On Our Monthly Artist Spotlight Feature

Great interview with Steve Freund...It’s nice to see some interest in who I feel is one of the best Blues Guitarists on the planet at this time and getting tremendous acclaim is what he deserves! Fast Freddy Sims Aloha ~ Freddy, Pukalani, Hawaii

This interview demonstrates perfectly why I like and respect Steve Freund ~ Ron (Musician), San Francisco, California 

On Out of the Shadows: The Joe Arnold Interview with David Mac

I enjoyed reading the July issue of the Blues Junction article about my brother Joe Arnold. I have printed copies for our Mother and our other brother Bill. It was a great article about his music career. You got it right.~ Wiley Arnold

I just read your interview with Joe Arnold, which may very well be the best interview I have ever read! Thank you for an amazing piece on an artist who touched many lives and as you pointed out deserves to be recognized for his contributions.~ Mark (writer), Gulfport,Florida

Dave, what a pleasure it was to be enlightened by the stories you were able to capture from Joe Arnold. I could feel the friendship that developed as he shared his life with you. I'm touched. You've done a great piece of work. ~ Marti, Long Beach, California

Hey Dave, your latest editorial shows you once again to be a man of integrity. However I’m not too pleased that you made me spit my coffee out when I read the line "Janis Joplin trying to pass a pine cone while riding on a roller coaster at high altitude." ~ Jeff (musician), Los Angeles, California

I just read David Mac's editorial. I think it is a courageous stance that he takes and applaud him for taking a stand. All music, blues or other is not created equal. As a musician I appreciate his honesty. Funny thing is prior to my reading of the editorial I emailed BLUES JUNCTION to inquire about CD reviews. He would be the one person I would hope to listen to our band's CD. It would be like a very important test.~ Anthony (musician), Los Angeles, California

Thank you, David, for this insightful, personal, and painful-to-be-real editorial. It is very instructional for my next steps in getting back into performance. As the president of the Ozark Blues Society for the past 10 years, I've had to put my own blues career on the back burner so that there would be no perception of favoritism from our members or other artists that our society supports. Now that I'm getting back into the market, your editorial has refreshed me on how to be real in my publicity, and just perform, and see what happens after that. I can't thank you enough. ~ Liz (musician), Bella Vista, Arkansas

So much in your editorial I have thought about. So true that so many view blues and other music through the prism of classic rock. ~ Ron (writer), Washington, D.C.

This is an  interesting article by David Mac about the female blues diva phenomenon. I've had many similar conversations with my blues musician friends in the last couple years. After reading this article, I felt absolutely honored that he would mention me alongside Nikki Hill. ~ Whitney (musician), San Diego, California

On An interview with Egidio Ingala and Marco Gisfredi of the Jackknives

Ciao David, I'm really very excited to see our interview in your ezine. The best thing was to read your words and your opinion on our new record, thank you my friend. I also have read your editorial and also your others articles about other blues musicians and I must confess that I agree on many things you wrote about blues musicians and blues music in general. I truly hope that this collaboration and mutual respect can help my band to come and play in California one day. Doheny would really be a dream. Thank you so much for everything and hope to see you at the Doheny next year. Ciao and stay in touch. ~ Egidio Engala, Milan, Italy

General Comments

I love reading your work. You said a ton of very valuable things. Clearly, you are highly studied in your topic.  It starts with knowing WHAT to respect and then respecting it. That's not as easy as it sounds. Once, a Houston blues man named Joe "Guitar" Hughes said to me, "The blues starts with respect. You have to respect it first and then you may come to play it and, possibly, play it well." I feel that it is important to add that one has to know just what it IS to respect it. Knowing what it IS may take MANY years of study. It doesn't just rain the blues down on top of you and, like magic, you've got it. It ALL has to be earned. I find that recognizing and connecting myself to those that "KNOW" is, continually, helping me to learn. I choose for the learning to never stop. Again, you did a great job on your column. Bob Claypool would not have held back his honest opinion either. I like how you follow some of the footsteps of the MASTERS. ~ John (musician) Houston, Texas

Thank you, I just recognize that you are a voice for so many of us who think these things that you put into words so eloquently. Thanks for saying things that need to be said so this music that we love so will continue in the best way possible. All the best David and thanks for what you do. ~ Susan, Saint Louis, Missouri