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Episode 56

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Published on:

25th Feb 2026

Blues Moments in Time - February 25: Audacity, Hard Times, and the Testimony of the Blues

On February 25, history didn’t whisper — it shouted. From a Senate seat reclaimed from the Confederacy to a young Muhammad Ali refusing to bow, this date shows how defiance, survival, and raw truth shaped the blues.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Introduction

[00:46] - The Cultural Landscape

[01:51] - The Political Climate

[02:54] - Exploring the Music

[04:07] - Births

[05:25] - Passings

[06:43] - Conclusion

KEY FIGURES MENTIONED:

Hiram Rhodes Revels

First African American U.S. Senator, seated in 1870 — a moment of Reconstruction audacity that foreshadows the political roots of the blues.

Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay)

His 1964 upset over Sonny Liston embodied the same refusal to “lose quietly” that fuels blues storytelling.

James P. Johnson

“Father of Stride Piano,” whose 1927 recordings fused ragtime precision with blues emotion.

Buddy Guy

Finally recognized by the industry in 1992 with a Grammy — decades after peers called him the greatest living blues guitarist.

Ida Cox

The “Uncrowned Queen of the Blues,” whose feminist anthem Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues broke barriers before the word “feminism” was mainstream.

Andrew Brown

Chicago guitarist of fluid brilliance, under‑recorded but revered by those who heard him live.

Louisiana Red (Iverson Minter)

Survivor of unthinkable trauma who turned sorrow into slide‑driven testimony; passed on Feb 25, 2012.


DIG DEEPER:

Ida Cox - Wild Women Don't Have the Blues - https://youtu.be/Sa2GuMZ1t6A

James P. Johnson - Snowy Morning Blues - https://youtu.be/55k5BJe6Im8

Buddy Guy - Damn Right, I've Got the Blues - https://youtu.be/QUKC-RHuJhQ

Louisiana Red - Sweetblood Call - https://youtu.be/TeL6z1Qp_2Q


If you're loving these daily blues history drops, leave us a review via your favourite podcast platform - it helps other blues lovers find the show.


Hosted by: Kelvin Huggins

Presented by: The Blues Hotel Collective - your home for EVERYTHING BLUES.

Website: https://www.theblueshotel.com.au/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBluesHotel


©2026 The Blues Hotel Collective.

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About the Podcast

Blues Moments in Time...
The History That Shaped it All.
Blues Moments in Time takes you back to the crossroads where history happened. We're talking about those electric nights in Chicago studios, those dusty Delta afternoons, those chance encounters that changed everything.

This is where you'll hear about the day Muddy Waters plugged in and shook the world, the session where Robert Johnson laid down his legacy, the moment B.B. King named his guitar Lucille. These aren't just dates and facts—they're the living, breathing stories of how the blues became the blues.

Each moment is a snapshot: the artists, the circumstances, the magic that happened when talent met opportunity. Sometimes it's triumph, sometimes it's tragedy, but it's always real. Because the blues has always been about truth, and these moments tell that truth better than anything else.

Whether it's a legendary recording session, a groundbreaking performance, or a personal turning point that shaped an artist's sound, Blues Moments in Time brings you there. You'll feel the room, hear the backstory, and understand why that particular moment still matters today.

This is blues history you can feel—one moment at a time.

Blues Moments in Time is a production of The Blues Hotel Collective
© 2026 The Blues Hotel Collective - All rights reserved.
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About your host

Profile picture for Kelvin Huggins

Kelvin Huggins

The Blues Hotel Collective is an independent blues media platform dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating blues culture. While we are based in Perth, Western Australia, our "hotel" is a metaphorical space—a welcoming hub where artists, fans, and historians can "check in" to connect, share stories, and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of the blues. Our mission is simple: to give the blues a bigger voice – through authentic storytelling, in-depth interviews, and passionate music discovery.