In Living Blues #235
January 2015

Dear Friends, The new year has started off sadly, with the loss of a member of the Alligator musical family. Popsy Dixon, the drummer and co-vocalist of The ...

In Living Blues #233
September 2014

Dear Friends, Elvin Bishop just played here in Chicago, and, as always, left everyone both blown away and grinning. Blown away because Elvin is such a terrif...

In Living Blues #226
July 2013

Dear Friends, This year’s Chicago Blues Festival, presented the second weekend in June, was one of the best in years. With beautiful weather, a new, out-of-t...

In Living Blues #225
May 2013

Dear Friends, I just returned from the 34th annual Blues Music Awards in Memphis. It was a great night, over seven music-filled hours, packed with over a tho...

In Living Blues #224
March 2013

Dear Friends, In late January, I had a wonderful time attending the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis. This amazing competition bro...

In Living Blues #189
March 2007

Dear Friends, Last month I had the pleasure of being a judge at the band finals of the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis. Thi...

IN LIVING BLUES #156
March 2001

Dear Friends, As we move into Alligator’s 30th year of recording the blues, I have very little time to reflect on the past. As has been true since 1971, I’...

IN LIVING BLUES #105
SEPTEMBER 1992

Dear Friends, Seems like these days I can hardly get out of the studio long enough to write these "letters." Over the weekend I was finishing what I hope are...

IN LIVING BLUES #87
JULY 1989

Dear Friends The summer festival season is upon us, which means I actually go get to bake in the sun AND hear blues, too. Goodbye to the bars for a few weeks...

IN LIVING BLUES #83
NOVEMBER 1988

Dear Friends, Because I had to rush out my last LB letter before going on a series of overseas tours all my news is a little late. By now I hope you've all r...