other group on the scene today. The band features three Memphis-born sister singers who perfected their vocals in church before embracing their own sonic identity: lead vocalist/songwriter Tierinii Jackson backed by her two harmonizing, multi-talented musician sisters, Tikyra (TK) on vocals and drums and Ava on violin, percussion and vocals. Israel-born and bred guitarist/songwriter Ori Naftaly (who founded the band in 2015 and who is also married to Tierinii), provides funky grooves and raw Memphis guitar.

Upon release to radio, Upside instantly became one of the most added new singles on the Americana Radio Singles Chart. It is currently being supported by some of the leading NPR Music stations in the country, including WFUV-New York, Roots Radio WMOT-Nashville, WFPK- Louisville, KY and over a dozen others in its first week.

Later today, Southern Avenue celebrates the release of Upside with a live concert broadcast on NPR Music station WXPN-FM in Philadelphia at 12:00pm Eastern time. They will perform on the tastemaker station's wildly popular Free At Noon program from the stage of World Café Live.

Speaking of the song, Tierinii says “Every day’s a new chance to find your joy. Upside is all about embracing that. It's about dancing through the uncertainty, and choosing to see the beauty in every new day. It’s an anthem for moving forward, embracing change, and finding something to be grateful for—because life is too good to stay stuck.” 

According to Ori, “We all get caught up in things we can’t control—stressing over the past, worrying about the future. But this song is about the here and now. It’s a reminder to embrace each day, let go of the baggage, and choose to see the light in every moment.” 

Naftaly founded Southern Avenue in 2015, two years after arriving in Memphis to perform at the International Blues Challenge with his original band. The first time he saw Tierinii Jackson, the city’s premiere vocal powerhouse, he didn’t hesitate, saying, “I saw my entire future flash in front of me.” The two shared a few initial sessions, then TK joined on drums and Southern Avenue was born. “We’ve been a family ever since,” Tierinii says.

Southern Avenue is named after the famous street that runs through the center of Memphis, leading past the original home of Stax Records. But it was still a surprise to the band when they became the first Memphis group signed to the newly reformed Stax label, which released their self-titled debut album in 2017. In 2018 the band won the Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist. Their follow-up, Keep On, received a GRAMMY nomination. Constant touring has brought Southern Avenue to destinations across North America, Europe and Australia, and earned them non-stop adulation from fans, press and fellow musicians. In 2024, the band joined the Outlaw Music Festival tour, performing alongside Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan.

According to Naftaly, “Family is the story of how we found each other, held on through the highs and lows, and built something stronger than we ever imagined. It’s about the moments that test you, the people who lift you, and the belief that even through the hardest times, something beautiful is waiting on the other side.”  

        

One of Texas’ finest guitar-slingers…from blues to country to rock ‘n’ roll and beyond, she is fiery and deeply soulful.
 —Austin American Statesman 
 
Pure electricity…astonishing playing and soulful, sophisticated singing…Wonderland delivers her cleverly penned lyrics with sly joy as her guitar bites. Her passionate singing is expressive, romantic and sensual. Her solos burn and elevate the groove.
—AllMusic 
 
Carolyn Wonderland is the sound of Texas. She’s a feisty free-ranger, lassoing a variety of roof-rattling styles into her own inimitable take on twangy blues dripping with honky-tonk grease. Her vocals are a bluesy cowgirl’s dream come true.
—No Depression 
 

On Friday, May 16, Alligator Records will release Truth Is, the ear-opening new album from Texas' award-winning, guitar-slinging, straight-from-the-soul singing Carolyn Wonderland. She's known for her formidable songwriting as much for as her singing and playing, and with Truth Is, she delivers a timeless album for these times. Truth Is will be available on CD, red vinyl LP and at all major streaming services.

Truth Is was produced by legendary guitarist and songwriter Dave Alvin (producer of Wonderland’s Alligator debut, Tempting Fate), who also co-wrote four songs, three of which he plays on. Wonderland says of Alvin, “I’ve never had my ass handed to me so thoughtfully in the studio. I came in with songs and Dave took the arrangements I wasn’t married to and put on his “Mad Rearranger” hat to get to the heart of the songs, always looking for and finding something that tells the story better. Dave is amazing. He has an incredible literary mind and is one of the best guitar bashers I’ve ever met.”

The roof-raising first song from the album, Sooner Or Later, premieres today. “Sometimes a melody just comes creeping out of the instrument," Wonderland says of the song's inception. "Maybe that’s why you gotta spend time listening to what your instrument wants to say instead of shoehorning your will on it, I suppose. The slight melancholy of the lonesome lapsteel led me to the lyrics. Hard to say who’s the protagonist when you’re trying to walk in everyone’s shoes, but I felt a longing for connection with these neighbors and adversaries. Can we change when we find we are wrong? Can we make peace with the ghosts of our pasts? I guess we’ll find out sooner or later."

On Truth Is, Wonderland, with her vividly detailed, instantly memorable songs, reflects on the world with honesty and righteous conviction. Wonderland’s bold and insightful songs tell common-sense truths that, in her words, “need to be told.” They are driven by her sometimes savage and other times gently melodic guitar fingerpicking, along with her full-throated yet still vulnerable vocals. As for the album’s brutally honest subject matter, Wonderland says, “There’s always still hope and we’re here for each other, but at some point, you have to sing about the elephant in the room.”

Over the course of the album’s 12 songs – including 10 Wonderland originals and co-writes -- Wonderland and her band create lasting musical magic. From the blistering, riff-heavy battle cry I Ain’t Going Back to the emotional gut-punch of the title track, this is music that commands attention. The poignant, profound and heartbreaking Let’s Play A Game, to the swaggeringly bluesy Whistling Past The Graveyard Again (“that’s a day in the life of me and my friends,” says Wonderland), to the cathartic closer, Blues For Gene (a tribute to her late friend, piano giant Gene Taylor, with Carolyn and album producer Dave Alvin shedding tears as they were recording the track), the songs tell real and relatable stories while running the full gamut of emotions.

On Wishful Thinking Wonderland elegantly sings her Texas heart out, wringing every bit of emotion from her friend Greg Wood’s potent and reflective lyrics. Her version of The Band’s Orange Juice Blues shares the same ramshackle, going-for-broke carnival vibe of the Basement Tapes original, with Wonderland and her crew turning it all up a notch. Like every song she touches, she makes it her very own. Industry maven Bill Bentley, writing in Americana Highways, said, “Wonderland’s an astounding songwriter…and her ability to totally pull other songs into her own world is the mark of an all-timer. There are no limits to what she can do [with her] powerful vocals and whip-ass guitar playing. It’s clear she isn’t fooling around.”

Along with bassist Naj Conklin and drummer Giovanni “Nooch” Carnuccio, Wonderland is joined on Truth Is by guests including Alligator labelmate Marcia Ball and friends Shelley King, Ruthie Foster, Cindy Cashdollar (“the Girl Gang,” says Wonderland), Red Young, Bukka Allen, Kevin Lance, Henri Herbert and Stuart Sullivan. The album was recorded and mixed by Sullivan at Wire Recording in Austin, Texas.

With her dynamic guitar playing, sublime songwriting, and pure Texas vocals, Wonderland has more than earned her reputation as a fiercely independent artist. She has been performing professionally since the age of 15 and has been on the road her entire career. She’s played with icons from Townes Van Zandt to Levon Helm, from Buddy Guy to Hubert Sumlin, from Bob Dylan to John Mayall (as the first female guitar in the iconic Blues Breakers), all while writing her own story.

With Truth Is, Carolyn Wonderland stakes her claim among the most influential roots music voices today, delivering the blues’ honest truth to all who will listen. Her courageously empowering music packs an emotional wallop, with every track on the album performed with a rare intensity that is welcoming and ultimately uplifting. “She’s something else,” Bob Dylan once said to Asleep At The Wheel's Ray Benson. “She should be nationwide.”

A leading light of the younger generation of blues artists…a tight, crispy, fully realized sound enriched by unselfconscious virtuosity. Musically adventurous... biting and exploratory leads…jubilantly raucous.
—Living Blues 

D.K. Harrell picks up the baton and carries his [music] into the future, creating formidable electric blues.
—Vintage Guitar 

D.K. Harrell stands tall. His mature musical conversations are inspiring… his voice custom-built for the blues. A funky soul stew of traditional music and contemporary lyrics.
—Blues Music Magazine 

Alligator Records is pleased to announce the signing of Louisiana-born blues phenomenon, D.K. Harrell, one of the rising young stars of the current blues resurgence. This Blues Music Award-winning guitarist with a soulman's voice plays emotion-packed original music steeped in tradition, yet completely modern. While Influenced by the blues giants of the past, the soon-to-be 27-year-old Harrell is his own man with his own bright future ahead of him. His goal is to bring the blues back to fans of his own generation. His Alligator Records debut is expected in June, produced by famed musician and studio wizard Christoffer "Kid" Andersen. 

Harrell -- with his stinging, single-note string bending, deep soul vocals, and instantly memorable original songs -- sounds like no one on the scene today. Using his many influences to create his own inimitable original music, Harrell is forging his own path. As he explains, "The past gives a blueprint that you can add yourself to. I keep progressing by keeping all the genres in the mold. Since the 1970s, there have been two dominant styles of blues, Blues-rock and Americana. But there's a third style, call it funk blues, that's all but disappeared. We play it and make it fresh." 

Harrell is thrilled to be with Alligator. "It's the main label to be on in the blues," he says. "I'm overwhelmed in a positive way. I'm a huge Hound Dog Taylor and Koko Taylor fan." He remembers, "When I was a kid maybe 15 or 16, before I really knew how to play, I sent Bruce (Iglauer, Alligator Records president and founder) some videos that were not very good. He got back to me with all kinds of encouragement, telling me to keep at it. Maybe he doesn't remember that, but I do." 
 
And Iglauer is equally thrilled to have the young bluesman on the label. "D.K. Harrell is at the forefront of the exciting new generation of blues musicians. With his elegant guitar playing and straight-from-the-soul vocals, plus his mesmerizing talent as a live entertainer, he has, in just two years, moved from being an opening act to headliner at festivals all over Europe. This year, he will appear on festival stages across the USA, cementing his position as one of today’s (and the future’s) young blues stars." 

D.K. Harrell was born D'Kieran Harrell in Ruston, Louisiana in 1998. He first heard B.B. King at age two and responded by singing along. He sang in his church choir as a boy. Blues music films like Cadillac Records and Ray made him want to sing and play. He received his first guitar at 12, and by 16 was writing his own songs, initially inspired by B.B. King. The youthful Harrell spent hours studying every video of B.B. King he could find, learning not just King's licks but his finesse, his stage craft, and his band leadership skills. His first paying gig was as an invited guest to the B.B. King Symposium in Indianola, Mississippi -- where he played The Thrill Is Gone on King's iconic guitar, Lucille -- backed by members of King's touring band. 

In 2022 Harrell won the B.B. King Of The Blues Award for Preserving Traditional Blues Heritage from the Jus' Blues Music Foundation. His debut album, The Right Man, was released on the Little Village label in 2023 to rave reviews and an instantly growing fanbase. Blues Blast magazine called him, "a prodigy destined for greatness." His massive, immediate success led him to win the prestigious Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist from The Blues Foundation.

Harrell has toured the U.S. and Europe multiple times, with each return visit increasing the size of his audience. People, it seems, just can't get enough of D.K. Harrell's high-energy and always unpredictable live shows. And D.K is, as he says, "hell-bent," on crossing the blues over to the next generation of fans. "We've done it before," he says of previous blues resurgences throughout the years, "I know we can do it again."

According to The Blues Roadhouse, "Harrell plays self-assured, musically astute and lyrically confident original blues. His songwriting is sharp, his vocals are strong and mature, and his guitar work is dazzling. Simmering with down-home flavor, D.K. Harrell is a major talent." 

Family Album Art And Full Track Listing Revealed Today

First Round Of Family Tour Dates Announced

Long Is The Road 3:07 Upside 5:01 Found A Friend In You 2:39              So Much Love 3:56 Family 0:41 Late Night Get Down 3:15 Rum Boogie 3:18 Gotta Keep The Love 4:06 Sisters 2:47 Kept On Moving On 0:38 Back To What Feels Right 3:37 Flying 3:23 Believe 0:48 We Are 3:46

        

Southern Avenue showcases the soul of Memphis...they continue to evolve and inspire. They take listeners into a world filled with stories that resonate long after the last note fades....unforgettable music [and] electric performances. 
—Rolling Stone

Rootsy stripped-down Memphis soul…masterfully written songs [featuring] Tierinii Jackson's soaring vocals
—AllMusic

Inquisitive and uplifting…The band’s signature whisk of roots, blues and soul stylings lean into the spirit of Memphis [and] maintain a timelessness and soul-laden delivery not unlike The Staple Singers.
—Relix

GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based roots, blues, and soul band Southern Avenue will release their Alligator Records debut album, Family, on Friday, April 25, 2025. Today, the band has revealed the album art for Family as well as the full track listing. Family will be available on CD, translucent green vinyl LP and at all streaming services. The radio focus track, Upside, will hit the airwaves on March 10.

Southern Avenue is unlike any other band on the scene today, featuring three Memphis-born sister singers who perfected their vocals in church before embracing their own sonic identity: lead vocalist/songwriter Tierinii Jackson backed by her two harmonizing, multi-talented musician sisters, Tikyra (TK) on vocals and drums and Ava on violin. percussion and vocals. Israel-born and bred guitarist/songwriter Ori Naftaly (who is also married to Tierinii), provides funky grooves and raw Memphis guitar.

Naftaly founded Southern Avenue in 2015, two years after arriving in Memphis to perform at the International Blues Challenge with his solo band. The first time he saw Tierinii Jackson, the city’s premiere vocal powerhouse, he didn’t hesitate, saying, “I saw my entire future flash in front of me.” The two shared a few initial sessions, then TK joined on drums and Southern Avenue was born. “We’ve been a family ever since,” Tierinii says.
 
On Family, Southern Avenue’s fourth album, the band unleashes one memorable performance after another, all delivered with soul-healing power and fueled by Tierinii's soaring vocals, warm sister harmonies, Naftaly’s deeply rooted guitar playing and TK’s forceful, propulsive drumming. From triumphant opener Long Is The Road to the emotionally resonant Found A Friend In You to the raucous Rum Boogie, the songs, with their seamless blend of roots, blues and soul grooves, are stirring and original. From the irresistible Upside to the fierce determination of Flying to the closing, declarative We Are, Family reveals honest, universal truths about the unshakable power of togetherness. 
 
Family was recorded in Memphis at the famous Royal Studios (Al Green, Ann Peebles, Bruno Mars). It was produced by GRAMMY winner John Burk (Ray Charles, George Benson, Melissa Etheridge) and recorded and mixed by multi-GRAMMY-winning producer and engineer Boo Mitchell (Snoop Dogg, Bobby Rush, Cedric Burnside).

According to Naftaly, “Family is the story of how we found each other, held on through the highs and lows, and built something stronger than we ever imagined. It’s about the moments that test you, the people who lift you, and the belief that even through the hardest times, something beautiful is waiting on the other side.” 
 
As frontwoman and songwriter Tierinii Jackson explains, the music is an unbreakable bond between the musicians themselves as well as with their growing legion of fans. “Our music is our expression of life. Our songs reflect our thoughts and feelings, baring our souls. Because we write and create this music together, it bonds us as a family in a way that transcends bloodlines. When our listeners connect with our music, they become a part of our healing journey, making them family too. The bonds we share with our listeners give us a reason to keep going, to share our unapologetic truths. Our fans provide us with the safe space to be vulnerable, and for that, we are forever grateful.” 

Southern Avenue is named after the famous street that runs through the center of Memphis, leading past the original home of Stax Records. But it was still a surprise to the band when they became the first Memphis group signed to the newly reformed Stax label, which released their self-titled debut album in 2017. In 2018 the band won the Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist. Their follow-up, Keep On, received a GRAMMY nomination. Constant touring has brought Southern Avenue to destinations across North America, Europe and Australia, and earned them non-stop adulation from fans, press and fellow musicians. In 2024, the band joined the Outlaw Music Festival tour, performing alongside Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan.

The first single released from Family, Found A Friend In You (released in September of 2024 and featuring Luther Dickinson on bass), continues making waves at radio. The song has garnered critical praise and airplay from some of NPR Music’s most influential stations including WFUV in New York and WMOT Roots Radio in Nashville. It was the #1 most-played song on SiriusXM's Jam On channel and has remained in heavy rotation since its release. The second song released from the album, unveiled in January, was Rum Boogie, which also received a strong and supportive welcome at radio.

On February 13, NPR's Mountain Stage broadcast a live Southern Avenue performance and named the new track So Much Love as their Song Of The Week. Additionally, the group recently received a Blues Music Award nomination for Band Of The Year, marking the third time they has been nominated for this high honor.

Southern Avenue will hit the road in support of Family, with a tour that will take them all across the country and around the world. The first round of dates has just been announced.

2025 FAMILY TOUR

March 19, 2025
Live at Hub City Vinyl
Hagerstown, MD

March 21, 2025
Rams Head On Stage
Annapolis, MD

April 04, 2025
The Foundry
Athens, GA

April 05, 2025
Springing the Blues Festival
Jacksonville Beach, FL

April 10, 2025
Cervantes' Other Side
Denver, CO

April 11, 2025
The Basement at Oskar Blues
Colorado Springs, CO

April 12, 2025
"Bud Light Rocks the Boat" Free Concert Series
Steamboat Springs, CO

April 26, 2025
Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival
Bessemer, AL

May 03, 2025
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans, LA

May 10, 2025
Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival
Knoxville, TN

May 24, 2025
Strangecreek Campout
Greenfield, MA

June 01, 2025
Thirty-Second Annual Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest
Augusta, NJ

June 07, 2025
Iowa City Arts Festival
Iowa City, IA

June 13, 2025
New York State Blues Festival
Syracuse, NY

June 21, 2025
Red Wing Roots Music Festival
Mount Solon, VA

Jun 22, 2025
Nelsonville Music Festival
Nelsonville, OH

July 31, 2025
Notodden Blues Festival
Notodden, NORWAY
  

Rootsy stripped-down Memphis soul…masterfully written songs [featuring] Tierinii Jackson's soaring vocals
—AllMusic 

Inquisitive and uplifting…The band’s signature whisk of roots, blues and soul stylings lean into the spirit of Memphis [and] maintain a timelessness and soul-laden delivery not unlike The Staple Singers.
—Relix

Compelling, exhilarating anthems that urge the listener to create the world in which they want to live
—No Depression 

Today, Monday, January 27, GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based roots, blues, and soul band Southern Avenue unveil their new song, Rum Boogie.  The track tells the story of band's early days, as they navigated Memphis' fun and exciting club scene. The song is taken from Southern Avenue's forthcoming Alligator Records debut album, Family, slated for release on April 25, 2025.

Southern Avenue plays original Memphis blues, modern soul, and gospel-infused roots music that is uplifting and timeless. They are known worldwide for their positive, message-driven original songs fueled by hard-hitting grooves and electrifying guitar. The band is unlike any other on the scene today, featuring three Memphis-born sister singers who perfected their vocals in church before embracing their own sonic identity: lead vocalist/songwriter Tierinii Jackson backed by her two harmonizing musician sisters, Tikyra (TK) on drums and Ava on percussion and violin. Tierinii’s husband, Israel-born and bred guitarist/songwriter Ori Naftaly, provides funky grooves and raw Memphis guitar.

According to Tierinii, "Rum Boogie is our love letter to Memphis, the city that shaped our sound and our story. It reflects the places where we played nonstop in our first two years as a band—from the Rum Boogie on Beale Street to the old Buccaneer and DKDC clubs. This song captures the friendships and experiences that made us who we are today."
 
Naftaly adds, "In the early days, playing together in Memphis felt electric—like we were creating something bigger than ourselves. Those moments shaped our sound and strengthened our bond. Rum Boogie is a tribute to that time and the city that brought us to life."

Listen to Rum Boogie and watch the lyric video here: 

Southern Avenue is named after the famous street that runs through the center of Memphis, leading right past the original Stax Records. But it was still a surprise when they became the first Memphis band signed to the newly reformed Stax label, which released their self-titled debut album in 2017. In 2018 Southern Avenue won the Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist. Their follow-up, Keep On, received a GRAMMY nomination. Constant touring has brought Southern Avenue to destinations across North America, Europe and Australia, and earned them non-stop adulation from fans, press and fellow musicians. In 2024, the band joined the Outlaw Music Festival tour, performing alongside Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan.

On the band's upcoming album, Family (Southern Avenue’s fourth), they unleash one musically memorable performance after another, all delivered with soul-healing power and fueled by warm sister harmonies, Naftaly’s singular, deeply rooted guitar playing and TK’s forceful, propulsive drumming. Southern Avenue's music unveils honest, universal truths about the unshakable power of togetherness.

The first single from the album, Found A Friend In You (released in September of 2024 and featuring Luther Dickinson on bass), continues making waves at radio. The song has garnered critical praise and airplay from some of NPR Music’s most influential stations including WFUV in New York and WMOT Roots Radio in Nashville. It was the #1 most-played song on SiriusXM's Jam On channel and has remained in heavy rotation since its release. On January 24, 2025, Southern Avenue received a Blues Music Award nomination for Band Of The Year, marking the third time the group has been nominated for this high honor. 

About The Rum Boogie Video:
To create the lyric video, Southern Avenue partnered with Muze Art, a cutting edge platform that infuses a human-centered approach to AI technologies, with the goal of helping artists create compelling, personalized video content. “We are excited to work with Southern Avenue," says Muze Art Founder & CEO, Lee-Or Kabalik. "Our visions align with how we both connect music with the visual arts." 

On Friday, January 24, 2025, the Blues Foundation announced the nominees for the 46th Annual Blues Music Awards. Alligator Records artists received an astounding 27 nominations.

Leading all artists with six nominations is Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. Nominations include the coveted awards for Band Of The Year, Album Of The Year (for The Hits Keep Coming) and, for Estrin, the B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year. Guitarist Christoffer "Kid" Andersen and drummer Derrick "D'Mar" Martin received individual nominations.

Three Alligator artists -- Shemekia Copeland, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Chris Cain, received four nominations each. All three were recognized for Song Of The Year: Copeland for the title track from her GRAMMY-nominated album Blame It On Eve, Brooks for the title track of his Alligator debut, Blues In My DNA, and Cain for Blues For My Dad, from his album Good Intentions Gone Bad.

The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling received two nominations: Band Of The Year and an individual nomination for bassist Rodrigo Mantovani.

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Tinsley Ellis, Carolyn Wonderland, Southern Avenue, Tommy Castro, Billy Branch and drummer Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith (of The Cash Box Kings) each received one nomination.

The 46th Annual Blues Music Awards will be held in Memphis, Tennessee on Thursday, May 8 at The Renasant Convention Center.

Click here for a full list of awards and  nominees. Alligator artists and their nominations follow: 

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Band Of The Year
B.B King Entertainer - Rick Estrin
Contemporary Blues Album (The Hits Keep Coming)
Instrumentalist — Harmonica: Rick Estrin
Instrumentalist — Guitar: Christoffer "Kid" Andersen
Instrumentalist — Drums: Derrick D'mar Martin 

Shemekia Copeland
B.B. King Entertainer
Album Of The Year (Blame It On Eve)
Contemporary Blues Album (Blame It On Eve)
Song Of The Year — Tough Mother, performed by Shemekia Copeland and written by John Hahn & Will Kimbrough

Ronnie Baker Brooks
Contemporary Blues Male Artist
Contemporary Blues Album (Blues In My DNA)
Song Of The Year — Blues In My DNA, performed and written by Ronnie Baker Brooks
Instrumentalist — Guitar 

Chris Cain
Contemporary Blues Male Artist 
Contemporary Blues Album (Good Intentions Gone Bad)
Song Of The Year — Blues For My Dad, performed and written by Chris Cain
Instrumentalist — Guitar

The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
Band Of The Year
Instrumentalist — Bass: Rodrigo Mantovani 

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers
Blues Rock Artist 

Southern Avenue
Band Of The Year

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Instrumentalist — Guitar

Carolyn Wonderland
Contemporary Blues Female Artist 

Billy Branch
Instrumentalist — Harmonica

Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith of The Cash Box Kings
Instrumentalist — Drums 

        

“A great artist...impassioned vocals and pure inventiveness in his stellar guitar solos…He makes playing rough feel easy.”
 —Blues Music Magazine
 
“With a sterling reputation, guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro is one of the foremost practitioners of electric blues. Searing delivery…rousing and teeming with emotion. [He is] a sheer, soaring tour-de-force.”
—Living Blues
 
“Castro plays gritty, string-bending blues like a runaway train...a glorious blend that rocks the soul and lifts the spirits.”
—No Depression
 
"Soaring vocals and swirling leads…showcasing Castro's testifying, confessional vocals [and] resonant emotional power as a singer.”
—AllMusic

Award-winning, California-based blues and rock sensation Tommy Castro -- the guitar slinging, soul-singing leader of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro & The Painkillers -- has announced the first leg of dates for the band's upcoming Closer To The Bone tour.  The new album, Closer To The Bone, is the most unvarnished, straight-ahead blues release of Castro’s career, one that bristles with every ounce of his dynamic energy and raw emotion. It will be released on Friday, February 7, 2025. According to Castro, "this is a record I've always wanted to make."

On Closer To The Bone (Castro’s 8th Alligator release), Castro and his Painkillers – bassist Randy McDonald, keyboardist Mike Emerson and drummer Bowen Brown – mix new Castro originals (Ain’t Worth The Heartache, Can’t Catch A Break, Crazy Woman Blues) with songs originally performed by many of Castro’s friends and heroes, including Johnny Nitro, Magic Slim, Ron Thompson and Mike Duke. Castro additionally chose obscure songs by Wynonie Harris, Eddie Taylor, Jimmy Nolen and Johnny “Guitar” Watson. According to Castro, “These are not the obvious artists people generally cover, and that was most definitely on purpose.”

The Closer To The Bone Tour, with newest Painkiller, drummer Stewart Burr, will kick off in Austin, Texas on February 11, followed by performances in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans. The band will hit the East Coast including dates in New York and Philadelphia, before heading to the Midwest. Further dates will be announced soon. 

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers Tour:
Jan 10, 2025    The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jan 11, 2025    Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA
Jan 12, 2025    The Venice West, Venice, CA
Jan 14, 2025    Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ
Jan 15, 2025    MIM Music Theater, Phoenix, AZ
Jan 16, 2025    Palm Springs Cultural Center (with special guest Deanna Bogart),  Palm Springs, CA
Jan 17, 2025    Stage Red, Fontana, CA
Jan 18, 2025    The Siren, Morro Bay, CA
Jan 19, 2025    Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz, CA
Jan 25, 2025    The Funky Biscuit, Boca Raton, FL
Jan 26, 2025    Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise (01/26/25-02/02/25), Fort Lauderdale, FL
February 7, 2025 - Closer To The Bone album release
Feb 11, 2025    Antone's (with special guest Marcia Ball), Austin, TX
Feb 12, 2025    The Kessler Theater (with special guest Marcia Ball), Dallas, TX
Feb 13, 2025    Sam's Burger Joint (with special guest Marcia Ball), San Antonio, TX
Feb 14, 2025    The Heights Theater (with special guest Marcia Ball), Houston, TX
Feb 15, 2025    Chickie Wah Wah, New Orleans, LA
Feb 18, 2025    The Tin Pan, Richmond, VA
Feb 19, 2025    World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
Feb 20, 2025    The Iridium, New York, NY
Feb 21, 2025    Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, Portsmouth, NH
Feb 22, 2025    Shea Theater Arts Center, Turners Falls, MA
Feb 23, 2025    The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook, CT
Feb 25, 2025    Funk 'n Waffles, Syracuse, NY
Feb 26, 2025    The State Theatre, State College, PA
Feb 27, 2025    Musikfest Café at the ArtsQuest Center, Bethlehem, PA
Feb 28, 2025    Moondog's, Blawnox, PA
Mar 01, 2025    Stuart's Opera House, Nelsonville, OH
Mar 02, 2025    The Southgate House Revival, Newport, KY
Mar 04, 2025    The Castle Theatre, Bloomington, IL
Mar 05, 2025    SPACE, Evanston, IL 

Castro has released 16 previous albums over the course of his four-decade career as a world-beloved, headlining touring musician. Each record mixes horn-fueled R&B, piping hot blues and soul with fiery, stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll. With Closer To The Bone, Castro has returned to his roots, delivering what he calls “a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day.”

Closer To The Bone was produced by master guitarist and studio wizard Christoffer “Kid” Andersen (producer of over 100 albums), at his now-famous Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California. On song after song, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers deliver one raw, inspired performance after another. Says Castro, “Here, I’m not the contemporary guy, not the rock guy, not the soul guy. This is the deeper blues side of me. I know, with these songs, I am at my most authentic.” 

        

“A great artist...impassioned vocals and pure inventiveness in his stellar guitar solos…He makes playing rough feel easy.”
 —Blues Music Magazine
 
“With a sterling reputation, guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro is one of the foremost practitioners of electric blues. Searing delivery…rousing and teeming with emotion. [He is] a sheer, soaring tour-de-force.”
—Living Blues
 
“Castro plays gritty, string-bending blues like a runaway train...a glorious blend that rocks the soul and lifts the spirits.”
—No Depression
 
"Soaring vocals and swirling leads…showcasing Castro's testifying, confessional vocals [and] resonant emotional power as a singer.”
—AllMusic

On Friday, February 7, 2025, Alligator Records will release Closer To The Bone, the new album from award-winning, California-based blues and rock sensation Tommy Castro. Castro is the guitar slinging, soul-singing leader of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro & The Painkillers. With Closer To The Bone, Castro -- the four-time Blues Music Award-winner for the B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year -- delivers what he calls, "a record I've always wanted to make." Closer To The Bone is the most unvarnished, straight-ahead blues release of Castro’s career, one that bristles with every ounce of his dynamic energy and raw emotion.

On Closer To The Bone (Castro’s 8th Alligator release), Castro and his Painkillers – bassist Randy McDonald, keyboardist Mike Emerson and drummer Bowen Brown – mix new Castro originals (Ain’t Worth The Heartache, Can’t Catch A Break, Crazy Woman Blues) with songs originally performed by many of Castro’s friends and heroes. Artists and their songs include Johnny Nitro (One More Night, on which Castro plays his treasured 1966 black Fender Stratocaster, a guitar once owned by Nitro himself), Magic Slim (Hole In The Wall), Ron Thompson (Freight Train) and Mike Duke (Keep Your Dog Inside). Castro additionally chose obscure songs by Wynonie Harris (Bloodshot Eyes), Eddie Taylor (Stroll Out West), Jimmy Nolen (The Way You Do) and Johnny “Guitar” Watson (She Moves Me). According to Castro, “These are not the obvious artists people generally cover, and that was most definitely on purpose.”

Of the album's first single, Woke Up And Smelled The Coffee (a song written by Castro's Alligator label-mate Chris Cain), Castro says, "I always liked the song. Since it's been almost 40 years since he recorded it, I thought I would do my own version. People cover B.B. King and Buddy Guy, why not Chris Cain? He’s as relevant an artist as anyone who ever played the blues."

A new video of Woke Up And Smelled The Coffee premieres today. Watch it below 

Castro has released 17 previous albums over the course of his four-decade career as a professional touring musician. Each record has its own individual sound and style, ranging from horn-fueled R&B to piping hot blues and soul to fiery, stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll. With Closer To The Bone, Castro has returned to his roots, delivering what he calls “a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day.”

Closer To The Bone was produced by master guitarist and studio wizard Christoffer “Kid” Andersen (producer of over 100 albums), at his now-famous Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California. On song after song, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers deliver one raw, inspired performance after another. Says Castro, “Here, I’m not the contemporary guy, not the rock guy, not the soul guy. This is the deeper blues side of me. I know, with these songs, I am at my most authentic.”