Page 72 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2017

Paul Butterfield
Style: R&B, gospel
blues, soul
Paul Butterfield was
not only a tremendous
harmonica player and
singer, his first album
opened a door that
ushered in an entire
new era of blues. Up
until the release of
Elektra 78865, blues
– and especially
Chicago blues –
featured only Black
artists. Butterfield
and his mixed band
changed all of that.
The anthem “Born In
Chicago” opens an
album that paved the way for bands like the Thunderbirds,
The Nighthawks, J. Geils and a hundred more all over the
Western world. He also gave the world one of its first guitar
heroes named Mike Bloomfield. An all-time fav, grab The
Paul Butterfield Blues Band Mono or CD; look for the guys all
standing on the corner. Get a copy and play it loud!

Blues isn’t merely a musical genre. It’s a worldview and
outlook on life that’s touched lives and helped people get by
for nearly a century. It keeps you laughing through the tears
and grounded in the way things are. I hope this brief look
at artists and styles turns you on to some of the originators,
enhances your appreciation of the game changers, and results
in maximum wig-flippage. Amen.

All the art images in this feature are provided courtesy of
the artist, Kelvin Baldwin. The scope of his collection reflects
almost every aspect of the African-American landscape, but
Kelvin is most passionate about capturing the energy and
soulful expressions of the characters of performing artists “on
canvas such that the whole world can enjoy over and over
again.” Check him out at www.kelvinbaldwinart.com and
contact via baldwinart@hotmail.com

Born in Aiken, SC, Reverend
Billy lives in Ocala, FL,
with his girlfriend Linda,
eight cats and one horse.
He tours, has a radio show
and sells collectible records.
Find him on Facebook at
William Wirths or online at
revbillycwirtz.com. Author Rev. Billy C. Wirtz
Photo by Dave Schlenker

70 Blues Festival Guide 2017