BLUES N'AT

If ever there were another city in the United States that could challenge Memphis, TN as the Home of the Blues, it would be this Midwestern city. Yes, Mrs. Black-N-Gold brings you another geography lesson. What city am I talking about, boys and girls? If you answered, the Windy City, Chicago, IL, give yourself a gold star. Beginning as far back as the early 1900's, aspiring musicians from the south migrated up north towards the Chicago area in hopes of finding their fame and fortune. Or at least, steady work while they plied their craft in the nightclubs, on the street corners and anywhere else they could be heard. Such blues heavyweights as Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf and Willie Dixon honed their craft in Chi-Town. Chicago has been producing major players on the blues scene ever since. These and other blues greats ended up befriending and mentoring the next generation. They included notables such as Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Buddy Guy. They recorded for historic labels such as Chess, Bluebird, and Cobra. A few labels, such as Delmark and Alligator, still exist today and continue to churn out the latest blues offerings. Of course, Chicago is known for more than just the blues. You can undergo retail therapy on Michigan Ave., take in a Cubs game at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, and enjoy Chicago-style pizza and hot dogs. But the blues lover in you will want to check out some of the highly-touted blues nightclubs like Buddy Guy's Legends (keep your fingers crossed that you are in attendance on a night that Buddy himself graces the stage), Kingston Mines, or B.L.U.E.S.  It's been said that you can find live blues here 365 days of the year. Get yourself to Chicago for some of the finest blues around. They don't call it, "Sweet Home Chicago" for nothing. Till next time, boys and girls. Keep It Bluesy!