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
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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
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Despite his amazing legacy, Billy Preston is nearly forgotten in the mainstream and is not in the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame. Author Steve Bergsman d...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), Raven Radio, GCR (Global Community Radio), RadioFreePalmer, Public Radio East and more


  • Added: Feb 09, 2018
  • Length: 57:59
  • Purchases: 10
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Standing 6’ 5” 300 pounds, Sugaray Rayford is a formidable force. Critics consider him to be one of the greatest and last blues shouters; in the sa...

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


  • Added: Feb 01, 2018
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 11
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The late great Preston Shannon is internationally recognized as the King of Beale Street. He gained international recognition during the 90’s after...

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


  • Added: Jan 26, 2018
  • Length: 58:01
  • Purchases: 9
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Before closing the book on 2017, we rewind the tape to hear what the year sounded like with some of the best interview segments packed into one sho...

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


  • Added: Jan 12, 2018
  • Length: 58:02
  • Purchases: 6
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Wildly fun, musically fearless and bursting with bravado, Alligator recording artists Rick Estrin & The Nightcats have created one of the blues’ mo...

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


  • Added: Jan 05, 2018
  • Length: 58:03
  • Purchases: 8
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John Tefteller is a world-renowned collector of rare records and 78’s.

Bought by Public Radio East, WEAA, Spokane Public Radio, Public Radio East, KRPS and more


  • Added: Dec 29, 2017
  • Length: 58:17
  • Purchases: 7
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A downhome acoustic showcase with the best in-studio live performances from 2017. Featuring Grammy award winner John Primer, blues hall of famer He...

Bought by WLPR , WART FM, WYAP, Spokane Public Radio, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Dec 15, 2017
  • Length: 58:09
  • Purchases: 10
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The Tail Dragger got his name from the Howlin' Wolf and is one of the most notorious singers on the Chicago blues scene over the past 35 years. He ...

Bought by KMUW, WLPR , WYAP, KRZA, Public Radio East and more


  • Added: Dec 01, 2017
  • Length: 57:55
  • Purchases: 10
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Elvin Bishop is a living legend whose great contributions to American music have been solidified by his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fa...

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


  • Added: Nov 03, 2017
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 12
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Jimi Primetime Smith is back on the circuit from appearances at blues festivals to an upcoming live recording session. He was groomed to join the f...

Bought by WART FM, WYAP, WTJU, Public Radio East, GCR (Global Community Radio) and more


  • Added: Oct 13, 2017
  • Length: 58:01
  • Purchases: 9
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Alligator recording artist Tommy Castro is a Westcoast blues legend who is one of the most recognizable names in the business. The 2010 BB King Ent...

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


  • Added: Oct 06, 2017
  • Length: 58:05
  • Purchases: 13
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Walkin’ Cane Mark learned from greats like Snooky Pryor and Nappy Brown. He was given his name by Willie Dixon and has been an established harmonic...

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


  • Added: Sep 29, 2017
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 9
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Mike Zito is one of the leading contemporary blues artists on the scene today. Mike continues his success with Ruf Records on his latest release, M...

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


  • Added: Sep 22, 2017
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 9
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Dorothy Ellis is better known by her stage name, Miss Blues. Today, Miss Blues is considered a legend in Oklahoma and appropriately resides in the ...

Bought by Spokane Public Radio, KGOU, WTJU, Public Radio East, WEAA and more


  • Added: Sep 15, 2017
  • Length: 58:03
  • Purchases: 10
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Joe Nosek is a Wisconsin based harmonica ace and songwriter from Chicago who founded and fronts Chicago’s favorite houserocking party band, the Cas...

Bought by Spokane Public Radio, KMXT, Public Radio East, WTJU, WEAA and more


  • Added: Sep 01, 2017
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 9
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Harmonica Ace, Pierre Lacocque is the founder and leader of Mississippi Heat which has been a hallmark band in the Chicago area for decades and a f...

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


  • Added: Aug 25, 2017
  • Length: 58:01
  • Purchases: 10
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Jimmy “Duck” Holmes is the embodiment of raw country blues. He is a celebrated and award winning country blues musician who is regarded as the last...

Bought by Public Radio East, WEAA, Public Radio East, WTJU, KRPS and more


  • Added: Aug 04, 2017
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 9
Piece image
Standing 6’ 5” 300 pounds, Sugaray Rayford is a formidable force. Critics consider him to be one of the greatest and last blues shouters; in the sa...

Bought by KDLG, Public Radio East, WTJU, Spokane Public Radio, KRPS and more


  • Added: Jul 28, 2017
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 8
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John Primer and Bob Corritore are two of the top names in the blues who celebrate their sophomore studio collaboration for Delta Groove Records wit...

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


  • Added: Jul 21, 2017
  • Length: 58:17
  • Purchases: 10
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Jimi Primetime Smith was groomed to join the family business made famous by his mother, Chicago Blues legend Johnnie Mae Dunson “The Big Boss Lady....

Bought by WEAA, Public Radio East, Prairie Public, WTJU, Spokane Public Radio and more


  • Added: Jul 07, 2017
  • Length: 58:01
  • Purchases: 8