Sunpie Barnes and Dom Turner talk spirit-led collaboration, Phil Wiggins’ legacy, improvisation, and the unexpected paths that led from the NFL and Australia’s blues underground to a soul-deep musical bond on the Gold Coast stage.

In this week’s installment of The Language of the Blues, we dig into the word “Captain”—once a title for plantation overseers, later adopted by white employers and prison wardens in the Jim Crow South. Through blues lyrics from Big Bill Broonzy to Son House, Debra Devi traces how this word carried the weight of control, resistance, and survival.

Live from Blues on Broadbeach, Eric Gales reflects on musical influences like B.B. King, the hunger ignited by Grammy recognition, and the deep personal meaning behind his upcoming tribute album. With dreams of collaborating with John Mayer and a fierce commitment to growth, Gales keeps pushing forward, inspiring the next generation to do the same.

With a voice that can shake the rafters and a story spanning seven Grammy nods, what she calls five careers, and one unforgettable life, Bettye LaVette is still singing like it’s the last song she’ll ever sing—wondering why the world’s only just catching up.

Go inside the haunted heart of Bentonia blues with Ryan Lee Crosby. American Blues Scene premieres the live-to-tape video for “I’ve Been Worried,” recorded at the legendary Blue Front Cafe—and takes a deep dive with Crosby on the spirit of the style, the wisdom of Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, and the making of ‘At the Blue Front.’

A.J. Croce embarks on a renewed Croce Plays Croce tour, honoring his father’s enduring songs with fresh passion and respect. Meanwhile, his 11th studio album, produced by Shooter Jennings, reveals A.J.’s own bold artistic evolution, carving out a distinct voice that stands strong beside his father’s legacy.

At 52, genre-defying guitarist and singer Carolyn Wonderland is hitting her stride with ‘Truth Is,’ her second Alligator Records release. From touring with John Mayall to being produced by Dave Alvin and Ray Benson, Wonderland reflects on her wild ride through cosmic country, soul, zydeco, and beyond. The long road can still lead to the fast lane.

With ‘Live at Vaughan’s’ (out today via Louisiana Red Hot Records) Corey Henry captures the grit, groove, and legacy of New Orleans funk. He dives into reimagining Hendrix, honoring Treme’s lineage, and keeping the city’s musical heartbeat alive for the next generation.

Tony Holiday collects guest artists like I used to collect marbles as a kid; Albert Castiglia, James Harmon, Johnny Burgin, Bobby Rush, Lurrie Bell, Kid Ramos, Charlie Musselwhite, Kid Andersen, and others have recorded with him on his Porch Sessions albums. Each one brings a different facet to a bluesman too bursting with creativity for Salt Lake City to hold onto. Memphis was calling him like a siren in a wind storm.