Blues America

Series produced by Drew Verbis

Series image

Blues America is an hour-long weekly syndicated public radio series that features candid conversations with blues people who share their stories and music.

Blues America is heard around the country on over 50 public radio stations and the podcast has been downloaded over 2 million times. It is a featured “station” on the Living Blues Magazine radio-charts. Past guests have included B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Elvin Bishop, Cedric Burnside, Henry Gray, Kim Wilson, Billy Boy Arnold and more. The series is independently produced at the Chico Chism Memorial Studio in Phoenix by award winning host, Drew Verbis. The former Mississippi resident produced records for R.L. Burnside, Louisiana Red and the last album released by the great Robert Jr. Lockwood. He also contributed to the last album released by Mojo Buford. He earned his Master's degrees in Communication and Museum Science from the University of Oklahoma.

Host: Drew Verbis
Audio format: Stereophonic sound
Number of episodes: 120 (2017 – 37, 2016 – 44, 2015 – 34, 2014 – 05)
Original radio release: May 2, 2015 (KFNX, 1100 AM)
Recording studio: Chico Studio, Phoenix, Arizona

Each program presents a guest interview, special features and music packed into a one-hour (58:00 minutes) program. The music is arranged around the interview and is chosen to complement the guest or theme of the show

**There are no uploads twice per year: Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For more information about the program visit the Blues America website at http://www.bluesamerica.com
Hide full description

Blues America is heard around the country on over 50 public radio stations and the podcast has been downloaded over 2 million times. It is a featured “station” on the Living Blues Magazine radio-charts. Past guests have included B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Elvin Bishop, Cedric Burnside, Henry Gray, Kim Wilson, Billy Boy Arnold and more. The series is independently produced at the Chico Chism Memorial Studio in Phoenix by award winning host, Drew Verbis. The former Mississippi resident produced records for R.L. Burnside, Louisiana Red and the last album released by the great Robert Jr. Lockwood. He also contributed to the last album released by Mojo Buford. He earned his Master's degrees in Communication and Museum Science from the University of Oklahoma. Host: Drew VerbisAudio format:... Show full description


Additional Files

98 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
Bob Corritore is an internationally renowned Chicago blues harmonica master and critically acclaimed producer.

Bought by WEAA, Public Radio East, GCR (Global Community Radio), Spokane Public Radio, WEAA and more


  • Added: Oct 02, 2015
  • Length: 54:13
  • Purchases: 7
Piece image
Jerry Lawson documents his early days in New York and discusses songs from the Persuasions first album, Acappella (1970, Reprise/Straight Records).

Bought by Public Radio East, GCR (Global Community Radio), KDLG, KPIP-LP, and KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash.


  • Added: Oct 16, 2015
  • Length: 54:20
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
The downhome blues singer Alabama Mike is a “church house” tenor who was a Blues Award nominee for Traditional Male Artist of the Year by the Blues...

Bought by Public Radio East, GCR (Global Community Radio), KRPS, KDLG, WEAA and more


  • Added: Nov 20, 2015
  • Length: 54:20
  • Purchases: 6
Piece image
Guy Davis is an award winning blues-roots musician and the son of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. He talks about his new album, Kokomo Kidd.

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), Public Radio East, KDLG, WART FM, WEAA and more


  • Added: Jan 08, 2016
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 8
Piece image
Jerry Lawson was the lead singer, arranger and producer of the famed Persuasions for 40 years before launching a solo career at the age of 71.

Bought by Public Radio East, KDLG, and KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash.


  • Added: Feb 05, 2016
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
In 1967 Paul Oscher became the first white musician to join a black blues group when he was invited to be an official member of the Muddy Waters Ba...

Bought by Public Radio East, KDLG, KRPS, GCR (Global Community Radio), Prairie Public and more


  • Added: Feb 19, 2016
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 7
Piece image
Francine Reed is famous blues singer based in Atlanta. She is best known as the long time regular singing companion of Lyle Lovett and member of Ly...

Bought by Public Radio East, Spokane Public Radio, KDLG, GCR (Global Community Radio), and KSRQ


  • Added: Mar 18, 2016
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
The Jerry Lawson Legacy Project is an exclusive series for Blues America that explores the history of singing legend Jerry Lawson and the famed Per...

Bought by Public Radio East, GCR (Global Community Radio), and Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: Jun 17, 2016
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
Janiva Magness is one of the most beloved figures in the Americana, blues and roots music world. She’s reached a larger and more diverse audience w...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), Public Radio East, WART FM, Prairie Public, and Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 05, 2016
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
20 year old Jontavious Willis from Greenville, Georgia is a touring, unrecorded, self-taught mult-instrumentalist who can be seen belting out pre-w...

Bought by Public Radio East and Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 12, 2016
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
The Jerry Lawson Legacy Project is an exclusive series for Blues America that explores the history of singing legend Jerry Lawson and the famed Per...

Bought by Public Radio East, GCR (Global Community Radio), and Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 19, 2016
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
In 2014 he released a critically acclaimed album for the Stony Plain label titled ‘Blues People’ that earned awards and the top position on several...

Bought by Public Radio East and Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 02, 2016
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
Lil Ed Williams is one of a kind. With his trademark Fez hat which symbolizes an African crown and his torturous slide guitar, Lil Ed Williams embo...

Bought by Public Radio East, KRPS, Spokane Public Radio, and Prairie Public


  • Added: Sep 16, 2016
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
Kim Wilson is the charismatic frontman for America’s quintessential contemporary blues band, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and author of the top 40 bar...

Bought by Public Radio East, GCR (Global Community Radio), KMXT, Spokane Public Radio, and Royalton Community Radio


  • Added: Sep 30, 2016
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones are consistent as can be. This time, the East Coast-based blues band fronted by harmonica man extraordinaire/vocalist R...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), KMUW, Public Radio East, Spokane Public Radio, and Royalton Community Radio


  • Added: Oct 14, 2016
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
Harmonica ace Billy Boy Arnold is a prolific recording artist who is one of a handful of musicians still standing to talk about the vibrant and imp...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), Public Radio East, GCR (Global Community Radio), and Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: Oct 21, 2016
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
Ronnie Baker Brooks is from blues royalty and has three successful contemporary blues albums under his belt produced by the legendary Minnesota bas...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), Public Radio East, Spokane Public Radio, KSRQ, Spokane Public Radio and more


  • Added: Nov 04, 2016
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 6
Piece image
Mike Zito is one of the leading contemporary blues artists on the scene today. He has been releasing albums for over a decade in addition to his to...

Bought by WLPR , Public Radio East, GCR (Global Community Radio), KRPS, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Dec 02, 2016
  • Length: 58:01
  • Purchases: 6
Piece image
Blues America Christmas special featuring guests Biscuit Miller, Jerry Lawson and a live in-studio performance by the indie-blues band Sonorous of ...

Bought by WJAB, KMUW, KOJB 90.1 FM The eagle, WEAA, WSGE and more


  • Added: Dec 16, 2016
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 9
Piece image
A look back at some of the best moments from 2016.

Bought by Spokane Public Radio, KRPS, and KSRQ


  • Added: Dec 30, 2016
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 3