Bman's Blues Report

ALBUM REVIEW Jeri Grouws - Music House Label: Navy House Productions Released: September 4, 2026 DR: TBD J eni Grouws is a powerhouse roots, blues, and soul singer-songwriter who knows how to grab an audience with her big voice and honest storytelling. She first made a splash on the national scene fronting the Avey Grouws Band, helping steer them to two top-ten Billboard blues albums, The Devil May Care and Tell Tale Heart. She is also a killer songwriter, taking home top honors at the International Songwriting Competition and winning the Iowa Blues Challenge twice. Lately, she’s been focused on a fresh solo chapter. She packed up and moved to Omaha, Nebraska, for a multi-year artist residency at The Music House to map out her independent material. That creative retreat paid off big time with her 2026 debut solo album, Music House. She recorded it down in Nashville with Grammy-winning producer Casey Wasner, tracking an all-orig...

ALBUM REVIEW Alan Arena - Cape Cod Girl Label: Independent Released: June 12, 2026 DR: TBD A lan Arena is an independent blues-rock singer and guitarist out of New England who has been doing his thing for decades. He first started turning heads back in 2007 with his solo debut, Where's the Rainbow, winning people over with his raw, soulful vocals and a relaxed, rootsy approach to traditional blues. Alan loves teaming up with top-tier players and friends in the studio to keep things fresh. His 2025 record, Deceived, produced alongside the late Grammy-winner Paul Nelson, even climbed its way to the top of the acoustic blues charts.  Add this Record to Your Collection Available on Digital ...

ALBUM REVIEW Donna Herula - Cold Feet Label: Independent Released: September 18, 2026 DR: TBD D onna Herula is a killer blues guitarist and singer out of Chicago who absolutely tears it up on the acoustic slide. She’s got a deep love for old-school Delta and country blues, taking cues from legends like Son House and Memphis Minnie, but she plays with a fresh, foot-stomping energy that’s completely her own. When she isn't touring or recording, she hangs out at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, teaching the next generation how to nail those classic fingerpicking styles.  Her albums have picked up tons of love and high praise in the roots scene, regular climbing up the blues charts for their great songwriting and slide work. Whether she’s playing a driving, high-energy groove or a stripped-back, emotional acoustic track, she knows exactly how to keep the old-school spirit alive without ever feeling stuck in the past...

Luther Dickinson Born:  Western Tennessee January 18, 1973 Genre Style:  Rock Blues Luther Dickinson is an incredible guitarist, singer, and producer who really channelled the spirit of the Deep South when he co-founded the North Mississippi Allstars. Growing up as the son of the legendary Memphis producer and musician Jim Dickinson, music was practically in Luther's DNA. He spent his formative years soaking up the raw, hypnotic hill country blues vibe directly from local icons like R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. In 1996, he and his brother Cody hitched up to form the Allstars, blending those old-school acoustic blues traditions with a heavy dose of psychedelic rock, jam-band energy, and funk. They instantly shook up the roots music scene, landing multiple Grammy nods and turning their live shows into legendary, high-octane celebrations. Outside of the Allstars, Luther has been all over the rock and roots world as a go-to collaborator. He spent a killer four...