After having toured and recorded for over a decade, Robert Cray had a breakthrough with his 1986 release, Strong Persuader, which included his signature tune, “Smoking Gun”. Though the subject of criticism in those early days because of his willingness to embrace contemporary production techniques and incorporate soul and rock elements into his version of the blues, Cray’s recorded output over 30 plus years on the scene and continuous touring around the world prove that…

The 5th Annual Congressional Blues Festival has been announced, and will take place on Wednesday, April 23 at the Kennedy Center’s South Plaza. This year’s festival lineup includes the stellar Robert Cray (pictured), Elvin Bishop, Mudcat, the duo of Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, and others. The festival is a free event, but tickets are limited and are available through a lottery system on the festival’s website. Lottery registration begins Monday, March 10 at…

>> Congressional Blues Festival ends with vomiting Hill staffers. [Yeas and Nays] >> Who owns D.C.’s neighborhoods? [Frozen Tropics] >> No clues in mysterious pet deaths in Loudoun County. [WTOP] >> No child left behind by technical difficulties in Virginia public schools. [WaPo] >> Sometimes bad allergies can lead to love. [craigslist] Photo by tophermatthews…

There have been many great performers in Music Land, for example Bono, Freddie Mercury, and Madonna, just to name a few. There are also many folks who go out of their way to exude cool via ironic t-shirts purchased at Urban Outfitters and meticulously unkempt hair. It’s one thing to dance with a pretty girl in the audience, but how many rock stars put a guitar in her hands and then proceed to wrap their…

>> Of course, this week’s big event is the Congressional Blues Festival, which we told you about yesterday. We’ll keep you posted on how it goes, but it should be a fabulous show. The lineup features The Derek Trucks Band, Sweet Betty, Mudcat, and Adolphus Bell. >> Every Thursday, the Thad Wilson Trio plays at Jojo’s on U Street. The trumpet/bass/drums trio has an extensive repetoire of standards and occasionally breaks out more adventurous material….

The roots of modern American music lie in the blues. The music has rich history, but sadly some of its most eminent practitioners have been forgotten and are struggling just to get by. The Music Maker Relief Foundation was formed to help provide grants to struggling musicians. One important tool the Foundation uses to raise money and awareness is the Congressional Blues Festival. The festival, now in its fourth year, takes place tomorrow at the…