"The Life of Riley" , Documentary on Blues Legend BB King to Air on PBS on 2/12

"The Life of Riley" will be airing nationally on PBS on February 12, 2016. This is the only documentary ever made on the last of the Blues legends, BB King.

Narrated by Morgan Freeman and directed by Jon Brewer, this visually stunning picture has an astounding list of contributors (aside from King himself), including Bono, Eric Clapton, Bruce Willis, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Keith Richards and Bill Wyman, as well as appearances by Mick Jagger and President Obama.

This is a no holds barred, powerful feature that explores how a black cotton picker from Mississippi turned his life around and battled against all the odds and unrelenting racism to overcome even the toughest critics. Filmed on location all over America as well as in the United Kingdom, this picture brings to life the heat and gin-soaked plantations where it all began. With the full cooperation of the B.B. King Museum, owners of vaults and archives so precious and immense, that several trips had to be made to America to revisit the collection and partake of its many gems. Prejudice and segregation has stained the lives of countless African Americans, and B.B. "Riley" King made sure that through his music, he never allowed it to mar his spirit. This is the essence of the story that makes an astoundingly beautiful film.

Joe Bonamassa Reveals "Blues of Desperation" CD Plans

Grammy-nominated blues-rock guitar icon Joe Bonamassa announces his brand-new studio solo album. Blues of Desperation (J&R Adventures/Universal Music), which will be released March 25, 2016. Like his previous solo disc, 2014’s Top 10 Billboard hit Different Shades of Blue, this record features all-original material, and it sees the maverick superstar guitarist, singer and songwriter tossing away the rule book as he continues to reinvent and redefine the blues-rock genre like no other artist working today.

“I want people to hear my evolution as a blues-rock musician,” says Bonamassa, “somebody who isn’t resting on accomplishments and who is always pushing forward and thinking about how music can evolve and stay relevant.”

The writing sessions for Blues of Desperation took Bonamassa back to Nashville, where he’d composed Different Shades of Blue, to work with some of Music City’s top tunesmiths, people like James House, Tom Hambridge, Jeffrey Steele, Jerry Flowers and Gary Nicholson.

“These are some of the best guys in the business,” Bonamassa raves. “Lyrically, you’ll hear the proverbial trains, mountains, valleys and other blues references about heartbreak and loneliness but there are also some poignant moments about getting away from the stressful, crazy demands of life and losing yourself with your special someone. I think anybody will be able to relate.”