Event

John Hammond

"John's sound is so compelling, complete, symmetrical and soulful with just his voice, guitar and harmonica, it is at first impossible to imagine improving it... He's a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming. He chops them all down." - Tom Waits

2011 Blues Hall of Fame Inductee
2011 Blues Music Award Nominee for Acoustic Artist of the Year
2010 GRAMMY Nominee

Those are just some highlights from the last couple years. All of the Grammy and Blues Award wins and nominations during the past two decades are too numerous to list. As T. Bone Burnett describes this foremost American blues guitarist: "John Hammond is a master... He is a virtuoso. A Conjurer... A Modernist... John is in a very small circle of men with a guitar and a harmonica (that includes) Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Bob Dylan. The guitar is an orchestra. He's sending messages. Storytelling. All mystery. Protection. The language goes out through the night... "
Hammond's latest album, Rough and Tough, is his 33rd since his 1962 debut. It features his National Steel and Guild guitars and harmonica and includes songs by Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Blind Willie McTell and Tom Waits, along with originals.
Opening the shows are The Abrams Brothers John, James, and cousin Elijah. They are the youngest Canadian band to have played the Grand Ole Opry. Their latest album, Blue on Brown, pays tribute to the songs of Arlo Guthrie and Bob Dylan.