Veteran harmonica master and blues champion Bob Corritore has announced the upcoming release of his new album Ernestine Blues, due April 10 via VizzTone Label Group. The project’s first single, “I Love the South,” featuring soul-blues vocalist Johnny Rawls, arrives today, March 13.
Recorded between 2023 and 2025, Ernestine Blues continues Corritore’s long-running “Bob Corritore & Friends” series, bringing together an impressive cross-section of the blues community. The album features performances by artists including Pat Thomas, Sugaray Rayford, Bob Stroger, Tia Carroll, Oscar Wilson, Tony Coleman, Willie Buck, Bob Margolin, Kid Ramos, Billy Flynn, Anthony Geraci, and many more.
“I Love the South” pairs Corritore’s harmonica with the commanding vocals of soul/blues singer Johnny Rawls, a longtime collaborator who has encouraged Corritore to explore Southern soul influences in his playing. An uplifting Mississippi-themed anthem, the track features Rawls’ church-rooted vocals alongside Corritore’s harmonica, a full band, and a chorus of female gospel singers.
Composer: Johnny Rawls
Music Publisher: Kazzie Publishing (BMI)
A respected bandleader, producer, and historian, Corritore has become known for bringing together generations of blues artists in the studio. His collaborative projects often capture artists in rare pairings or unexpected settings, revealing new dimensions of familiar voices while staying rooted in the music’s core traditions.
