Music has always been used as a form of expression and communication. From the time the first caveman learned how to sing, to the time the most advanced synthesizer dropped a beat, music has done more than just sound good. Blues, like all other music, is a way to convey emotions. 

Most of us have heard of B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Billie Holiday, or Jonny Lang.  All of these people have gained celebrity for their blues sounds. Their voices, instruments, and lyrics get across personal messages to which many of us can relate. Whether we’ve lost something important or are just having a bad day, we all sing the blues every now and then. Some people just happen to do it for a living.

Blues originated in the 1800’s and is a very close relative of jazz.  It has often been called “America’s Music” because it is one of the only forms of music that developed exclusively on American soil. When we think of blues, many of us think of sad lyrics and twangy guitars. While this is a part of blues, it is a musical form that takes on many other aspects. Modern soul, rap, R&B, and rock (just to name a few) can all be traced to blues music – talk about an influential sound!!

If you’re a fan of modern pop, give blues a try. You may be surprised by what you hear.