Time Signatures with Jim Ervin

Season Seven kicks off with legendary Bluesman, Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Kim talks about his early years in the music business, his early experiences with “the Originators” of the Blues, and the move that would forever change his life and lead to the foundation of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Kim and Erv also discuss the young newcomers to the genre, and the music business in general. What a fantastic start to this new season!

website: https://fabulousthunderbirds.com/

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This week, Time Signatures with Jim Ervin celebrates another amazing season finale’ with arguably the most recognizable voice in the Blues, Big Llou Johnson. You will recognize his resonant tones if you listen to SiriusXM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville, but he also hosts events in Memphis during the BMA’s and he hosts a kickoff party in Chicago the week of Blues Fest! Llou came to visit with a bundle of great stories from his early years in Chicago, including his foundation of the only black-owned business of its kind back then (the talent agency), and his conversa...

This week on Time Signatures, host Jim Ervin welcomes the founder of Bushman Harmonicas, John Hall. The birth of the rapidly growing harmonica brand began innocently enough on a summer evening in 1990, when John strolled past the legendary Slippery Noodle in downtown Indianapolis. The line launched in 1996 and over the course of the past 30 years, Hall has worked diligently to build Bushman into the number one supplier of his Knittlinger line to the Amish community.

We are also pleased to announce that beginning July 1st, Time Signatures with Jim Ervin has secured an endorsement deal with the...

With only three episodes remaining on Season 6, host Jim Ervin welcomes first band runner up in the 2026 International Blues Challenge, Melissa McKinney. This woman of the Blues put an incredible band together to compete this year, and narrowly missed taking it all home with her. She has sold her successful music school, and she has come away from the IBC on a mission to bring her deep, soulful Blues to the masses. If you get a chance to check her and her band “Mama” out, you will not be sorry if you do.

Website: https://melissamckinneymusic.com/mama...

In the world of music, many of the albums produced are backed by record labels. In the Blues, we have Alligator, Blind Pig, Delmark, Ruf, Malaco and a few others. Each of these labels depend upon the skills of their publicists and radio promoters to help get word of each new artist and their respective albums out to the masses. Kevin Johnson has worked with the Delmark label for years, and he also works with the non-profit label, Little Village Foundation. Additionally, Kevin has work of his own, via Proud Papa Promotions and Publicity, and he is our featured...

Billy Prewitt is a self-proclaimed musician in the “Artist Protection Program”, because many of you may not have heard of him. He is a guitarist, bassist, harmonicist, and the originator of the One Man Jam, and he dropped in to talk about the Blues scene of the late 1960’s and early 70’s, a chance meeting with Paul Butterfield on a New York elevator, and a move to Chicago, where he met and began working with Otis Rush at the legendary Mother Blues in Chicago. Billy’s stories are epic, including his first appearance in front of 10,000 Blues fans at the 1969 A...

It’s another stellar episode of Time Signatures with Jim Ervin as Erv welcomes renowned guitarist and soulful storyteller, JP Soars. JP recently joined forces with acclaimed violinist, vocalist and songwriter, Anne Harris. Together, the two have collaborated to produce “Gypsy Blue Revue”, a 9 track masterpiece, which drops this Friday the 29th EVERYWHERE. The album flows seamlessly between Blues, Soul and even some Gypsy jazz music, featuring JP’s skillful guitar licks and Anne’s mastery on fiddle and mandolin. If you are looking for a fun album, you are going to love this one.

Website: https://jpsoars.co...

Season 6 is rapidly winding down, and this week, join host Jim Ervin as he welcomes 5x BMA nominee, award winning singer, guitarist, producer and songwriter Erin Harpe. The two discuss Erin’s early years in music, her passion for the roots of the Blues, and old guitars. She was also here to discuss her most recent album, “Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me: A Tribute to Mississippi John Hurt”. It was a fun discussion, so check it out!

Website: https://www.erinharpe.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinHarpe.Music

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On this week’s edition of Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes The Duchess Jureesa McBride. She is here to share stories that go back to her youth, writing poetry and hanging around her Daddy while he works on the family car, listening to the Blues. She also shares details of her win in the 2011 “Face the Music” competition, and event that would ultimately alter the course her life would take. The Duchess is also celebrating the launch of her twice monthly Facebook live program, “Blues Talk” and her weekly radio program on WMEL Saturdays beginning at 12pm Central ti...

This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes one of the new members of the next generation of the Blues, Sean “Mack” McDonald. Sean’s brand new album is called, “Have Mercy!” and is on the Little Village Foundation label-an album which has been nominated for the 2026 BMAs, by the way. Sean stopped in to discuss the album. He and Erv also talk about his early foundations in the genre, those three guitars gifted to him by Greaseland Studio owner and musician, Kid Andersen, and that phone call from the legendary Taj Mahal.

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This week on Time Signatures, Season 6 continues its journey as Erv welcomes Guitarist Laura Chavez for a chat about her early life in music, working with the late Candye Kane, that first visit to the Chicago Blues Festival with Vanessa Collier, and her new album, entitled, “My Voice”. For the often shy young woman of the Blues, she is clearly enjoying some new found exposure, and you will enjoy this interview from beginning to end. Check it out and tell your friends! Oh…and be sure to catch that segment from the Chicago Blues Festival, too! (Go to the 1:41:27 mark i...

This week on Time Signatures, host Jim Ervin welcomes former Black Crowes guitarist and current North Mississippi Allstars guitarist and lead vocalist, Luther Dickinson. The two discuss Luther’s early years, growing up with his Father, Jim Dickinson and members of the Memphis Underground. Luther also shared stories of relocating to the Hills of North Mississippi, where he met and collaborated with Otha Turner, Kenny Brown, R.L. Burnside and the Kimbroughs, too! From those early beginnings, came the North Mississippi Allstars, a band which is still playing, recording, and touring since 1996. It’s a fun discussion, so come on a...

This week, we are joined by The Queen of Avant Soul, Candice Ivory, a woman of the Blues who is simply cut from a different cloth. Raised in the south, the child of a Preacher, she came up as many in this background do, with a respect and an esteem for music and singing. That respect resulted in a very special project entitled, “When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie”, and she will tell you how deep that respect runs within her. She also talks about her development of a Blues variation she refers to as “Avant Blues”...

On this week’s edition of Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes longtime Chicago Blues Harmonicist, Radio Host, and owner of the Rhythm Room, Bob Corritore back for another round of storytelling and discussion about Bob’s deep work in the Blues. From his 42 years as host of “Those Lowdown Blues” on Phoenix’s KJZZ, to his nearly 35 years as owner of the Rhythm Room, to his more than 40 compilation albums, which feature many of the biggest names in the genre, this interview is absolutely one you do NOT want to miss!

Website: https://bobcorritore.com/

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Starting out at the age of just 8, Danny Garwood exhibited a passion for the music of Kenny Wayne Shepherd, John Mayer, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Danny is based in Nashville and his self-proclaimed mission is to help keep the Blues alive and pass it along to the next generation of musicians. The teen has already had the honor of sharing the stage with the Legendary Bluesman, Buddy Guy and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, but it was a chance invitation to join Ally Venable on stage that resulted in a viral YouTube video, which garnered over eight MILLION views. Dann...

In 2006, a regional favorite Blues band was formed. Founded by Mark “King Bee” Menefee, King Bee and the Stingers built a solid following, which now includes his daughter, Sarah Menefee as lead vocalist. She and bassist, Jeff Shew dropped by recently for a chat with host, Jim Ervin about their early years in music, and how their paths led to their current place with KBTS. Jeff also shared his memories of the legendary PineTop Perkins, whom he met at 13 years of age and stories of jamming with PineTop later in life. Today, King Bee and the Stingers is as soli...

This week in Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes ‘Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin back for a second visit. Among other topics, Bob shared more amazing stories about his early years in the Blues, his impromptu audition for Muddy Waters’ band in his hotel room, and his final conversation with Muddy before he passed in April of 1983. Bob was pleased to celebrate the fact that he has been home off the road for more than a year, and is genuinely enjoying time with his wife and fur babies.

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Website: https://bobmargolin.com/ho...

When Christoffer ‘Kid’ Andersen was a young man, he had dreams of coming to the United States to experience the Blues culture first-hand. As a young adult, that opportunity presented itself when Terry Hanck offered him a position in his band, and Kid never looked back. On this edition of Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, you will hear that story and others first-hand from the man himself, but he also discusses the formation of Greaseland Studios, with the steady stream of incredible albums, his thoughts on today’s new crop of young Bluesmen and women, and his ongoing partnership and re...

Without a doubt, the music business has dramatically changed over the past 20 years. One musician is making a difference, and he has created an outlet for other musicians who might not otherwise be recorded and heard. Legendary keyboard player Jim Pugh is the founder of The Little Village Foundation, a 501c3 recording label, and many of today’s emerging artists have come from Little Village. Jim dropped in to chat with host, Jim Ervin about his life in music, but more importantly, how The Little Village Foundation came to be, and how it continues to make its mark on to...

As Season six rolls onward, we are pleased to welcome another member of the NEXT generation of the Blues, Grammy nominated musician, Mr. Jontavious Willis. From the time this young man heard Muddy Waters, he says it changed his life. As a 19 year old, he was invited to joining the legendary Taj Mahal on stage, and he has never looked back. This young man, in his own words, is dedicated to preserving the tradition of old school Blues. Check out this episode, then do me a favor and tell everyone you know about him!

Website: https://jontaviouswillis...

The Peoples' Queen of Blues and Little Village Foundation artist, Diunna Greenleaf joins host Jim Ervin this week on Time Signatures. She dropped by to talk about her early life in music, her exposure to the Blues as a young girl, her album, 'I Ain't Playin', her three year stint as the first woman to serve as president of the Houston Blues Society, and her role as head of Blue Mercy. It's conversation worth checking out!

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This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, join Erv as he welcomes lead vocalist, Kimberly Dill and Guitarist Jamie Holdren of the band Sister Lucille. This band has taken the worlds of the Blues, Roots, and Soul and turned them on their collective heads to form a completely unique Blues-related genre known as “Mem-Phunk”. From the famed Ryman Auditorium to Beale Street, this band has deep ties to music that crosses generations, and the two are here to talk about the foundations of the band, featuring Kim’s now deceased uncle, the genesis of the band’s iconic name, th...

The late 60's developed some of the biggest names of the Blues in Chicago. Along with Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, James Cotton and others, there was a group of young white guys that learned from these future legends, and they began making a name for themselves along the way. Corky Siegel and Jim Schwall began their musical partnership simply as, "Corky and Jim". For all the details on the rest of the story, please join host Jim Ervin as he welcomes Corky Siegel for an in depth discussion about those early days in Chicago. Siegel was also responsible for...

On this edition of Time Signatures, Erv welcomes another member of the next generation of the Blues, Alexandria, Louisiana native, Eric Johanson. Eric dropped by to share stories about playing hide and seek in his grandfather's piano store, his discovery and early years in music, developing his own sound through those early years, developing a musician’s relationship with Tab Benoit, and his 2016 debut album after being signed by Tab. Eric also discussed his current project, “Live In Mississippi”, a decidedly stronger rock-infused Blues album that’s already catching attention across the genre.

Website: https://www.ericjohanson.com/

Iconic Rock (and Blues) Photographer, Robert M. Knight joins host Jim Ervin as he welcomes Knight to talk about his early photographic work with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and the Yardbirds. Knight's obsession with photography led him to London at age 16, and the rest is history. He has photographed thousands of musicians in his more than half century in the business, he is a published author, he is the subject of the documentary, 'Rock Prophecies', but perhaps his biggest distinction is being the sole photographer at the Alpine Valley Music Festival on August 26, 1990 in Troy, Wisconsin...

Season Six roars out of the gates as Erv welcomes singer, songwriter, 4 x Grammy winning producer and musician, Tom Hambridge to the show. Tom talks about his early work in music, a chance phone call from Sony that developed into an multi-year, multi-album trek with Blues legend, Buddy Guy, and Buddy’s direction to find Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram so he could back the young man’s first album. We also discuss Tom’s new album “Down the Hatch”. There is a ton more in this episode, so buckle up for the ride, and enjoy the first episode of our sixth season!<...

Season Five is roaring to a close with one last incredible guest. Legendary Bluesman, Curtis Salgado stopped by to talk about his early years in Eugene, Oregon and his start in music, dating back to Kindergarten, playin Air Guitar with his cardboard Strat, that swingin concert featuring Count Basie. Of course, we had to talk about the introduction and meeting with John Belushi, who was in town to shoot ‘Animal House’. History records that this meeting with Belushi developed into a bit with Belushi and his counterpart, Dan Aykroyd who became ‘The Blues Brothers’. If you love history, especially of the B...

Just two more episodes remain of Season 5, and what an incredible guest, indeed! This young lady is perhaps the most prolific violinist in the Blues genre today, but she sure doesn't limit herself to the Blues. Anne Harris joins host Jim Ervin to discuss her life in music, a recently completed tour with Taj Mahal and Keb Mo, and her privately crowdfunded NEW violin project, with African American female luthier, Amanda Ewing. Most notably, this is the first time two African American ladies have done business on this level....one being a luthier and one a violinist. It's a...

Annika Chambers and Paul DesLauriers were musicians in their own right, each with their own bands until fate took over in 2018. They met in Memphis, Tennessee, and it was the proverbial “Love at first sight” for the couple. Their chemistry on and off stage is powerful, making their music even more so. As season five winds to a close, join us for a great discussion with this power couple, about their fateful meeting, the quietly planned proposal under the St. Louis arch, and their subsequent elopement. We also talk about Annika’s PTSD, Paul’s fall and subsequent traumatic brain in...

Only a few episodes remain in Season Five, and this week, Erv welcomes some local Michigan music royalty to the program. Drummers, Jeff Shoup and and 90 year old Randy Gelispie (Uncle G) make a studio appearance to talk more Blues (and Jazz!) history. Be sure to listen for Uncle G’s humorous story about he and Trumpet phenom, Dizzy Gillespie…you are sure to laugh at this one! The duo also share stories about their early years in music, their development as musicians, and what they are up to these days on the local music scene.

Jazz Tues...

This week on Time Signatures, join host Jim Ervin as he welcomes ‘The Fallbrook Kid’, Anthony Cullins to the program. At the tender age of 10, Cullins did odd jobs around the house and neighborhood, saving up for a trip to Costco to purchase his first guitar. With the love and support of his parents, Anthony discovered he had a knack for the instrument, and he was gigging locally beginning at the age of 12. In the years that followed, he has found a way to make a decent income playing, and he has met some amazing musicians who have encouraged and...

What happens when you take the limitless dreams of a young man, add a guitar, and a chance meeting with a young Riley B. (B.B.) King? You see that young man seize the opportunity, and develop his craft, thus establishing himself as a Blues legend in his own right later in life. That is precisely what happened to Anson Funderburgh, and you will hear all about his early musical experiences, the formation of his band, ‘The Rockets’, and his work with Sam Myers on this week’s edition of Time Signatures with Jim Ervin. Anson was also a good f...

In the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s, the Greater Lansing area was abuzz with a ton of Blues music. In addition to the incredible local talent on hand, a small handful of people were responsible for doing a great deal of work, attracting out of town Blues musicians to play. Harry Oman traveled to the metro Detroit area, formed some partnerships, and brought some of the biggest names in Detroit’s Blues scene to play at LeRoy’s in Lansing’s south end. A chance meeting with Eddie Kirkland led to a long lasting relationship that lasted until Kirkland’s death in 2011...

It’s a very special edition of Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, as Erv welcomes longtime Detroit Free Press Photographer, Wilson Lindsey for a chat about his decades working behind the lens for the Freep as well as his early stint on the Freelance side of things. It was in those early years that Wilson dabbled in professional wrestling photography, which led to a job at the Free Press where he had occasion to shoot with a young Cassius Clay (Pre-Ali years!), and also at the Fifth Dimension in Ann Arbor where he happened to catch a young guitar ph...

It is our 100th episode at Time Signatures, and you cannot celebrate a landmark episode without a legendary Bluesman, like Billy Branch. Billy came up in Chicago, learning harp skills in all of the local clubs, battling with the likes of James Cotton, Willie Dixon, Carey Bell, and others. Billy joins Erv to talk about all of that, plus his first recorded single with Willie Dixon and the Chicago Blues Allstars, his longstanding Blues in the Schools work (some 46 years!), forming the Sons of Blues and playing as the first band to play at the legendary Rosa's Lounge. In...

This week, host Jim Ervin welcomes 10 time BMA nominee, Harmonicist and Delmark Artist, Tad Robinson. Tad dropped in to discuss his early life in New York City, where he listened to Sam Cooke, The Temptations, Ray Charles and many other R&B musicians. Even at the age of 8, the young man realized music was in his blood, and the proverbial hook was set. Following an early stint with Severin records, Robinson made the move to Chicago, where he solidified his musical base, collaborating with many Blues musicians in the Windy City. Truly a gentleman, and truly thankful for his...

Episode 98 has arrived, It’s another home run discussion on ‘Time Signatures with Jim Ervin’ as Erv welcomes a member of the next generation of the Blues, 18 year old Harrell ‘Young Rell’ Davenport. Rell has been on an absolute tear, wowing crowds in Chicago, Mississippi, and across the pond in Norway and other stops in Europe with his deep passion for those old school Blues. Billy Branch said he has never seen anyone his age deliver the Blues in the traditional fashion in his 46 years of working in the Blues in the Schools program. Yet, despite his deep skillset as a music...

This week, join host Jim Ervin as he welcomes another Woman of the Blues. Alexandria Bailey, aka Lexie Blue, came up in Las Vegas during her early life, occasionally joining her adoptive parents on stage as they performed, and the musician bug took hold of her early on. Following her move back to Michigan, she took out an ad on Craig’s List and put her first band together. She has since gotten married, and formed another band with her husband, but she also formed her own Blues-based band, ‘Lexie Blue’ in 2023. She has since competed in Memphis during the In...

What do you do when you find that your longtime gig is about to be slowed to a halt, albeit temporarily? If you are Matthew Stubbs, former full-time touring guitarist with the legendary Charlie Musselwhite, you think it over…and then you form a band to keep the bills paid. On this week’s edition of Time Signatures, Erv and Matt talk about that period of time, and how it ultimately led to that band with an old time 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s sound, GA-20. Matt and his new GA-20 bandmates, Cody Nilson and Josh Kiggins are here to talk ab...

What happens when a local radio personality establishes a wildly popular daily radio program and then is thrust onto the national stage after an article is written about his work? Well that is precisely what happened to this week’s guest on Time Signatures, and before it was all said and done, he had been hired by Sirius XM satellite radio and tasked with helping to launch the Bluesville channel. Over the course of the 12+ years that followed, Bill Wax made an incredible connection with the late legendary Bluesman, B.B. King who was later proclaimed Mayor of Bluesville, wi...