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Episode 7

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Published on:

25th Oct 2025

Blues Moments in Time – October 25: From Delta Dirt to Symphony Halls: Two Paths, One Truth

Join Kelvin Huggins as he dives deep into the tangled roots and resonant echoes of October 25th in blues history.

We remember Little Mack Simmons, who left us on this day in 2000. Born in Twist, Arkansas alongside James Cotton, Mack's journey took him from the Delta to Chicago's Chess Records, through a five-year residency at Cadillac Baby's, and into owning his own club, The Zodiac Lounge. Then life happened—the ministry, prison, silence. But the blues called him home. His 1990s comeback albums proved you can't kill what's real. His version of "St. James Infirmary" still haunts anyone who hears it.

We also celebrate the 82nd birthday of Corky Siegel, the harmonica-playing pianist who asked a dangerous question: What if the blues could talk to a symphony? In 1968, conductor Seiji Ozawa heard something in Siegel's sound and brought him to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The result shattered every boundary—blues meeting Beethoven, street music becoming concert hall gold, even winning France's Grand Prix du Disque.

Hosted by: Kelvin Huggins

Presented by: The Blues Hotel Collective

Listen Tomorrow for: Another Blues Moment in Time

Keep the blues alive.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

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About the Podcast

Blues Moments in Time...
From the Blues Hotel Collective, welcome to Blues Moments in Time—a daily dive into the echoes of blues history. Each episode rewinds the reel to spotlight a moment that shaped the sound, the culture, or the spirit of the blues. No myths, no legends—just the real stories behind the music. Tune in daily for a soulful slice of the past.
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About your host

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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.