The Blues Hotel

Kelvin Huggins unlocks the doors to The Blues Hotel for 2026. We turn the lights down low and the stories up loud. Each episode walks the hallway between Chicago and the Mississippi Delta, then takes a sharp turn into Melbourne bars and Australian backroads—tracing how the blues became a declaration of identity, swagger, and survival.

From Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley’s duelling “I’m a Man” anthems to Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s gospel fire, from Lead Belly calling out Washington D.C. in “Bourgeois Blues” to the raw evolution of “Death Letter” from Son House to The White Stripes, this show treats the blues as a living, breathing force—not a museum piece.

The Blues Hotel also throws a spotlight on the women who shaped the genre, the activists who weaponised it, and the Australian artists who keep its flame burning with local stories and independent grit. Segments like “Then and Now” and “Buried in the Blues” unearth forgotten voices such as Bumblebee Slim, while celebrating contemporary creators from Nathan Cavaleri to Kaliopi and the Blues Messengers.

From dusty Delta roads to neon city nights, The Blues Hotel is where every soul—restless, resilient, or just curious—can check in, listen close, and find themselves somewhere in the song.

©2026 The Blues Hotel Collective.

In this episode of The Blues Hotel, host Kelvin Huggins sits down with Australian music icon Mark “Diesel” Lizotte for an intimate, wide‑ranging conversation. Diesel retraces his journey from Little Compton, Rhode Island to the Aussie bush and finally Perth, sharing how a house full of jazz, soul, and funk records – and a sudden switch from cello to guitar – set him on his path. He then takes us inside Short Cool Ones, his landmark collaboration with the late Chris Wilson, recalling farmhouse recording sessions, Wilson’s deep, commanding presence, and their shared mission to honour the giants of the blues.

Diesel also unpacks the radical fan-powered design of his By Request tour, where audiences shape the setlist in advance and their stories forge a deeper connection from the moment he steps on stage. From there, we head to a live recording from the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, with the Women in Blues and MBAS All Stars tearing through a rocking “Run, Run, Rudolph” and a fired-up “Shake Your Money Maker,” complete with tributes to Dutch Tilders and Chris Wilson and a reminder to “find your bloody money maker and shake it.”

Rounding out the show, The Blues Hotel digs into two cornerstone songs in blues history. In “Then and Now,” we trace “Piece of My Heart” from Erma Franklin’s quiet storm of endurance, through Janis Joplin’s explosive detonation into the rock canon, to Jimmy Barnes and Tina Harrod’s modern duet of resilience. In “Backstory Blues,” we follow Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “Matchbox Blues” from its 1927 recordings through Lead Belly, Big Bill Broonzy, Carl Perkins, and The Beatles, exploring how a single matchbox became a symbol of poverty, travel, and the miles still ahead.

From backroom legends to modern Australian stages, this episode celebrates the roots of the blues and the living, breathing scene keeping it alive today.

1. Podcast Platforms: Stream on all major apps except Spotify, with extended interviews on the Blues Hotel Collective YouTube channel.
2. Radio Partners:
3. MITE Radio: Alternate Sundays at 7:00 p.m. AWST
4. Indigo FM: Alternate Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. AEDT

Hosted by: Kelvin Huggins

Presented by: The Blues Hotel Collective

Next Episode: January 4, 2026

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

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Step inside The Blues Hotel with host Kelvin Huggins for a journey that bridges the raw roots of American blues with the vibrant pulse of Australia’s contemporary scene. This episode blends interviews, live performances, and historical deep‑dives into a soulful narrative of lineage, lived experience, and timeless artistry.

• Featured Artist Interview: Guitar powerhouse Christina Crofts opens up about her career, influences, and her latest album Best of Bottleneck. From her early lessons with family to her evolution as a slide guitar virtuoso, Crofts shares stories of grit, soul, and sass.
• Live at the MBAS: The Greenhatch Blues Band delivers an electrifying set recorded with the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. Frontman Luke Greenhatch channels gospel‑infused vocals and Mississippi‑to‑Chicago authenticity, backed by Peter “Boom Boom” Balking (bass) and Peter “Bam Bam” Hodgers (drums).
• Then & Now: A comparative spin on Bo Diddley’s Who Do You Love?—from the stripped‑down 1956 Chess Records original to the cinematic 1987 La Bamba soundtrack version.
• Backstory Blues: The story behind Big Mama Thornton’s Ball and Chain, a testament to how personal pain becomes timeless art, and how Janis Joplin carried Thornton’s phrasing into Monterey Pop Festival history.
• Curated Playlist: From Big Bill Broonzy and Aretha Franklin to Dutch Tilders and Kerry B. Ryan, the episode stitches together classics and contemporary gems that frame the features with atmosphere and authenticity.

• Podcast Platforms: Stream on all major apps except Spotify, with extended interviews on the Blues Hotel Collective YouTube channel.
• Radio Partners:
• Mite Radio: Alternate Sundays at 7:00 p.m. AWST
• Indigo FM: Alternate Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. AEDT

In this installment of The Blues Hotel, host Kelvin Huggins takes listeners on a soulful journey through the enduring power of the blues, weaving together obscure pioneers like James “Stump” Johnson (aka Snitcher Roberts), rare 78 RPM treasures from Alex Moore, and iconic classics from John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, and Memphis Minnie, alongside the fiery grit of Australia’s pub rock scene with Carson, Dutch Tilders, and Cold Chisel. From Dave Hole’s electrifying slide guitar at the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society to the poignant contrast between Creedence Clearwater Revival’s tender Long As I Can See the Light and Cold Chisel’s raw reimagining, the episode celebrates the blues as both survival and storytelling, connecting Chicago streets to Melbourne bars.

Hosted by: Kelvin Huggins

Presented by: The Blues Hotel Collective

Next Episode: December 7, 2025

Keep the blues alive.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

From the muddy waters of the Delta to the neon-lit grit of South Michigan Avenue, this episode of The Blues Hotel traces the electrified heartbeat of Chicago Blues—a sound born of migration, survival, and raw amplification. We dig deep into the genre’s genesis, where the Great Migration carried acoustic blues northward, only to be re-forged in the noisy crucible of Chicago’s South Side clubs.

Featuring the thunderous voices of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Koko Taylor, and the invisible hand of Willie Dixon, we explore how Chess Records bottled lightning and laid the blueprint for rock and roll. Through signature segments like Backstory Blues (Howlin’ Wolf’s “Back Door Man”), Then and Now (Elmore James vs. Dave Hole), and Buried in the Blues (Luther “Snake Boy” Johnson), we spotlight the legends, the lost, and the living echoes of a genre that refuses to fade.

Plus, we go global with Live at the MBAS, where Melbourne’s Phil Coyne and the Wayward Aces channel the Chicago groove with a rockabilly twist. This isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a declaration: Chicago Blues isn’t gone. It’s louder than ever.

The Blues Hotel, hosted by Kelvin Huggins (with regular contributions from Rufus “Old Man” Tate), is a fortnightly audio journey into the heart of the blues. Each episode mixes deep-dive storytelling, musical analysis, and live performances across four signature segments: Backstory Blues (the history and myth behind iconic songs), Then & Now(originals vs. transformative covers), Buried in the Blues (obscure, heartrending recordings born of hardship), and Live at the MBAS (vibrant performances from today’s Melbourne scene). Expect Robert Johnson’s mythology, prison-born music from Robert Pete Williams, gritty reinterpretations from Koko Taylor, and a spotlight on local bands like Catch 23. New episodes every two weeks. Also check out our companion podcast, Blues Moments in Time.

Step inside The Blues Hotel, where Kelvin Huggins and the irrepressible Rufus check your ticket at the door and send you straight into the heart of the blues. Each episode stitches together history, raw emotion and live performance through recurring segments that dig under the skin of the music: Backstory Blues (the heartbreak, the late-night deals and whiskey-soaked confessions behind the songs), Buried in the Blues (blues archaeology that exhumes brilliant, overlooked tracks), Then and Now (originals vs. modern covers that show how great songs live on), and Live at the MBAS (the best live performances from the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society).

We argue — often loudly — that the blues is the bedrock of modern music. From Muddy Waters’ hoodoo-steeped swagger to Skip James’ hollowed falsetto, from BB King’s Lucille to new Australian acts cutting their own lines, The Blues Hotel treats songs as living stories. Expect quickfire history, close listening, a celebration of raw authenticity over polish, and coverage of the vibrant Australian blues scene — including highlights from the 2025 MBAS Blues Challenge final (winners Damon Smith and The Cam Walter Blues Band).

If you like your music with backstory, bite and a front-row seat to the live scene, check in — the house band’s tuning up and Rufus is storytelling.

"At The Blues Hotel... There ain't nothin' but the blues."

© 2025. The Blues Hotel Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

The Blues Hotel Collective Presents - The Blues Hotel.

Welcome to The Blues Hotel, where the music never stops and every song tells a story that matters.

Hosted by Kelvin Huggins with Rufus "Old Man" Tate, The Blues Hotel takes you on an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of blues music. From the timeless classics of the Delta, Chicago, and Texas blues to hidden gems of a bygone era and today's independent rising stars, we open our doors to the full spectrum of this foundational American art form.

The blues isn't just a playlist—it's a scar, a reflection of lived experience that spans generations. As Big Bill Broonzy said, "Blues is a natural fact. Is something that a fellow lives." At The Blues Hotel, we dig deep into these stories, exploring the raw authenticity and unpolished power that makes blues music so enduring.

• Backstory Blues: Uncover the fascinating stories behind legendary tracks and the artists who created them
• Buried in the Blues: Spotlight on forgotten, overlooked, and criminally underrated gems
• From Past to Present: How blues shaped modern music and continues to evolve with today's artists
• Australian Blues: Celebrating homegrown talent and "real Aussie Blues"
• Cross-Generational Impact: Explore how blues "infected" rock, grunge, punk, and pop

Each episode weaves together classic legends like BB King, Lead Belly, Willie Dixon, and Howlin' Wolf with contemporary artists who carry the torch forward. We celebrate labels like Alligator Records that keep the "raw, raucous electric blues" alive with "no polish, just power."

Whether it's the working man's anthem of Fats Domino's "Blue Monday," the cross-generational influence of Willie Dixon's "Backdoor Man," or the modern troubles of "She's on Facebook All the Time," we connect the dots between yesterday's pain and today's struggles.

The Blues Hotel isn't just a show—it's a community. Connect with fellow blues lovers in The Blues Hotel Listeners Lounge on Facebook, where stories get deeper and legends live on. Because the blues ain't just music, it's memory, and memory deserves a mic.

Available on all major podcast platforms

Stream at: www.theblueshotel.com.au

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: Exclusive interviews with guest artists

Mentioned in this episode:

The Blues Hotel Collective Presents - The Blues Hotel.

Step inside The Blues Hotel, where the music never sleeps and the stories run deep. In this episode, host Kelvin Huggins and introducing resident truth-teller Rufus “Old Man” Tate take you on a soul-stirring journey through the living, breathing world of blues—past, present, and far beyond the front porch.

Then & Now

From Howlin’ Wolf’s primal growl to The Dead Daisies’ gritty 2025 reimagining of “Little Red Rooster,” this episode proves the blues ain’t stuck in time—it’s always moving, always morphing. Hear how today’s rising stars like Cold Snap and Zevon Lee carry the torch, lit long ago in the Delta and now burning bright in Melbourne’s underground.

Global Grooves & Forgotten Legends

We travel from Mississippi juke joints to Sunbury ’74, Australia’s answer to Woodstock, spotlighting swamp rhythms, Piedmont slide masters, and gospel-blues hybrids. Rufus dusts off the legacy of Barbecue Bob and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, reminding us that the blues walks many roads—some holy, some haunted.

Raw Truths & Rufus Riffs

Rufus lays down “scraps of truth stitched with heartbreak and a harmonica,” with Rufus Riffs, while Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” and Bessie Smith’s bone-deep math lessons echo the blues’ power to protest, endure, and testify. Whether it’s the grind of nightwork or the grin behind Beth Hart’s storm, this episode doesn’t flinch—it feels.

Preservation & Protest

With shoutouts to the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society and tales of chicken wire stages and spiritual awakenings, this episode honors the grit, groove, and ghosts of blues history. WC Handy didn’t invent the blues—he just listened. And so do we.

Welcome to the Blues Hotel

The doors are open. The floorboards hum. And Rufus is waiting in the lobby with a riff and a story. Come on in—there ain’t nothing but the blues.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Blues Hotel Collective Presents - The Blues Hotel.

"At the Blues Hotel, there ain't nothin' but the blues."

Welcome to The Blues Hotel, where the classics live, the independents shine, and the stories behind the music come alive. Hosted by Kelvin Huggins, this dedicated blues radio program showcases the full spectrum of blues music - from timeless classics and hidden gems to today's independent rising stars.

The Blues Hotel is more than just a radio show - it's a destination for blues enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Our program celebrates the rich tapestry of blues music through carefully curated segments that explore every facet of this powerful genre.

Blues Challenge Updates - Supporting emerging talent through live coverage of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society's annual Blues Challenge heats and updates.

Backstory Blues - Deep dives into the history and cultural impact of iconic blues songs, revealing the stories that shaped the music we love.

Then and Now - Exploring the evolution of classic blues by pairing original recordings with contemporary reimaginings, showing how timeless songs continue to inspire new generations.

Aussie Blues Classics - Celebrating both legendary and emerging Australian blues artists, giving local talent the recognition they deserve.

New Music Spotlights - Featuring the latest releases from contemporary blues artists keeping the tradition alive and pushing boundaries.

From the raw, rebellious energy of John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillin'" to the emotional depth of Jimi Hendrix's "Red House," The Blues Hotel takes listeners on a journey through blues history while keeping one foot firmly planted in the present. We explore themes of love and loss, everyday struggles and triumphs, and the blues as both companion and healer.

The Blues Hotel is proud to support the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS), a volunteer-run organization in its 35th year that has achieved unparalleled success at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. We're committed to nurturing new talent and connecting Australian blues artists to the international stage.

Join The Blues Hotel Collective at theblueshotel.com.au for alerts, quarterly newsletters, and everything blues. Come on in, pull up a chair, and let the blues do what they do best.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.