Rayman Interviews Shemekia Copeland Appearing At The 25th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival [Audio]

Shemekia Copeland  is the daughter of Johnny Copeland, a great blues singer in his own right. She began to pursue a singing career in earnest at age 16, when her father's health began to decline; he took Shemekia on tour as his opening act, which helped establish her name on the blues circuit.

She landed a recording contract with Alligator Records who recorded her debut album, Turn the Heat Up! in 1998. Her second album, Wicked, was released in 2000 and featured a duet with one of her heroes, Ruth brown. It earned her three Blues Music Awards.

In 2008, Copeland signed with Telarc International, and released her first album, Never Going Back with that label in February 2009. Her latest album 33 1/3 has gained her rave reviews, and is her best effort to date. On June 12, 2011 at the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival, Copeland was presented Koko Taylor's crown, and officially given the honor as the new "Queen of the Blues." In 2013, Copeland was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the Contemporary Blues Female Artist' category.

Shemekia Copeland will be appearing at the 25th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival on Sunday, August 11th at 6:30 p.m.You'll want to see this great blues artist in person! reserve your 3 day passes  now at Bayfrontblues.com. or Electric Fetus.

Listen to my recent interview with Shemekia!