The Blues Hotel

In this episode of The Blues Hotel, we pull up a chair at the silky crossroads of blues and jazz — where smooth rhythms meet soulful grit, and timeless songs wear new suits. Host Kelvin Huggins takes you on a journey through classic and contemporary tracks that blur the lines between the two genres, from T-Bone Walker’s cool-swinging Call It Stormy Monday to Jimmy Smith’s soul-jazz groove Back at the Chicken Shack.

Our featured guest is Renate Bianca — Dutch-Tasmanian songwriter, composer, and performer — whose music masterfully dances between smoky jazz phrasing and the raw emotion of the blues. In a heartfelt conversation, she shares her songwriting philosophy, her fascination with humanity in all its beautiful imperfection, and why live performance is an act of community.

We also drop in on the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s Annual Blues Challenge, spotlighting standout performances from Pete Cornelius and Gypsy King Jones as they vie for a place at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

With stops along the way for Nina Simone’s haunting Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Dr. John’s swaggering Right Place, Wrong Time, and a touch of local Australian blues magic, this is an episode where history, heart, and groove meet under one roof — The Blues Hotel.

• The Blues Hotel Collective. - Official website of the Blues Hotel Collective - Home of The Blues Hotel and Just Talkin' Blues.
  Sign up to our quarterly newsletter and be notified when new episodes drop!
• Renaté Bianca Music - Official website of Renaté Bianca
• Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit Blues club that aims to bring together Blues enthusiasts, Blues artists and budding musicians and support and promote Australian Blues artists locally and overseas.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Blues Hotel Collective Presents - The Blues Hotel.

This episode of The Blues Hotel takes a bold detour from tradition, spotlighting blues music that bends the rules but never loses its soul. From modal vamps and 8-bar laments to Australian garage-blues epics, we explore tracks that defy the 12-bar formula and embrace emotional truth.

Interview Spotlight: Ross Wilson We sit down with Australian music legend Ross Wilson, whose 60-year career spans garage rock, Delta blues, and everything in between. From his early days with The Pink Finks to his iconic hit “Eagle Rock,” Ross shares the roots behind his music, the meaning of “rock,” and the real story behind his latest blues-inspired EP. Songs like “She’s Stuck on Facebook All the Time” prove that even in the digital age, the blues is as relevant as ever.

Backstory Blues "Key to the Highway"

We trace the evolution of this wandering blues anthem—from Charlie Segar’s piano roots to Big Bill Broonzy’s eight-bar twist, and finally to Clapton and Allman’s blues-rock rendition. One song, many roads, same message: I’m gonna roam until the break of day.

Live at the MBAS; Heat 1 of the MBAS Annual Blues Challenge We shine a light on the work of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) and their International Blues Challenge, showcasing rising stars like Back Alley Sally and Damon Smith. These efforts help keep the flame burning for the next generation of blues artists.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

 The Blues Hotel – Authentic Blues. Real Stories.

Hosted by Kelvin Huggins

After an unexpected break, The Blues Hotel swings open its doors once again, inviting blues lovers back inside for two soul-drenched hours of real, authentic blues. Hosted by Kelvin Huggins, this show is a heartfelt journey through the music that shaped generations—from legendary pioneers to modern-day torchbearers.

Each episode blends classic cuts with new discoveries, celebrating the raw emotion, resilience, and deep storytelling that define the blues. Whether it’s heartbreak, hard times, or hard-earned joy, The Blues Hotel captures the full spectrum of human experience with a soundtrack to match.

Listeners can settle in with segments like Backstory Blues, Then and Now, and Live at the MBAS, showcasing everything from Elmore James and Buddy Guy to Blackstone Cherry and the Justin Yap Trio. Along the way, discover the global reach of the blues—from Mississippi to Melbourne—and hear the voices keeping it alive today.

Part of the Blues Hotel Collective, the show is expanding with a brand-new website, exclusive merch, and a 24/7 streaming blues service. Join us weekly and keep the spirit alive—because the heart of the blues, it never stops beating.

📍 Tune in via MITE Radio, Indigo FM, Power Pop Rock Radio, or stream anytime at theblueshotel.com.au

Check in for a red-hot episode as The Blues Hotel dives deep into the vibrant and unmistakably Aussie blues scene—where red dirt rhythms meet coastal grooves and gritty city soul.

We’re spotlighting legends and rising stars who shape the sound of Australia’s blues revival. From Dutch Tilders’ homegrown “Chimney Sweep Blues” to Damon Smith’s electrifying live performance at the MBAS, this episode is packed with soul, story, and spirit.

Segments include:

• Backstory Blues: Unpacking Dutch Tilders’ legacy
• Live at the MBAS: Damon Smith delivers raw, honest piano blues
• Then & Now: Cold Chisel vs. Renée Geyer’s soul-stirring take on Sing to Me
• Buried in the Blues: Gwyn Ashton reminds us why even heartbreak deserves a break

Plus, a “double shot” closer with Ash Grunwald’s Mojo and Fiona Boyes’ Devil Made Me Do It—a power-packed finish you won’t want to miss!

Join the conversation in the Blues Hotel Listeners Lounge on Facebook and subscribe to our laid-back artist chats on YouTube at Just Talkin’ Blues.

Tune in now and let the stories, the grit, and the groove remind you why all is well at The Blues Hotel.

Join us on MITE Radio Sunday nights from: 7.00PM (AWST) and on INDIGO FM Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6:00PM (AEST) ***Join us Sundays at midnight from June 1st 2025 on POWER - Pop Rock Radio Central European Time***

for 2 hours of the finest in BLUES music!

© 2025 The Blues Hotel.

Host Kelvin Huggins takes listeners on a soul-stirring journey through the foundational tracks that shaped the blues. From the raw power of Mamie Smith’s Crazy Blues to the electric fire of Elmore James and the timeless sorrow of B.B. King, this episode explores the “bricks and mortar” of blues history — the songs that built the house the blues lives in today.

Through classic recordings, hidden gems, and fresh takes in segments like Then and Now and Buried in the Blues, Huggins connects past to present, showcasing how these milestone tracks echo through generations. The show also shines a spotlight on today’s vibrant blues scene, including standout Australian artists keeping the tradition alive.

Whether you’re a blues scholar or just tuning in for the first time, this episode offers deep emotion, historical insight, and unforgettable music.

Join us on MITE Radio Sunday nights from: 7.00PM (AWST) and on INDIGO FM Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6:00PM (AEST) ***Join us Sundays at midnight from June 1st 2025 on POWER - Pop Rock Radio Central European Time***

for 2 hours of the finest in BLUES music!

© 2025 The Blues Hotel.