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Blues Time with Bill Wax

Bill Wax on the Blues

For those who are unfamiliar with me, I was the Program Director and Host of Bluesville on XM Satellite Radio. The channel was renamed B.B. King’s Bluesville in 2008. I managed the channel from its inception until 2013, when I retired. I also have over 35 years of experience in non-commercial radio, both as a host on various Blues and Rhythm and Blues shows and as Program Director at two stations: KOPN in Columbia, MO, and KBOO in Portland, OR.

I never thought much about writing until they reached out to me about working on Roaming The Arts. They were quite convincing, and I loved the concept for the website. So here I am. I hope to promote contemporary blues musicians, as well as recognize those who have already left the stage.

Watch Bill tell his story on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin ( from Capital Area Blues Society – Lansing, Michigan)

There are two men in the music I want to highlight in our first post.

The first is David Earl, founder and owner of Severn Records, a label located near Annapolis, MD. David passed on September 7, 2025, at the age of 57. I first met David in the early to mid-1990s, when he started showing up at open mics with his guitar and eventually played in a couple of DC/Baltimore Blues bands. In 1997, David began Echo Records and changed its name to Severn Records in 1998. The catch phrase for the label was ‘Roots Music for the 21st Century, and that is just what his label became. His first three releases were Darrell Nulisch’s “The Whole Truth”, Big Joe Maher’s “I’m Still Swinging”, and Benjie Porecki’s “Servin’ It Up”. His label has since issued over 60 discs. Some of the artist who have recorded for Severn, an incredible roster, include: Steve Guyger, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, Lou Pride, Mike Morgan and the Crawl, Tad Robinson, Jimmy Earl, Kim Clark Organ Trio, Ola Dixon, Roy Gaines, Louisiana Red, J Street Jumpers, Nora Jean Burso, Roy Carrier, Bruce Katz, Alex Schultz, Buck Hill, Clarence Spady, Charles Wilson, Johnny Moeller, Mud Morganfield, The Nighthawks, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bryan Lee, and Ursula Ricks. Below is a starter list of some of my favorite tunes from Severn’s catalogue:

Roy Gaines – Hind Ends and Elbows

Darrell Nulisch -Leaving On the Morning Train

Clarence Spady – Just Between Us

Sugar Ray and the Bluetones – The Last Words of a Fool

Tad Robinson – Broken Hearted Man

Mud Morganfield/Kim Wilson – I Love the Life I Live

Ursula Ricks – My Street

The Nighthawks – Damn Good Time

Big Joe and the Dynaflows – How Come People Act Like That?

Steve Guyger – I’m Shakin’

Happy 100th Birthday B.B. King – September 16, 2025 (click link for a welcome rememberence)

The second musician I want to highlight is Sherman Holmes, the last man standing from the Holmes Brothers Band. They were a roots blues music group that was active between 1975 and 2015. They recorded 11 discs and won two Blues Music Awards. Sherman turned 86 on September 29, 2025. One of the most rewarding benefits of doing a radio show is that you never know who is listening. Sherman’s cousin is a fan of my radio show on WPFW. He heard me announce that I was going to play several tunes featuring Sherman and contacted Sherman so he could listen. I, of course, was both honored and touched that Sherman might be listening. I was also a bit intimidated that he might be listening. After the show, I got a note to call Pinky Sherman, who lives with Sherman. They called to thank me for playing the tunes and remembering Sherman and the Holmes Brothers. It made my week, and when Pinky told me Sherman was smiling, well, that makes it all worthwhile. Below is a starter list of some of the songs that Sherman sings lead on with the Holmes Brothers or from his solo disc called “The Richmond Sessions”:

Sherman Holmes/Joan Osborne – Dark End of the Street

Holmes Brothers – There’s A Train

Holmes Brothers – Promised Land

Holmes Brothers – If I Needed You

Holmes Brothers – If I Had a Boat

Sherman Holmes – I Want Jesus

Holmes Brothers – Something Is Missing

Thanks for reading and listening.

More About Bill

Search for Bill’s on air shows at: “Roots and Fruits” on WPFW

Click here for posts of Roaming the Arts’ collection of Blues artists.

Cayamo 2026

A week of music immersion on board a mid-sized cruise ship.

That is a description of Cayamo, or of other amazing music cruises that cover many genres.

Spending a week with Dawes, Jason Isbell, Kathleen Edwards, Paul Thorn, Rickie Lee Jones, Sierra Hull, Della Mae, and Rodney Crowell featured Roaming the Arts’ favorites. And also allowed us to discover new artists, which is our mission.

Among the artists we came to know, check out these: Watchhouse, Milk Carton Kids, Brandy Clark, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Crys Matthews, Judy Blank. Click below for others.

To check out the complete lineup with a link to each artist, click here.

Sixthman‘s tagline, “LIVE LOUD,” speaks to the audience and appears thoroughly appreciated.

Watch this video. It shows off the vibe and the wealth of talent.

Sierra Hull

Sierra Hull is a virtuoso mandolinist and singer-songwriter who has redefined the boundaries of modern bluegrass. Originally from Byrdstown, Tennessee, Hull was a child prodigy who made her Grand Ole Opry debut at age 11 alongside her mentor, Alison Krauss. She later became the first bluegrass musician to receive the Presidential Scholarship to Berklee College of Music.

Hull’s career is marked by historic achievements, including being the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Mandolin Player of the Year—an honor she has now won seven times. Her discography, featuring Grammy-nominated albums like Weighted Mind and 25 Trips, showcases her evolution from a traditional picker to an inventive artist blending folk, jazz, and pop.

In 2025, she released her first independent album, A Tip Toe High Wire, which earned four nominations at the 2026 Grammy Awards, including Best Bluegrass Album. Beyond performing, she mentors the next generation as an instructor at ArtistWorks, cementing her status as a leading creative force in contemporary acoustic music.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee Jones occupies a unique space in the American musical landscape, serving as a bridge between the gritty bohemianism of the late 1970s and the sophisticated, genre-bending artistry of the modern era. Often hailed as the “Duchess of Coolsville,” Jones burst into the public consciousness in 1979 with a sound that felt entirely new. Her eponymous debut album arrived with a mixture of street-smart poetry and jazz-inflected phrasing. The massive success of the single “Chuck E.’s in Love” turned her into an overnight sensation, making her the face of a new kind of singer-songwriter—one comfortable with both beatnik aesthetics and pop sensibilities.

Her nomadic childhood laid the foundation for this restless spirit. Born in Chicago and raised across several states, Jones developed a worldview as a permanent outsider. This sense of displacement became a central theme in her songwriting, fueling the cinematic narratives of her albums. By the time she reached Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, she was a fixture of the Troubadour scene. While her relationship with Tom Waits during this period became legendary, it was her own musical identity—characterized by complex arrangements and a refusal to stick to a single tempo—that defined her legacy

Following her debut, Jones defied the “sophomore slump” with Pirates (1981). To many, this remains her masterpiece. It was an ambitious, darker record featuring sprawling tracks like “The Last Chance Texaco.” Pirates showcased her ability to weave intricate stories of the American road into a tapestry of jazz, rock, and R&B. During this time, her reputation for being uncompromising was solidified; she followed her muse rather than industry trends

As the years progressed, Jones continued to surprise audiences with stylistic shifts. She delved into the Great American Songbook with albums like Girl at Her Volcano and Pop Pop, proving herself one of the finest interpretive singers of her generation. Her ability to deconstruct a standard allowed her to stand alongside jazz greats. Yet, she never stayed in one place; in 1997, she released Ghostyhead, an experimental trip-hop album that proved her songwriting could thrive even in electronic contexts.

The turn of the millennium saw Jones leaning into her role as a chronicler of the human condition. Albums like Balm in Gilead showcased an artist grappling with spirituality and aging. Her voice gained a weathered, soulful quality that added weight to her lyrics. In 2021, she released her memoir, Last Chance Texaco, providing a raw look at her life from her traumatic youth to her enduring commitment to her craft

Recently, Jones found a new home in New Orleans, which influenced her 2023 album Pieces of Treasure. This return to jazz roots earned her an eighth Grammy nomination and feels like a full-circle moment for an artist who has retained her edge. Rickie Lee Jones remains a singular figure, a troubadour finding beauty in the margins and poetry in the everyday.

Molly Tuttle

Molly Rose Tuttle is an American vocalist, songwriter, banjo player, guitarist, recording artist, and teacher in the bluegrass tradition. She is noted for her flatpicking, clawhammer, and crosspicking guitar prowess. Wikipedia

“A female flat picker extraordinaire with agility, speed, and elegance who distinctively brings American roots music into the spotlight.”—NPR

“A vibrant blend of bluegrass with flashes of Old West, anchored by Tuttle’s earthy-yet-angelic vocal and the entire group’s ace musicianship.” —Billboard

Raised in northern California, singer-songwriter and bluegrass musician Molly Tuttle moved to Nashville in 2015. In the years since, she has been nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy and won awards for Album of the Year at the 2023 International Folk Music Awards, Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2022 International Bluegrass Music Awards, and Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Music Awards. She also won consecutive Guitar Player of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2017 and 2018—and was the first woman to win the award, let alone win it twice.

Tuttle and her band, Golden Highway, released their latest album, City of Gold, in July 2023. The Grammy-winning album followed Tuttle’s acclaimed 2022 record, Crooked Tree, which also won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Produced by Tuttle and celebrated progressive bluegrass musician Jerry Douglas, City of Gold was inspired by Tuttle’s constant touring with Golden Highway, during which she and the band have grown and cohered as musicians and performers. Musical Instrument Museum

Her song Crooked Tree (video w/Jerry Douglas) also visits the subject of Alopecia Areata (article) and Molly.

Molly Tuttle has ushered in an exciting new chapter in her career by forming an all-female touring band, stepping away from the four-year run with Golden Highway. This change aligns with the release of her new solo album So Long Little Miss Sunshine, set for August 15, 2025. It signals a stylistic expansion beyond bluegrass, blending pop, country, and rock – a direction further emphasized in her all-female backing band choice.

Ronnie Baker Brooks

Ronnie Baker Brooks is a prominent American Chicago blues and soul blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter who has carved out a unique identity while honoring his “blues royalty” lineage as the eldest musical son of the late legendary Lonnie Brooks. Born in Chicago in 1967, he has emerged as one of the most electrifying and innovative bluesmen, blending traditional Chicago blues with elements of soul, electric blues, rock, and funk.

Brooks began his musical journey at an early age, first performing on stage with his father at just nine years old. He initially joined his father’s band as a roadie, working his way up through hard work and determination before becoming the full-time second guitarist. He learned not only from his father but also from blues greats such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, and Koko Taylor. Koko Taylor notably told him, “You learn from your daddy everything you can. And one day, it’ll be up to you to carry the blues forward,” a mandate he took to heart.

Embarking on a solo career in 1998 with his debut album Golddigger, Brooks established his own sound and label, Watchdog Records, which also released Take Me Witcha (2001) and the critically acclaimed The Torch (2006). His music is often described as witty, soulful, and ferociously energetic, with “astonishing guitar work” and a powerful stage presence. He views his role as a bridge between the traditional blues of his mentors and the younger generation, incorporating modern musical influences like hip-hop to ensure the genre’s continued evolution.

Ronnie’s 2017 album, Times Have Changed, produced by Steve Jordan, featured collaborations with an array of talent, including Bobby “Blue” Bland in one of his final recorded works.

Blues in My DNA, released in October 2024 on Alligator Records, marks his debut on the prestigious label that was home to his father. The album has been a major success, earning Brooks three 2025 Blues Music Awards: “Song of the Year” for the title track, “Contemporary Blues Album of the Year,” and “Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year”. This recognition solidifies his place in the upper echelons of the blues world, an honor he now embraces with pride rather than obligation.

Rodney Crowell

Born in 1950 in Houston, Texas, Rodney Crowell has built a career as one of the most significant figures in the evolution of Americana music. Raised in a musical household where his father led a honky-tonk band, Crowell began playing drums in that group at age 11. His journey took him to Nashville in 1972, where he befriended a circle of legendary songwriters, including Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. This early period was formative, as Crowell absorbed the craft of songwriting with a literary and poetic lens that would define his life’s work. His talent was quickly recognized by Emmylou Harris, who recorded his song “Bluebird Wine” and invited him to join her famous Hot Band as a guitarist and harmony singer in 1975.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Crowell established himself as a premier songwriter for other artists. His compositions reached the top of the charts via icons like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Bob Seger, whose recording of Crowell’s “Shame on the Moon” became a massive pop and country success. Crowell also served as a producer, notably for his then-wife Rosanne Cash, helping to shape the sound of neo-traditionalist country music. However, it was his 1988 solo album, Diamonds & Dirt, that made him a superstar in his own right. The album achieved the unprecedented feat of producing five consecutive #1 country singles, including “After All This Time,” which won him his first Grammy for Best Country Song.

As the 1990s progressed, Crowell consciously moved away from the mainstream country machine to pursue more personal and autobiographical projects. This shift began in earnest with the 2001 release of The Houston Kid, a semi-autobiographical collection that explored his childhood and roots with stark honesty. This record, along with follow-ups like Fate’s Right Hand and The Outsider, is regarded by critics and Crowell himself as some of his most vital work. His literary prowess eventually extended to the page with his acclaimed memoir, Chinaberry Sidewalks, published in 2011.

Crowell’s later career has been marked by high-profile collaborations and continued innovation. He reunited with Emmylou Harris for the 2013 album Old Yellow Moon, which earned another Grammy for Best Americana Album. He has remained remarkably prolific well into his 70s, releasing projects like the Jeff Tweedy-produced The Chicago Sessions (2023) and his 20th studio album, Airline Highway (2025), which features contributions from younger artists like Ashley McBryde and Lukas Nelson. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Crowell is celebrated as a “songwriter’s songwriter” whose influence spans over five decades of American roots music.

Della Mae

Della Mae is a GRAMMY-nominated, all-female string band that has spent the last 15 years redefining the boundaries of bluegrass and Americana. Founded in Boston in 2009 by fiddle champion Kimber Ludiker, the group has evolved from a regional sensation into a global force, touring over 30 countries as cultural ambassadors.

The band’s sound is a “melting pot” of their diverse backgrounds, blending high-energy bluegrass with indie-folk and modern country. Their performances are celebrated for their “sensory yet assertive” style, balancing traditional roots with contemporary songwriting.

Della Mae’s discography is marked by steady growth and critical acclaim. Their 2013 album, This World Oft Can Be, earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album and helped them win the IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year award. Subsequent releases like Headlight (2020) and Family Reunion (2021) continued to push their lyrical and sonic boundaries.

In early 2025, the band reached a new creative peak with their album Magic Accident, released on January 23 via Compass Records. Produced by banjo legend Alison Brown, the album is described as their most collaborative work to date, featuring original songs from every member. Standout tracks include the title song, penned by Woodsmith, and “Out Run ‘Em,” written by Smith.

Beyond the stage, Della Mae is a “movement” focused on female empowerment and social advocacy. They use their platform to mentor young musicians and support initiatives for gender equality and labor rights. Through their work with the U.S. State Department’s “American Voices” program, they have brought bluegrass to audiences from urban schools in Kazakhstan to rural festivals in Brazil, proving that their music transcends cultural and geographic borders.

The Boneshakers

The Boneshakers w/Jenny Langer

The iconic band lead by world-renowned guitarist Randy Jacobs of Was (Not Was). The Boneshakers and members have toured and recorded with Bonnie Raitt, BB King, Seal, Keb Mo, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Mindi Abair, Bootsy Collins, Tears 4 Fears, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Iggy Pop…just to name a few. STORIED CAREER Flashback to 1980 — During his maiden session for Don and David Was, Randy Jacobs meets Sweetpea Atkinson on a cold night in the Motor City at Sound Suite Studio (the recording home of the fledgling band Was (Not Was). The connection was immediate and a bond was forged between the two artists. Their combined talents would help Was (Not Was) become a successful act during the 80’s and into the early 90s culminating with the worldwide hit “Walk The Dinosaur ” co-written by Jacobs. After their European tour with Dire Straits in 1992, the Was Band went on hiatus and Randy started playing and recording with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, BB King, Seal, Paula Abdul, Kris Kristofferson, Ofra Haza, Tears For Fears, Warren Hill and others. Sweetpea was in Los Angeles adding background vocals to artists like Neil Diamond, Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo, and Bob Segar. When Atkinson heard that Jacobs was putting together a new project, he jumped at the chance to be a part of it. It was Bonnie Raitt who inadvertently gave them their name “Boneshakers” while they were working on her “Longing In Our Hearts” CD. In 1996, the two were signed to Pointblank/Virgin Records and produced two CDs for the label: “Book Of Spells” (1997) which included Randy’s rockin’ swing arrangement of James Brown’s “Cold Sweat” and the powerful “Shake The Planet” (1998). Over the years, The Boneshakers released another four successful albums. Additionally, they joined forces with sax queen Mindi Abair and released Live in Seattle on Concord Records. Two more albums were credited to Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers: The EastWest Sessions (2017) and All I Got for Christmas Is the Blues (2018).

In 2020, the band suffered an unimaginable loss with news of the passing of Sweetpea. THE LEGACY CONTINUES Now in 2022, as The Boneshakers celebrate the 25th anniversary of their first release, a new energy and excitement has emerged. Producer John Wooler, who originally signed The Boneshakers in 1997, connected Randy and the incredible Jenny Langer– a powerhouse singer who was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (NYC and VA) at the age of 28 and won the 2020 Int’l Blues Challenge for Best SelfProduced Album. What started as a few tracks for her project quickly morphed in a new album with The Boneshakers featuring no-holds-barred funk, blues, and rock that marries the sounds and spirits of Detroit Rock City, Memphis, and Mussel Shoals. Produced by Wooler, it is back to the original vision of The Boneshakers’ fiery sound, with the vocal dynamo Jenny Langer behind the mic and original musicians from “The Book Of Spells” Sergio Gonzales (Drums), Nathan Brown (Bass), Jon Gilutin (Keys), The Texacali Horns (Joe Sublett, Mark Pender, and Randy’s former band mate from Was (Not Was) Sir Harry Bowens on vocals.

BAND MEMBERS:
Randy Jacobs (Guitar/Vocals)
Holly Montgomery (Bass/Vocals)
Arthur Thompson (Drums/vocals)
Jenny Langer (Vocals)

Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow Medicine Show got their start busking on street corners in 1998, from New York state and up through Canada, winning audiences along the way with their boundless energy and spirit. They eventually found themselves in Boone, North Carolina where they caught the attention of folk icon Doc Watson while playing in front of a pharmacy. He invited the band to play at his festival, MerleFest, and the rest is history.

It’s been over twenty years since these humble beginnings. The band has gone on to receive the honor of being inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry, and have won two Grammy Awards: “Best Folk Album” for Remedy (2014) and “Best Long Form Music Video” for Big Easy Express (2013). Additionally, their classic single, “Wagon Wheel”, received the RIAA’s Double-Platinum certification in 2019 for selling over 2,000,000 copies while the band’s debut album O.C.M.S. has been certified Gold (500,000 copies). The band’s latest release is Live At The Ryman (2019) which was released on Columbia via The Orchard. Old Crow Medicine Show’s latest endeavor is the Hartland Hootenanny, a variety show hosted on You Tube that features music, storytelling, special guests, socially distanced square dancing and more. (Courier Express)

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