i first saw kingfish when he was the opening act on one of the stages at the inaugural pilgrimage music festival in nashville in 2015. he was only 16, and he put on a helluva show.

born in clarksdale, mississipi, one could say that he was raised at the crossroads of the blues. legend has it that robert johnson sold his soul to the devil at the intersection of highways 61 and 49 there, and muddy waters grew up at a plantation nearby. his mom is cousin to country music legend charlie pride, and his family still sings at their church.  at 16, ingram won the rising star award from the rhythm and blues foundation, and buddy guy has called him the ‘next explosion of the blues’.

now he has released his first album, on legendary blues label alligator records, and it is a great showcase of his prodigious talent. every track offers a different blues style, from slow acoustic ballads to hard driving chicago rockers. six songs feature keb mo on resonator guitar, and buddy guy joins him on guitar and vocals on ‘fresh out’. it was produced by tom hambridge, buddy guy’s producer.

he will be at the kent stage in two weeks. see you there.