The Blues Hotel

Step inside The Blues Hotel, where the music never sleeps and the stories run deep. In this episode, host Kelvin Huggins and introducing resident truth-teller Rufus “Old Man” Tate take you on a soul-stirring journey through the living, breathing world of blues—past, present, and far beyond the front porch.

Then & Now

From Howlin’ Wolf’s primal growl to The Dead Daisies’ gritty 2025 reimagining of “Little Red Rooster,” this episode proves the blues ain’t stuck in time—it’s always moving, always morphing. Hear how today’s rising stars like Cold Snap and Zevon Lee carry the torch, lit long ago in the Delta and now burning bright in Melbourne’s underground.

Global Grooves & Forgotten Legends

We travel from Mississippi juke joints to Sunbury ’74, Australia’s answer to Woodstock, spotlighting swamp rhythms, Piedmont slide masters, and gospel-blues hybrids. Rufus dusts off the legacy of Barbecue Bob and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, reminding us that the blues walks many roads—some holy, some haunted.

Raw Truths & Rufus Riffs

Rufus lays down “scraps of truth stitched with heartbreak and a harmonica,” with Rufus Riffs, while Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” and Bessie Smith’s bone-deep math lessons echo the blues’ power to protest, endure, and testify. Whether it’s the grind of nightwork or the grin behind Beth Hart’s storm, this episode doesn’t flinch—it feels.

Preservation & Protest

With shoutouts to the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society and tales of chicken wire stages and spiritual awakenings, this episode honors the grit, groove, and ghosts of blues history. WC Handy didn’t invent the blues—he just listened. And so do we.

Welcome to the Blues Hotel

The doors are open. The floorboards hum. And Rufus is waiting in the lobby with a riff and a story. Come on in—there ain’t nothing but the blues.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Blues Hotel Collective Presents - The Blues Hotel.

"At the Blues Hotel, there ain't nothin' but the blues."

Welcome to The Blues Hotel, where the classics live, the independents shine, and the stories behind the music come alive. Hosted by Kelvin Huggins, this dedicated blues radio program showcases the full spectrum of blues music - from timeless classics and hidden gems to today's independent rising stars.

What Makes The Blues Hotel Special

The Blues Hotel is more than just a radio show - it's a destination for blues enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Our program celebrates the rich tapestry of blues music through carefully curated segments that explore every facet of this powerful genre.

Featured Segments

Blues Challenge Updates - Supporting emerging talent through live coverage of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society's annual Blues Challenge heats and updates.

Backstory Blues - Deep dives into the history and cultural impact of iconic blues songs, revealing the stories that shaped the music we love.

Then and Now - Exploring the evolution of classic blues by pairing original recordings with contemporary reimaginings, showing how timeless songs continue to inspire new generations.

Aussie Blues Classics - Celebrating both legendary and emerging Australian blues artists, giving local talent the recognition they deserve.

New Music Spotlights - Featuring the latest releases from contemporary blues artists keeping the tradition alive and pushing boundaries.

Musical Journey

From the raw, rebellious energy of John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillin'" to the emotional depth of Jimi Hendrix's "Red House," The Blues Hotel takes listeners on a journey through blues history while keeping one foot firmly planted in the present. We explore themes of love and loss, everyday struggles and triumphs, and the blues as both companion and healer.

Community Connection

The Blues Hotel is proud to support the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS), a volunteer-run organization in its 35th year that has achieved unparalleled success at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. We're committed to nurturing new talent and connecting Australian blues artists to the international stage.

Join The Blues Hotel Collective at theblueshotel.com.au for alerts, quarterly newsletters, and everything blues. Come on in, pull up a chair, and let the blues do what they do best.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

In this episode of The Blues Hotel, we pull up a chair at the silky crossroads of blues and jazz — where smooth rhythms meet soulful grit, and timeless songs wear new suits. Host Kelvin Huggins takes you on a journey through classic and contemporary tracks that blur the lines between the two genres, from T-Bone Walker’s cool-swinging Call It Stormy Monday to Jimmy Smith’s soul-jazz groove Back at the Chicken Shack.

Our featured guest is Renate Bianca — Dutch-Tasmanian songwriter, composer, and performer — whose music masterfully dances between smoky jazz phrasing and the raw emotion of the blues. In a heartfelt conversation, she shares her songwriting philosophy, her fascination with humanity in all its beautiful imperfection, and why live performance is an act of community.

We also drop in on the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s Annual Blues Challenge, spotlighting standout performances from Pete Cornelius and Gypsy King Jones as they vie for a place at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

With stops along the way for Nina Simone’s haunting Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Dr. John’s swaggering Right Place, Wrong Time, and a touch of local Australian blues magic, this is an episode where history, heart, and groove meet under one roof — The Blues Hotel.

• The Blues Hotel Collective. - Official website of the Blues Hotel Collective - Home of The Blues Hotel and Just Talkin' Blues.
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• Renaté Bianca Music - Official website of Renaté Bianca
• Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit Blues club that aims to bring together Blues enthusiasts, Blues artists and budding musicians and support and promote Australian Blues artists locally and overseas.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Blues Hotel Collective Presents - The Blues Hotel.

This episode of The Blues Hotel takes a bold detour from tradition, spotlighting blues music that bends the rules but never loses its soul. From modal vamps and 8-bar laments to Australian garage-blues epics, we explore tracks that defy the 12-bar formula and embrace emotional truth.

Interview Spotlight: Ross Wilson We sit down with Australian music legend Ross Wilson, whose 60-year career spans garage rock, Delta blues, and everything in between. From his early days with The Pink Finks to his iconic hit “Eagle Rock,” Ross shares the roots behind his music, the meaning of “rock,” and the real story behind his latest blues-inspired EP. Songs like “She’s Stuck on Facebook All the Time” prove that even in the digital age, the blues is as relevant as ever.

Backstory Blues "Key to the Highway"

We trace the evolution of this wandering blues anthem—from Charlie Segar’s piano roots to Big Bill Broonzy’s eight-bar twist, and finally to Clapton and Allman’s blues-rock rendition. One song, many roads, same message: I’m gonna roam until the break of day.

Live at the MBAS; Heat 1 of the MBAS Annual Blues Challenge We shine a light on the work of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) and their International Blues Challenge, showcasing rising stars like Back Alley Sally and Damon Smith. These efforts help keep the flame burning for the next generation of blues artists.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

 The Blues Hotel – Authentic Blues. Real Stories.

Hosted by Kelvin Huggins

After an unexpected break, The Blues Hotel swings open its doors once again, inviting blues lovers back inside for two soul-drenched hours of real, authentic blues. Hosted by Kelvin Huggins, this show is a heartfelt journey through the music that shaped generations—from legendary pioneers to modern-day torchbearers.

Each episode blends classic cuts with new discoveries, celebrating the raw emotion, resilience, and deep storytelling that define the blues. Whether it’s heartbreak, hard times, or hard-earned joy, The Blues Hotel captures the full spectrum of human experience with a soundtrack to match.

Listeners can settle in with segments like Backstory Blues, Then and Now, and Live at the MBAS, showcasing everything from Elmore James and Buddy Guy to Blackstone Cherry and the Justin Yap Trio. Along the way, discover the global reach of the blues—from Mississippi to Melbourne—and hear the voices keeping it alive today.

Part of the Blues Hotel Collective, the show is expanding with a brand-new website, exclusive merch, and a 24/7 streaming blues service. Join us weekly and keep the spirit alive—because the heart of the blues, it never stops beating.

📍 Tune in via MITE Radio, Indigo FM, Power Pop Rock Radio, or stream anytime at theblueshotel.com.au