BY DEBBIE SPEER

Bonnie Raitt has spent the better part of her 72 years on this planet not just playing, recording and touring behind her classic American roots-based music, but living as an activist in support of environmental and peace movements. To say the times weigh heavy on her mind is an understatement.

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Always a huge fan of songwriter Al Anderson’s, Bonnie has held onto the song “Something’s Got a Hold of My Heart” for thirty years, waiting for just the right album to cut it on. The laid-back Memphis feel—hypnotic, simple and classic, sets the hook in deep and doesn’t let go.

Listen to the song: https://lnk.to/somethingsgotaholdofmyheart

Watch the lyric video: https://youtu.be/0b0BkFj8jW8

Pre-order the album: https://lnk.to/justlikethat_br

Only available until April 4th
Listen here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014yp1

Blues legend Bonnie Raitt shares some of her favourite tracks, ahead of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Grammys. Bonnie plays songs from the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Sippie Wallace, Shemekia Copeland, and many more.

From cutting edge contemporary sounds to scratchy old vinyl from the past, whether it’s from Memphis, Mali, or Manchester, no stone is left unturned in the search for the best of the blues. With live guest sessions and interviews, alongside blues voices from the archives.

https://youtu.be/2vRx6CczPGg

My great Irish artist and friend Paul Brady sent me this message just posted by the Government of Ireland to mark this St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a profoundly moving video montage honoring the people of Ukraine set to Paul’s iconic song, “The Island,” which was written years ago when Ireland was in the height of its own ‘troubles.’ In it he references the victims of senseless and brutal wars everywhere. 

And today, in solidarity with the people of Ukraine facing the staggering brutality and suffering caused by Putin’s invasion, the Irish people are sending this beautiful and heartfelt message. 

Please share if you are also so moved, and let’s continue to do whatever we can to work for peace and lend our support to the millions forced from their lives and homes. 

My heart is breaking for the needless suffering of the victims of war everywhere.
— Bonnie

Bonnie had a great time being featured on the Broken Record Podcast! In the episode, Bonnie talks about her past and future with performing, her purposeful song selections, the secret behind her slide guitar technique, and more.

You can listen to the full podcast here: http://podcasts.pushkin.fm/broken-record?sid=ig&c=IZEjRy66zUa7LsV2BvSEvw&h=0428af8be4014dcf3

A handful of Bonnie’s Just Like That… Tour 2022 dates with Special Guest Marc Cohn will go on sale this week! The Fan Community Presales and Special Benefit Seat sales will start Wednesday, March 16th at 10am local time at bonnieraitt.com! Catch Bonnie in Tempe, Tucson, Grand Prairie and Sugar Land in the fall. Register for the FREE Fan Community to access the Presales and Special Benefit Seats.

“I’m so excited to reunite with one of my favorite, soulful artists and dear friends, Marc Cohn for our fall tour of the Southwest and Southern states,” says Raitt. The feeling is mutual as Cohn shares, “I’m thrilled and honored to be Bonnie’s special guest for a slew of shows this Fall. I’ve been fortunate to have toured with Bonnie in the past. From Australia and New Zealand to dozens of shows in the States, I’ve marveled night after night at the master class that is a Bonnie Raitt performance. I can’t wait to get back out there once again with my soulful, brilliant, beautiful friend – who just happens to be my favorite singer in the world.”

‘JUST LIKE THAT…’ SELECT SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2022 TOUR DATES
With Special Guest Marc Cohn

30-Sep ~~ ASU Gammage ~~ Tempe, AZ
1-Oct ~~ Tucson Music Hall ~~ Tucson, AZ
8-Oct ~~ Texas Trust CU Theatre ~~ Grand Prairie, TX
4-Nov ~~ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land ~~ Sugar Land, TX

Additional tour dates will go on sale in May 2022.

Bonnie is the latest guest on the Questlove Supreme podcast with hosts Questlove, Laiya Stclair, Phonte Coleman, Suga Steve and Bill Sherman! Tune in to hear their great discussion on music, sobriety, manifestation and Bonnie’s forthcoming album, Just Like That…

https://lnk.to/QLS_BonnieRaitt

We know that women bear a disproportionate burden during war and we see that happening right before our eyes as women and children flee Ukraine with their babies strapped to them, comforting their older children too heavy to physically carry and traumatized by the violence, chaos and suffering all around them. In times like these, when I feel powerless to help stem the tide of human suffering, I look to those relief organizations on the ground who are bravely providing humanitarian support, shelter, safety and food. These are unprecedented times and it’s incumbent upon those of us living outside of the conflict zone and surrounding countries welcoming refugees (more than 1.7 million who have made it out of Ukraine over the last 12 days,) to donate what we can and speak out for PEACE. We’ve made donations to these organizations and encourage you to learn about their work and donate if you are able.  

— Bonnie and BRHQ

Global Empowerment Mission

World Central Kitchen

Photojournalist Francesco Malavolta said he was struck by the solidarity of Polish parents who left their strollers for mothers and children fleeing war in Ukraine. Photo by Francesco Malavolta / AP​​

Bonnie was honored with the Icon Award at Billboard’s Women In Music 2022 Awards on March 2, 2022 at the YouTube Theatre in Inglewood, CA. Here are some highlights from the event!

Bonnie’s Billboard Pink Carpet interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6ESHUuAsqs

“Angel From Montgomery” performance (Bonnie, Jackson Browne and James “Hutch” Hutchinson)
https://youtu.be/PnnBk4HzJzQ

Jackson Browne’s speech
https://t.co/MNRuNGXmDl

Bonnie’s Acceptance Speech
https://youtu.be/ZOmxB9x1HSY

Full livestream of the event
https://twitter.com/i/events/1493637865489661952

Photo credit: Bonnie Raitt, Olivia Rodrigo and Sheryl Crow at Billboard Women In Music held at YouTube Theater on March 2, 2022 in Inglewood, California. Michael Buckner for Billboard.

For more than fifty years, she’s seamlessly melded music and activism, inspiring contemporaries and newcomers alike with her guitar-playing prowess.

By Rebecca Milzoff
BILLBOARD

Bonnie Raitt resides among the redwoods.

She had always dreamed of living in Northern California like one of her heroes, Joan Baez, did, up in Big Sur. So years ago, once she had wrapped the tour for Nick of Time — her 1989 commercial breakthrough on Capitol Records that won her three Grammy Awards, including album of the year — she took a break and rented a furnished place in Marin County, outside San Francisco. She typically splits her time between here and Los Angeles. But for the past two years, the environment up north suited her especially well. “If I wasn’t going to get to play,” Raitt, 72, says today, verdant foliage encroaching on the window behind her, “at least I could hike and walk by the ocean and be near this incredible mecca of counterculture.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE:
https://t.co/urT2WV0BBC