TUNES & TIX: New Zealand newbie, Soviet kitsch

Earlier this year, the single-moniker New Zealand songsmith Kimbra was poised as the next big thing the pop music world needed to get to know.

North Dakota seems an unlikely place to find a saviour of the blues,

North Dakota seems an unlikely place to find a saviour of the blues, but such is the case, as one of the old masters slowly passes the baton to a young gun from Fargo. For the last several years Jonny Lang, a native son of Fargo, has been mentored by the great Buddy Guy, one of the last livi…

Jonny Lang: The blues and beyond

Jonny Lang -- one of the most respected and successful young guitarists in the music industry today -- said his first musical memories are of singing to his parent's old Motown records as a child. The guitarist takes the Star Plaza stage Saturday with Buddy Guy and Jimmie Vaughan

Alligator Records spinning -- not singing -- the blues at 40

Back in 1971, a Delmark Records shipping clerk asked his boss to sign his favorite act, Hound Dog Taylor. When Bob Koester declined, the upstart struck out on his own.

Midway Tavern & Dancehall: The blues have a steady beat

Opened in 1924, the Midway Tavern & Dancehall has one of the oldest liquor licenses in the state of Indiana. It was licensed in 1933 after Prohibition was repealed. The 175-seat roadhouse is wedged like a guitar pick into a working class neighborhood on the west side of Mishawaka.

Annual music, barbecue fest keeps C.P. hopping

Members of the C4 band jam on the stage Saturday at the Blues, Brews & BBQ event at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Annual music, barbecue fest keeps C.P. hopping

Tim Kuiper, of Crown Point, pours a tall draft from a pitcher inside the beer garden at the Blues, Brews & BBQ event Saturday at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Annual music, barbecue fest keeps C.P. hopping

Amy Pierce, of Bubba's Q BBQ, mixes some barbecue for the next hungry patron Saturday night at the Crown Point Rotary Club's Blues, Brews & BBQ event at the Lake County Fairgrounds. The night included food vendors and live entertainment.