Like the Prodigal Son, Bill Blue has returned from the wilderness. It’s been 30 years since he stepped into the studio, but he’s returned with a vengeance.
Blue – that’s his real name – was a young man when he met ‘50s superstar Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. That encounter changed Blue’s life forever. Instead of struggling as a guitarist in his native North Carolina, he was soon touring the world with the man who some folks considered the father of rock ‘n’ roll and who wrote a string of classics, including “Mean Ol’ Frisco,” “My Mama Don’t Allow Me” and the Elvis Presley hit, “That’s All Right.”

Big Joe Shelton was honored in 2007 by being included on the “Columbus / Cat Fish Alley” Mississippi Blues Trail Marker. He was deeply influenced by Joe Williams, who was a friend as well as an instructor. Ben Ferrell (on guitar) fires out of the gate with a repetitive, uptempo guitar hook to kick off the opener, while Big Joe’s harp provides constant reminders of his talent. His CDs have been listed in the top ten on numerous national and international blues radio charts; "Ridin" A Chicken" is a definite part of that success.

The musical roots of Big Joe Shelton, a Blues Music Award Nominee, run deep in the rich, dark, soil of the Black Prairies of Northeast Mississippi; the same region that spawned the likes of blues icons Howlin’ Wolf, Big Joe Williams and Bukka White. "“Willie King was really an influential guy..." - Big Joe Shelton. Joe garnered a nomination in 2012 at The Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tennessee for “Song of the Year” with high expectations on the 2013 release "I’d Never Let Her Down". This is a confidant recording with lyrics that are stuff that the average working guy can relate to when times can be a little tough. Good for sure!