2015 Beale Street Music Festival Lineup

Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz is known for his musical style that transcends genre, with songs that incorporate elements of rock, soul, and funk among other influences. He has won four consecutive Grammy Awards, and currently holds the record for most wins in the category of Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. He has sold millions of albums and collaborated with everyone from Madonna to Jay-Z to Mick Jagger. Recently, Kravitz has branched out from his music career and ventured into acting, appearing in films like the Oscar-nominated “Precious” as well as the hit series “The Hunger Games.” However, he has by no means abandoned music, and released his tenth studio album, “Strut,” in 2014.

Ed Sheeran

English singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran recorded his first two albums when he was only a teenager before moving to London to focus on his music career. Through extensive touring and internet exposure, Sheeran built up a following and earned the support of artists like Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After appearing on Taylor Swift’s 2012 album “Red” and penning songs for popular boy band One Direction, Sheeran was suddenly an international star. Now, he’s all over the radio and selling out huge arena shows. His 2014 album “x” reached the #1 spot in several countries, and was recently nominated for two Grammy awards.

The Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers are known for combining traditional American styles like bluegrass, folk, and country with straightforward rock. The band is made up of brothers Seth and Scott Avett as well as Bob Crawford and Joe Kwon. The Avetts have been playing music together since they were kids and were in a few bands together before officially forming The Avett Brothers. It didn’t take long for these guys to get noticed, as fans and critics alike delighted in their Americana style. They made their major label debut in 2009 with “I and Love and You,” which was produced by Rick Rubin and is their highest-charting and most successful album to date. Two years later saw them performing alongside Bob Dylan and Mumford & Sons at the Grammy Awards. So what’s next for The Avett Brothers? Seth Avett recently confirmed that the band is at work on a new record, which we can hopefully expect sometime within the next year.

Paramore

Paramore formed in 2004 in Franklin, Tennesee, and has become more and more successful with the release of each of the band’s four studio albums. The band’s pop-punk sound and catchy rock songs have earned them a huge fan base as well as several awards and honors over the years, including four Grammy nominations. They’re also known for excellent live shows, and have toured with bands like Jimmy Eat World, No Doubt, and Fall Out Boy. Lead singer Hayley Williams has boundless energy and incredible stage presence that make for a thrilling live performance.

Hozier

Andrew Hozier-Byrne, aka Hozier, is an Irish singer-songwriter who has gained tremendous success recently with his gospel and blues-inspired single “Take Me to Church.” The wise-beyond-his-years twenty-something singer grew up as the son of a blues musician, so it’s no wonder he adds that influence to his music and does it so well. He released his self-titled debut album near the end of 2014, and his song “Take Me to Church” was nominated for a Grammy award for Song of the Year.

John Fogerty

John Fogerty rose to fame as the lead singer of the rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. Following the disbandment of CCR in 1972, Fogerty went on to pursue a solo career. His first solo release came in 1973 as an album of covers issued under the name The Blue Ridge Rangers, followed by a self-titled record in 1975. After that, Fogerty remained somewhat inactive until he reemerged in 1985 with the album “Centerfield,” which reached #1 on the Billboard 200. His latest release is called “Wrote a Song For Everyone” and it came out in 2013. The record features Fogerty pairing up with other artists, including Bob Seger, Alan Jackson, the Foo Fighters, and Brad Paisley, to perform songs from his catalog.

Five Finger Death Punch

Since their formation in 2005, Five Finger Death Punch has risen to become one of the most successful metal bands of the last few years. The band’s debut album, “The Way of the Fist,” came out in 2007, followed by their sophomore effort “War Is the Answer” in 2009. Five Finger Death Punch’s current lineup features vocalist Ivan Moody, drummer Jeremy Spencer, lead guitarist Jason Hook, rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory, and bassist Chris Kael. The band is planning to release their sixth studio album in late 2015.

Wilco

Wilco formed from the remaining members of alt country band Uncle Tupelo after the group’s disbandment in 1994. Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Jeff Tweedy, Wilco released their debut album “A.M.,” a collection of country-rock songs remniscent of the music of Uncle Tupelo. From then on, the band’s sound took on more of an experimental alternative country style. Their new, more eclectic sound earned them plenty of critical acclaim, particularly for their 2002 effort “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” which topped several year-end lists and was designated one of the best albums of the 2000s by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and many more.

Pixies

After a decade-long hiatus, one of the most influential bands of the 20th century, the Pixies, are back in full swing, once again gracing the music world with their presence. Formed in Boston in 1986, the Pixies’ classic lineup featured vocalist/guitarist Black Francis, bassist/vocalist Kim Deal, guitarist Joey Santiago, and drummer David Lovering. Having influenced some of the biggest acts in music, including Nirvana, Radiohead, and The Strokes, they have left an everlasting imprint on the music industry. They have received critical acclaim galore for their music, which somehow perfectly blends harsh, aggressive vocals and abrasive guitars with catchy melodies and hooks. They have been praised left and right for each of their spectacular albums, especially their 1988 debut “Surfer Rosa” and its 1989 follow-up “Doolittle.” The Pixies popularity spiked again in 1999 when their song “Where Is My Mind?” played during the iconic end scene of the David Fincher film “Fight Club.” Although original bassist Kim Deal left the band in 2013, and her absence is definitely felt (the Deal-fronted Pixies classic “Gigantic” has been notably absent from recent setlists), the rest of the classic lineup remains intact. The Pixies released the album “Indie Cindy” in 2014, their first new record since 1991’s “Trompe Le Monde.”

The Flaming Lips

Three-time Grammy winners The Flaming Lips formed in Oklahoma in 1983. Although they have really only had one “hit” in the United States (the 1993 single “She Don’t Use Jelly” peaked at #55 on the charts), they eventually became bona fide superstars in the U.K., with a multitude of hit singles there over the years. Despite their lack of mainstream success here in the U.S., The Flaming Lips have received overwhelming praise from critics over the years. Albums like “The Soft Bulletin” and “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” have appeared on countless best-of lists and earned almost universal praise from reviewers. Now over 30 years into their career, The Flaming Lips have just released the album “With a Little Help From My Fwends,” a track-by-track tribute to the Beatles classic “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Though the band has undergone several changes to its lineup over the years, ever-eccentric frontman Wayne Coyne and bassist Michael Ivins have remained with The Flaming Lips to this day.

Cage The Elephant

Cage the Elephant formed in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 2006. The group moved to the U.K. early on and built up a significant following there with their 2008 self-titled debut album. Soon afterward, success back home in the U.S. followed and the band was officially an international sensation. In 2011, they released their follow-up album “Thank You Happy Birthday,” which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200. In the last few years, the band has released another album (2013’s “Melophobia”) and toured with bands like Muse and The Black Keys, and they are now at work on their fourth record.

Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams is one of the few alt-country artists out there who has achieved mainstream success. After the breakup of his band Whiskeytown, Adams made his solo debut in 2000 with his album “Heartbreaker,” which was met with rave reviews and an endorsement by the likes of Elton John. He continued to rise to fame with his follow-up album “Gold.” The album’s lead single, “New York, New York,” became an anthem in the aftermath of 9/11, and Adams found himself in the spotlight yet again. Throughout his career, he has released fourteen studio albums, most recently his self-titled effort in 2014. In addition to his own work, he has established himself as a prominent producer, having worked with artists like Willie Nelson, Fall Out Boy, and Jenny Lewis.

Rise Against

Over the last 15 years, Chicago’s Rise Against has made a name for themselves as one of the biggest punk bands in the world. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath on vocals, Zach Blair on guitar, Joe Principe on bass, and Brandon Barnes on drums. They released their latest album, “The Black Market,” last year, marking their seventh full-length to date. In addition to chart-topping rock hits and impressive album sales, Rise Against is also known for the band members’ charitable presence and social advocacy, supporting organizations like PETA and Amnesty International.

Band of Horses

Band of Horses was formed in 2004 in Seattle by frontman Ben Bridwell. Their music, mainly midtempo indie rock with a somewhat somber feel and reverberated vocals and guitar, reflects the atmosphere of their native Pacific Northwest. Band of Horses released their debut album, “Everything All the Time,” in 2006 on the famed indie label Sub Pop Records. The album contained their wildly popular single “The Funeral.” The band’s latest effort is a ten-track live album called “Acoustic at the Ryman,” which they released in 2014.

St. Vincent

St. Vincent is the stage name of indie darling Annie Clark, formerly of The Polyphonic Spree. Clark went solo in 2007 and soon became one of the biggest recent success stories in indie rock. Her impressive songwriting and art rock style eventually attracted the attention of Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, and the two released a collaborative album in 2012. Throughout her solo career, St. Vincent has been the subject of critical praise, with her albums topping year-end lists from publications like NME, Entertainment Weekly, and The Guardian. Having most recently been nominated for a Grammy Award, it’s safe to say that her trajectory is still headed upward.

Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators

Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash went solo back in 2008 and has since released three solo albums. His latest two records were recorded with Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge and Brent Fitz and Todd Kerns, known as The Conspirators. Slash, along with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, released the album “Apocalyptic Love” in 2012, followed by “World on Fire” in 2014.

AWOLNATION

AWOLNATION is the solo electronic rock project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Bruno. AWOLNATION’s debut album “Megalithic Symphony” was a worldwide success, specifically with the hit single “Sail.” The commercial success of “Sail” helped propel the electronic rock genre into the popular sphere.

Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin formed in the late ’90s in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Named after an incident in which frontman Benjamin Burnley broke a microphone, the band eventually caught the attention of a local radio DJ who agreed to finance their debut EP. From there, they signed with Hollywood Records and released their debut record “Saturate” in 2002. Since then, Breaking Benjamin has released three more full-length albums, with another one due out this summer.

Bleachers

NYC indie pop outfit Bleachers was formed by Jack Antonoff, the guitarist for the popular rock band Fun. Bleachers’ debut album was released in 2014, and its lead single, the catchy and anthemic “I Wanna Get Better,” quickly rose to the top of the Billboard Alternative charts. Bleachers’ sound has an obvious ’80s influence, but the band combines modern production techniques with that to make music that’s fresh and interesting.

Flogging Molly

The Los Angeles-based seven-piece Flogging Molly is known for their signature blend of traditional Irish music and rowdy punk rock that provides a perfect soundtrack for swigging down a Guinness at your local Irish pub. The band was formed by vocalist and Dublin native Dave King, and includes fiddle player Bridget Regan, guitarist Dennis Casey, accordion player Matt Hensley, bassist Nathan Maxwell, drummer George Schwindt, and mandolinist Bob Schmidt. Flogging Molly started out playing regular shows at local bar Molly Malone’s (deriving the band’s name from it as well) before taking their show outside of the Los Angeles city limits and expanding their fan base. The band is currently working on a new album, to be released later this year.

G-Eazy

Gerald Gillum, better known as G-Eazy, is a rapper and producer from California. He has made a name for himself as “the James Dean of rap,” often sporting a leather jacket and a pompadour. His mixtapes have produced viral singles, including “Runaround Sue”, an R&B remake of the rock & roll classic. After hitting the road with Hoodie Allen, G-Eazy came out with his first full length album, “These Things Happen,” in 2014.

Lindsey Stirling

Violinist and performance artist Lindsey Stirling got her start as a YouTube star, with a series of popular choreographed performance videos that garnered millions of views. In addition to her YouTube fame, she also became known as a finalist on the fifth season of America’s Got Talent in 2010. Her unique music style combines classical violin with genres such as hip hop and EDM. Stirling released her self-titled debut album in 2012, followed by her sophomore record, “Shatter Me,” in 2014.

Wale

D.C. rapper Wale (pronunced “wah-lay”) came to attention in 2006 when his single “Dig Dug (Shake It)” became popular in the local underground music scene. He was soon discovered by producer Mark Ronson, who signed him to his Allido Records imprint, which later opened doors for a major label deal with Interscope. Wale’s latest effort, the Seinfeld-inspired “The Album About Nothing,” dropped in early 2015 and includes guest appearances from Usher, J.Cole, SZA, and Jeremih.

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

One of the foremost figures of funk music, George Clinton, is known for being the leader of the groups Parliament and Funkadelic along with his own solo career. Nowadays, he leads the a collective called Parliament-Funkadelic. Clinton, together with 15 other Parliament-Funkadelic members, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Parliament-Funkadelic has ranked on several Greatest Artists of All Time lists, including ones by Rolling Stone, VH1, and Spin.

Jenny Lewis

Singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis is known as the lead singer of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, as well as for her career as a solo artist. Lewis is a former child actress, and she acted until 1998 when Rilo Kiley formed. In 2014 she released her latest album, “The Voyager,” her first solo record in six years. The album came as a product of a very difficult time in Lewis’ life, and its creation was very personal and intensely cathartic for the singer, but the end result was nonetheless a success.

Kaiser Chiefs

Kaiser Chiefs have made a name for themselves as one of Britain’s biggest indie rock bands of the last decade with platinum record sales, several hit singles, and three Brit Awards. In their early days, the band was able to achieve incredible things without the help of a label. Their debut single “Oh My God” reached #66 on the U.K. charts while they were still unsigned, and later their song “I Predict a Riot” found its way to U.S. radio before they even had an American label deal. Since then, the band’s popularity has soared and they have been a huge commercial success. Their latest album, titled “Education, Education, Education & War,” came out last year and reached #1 on the U.K. Albums chart.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

Blues rock musician Kenny Wayne Shepherd began teaching himself guitar at a very young age, inspired by the greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Muddy Waters. He has experienced tremendous success for a blues artist, with five Grammy nominations over the years and four of his seven studio albums having been certified platinum. Shepherd released his latest record, titled “Goin’ Home,” in 2014.

Of Mice & Men

Southern California-based metalcore band Of Mice & Men was founded in 2009 by former Attack Attack! frontman Austin Carlile and New Zealand-born bassist Jaxin Hall. Although both Carlile and Hall eventually left the band in 2010, Carlile’s departure did not last long, as he returned to the group in 2011. Of Mice & Men has become a staple on the Vans Warped Tour, having been on the lineup four times in the last five years. The band has released three studio albums so far, and just recently issued a deluxe edition of their 2014 album “Restoring Force.”

Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn

Banjoists Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn perform as a duo with just their two banjos and Washburn’s singular voice. That level of minimilism is both powerful and refreshing in an age of often over-produced music. Fleck is a 15-time Grammy Award winner and Washburn is a very accomplished musician herself, so when the duo perform together their combined talents offer something spectacular.

Lecrae

Christian rapper Lecrae has achieved a lot over the last decade, breaking the barriers between hip hop and Gospel music. His 2008 album “Rebel” became the first hip hop album to reach #1 on the Billboard Gospel chart, and in 2013 he became the first hip hop artist to receive a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album. His latest record, “Anomaly,” dropped in 2014 and debuted at the top spot on the U.S. Billboard 200. “Anomaly” earned Lecrae his second Grammy Award earlier this year.

Spin Doctors

Spin Doctors dominated the radio in the early ’90s with catchy hits like “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong.” They emerged in 1991 with their successful debut album “Pocket Full of Kryptonite,” which has since been certified 5x platinum by the RIAA. The band has released five more studio albums since then, though none have reached anywhere near the level of commercial success as their debut. Spin Doctors latest album, “If the River Was Whiskey,” came out in 2013 and is the band’s first record in eight years.

Myslovitz

Myslovitz is a five-piece indie rock band hailing all the way from Poland. Named after their hometown of Myslowice in Southern Poland, they have been active since 1992. Myslovitz has released ten studio albums over the last 20 years, and they have earned the status as one of the most popular rock bands in Poland. Their fame has spread around Europe, but it’s time these guys get recognized here in the U.S.

Big Head Todd & The Monsters

Big Head Todd & The Monsters is a rock band from Colorado formed in 1986. They have released a number of successful albums over the years, including their platinum-selling 1993 record “Sister Sweetly.” Their latest album, “Black Beehive,” came out in 2014.

In This Moment

Los Angeles metal band In This Moment was formed in 2005 by singer Maria Brink and guitarist Chris Howorth. Their debut album, “Beautiful Tragedy,” came out in 2007. They followed that up with a sophomore effort called “The Dream” in 2009, which marked their first entry in the Billboard 200. Three more studio albums followed, the most recent of which is their 2014 record “Black Widow.”

Shovels & Rope

Shovels & Rope is an indie folk husband-and-wife duo from Charleston, South Carolina. Both members, Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, already had successful music careers before coming together. Hearst worked with several bands and recorded as a solo artist while Trent split his time between a solo career and his band The Films. Together as Shovels & Rope, Trent and Hearst have released three successful studio albums.

Soul Asylum

Alternative rock band Soul Asylum came together in the early 1980s in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band had several minimally successful albums in its early stages, but in 1992 they released the now triple-platinum album “Grave Dancers Union,” which contains their Grammy-winning hit single “Runaway Train.” Soul Asylum’s most recent effort is their tenth studio album called “Delayed Reaction,” which the band released in 2012.

Scott Weiland and The Wildabouts

Rock musician Scott Weiland is best known as the frontman of the band Stone Temple Pilots as well as the supergroup Velvet Revolver. Though he released his first solo album in 1998, he did not really begin his solo career until a decade later. His second solo album, “‘Happy’ in Galoshes,” came out in 2008. Some more releases followed in the next few years, including a live album, a Christmas album, and a covers album. Weiland’s latest album, titled “Blaster,” came out in March of this year and features his backing band The Wildabouts.

Robert Randolph and The Family Band

Pedal steel guitar virtuoso Robert Randolph got his start playing in venues around New York City. Very early on in his career, he earned the opportunity to open for Medeski, Martin & Wood at the Beacon Theater, where he impressed John Medeski enough to be asked to record an album with the band. The result was the 2001 record “The Word,” which achieved both critical and commercial success. Two years later, Randolph released his first album with The Family Band called “Unclassified.” He soon caught the attention of legendary guitarist Eric Clapton, who brought the band on tour with him. Clapton also made an appearance on the band’s subsequent studio album, 2006’s “Colorblind.” Robert Randolph and The Family Band released “We Walk This Road” in 2010, followed by their 2013 album “Lickety Split,” which features guest appearances from Trombone Shorty and Carlos Santana.

Diarrhea Planet

Despite their seemingly immature name, Nashville’s Diarrhea Planet has drawn plenty of acclaim for their rowdy, guitar-driven music and energetic live shows. With four guitarists, their music hits hard and their live performances are full of intense energy and crazy shredding. Diarrhea Planet has released two studio albums to date: “Loose Jewels” in 2011 and “I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams” in 2013.

Bettye LaVette

Soul singer Bettye LaVette made her recorded debut in 1962 when she was just sixteen years old with her single “My Man — He’s a Lovin’ Man.” The song eventually became a top ten R&B hit after Atlantic Records bought its distribution rights. Though she had earned modest success throughout her early career, even more came her way in 2004 with the comeback album “A Woman Like Me,” her first release in 20 years. The record was a huge critical success and was widely heralded as one of the best albums of the year.

Elle King

Singer and songwriter Elle King’s musical style encompasses several genres, including country, soul, folk, rock, and blues. She was inspired to become a musician early on, influenced by female-fronted bands like Blondie, The Runaways, and The Donnas. After releasing her self-titled EP, King garnered favorable attention from a multitude of publications, including Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, and Vanity Fair. She released her full-length debut, titled “Love Stuff,” earlier this year.

Ana Popovic

Serbian blues guitarist Ana Popovic began playing guitar when she was just fifteen, and started her own band called Hush when she was still a teenager. Over time, she and her band were playing blues festivals throughout Eastern Europe, and Hush was able to put out an album in 1998. Shortly afterward, Popovic made the move to go solo, and in 2000 released her own debut album.

Alejandro Escovedo

Alejandro Escovedo began his music career as a member of the ’70s rock band The Nuns. Later, he left to form The True Believers with his brother Javier, and also played in a band called Rank and File. However, none of his bands were all that successful, so Escovedo began to release solo material in 1992.

Star & Micey

Memphis-based band Star & Micey features vocalist/acoustic guitarist Josh Cosby, electric guitarist Nick Redmond, bassist Geoff Smith, and drummer Jeremy Stanfill.They introduced their roots-oriented, feel-good indie pop sound to the world in 2009 with their eponymous debut album. Star & Micey returned in 2012 with a follow-up EP called “I Can’t Wait.”

Kenny Brown Band

Southern-bred guitarist Kenny Brown learned the blues from his mentor R.L. Burnside. Brown signed with Fat Possum records and released his label debut, “Stingray,” in 2011.

Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown

Welsh guitarist Kim Simmonds is best known as the leader of the blues rock group Savoy Brown. The band achieved far more success in the United States than they did in their native England, mostly due to relentless touring and album promotion in the States. Active since the 1960s, Savoy Brown has had a tremendous number of members over the years, but the one consistent factor has always been Kim Simmonds at the helm.

Dead Soldiers

Tennessee rock band Dead Soldiers consists of Michael Jasud, Benjamin Aviotti, Clay Qualls, Krista Wroten-Combest, Paul Gilliam, and Nathan Raab. When they came together to form Dead Soldiers, the bandmembers left their metal roots behind in favor of country and bluegrass. Their debut album, “All the Things You Lose,” came out in 2013.

Tinsley Ellis

Electric blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis has been praised for his powerful and energetic performances, and has been compared to greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Johnny Winter. He came onto the scene in 1988 with his debut album “Georgia Blue,” and is still making music to this day. Just this year, Ellis put out a new record called “Tough Love” on his own label, Heartfixer Music.

The Vespers

Bluegrass/folk band The Vespers is made up of brothers Taylor and Bruno Jones and sisters Callie and Phoebe Cryar. They debuted in 2010 with their first album, “Tell Your Mama,” and followed with their sophomore record “The Fourth Wall” in 2012. This February, The Vespers released their third album, aptly titled “Sisters and Brothers.”

Lurrie Bell

Chicago-born guitarist Lurrie Bell is the son of renowned blues harmonica player Carey Bell, so he grew up surrounded by the blues and began learning to play it at a young age. Bell was mainly influenced by Muddy Waters, whom his father played with in the early 1970s. He has released a number of albums both by himself and with his father, and recently received a Blues Music Award for Song of the Year.

Indigenous

Native American blues rock band Indigenous originally consisted of three brothers, Mato Nanji, Pte, and Horse, and their sister Wanbdi. Having grown up on a reservation in South Dakota, the siblings were inspired by their father to pursue music. They released a debut album in 1998 called “Things We Do” on Pachyderm Records. The record earned Indigenous three Native American Music Awards in 1999, including Album of the Year and Group of the Year.

Will Tucker

Young guitarist Will Tucker is no stranger to Beale Street. He is a veteran performer at the Beale Street Music Festival and plays regularly at B.B. King’s Blues Club. Last year, Tucker released an album called “Worth the Gamble.”

Matthew Curry

Guitarist Matthew Curry has earned astounding acclaim in recent years, impressing the likes of Steve Miller, who praised both his playing and songwriting abilities. Curry has been featured by Fender and Guitar Center, both of which adopted him into their Brotherhood of the Guitar program. Last year, Curry expanded his audience by touring with Steve Miller Band.

Prosevere

Prosevere is a hard rock band from Memphis. The group consists of singer Gary Segars, guitarist Eric Ashe, bassist Matt Riley, and drummer Rocky Griggs. Prosevere has toured with bands like Bush, Shinedown, Godsmack, and Papa Roach, and earlier this year released their debut LP titled “Hurts Like Hell.”

Preston Shannon

Memphis-based blues musician Preston Shannon began his professional career as a member of Shirley Brown’s backing band. He formed his own group in 1991 and began performing at clubs on Beale Street. Over the years, he has released several acclaimed albums. His latest effort, 2014’s “Dust My Broom,” is a tribute to the late Elmore James.

Ira Walker

Grammy-nominated musician and producer Ira Walker recently released his highly anticipated blues album “Blame Me.” Throughout his career, Walker has written for and performed with talents like Steve Miller, Carlos Santana, Brian May, Tommy Castro, and more.

Devon Baldwin

Devon Baldwin emerged in 2011 when she appeared on G-Eazy’s track “Acting Up.” She has since collaborated further with the rapper, and recently appeared on up-and-coming rapper Skizzy Mars’ single “Knock You Down,” but Baldwin is ready to make a name for herself as a solo artist. She recently released a number of radio-ready singles, and will soon release her debut EP, titled “Lungs.”

Ghost Town Blues Band

Memphis’ Ghost Town Blues Band came to attention in 2014 as the second place winner of the International Blues Challenge. The seven-piece band just released their latest album, “Hard Road to Hoe,” in January of this year.

Copeland

Alternative rock band Copeland was formed in Florida in 2001 by vocalist Aaron Marsh and bassist James Likeness. The band released four albums before parting ways in 2008. However, Copeland reunited in 2014 to record new music. The result was their first album in six years, called “Ixora.”

Kelley Hunt

Singer-songwriter Kelley Hunt takes a distinctive approach to the blues, adding her own spin on it and mixing in roots, gospel, and her own original elements. Hunt is a versatile performer, skilled in vocals and playing the guitar as well as the piano.

Butch Mudbone

Throughout his career, blues musician Butch Mudbone has opened for the likes of B.B. King and James Brown, as well as played with greats like Bo Diddley and John Lee Hooker. His career has taken him all over the globe performing the blues at clubs and festivals.

Jarekus Singleton

Mississippi-born musician Jarekus Singleton was born into a family of church musicians, so his musical roots are steeped in the gospel tradition. His debut album, “Refuse to Lose,” came out in 2014 and earned him three Blues Music Award nominations.

Terry “Harmonica” Bean

Terry “Harmonica” Bean performs as a one-man band, playing both guitar and harmonica and singing. He has performed at clubs and festivals throughout the South as the Terry Harmonica Bean Blues Band. His latest release is his 2014 album “Catfish Blues.”

Leo “Bud” Welch

Leo “Bud” Welch has been playing guitar since he was thirteen years old. Now at age 83, he still performs his signature style of blues and gospel. Although he has been playing for decades, he only just released his debut album, “Sabougla Voices,” in 2014. Another album followed in March of this year, called “I Don’t Prefer No Blues.”

Terry “Big T” Williams

Terry “Big T” Williams is a blues guitarist from Clarksdale, Mississippi. He has wowed audiences with his energy-filled live performances, during which he gives it his all and leaves the crowd wanting more.

Blind Mississippi Morris

This isn’t Blind Mississippi Morris’ first appearance at the Beale Street Music Festival. Although he lost his sight when he was just four years old, nothing could deter him from pursuing music. The Clarksdale, Mississippi native has worked tirelessly over the last 50 years to keep the blues alive, and has performed with the likes of B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and David Porter.

Deak Harp -N- Lee Williams

Deak Harp and Lee Williams, Jr. are teaming up at this year’s Beale Street Music Festival to give the audience a taste of Delta blues. Deak sings and plays guitar and harmonica, while Williams joins in on drums.

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