This Week In The Blues: January 04 – January 10, 2026

HEY BLUES FANS - Here's the latest episode of "This Week In The Blues" for the week of January 04 – January 10, 2026.

Some of the highlights include co-founded the Fabulous Thunderbirds Kim Wilson, blues guitarist Tampa Red, and the day Muddy Waters recorded “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” at Chess Studios.

Keep in mind that there's so much more that happened this week in the blues. If you want to know more about these artists or other things that happened this week in the blues, be sure to visit our website or follow our Facebook page:
https://bigtrainblues.com
https://www.facebook.com/BigTrainBlues

Photo credits (if known) and past episodes are posted on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@BigTrainBlues

Here are links to a few of the artists or songs we've referenced in this week's episode:

Fabulous Thunderbirds & Stevie Ray Vaughan - "Tuff enough" - https://youtu.be/0j7rk0RJ8j4?si=QeeGeHbSJ7YHiPOZ

Muddy Waters - "Hoochie Coochie Man" (Live) - https://youtu.be/e_l6A7krjrQ?si=fGXHsrh5lsatdtNN

Join me every weekday from 12:15pm-12:45pm CT to watch a live stream on Facebook of the longest running blues radio show program. https://www.facebook.com/DeltaCulturalCenter

We’ll have a new episode next week – we’ll see you then!

ARE YOU A FAN OF BLUES HISTORY? US TOO!

 If you want to know more about these artists or other things that happened this week in the blues, be sure to visit our website or follow our Facebook page:

     https://bigtrainblues.com

     https://www.facebook.com/BigTrainBlues

Transcript

Libby Rae Watson, born January 5, 1954 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is one of the true keepers of the traditional blues flame. Her warm voice, sharp storytelling, and soulful fingerpicking have earned her fans around the world. Beyond the stage, she’s a fierce ambassador for Mississippi’s musical heritage, carrying the state’s stories to festivals from New Orleans Jazz & Heritage to King Biscuit to Europe. If Libby Rae is on a bill—or you see one of her CDs—grab it. She’s the real deal.

Kim Wilson, born January 6, 1951 in Detroit, co-founded the Fabulous Thunderbirds and rose to harp royalty. In the late ’60s he cut his teeth under the guidance of legends like Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, and George “Harmonica” Smith. Today he’s still touring the world, firing up festivals and clubs with the Thunderbirds and his Blues Allstars.

Bobo Jenkins, born January 7, 1916 in Forkland, Alabama, became a cornerstone of Detroit blues—not just as a musician but as a DIY pioneer. He built his own studio, launched his own label, and recorded staples like “Democrat Blues” and “Tell Me Where You Stayed Last Night.” His life was as gritty as his music: he lost his father as an infant, left home before age 12, and married for the first of many times at 14.

Ethel Finnie was born January 7, 1898 in New Orleans. She recorded eight expressive sides in the early 1920s, including “You’re Gonna Wake Up Some Morning, but Your Papa Will Be Gone.” A schoolteacher with deep musical talent, she married pianist and composer Porter Grainger and performed with him before stepping away from music to raise a family and run several businesses.

On January 7, 1954, Muddy Waters cut “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” at Chess Studios in Chicago. It was a Willie Dixon masterpiece that helped cement Muddy’s mythic swagger. The studio lineup was stacked: Muddy on guitar and vocals, Little Walter on harp, Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Otis Spann on piano, and Elga Edmonds on drums.

Tampa Red was born January 8, 1903, and his clean, single-string style shaped Chicago blues for decades. For this he was known as the “Guitar Wizard of the Blues”. His songs like “Black Angel Blues,” “It Hurts Me Too,” and “Crying Won’t Help You” all became standards recorded by countless blues giants, from Big Bill Broonzy to Robert Nighthawk, and to Muddy Waters.

Ishmon Bracey was born January 9, 1889 in Byram, Mississippi. He was one of the earliest Delta bluesmen to leave recorded evidence of his style. Alongside Tommy Johnson, Bracey helped define Mississippi blues through haunting songs like “Trouble Hearted Blues” and “Left Alone Blues.”

Buddy Scott was born January 9, 1935 in Goodman, Mississippi. He moved to Chicago as a child and came of age in its vibrant music scene. He formed Scotty and the Rib Tips, a band that held down Chicago clubs for decades. After signing with Verve Records, he released Bad Avenue in 1993, but sadly passed away not long after its release.

Eddy Clearwater was born January 10, 1935 in Macon, Mississippi. He was a cousin of Carey Bell and played a left-handed, upside-down guitar. Starting with gospel groups like the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Clearwater built a reputation as one of the blues’ finest songwriters and showmen.

Well blues fans, we just covered some of the highlights here. If you want to know more about these artists or other things that happened this week in the blues, be sure to follow our social media pages or just go out and visit our website at Big Train Blues.com. We’ll have a new episode next week and we’ll talk about Mississippi Fred McDowell and Chicago blues guitar player Earl Hooker. It’s going to be a great show, so…we’ll see you then!