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Shemekia Copeland to perform in Belgium

ALLIGATOR RECORDS, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018. – “Shemekia Copeland is a powerhouse, a superstar…she can do no wrong.” –Rolling Stone

“Shemekia Copeland is one of the great blues voices of our time. No one comes close to the sheer firepower that Copeland conjures at will.”–Chicago Tribune

“America’s Child is a groundbreaking, genre-bending work of beauty. Shemekia is one of the great singers of our time. This record introduces listeners to another side of her, and I predict it will result in many new fans. Her voice on these songs is nothing short of magic.”–Mary Gauthier

Award-winning blues, R&B and Americana vocalist Shemekia Copeland, touring in support of her latest Alligator Records release, AMERICA’S CHILD, will headline the Swing Wespelaar festival in Wespelaar, Belgium on Saturday, August 17, 2019. Produced by Will Kimbrough (who also plays guitar on the album) and recorded in Nashville, AMERICA’S CHILD – named the #1 blues album of 2018 by MOJO magazine – is a courageous and fiery statement of purpose, a major step forward for the singer whose musical consciousness continues to expand as her star continues to rise. With guests including John Prine, Rhiannon Giddens, Mary Gauthier, Emmylou Harris and Steve Cropper, AMERICA’S CHILD bursts with Copeland’s bravado and embraces with her tenderness. In 2019, Copeland received two Blues Music Awards for AMERICA’S CHILD: Album Of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year. Copeland can be heard daily hosting her own blues radio show on SiriusXM. Concert information is as follows:

Saturday, August 17, 2019
Swing Wespelaar
Wespelaar, Belgium
www.swingwespelaar.be
*See website for complete festival line-up and detailed ticket information

AMERICA’S CHILD is by far Copeland’s most compelling work yet, with music swelling beyond blues and into spirited Americana, with elements of rock, soul, and country. Her instantly recognizable voice–capable of being sultry, assertive and roaring–delivers every song with unparalleled honesty and passion. The three-time Grammy nominee’s wide-open vision of contemporary Americana roots and soul music showcases the evolution of a passionate artist with an up-to-the-minute musical and lyrical approach. From AMERICA’S CHILD’s anthemic opening track, Ain’t Got Time For Hate, to the closing lullaby, the traditional Go To Sleepy Little Baby, Shemekia sings with passion and insight about the chaos and uncertainty in the world while still finding joy all around her.

Upon the birth of her son Johnny Lee Copeland-Schultz in 2016, Shemekia, with fresh eyes, began to take an even deeper look at the state of the world. Of the new album, she says, “After having a child, I started thinking about the world I brought him into, how it actually is and how I wished it was and all the things he will have to go through. And to live in this world today, you have to have a strong foundation like I did to make it through. So that’s what ‘America’s child’ means to me. I’m truly grateful to all the artists that joined me on this record – it wasn’t about the genre for anyone, it was about the music and mutual love and respect.”

When Shemekia broke on the scene at age 18 in 1998 with her groundbreaking Alligator Records debut CD, Turn The Heat Up, she instantly became a blues and R&B force to be reckoned with. News outlets from The New York Times to CNN praised Copeland’s talent, larger-than-life personality, and true star power. With each subsequent release, Copeland’s music has continued to grow. From her debut through 2005’s The Soul Truth, Shemekia earned eight Blues Music Awards, a host of Living Blues Awards (including the prestigious 2010 Blues Artist Of The Year) and more accolades from fans, critics and fellow musicians. 2000’s Wicked received a Grammy nomination. Two highly successful releases on Telarc (including 2012’s Grammy-nominated 33 1/3) cemented her reputation as a singer who, according to NPR’s All Things Considered, “embodies the blues with her powerful vocal chops and fearless look at social issues.”

Copeland returned to Alligator Records in 2015 with the Grammy-nominated Outskirts Of Love. She won the 2017 Living Blues Readers’ Award for Blues Artist Of The Year (Female), the same distinction she won the year before. She also took home the 2016 Blues Music Award (BMA) for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year. Outskirts Of Love won the BMA for Best Blues Album Of The Year. MOJO said Copeland was “spectacular, stirring, sanctified and sassy.”

Shemekia Copeland has performed thousands of gigs at clubs, festivals and concert halls all over the world and has appeared on national television, NPR, and in newspapers, films and magazines. She’s sung with Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, James Cotton and many others. She opened for The Rolling Stones and entertained U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait. Jeff Beck calls her “amazing.” Santana says, “She’s incandescent…a diamond.” In 2012, she performed with B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Buddy Guy, Trombone Shorty, Gary Clark, Jr. and others at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama.

Now, with AMERICA’S CHILD, Shemekia Copeland is standing on the cusp of her greatest success. Her intensely empowering, American music is as insightful as it is fun. NPR Music says, “She brings a perfect balance of authority and understatement to each song.” No Depression adds, “When Shemekia Copeland opens her mouth, everybody pays attention. She pierces your soul. This is how you do it, and nobody does it better than Shemekia Copeland.”

Please contact Marc Lipkin at publicity@allig.com for interviews, photos or additional biographical information.

“It’s evident who inspired much of Shemekia Copeland’s latest album”

It’s evident who inspired much of Shemekia Copeland’s latest album, “American Child,” after listening to the leadoff track, “Ain’t Got Time to Hate.”

“Where’s your little angel wings/my sweet baby child/and how you gonna live/in a world gone wild.”

Copeland’s 2-year-old son, Johnny, changed the blues singer’s outlook on life.

“So much changed after he arrived,” Copeland, 40, said by phone from her Chicago home. “My music has definitely been impacted by him. You can hear that on this album. It all happened organically.”

Copeland…explores a variety of issues on the album. The gritty “America’s Child” tackles racism on “Would You Take My Blood,” the state of a bewildering nation on “Ain’t Got Time for Hate” and a poetic take on individuality with “I’m Not Like Everybody Else.”

By Ed Condran, before Shemekia headlines the North Liberty Blues and BBQ in North Liberty, Iowa, this Saturday, July, 13. Read the full story in The Gazette

Little Village: “Her most personal and widest-ranging record yet”

For Shemekia Copeland, the blues comes in many forms these days. When I got her on the phone last week, she had spent the day before with her son and about 50 “2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds on a field trip.”

“I came home, pulled all my hair out and had a glass of wine,” Copeland said, laughing.

She was enjoying a few days off from her first full tour since having her son, two-and-a-half-year-old Johnny Lee Copeland-Schultz, and she admits that it’s been a big readjustment to go back to a full time touring schedule….Copeland’s ninth album, America’s Child is her most personal and widest-ranging record yet, which she said is the result of her new role as a mother.

“This album is based around my little guy. When he was born, everything for me changed. I wanted a better world for him. I know that makes me sound crazy, like a beauty queen or something. But no, I really felt that way,” Copeland said. “What better way to make the world a better place than by just putting it out there, musically.”

By Avery Gregurich, before Shemekia’s headlining performance this Saturday, July 13, at the North Liberty Blues & BBQ festival in North Liberty, Iowa. Read the full story in Little Village.

“A rich voice, powerful lyrics”

The headliner for the event, Shemekia Copeland has been singing the blues for over 20 years and has been awarded numerous accolades for her art. Copeland has a rich voice, powerful lyrics and is firmly nestled in (traditional blues with a bit of an edge.)

“[Copeland] is an amazing contemporary blues artist,” said Andre Perry, the executive director for The Englert of Copeland in a previous interview with the Press-Citizen. “To have someone achieve what she’s achieved headlining is just great, so we’re supper happy she was able to work it out and that she was able to be here for it.”

By Isaac Hamlet, before Shemekia’s performance at the North Liberty Blues and BBQ this coming Saturday, July 13. Read the full story in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

Shemekia to celebrate Buddy Guy’s Austin City Limits Hall of Fame induction

Shemekia Copeland will perform with blues icon Buddy Guy as he is inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall Of Fame. In an all-star concert event to be held on October 24 at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin, Texas, Buddy Guy, along with Shawn Colvin and Lyle Lovett, will be honored. Copeland will perform with Buddy Guy as he celebrates his induction.

Additional guests  for this year’s event include Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Jackson Browne, Jimmie Vaughan, Bruce Hornsby, Sarah Jarosz and Willis Alan Ramsey. The program will be hosted by Robert Earl Keen, and will be broadcast nationwide by PBS television on New Year’s Eve.

Award-winning blues, R&B and Americana vocalist Shemekia Copeland’s recent album, America’s Child, was named the #1 blues album of 2018 by MOJO magazine. The album is a courageous and fiery statement of purpose and a major step forward for the singer whose musical consciousness continues to expand as her star continues to rise. The album, with guests including John Prine and Rhiannon Giddens, bursts with Shemekia’s bravado and embraces with her tenderness.

Shemekia recently received two Blues Music Awards for America’s Child: Album Of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year. Her instantly recognizable voice –capable of being sultry, assertive and roaring– delivers every song with unparalleled honesty and passion. The three-time Grammy nominee’s wide-open vision of contemporary Americana roots and soul music showcases the evolution of a passionate artist with an up-to-the-minute musical and lyrical approach. The Chicago Tribune says, “Copeland is the greatest female blues vocalist working today.”

Shemekia nominated for a Blues Blast Music Award

Blues Blast Magazine has announced the nominees for the 2019 Blues Blast Music Awards. Shemekia’s America’s Child was nominated in the Contemporary Blues Album category.

The Blues Blast Music Awards are presented by Blues Blast Magazine, the largest free weekly internet blues magazine, with over 36,000 blues fan subscribers located in all 50 States and in more than 90 countries. In early May, a group of blues music industry professionals including music critics, journalists, festival promoters, music venue managers, producers, musicians and other blues music industry professionals nominated the best in blues music in 12 categories.

Fan voting to determine the winners begins July 1 and continues until August 16 on BluesBlastMagazine. com. Voting is free and open to anyone.

The 2019 Blues Blast Music Awards ceremonies will be held at The Tebala Event Center in Rockford, Illinois, on September 13th, 2019.

“A really good time warming up the crowd”

“I’m just doing a couple songs off of my latest record and having a really good time warming up the crowd for Marc Cohn and The Blind Boys of Alabama and Robert Cray. We’re having a blast,” Copeland said. “They’re all fantastic. Great to work with, you know. It’s a nice vibe being out with these guys. They’re such gentlemen and they’re so warm and welcoming, so that’s what’s made it great.”

Copeland released her latest album, “America’s Child,” in August 2018 after inspiration from the birth of her son, Johnny Lee Copeland. The album comes from taking a closer look at the world and knowing that her son will have a strong foundation from which to take it on.

“I’m always evolving and growing and changing and one of the biggest things to happen in my life so far is having my little guy and the second you have a child you start thinking about the type of world you brought the child into and the things that they will have to endure,” Copeland said. “You know, you’re scared, but you’re also hopeful that things will be better for them than they were for you or certainly not worse.”…

By Sam Palian. Read the full interview and story in The Charlotte Post before Shemekia’s performance at Old Town Amphitheater in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on June 21. Shemekia will be opening for Robert Cray and Marc Cohn and The Blind Boys of Alabama. 

Shemekia starts her own show on BB King’s Bluesville

Three-time Grammy Award nominee Shemekia Copeland is joining the air staff at BB King’s Bluesville. She will be the channel’s regular host each weekday from 9am to 3pm Eastern.

Shemekia is one of the leading artists in contemporary Blues with best-selling albums, sold out tours, and numerous awards. Shemekia has played the White House, opened for the The Rolling Stones, and shared the stage with everyone from B.B. King to Mick Jagger.

Plus, she is no stranger to SiriusXM as she’s worked previously as a Blues DJ on the service and also been the subject of artist interviews and live performances.

She says, “I am beyond honored and thrilled to be back on the air with SiriusXM. And can’t wait to be with my fans again. I’ve missed them so much.”

Shemekia’s first show on Bluesville will be this Monday June 17, 2019. 

Chicago Tribune: “Shemekia Copeland goes on the road again”

Photo Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune

Now that her son is 2-½ years old, Chicago blues singer Shemekia Copeland decided she’s ready to hit the road again in a major way.

So she’s now in the midst of touring with Robert Cray while hopscotching around the country playing other shows, including Friday night’s performance at the Ravinia Festival, where she’ll open for Buddy Guy. (…)

“Since Johnny was born, I haven’t done a whole lot of touring,” adds Copeland, referring to toddler Johnny Lee Copeland-Schultz.

“I’m already missing him. But Johnny is pretty set. He’s in school. He’s got his little routine, and I think he already has a pretty good understanding of what mama does (…).

“Now I’m excited about getting out on the road and touring this record, seeing how people feel about it.”

She refers to “America’s Child” (Alligator Records), an album she released last summer that bristles with pointed social commentary. New songs such as “Ain’t Got Time for Hate” (by John Hahn, her manager, and Will Kimbrough), “Americans” (by Mary Gauthier and Hahn) and “Would You Take My Blood?” (by Hahn and Kimbrough) confront the ugly racial and socioeconomic pandering peddled by some politicians these days.

Copeland’s efforts won her two honors from the Blues Foundation Blues Music Awards, for album of the year and contemporary blues album, as well as nominations for instrumental vocals, contemporary blues female artist and song of the year (for “Ain’t Got Time for Hate”). (…)

But Copeland apparently is just getting warmed up; she’s planning her next album. (…)

At the moment, Copeland also finds herself saddened by the recent death of Dr. John, who produced her 2002 album “Talking to Strangers,” his funky, New Orleans sensibility bringing forth the deepest blue shadings of her art. He also duetted with her on his 2014 album, “Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch.”

“I’m heartbroken,” says Copeland. “He was so amazing to me throughout my whole career, and just being supportive and loving.” (…)

“He’s just a national treasure. I think New Orleans should shut down for a month to celebrate Dr. John.” (…)

By Howard Reich, before Shemekia’s performance this Friday evening at Ravinia Festival. Read the full story in the Chicago Tribune.

4 nominations for the 2019 Living Blues Readers’ Awards

Living Blues magazine has announced the nominees for the 2019 Living Blues Readers’ Awards. Shemekia Copeland received four nominations:

  • Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)
  • Most Outstanding Blues Singer
  • Best Live Performer
  • Best Blues Album Of 2018 (New Recordings) – America’s Child

The public, Living Blues subscribers and non-subscribers alike, can vote at www.livingblues.com by July 15, 2019. Winners will be announced in August.