Dance halls, Juke joints, seedy bars, the local watering hole, larger arenas and intimate theaters – blues music has always been about connecting with the people and pulling them in emotionally in as honest and pure a way as possible.

A top-notch blues shows IS about the performance, but it’s not about the flash, electronics and light show as much as it is about the energy, the passion, and empathy as the performer reaches deep into the heart of their fans and wins them over many times during a performance.

That’s why blues shows are so memorable…that’s exactly how I was hooked when I saw my first Stevie Ray Vaughan show way back in the 1980’s and have been to thousands of blues shows since.

Recently, BB King came back to Indianola for his annual BB King’s Homecoming performance (a community where King used to pick cotton as a youngster) for such an intimate performance where once again blues guitar royalty led the way guiding today’s young artists in the direction of becoming CLOSER to their audience than more distant.

At 86 King is the elder statesman – everything he does, you can be sure, is watched by those who are on the way up in blues music, so these sorts of situations are very important to the future of the blues where the past comes together with the present and guides the future.

King has always worn the ambassador’s role well – knowing that if he can attract the kids and teens not only can he keep them from getting into trouble, giving them an alternative path in life, but also keep the blues alive and well for generations to come.

By all accounts King allowed a young group of 11-14 year old’s (part of a rock ensemble from Clarksdale MS) to come aboard his “home” – his tour bus – to have a chat. Following that intimate encounter, he performed inches from his audience on a grass hill, connecting with his ecstatic audience.

The blues has always been about connecting with the audience…I have met many of my blues mentors at clubs or shows, that wouldn’t happen at today’s rock or pop shows. Intimacy is just another key human value that keeps the blues alive.