Alligator Records

05/28/2026

Chicago Blues Fest is right around the corner. Special 55 Years Of Alligator Records on stage on Friday, June 5 at 7:30 PM. For the full lineup see
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_blues_festival.html

05/21/2026

Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon is featured by Newcity this week as he performs tonight at Evanston SPACE (5/21) and leading up to his appearance at Chicago Blues Festival (June 5) as part of the 55 Years of Alligator Records celebration to close out the fest’s opening night. Get some insight into the mind of the bluesman and his most recent release, Shut Up & Play

The Chicago blues musician plays a series of local shows in the weeks ahead, at venues from Evanston's Space to the Blues Fest in Millennium Park.

05/19/2026

05/14/2026

Rick Estrin and The Nightcats return to WorldRecords Bakersfield tomorrow, May 15, as part of their No Stinkin' Services Charge Blues Series! Tix are still available
https://shopworldrecords.com/

05/13/2026

Alligator Records' artists received a total of 16 nominations for the 2026 Living Blues Awards. Living Blues magazine announced the nominees in its just-released issue #302. Living Blues fans may vote with the Readers' Ballot, available at www.livingblues.com, by June 15, 2026

The list of Alligator nominations are:

Shemekia Copeland
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)
Best Live Performer
Most Outstanding Blues Singer

Southern Avenue
Band Of The Year
Best Live Performer
Best Blues Album of 2025: Family

TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)
Best Blues Album Of 2025: Closer To The Bone

Ronnie Baker Brooks
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Best Live Performer

D.K. Harrell
Best Blues Album Of 2025: Talkin' Heavy

Rick Estrin and The Nightcats
Rick Estrin - Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)
Kid Andersen - Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)

Marcia Ball
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboards)

05/12/2026

Lil Ed Williams will be performing an acoustic gig at the Grand Opening of Bubble Tea & Books in Lake Zurich, IL this Saturday, May 16th

This isn't your average tea shop; it’s a cozy community hub where high-quality, refreshing boba meets a curated selection of books. Whether you are looking for a quiet corner to read or a vibrant spot to grab a drink with friends, this new local gem has it all!

Grand Opening Festivities:
🎸 Live Music: Catch a performance by local blues musician Lil' Ed at 1:00 PM.
🥤 Happy Hour Specials: Take advantage of Buy 1, Get 1 50% OFF drink specials during the event!
🎟️ Raffles & More: Enter to win exciting prizes and enjoy special grand opening pricing all day.

Event Details:
🗓️ Date: Saturday, May 16th from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Location: 52 E Main St, Lake Zurich, IL

🔗 RSVP Today- Help our hosts prepare by letting us know you’re coming! To sign up, click here: https://www.lzacc.com/event-detail/_rV8_tdlCIxFe6XnJHh8xA2/ribbon-cutting-at-bubble-tea-books

05/08/2026

On Thursday, May 7, The Blues Foundation announced the winners of the 47th Annual Blues Music Awards. Alligator Records artists received seven awards, including three of the night's top honors.

World-renowned blues star Ronnie Baker Brooks received the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award.

Young blues phenomenon D.K. Harrell won the awards for Blues Album Of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year for his critically acclaimed Alligator debut, Talkin' Heavy.

TOMMY CASTRO (of Tommy Castro & The Painkillers) won the award for Song Of The Year for Can't Catch A Break (from his album Closer To The Bone) co-written with Christoffer Lund Andersen (of Rick Estrin and The Nightcats). Castro also won the award for Blues Rock Artist Of The Year.

Derrick D'Mar Martin (drummer of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats) won Best Instrumentalist—Drums.

And Marcia Ball, who was also inducted into The Blues Foundation's Hall Of Fame, won the award for Best Instrumentalist—Piano.

Congrats to all!
https://blues.org/blues-music-awards-2/