Texoma Blues Society

Indeed! Howlin' Wolf forever! 💙

HEY LOCO FANS - Swamp blues great Lazy Lester was born Leslie Johnson on June 20, 1933, near Torras, Louisiana, just outside Baton Rouge. One of the defining voices of Louisiana swamp blues, Lester became known for his relaxed vocals, expressive harmonica playing, and a string of influential recordings for Excello Records during the 1950s and 1960s.

Despite his nickname, given to him by producer J.D. Miller, Lester insisted he was never especially lazy. Growing up, he absorbed the sounds of Jimmy Reed, Little Walter, and other blues artists before an accidental meeting with guitarist Lightnin' Slim changed his life. Slim needed a harmonica player, and the two quickly formed a musical partnership that became a cornerstone of the swamp blues sound.

Beginning in 1956, Lester recorded for Miller's studios in Crowley, Louisiana. His Excello releases included classics such as "I'm a Lover Not a Fighter," "I Hear You Knockin'," "Sugar Coated Love," "If You Think I've Lost You," and "The Same Thing Could Happen to You." In addition to his work as a frontman, Lester was a valuable session musician, contributing harmonica, guitar, percussion, and creative sound effects to countless recordings by Lightnin' Slim, Slim Harpo, and other Louisiana blues artists.

By the 1970s, Lester had largely left music behind and settled in Pontiac, Michigan. Encouraged by manager Fred Reif, he returned to performing in the late 1980s and launched a successful comeback. His 1988 Alligator Records release, Harp & Soul, introduced him to a new generation of blues fans. Later albums included All Over You (1998), Blues Stop Knockin' (2001), featuring Jimmie Vaughan, and One More Once (2010).

Lester remained a popular performer at blues festivals around the world and was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2011. Widely regarded as one of the last great representatives of classic swamp blues, he continued performing until declining health slowed his schedule. Lazy Lester died from cancer on August 22, 2018, at his home in Paradise, California, at the age of 85.

June 20th, 1937 ~ Robert Johnson held his last recording session at the Vitagraph Building located at 508 Park Avenue in Dallas, Texas. This second and last day of recording for the Vocalion label produced the songs "Hell Hound on My Trail", "Malted Milk", "Milkcow's Calf Blues" (2 takes), "Stop Breakin' Down Blues" (2 takes), "Honeymoon Blues", "Little Queen of Spades" (2 takes), "Me and the Devil Blues" (2 takes), "Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)", "Love in Vain Blues", "Drunken Hearted Man" (2 takes) and "Traveling Riverside Blues" (2 takes)

Cheers to 25 years of Ground Zero! Founded by Bill Luckett and Morgan Freeman as a way to bring revitalization and blues back to the heart of their hometown... Seems they've succeeded, no?

We now have live blues 7 nights a week, all year long.

Miss T, Sadie & Casey still lead a whole team serving up the best music and Southern food. They've taken the show on the road this year with Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience. It's the brainchild of co-owner Eric Meier, who's at the helm with co-owner Howard Stovall (who's going strong with his Mighty Roots Music Festival too!).

Bill Luckett was our mayor and an accomplished guy, but visit his law office and what was he eager to discuss? Ground Zero Blues Club. Voted #1 in the world he'd remind you, beaming.

Bill would be so proud.

The Anniversary was one of his favorite parties, and it's still a great one.

It's starting now. Tix are at the door or online, Fri+Sat. and come raise a glass to the team at its heart, and the musicians who make it sing.

(Then head down the street to the Tater SuperBad Blues Festival Saturday, Bad Apple Blues Club Festival Sunday, Levon's for their 10th anniversary, and live music at great venues across town. Full schedule on the Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Arts website as always!)

Congrats and thanks to the whole team. Here's to many more.

🎶🥰🥂

📸 Morgan, Eric & Bill celebrating their 20th. 💙

Bnois King featuring Texas Slim takes over The George Tavern at 4 PM for what’s shaping up to be one of the biggest patio crowds of Memorial Day Weekend in Downtown Denison.

This is the kind of afternoon people make plans around. Blues, groove, soul, big guitar sound rolling across the patio, drinks moving all afternoon, and Downtown packed with people looking for somewhere to settle in and stay awhile.

If you’ve been waiting for the right day to come out this weekend, this is it.

I don’t dream big enough to hope to work with legends like this. Humbled and honored to be included

Tickets at johnpaulwhite.com

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Repost from

Join us as we honor Buddy Guy with the John Lewis Civil Rights Award-followed by an unforgettable all-star performance.
Featuring: Buddy Guy, Blind Boys of Alabama, Robert Randolph, John Paul White, Chanel Haynes, Stanley Simmons & Tom Hambridge.

📍Renaissance Shoals Hotel Ballroom - Florence, AL
📅 May 27, 2026 | 7:30PM

This is more than a concert-it's history in the making.
🎟️ Get your tickets now (link in bio)