In this episode of Ringing Out the Arts, we explore the fascinating history of the blues in America, a uniquely African American art form that has deeply influenced music across genres and continents. From its roots in the rural South to its migration to urban centers and beyond, we trace the evolution of the blues and its impact on artists ranging from Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters to Jimi Hendrix and beyond. Along the way, we discuss the social and cultural forces that shaped the blues, its enduring significance as a vehicle for storytelling and self-expression, and the ways in which it continues to inspire and inform contemporary music today.

Interested in supporting the preservation of the blues? Visit blues.org/donate!