Mavis Staples To Headline Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival
Mavis Staples To Headline Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival
5/5/08
“I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell”
“Blind Willie McTell”
--Bob Dylan
Mavis Staples will headline the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival in McTell’s hometown of Thomson, Georgia, on May 10, 2008. It seems appropriate that the soulful Mavis Staples—in all the musicians she’s worked with—pays homage to one of America’s greatest obscure songwriters.
Blind Willie forever endures as one of the pre-imminent blues musicians. His evocative lyrics and deft 12-string guitar playing resonates for anyone years after they hear his music. McTell’s extraordinary musical narrative overshadows most historic blues players due to his originality. His music brings the listener into the timeless zone where only guitar strings and lyrics captivate…
McTell played his music everywhere. In his home state of Georgia he played Savannah, Statesboro, Augusta, Athens, Columbus, Macon and Atlanta where he lived and recorded his incandescent Atlanta Twelve String album. He also played in New York, California, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia.
McTell ranks as only the second artist to be recognized in the city of Statesboro, Georgia.
James Calemine
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