Dan Aykroyd Is In Search Of The Next Blues Giant, Launching Blues Brothers Records
Dan Aykroyd has long been a champion of the blues tradition, even before he dawned the black cap, suit and glasses with John Belushi as Elwood and Joliet Blues. The comedic legend and Belushi's widow have set out, as he explained to Billboard "... to find the next Gary Clark Jr." in a joint venture with Don Was and Blue Note Records, launching Blues Brothers Records. The imprint will look to sign and develop blues musicians in the capacity of an A&R and distribute via Blue Note, utilizing Aykroyd's BluesMobile program (a radio show he's hosted for 22 years) as a means of getting airplay and exposure. The hope to eventually grow the lineup in order to produce a revue-styled showcase at, say, The House Of Blues, which Aykroyd co-founded. What's more, burgeoning axe-men and howlers will have their shot to submit to the label via the internets, once it launches, of course. Though no launch date or signed acts have been announced, it's isn't hard to see how the effort would basically be a low-key public service, as everyone and their mothers know at least one aspiring bluesman or blueswoman. Stay tuned for updates on the search, and if you're one of those looking to submit, you can start by checking out BluesMobile.
spotted at Billbaord