Bonnie really enjoyed speaking recently with Julia Louis-Dreyfus for an episode of her terrific podcast, Wiser Than Me. They talk about performing live, the experience of external vs. internal validation, and managing grief among many other things. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation between two smart and fascinating women! “Wiser Than Me” is available to listen to wherever you get your podcasts – http://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanme

Second slide photo taken backstage at The Late Show with David Letterman (April 2012.)

Blues, rock & soul maestro Bonnie Raitt returns to Austin City Limits for the first time in a decade performing classics and highlights from her triple Grammy-winning album ‘Just Like That…’ in an epic hour. She is joined for a special guest appearance by Nashville-based singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso Sunny War.

Available to view via PBS Passport at https://www.pbs.org/video/bonnie-raitt-ux4qzn/

CELEBRATING A HEARTY RESPONSE TO HER AWARD-WINNING ALBUM AND SOLD OUT CONCERTS, BONNIE RAITT’S ‘JUST LIKE THAT…’ TOUR EXTENDS INTO FALL 2024 WITH ADDITIONAL U.S. DATES

Bonnie Raitt is extending the ‘Just Like That…’ tour adding another 30+ dates in the U.S. to the already-robust schedule planned for the first half of 2024. Raitt and her longtime touring band will headline concerts starting in Arizona and Southern California, traveling up the West Coast and finishing up in the Pacific Northwest throughout September and October before heading to the Southeast and Florida in November to wind up the year. These dates will be supported by Special Guest James Hunter.

Many would think Raitt might be eager to rest and take some downtime after headlining 75 concerts in 2022 and another 50 in 2023 spanning the U.S., Australia, the UK, Scotland, Ireland and Canada, in addition to winning three GRAMMY® awards at the 65^th Annual ceremony last February and an Americana Music Award this past September (making “Just Like That” the first composition to win Song of the Year at both ceremonies).

The fact is, though there are always healthy breaks built into each tour, after a few weeks, Bonnie is itching to get back to what she loves most— traveling and playing live. Luckily her band, crew and the fans feel the same way! To that end, we’ve just put the finishing touches on another leg of the U.S. tour with exciting stops including playing multiple nights at Humphreys in San Diego, The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA, Fox Theater in Oakland, CA, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, OR and the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA as well as Bonnie’s first appearance since 2006 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville!

Raitt’s fourth headlining appearance on the award-winning and longest-running music program in television history, Austin City Limits, will debut on PBS and PBS.com on February 24th during ACL’s 49th season. Special guest Sunny War joins Raitt for a unique performance in the episode.

Performing with his band, Special Guest James Hunter  known for delivering electrifying live performances with his authentic brand of rhythms and blues, will be supporting Raitt on the entire Fall tour and will also join her earlier in the year starting in Baltimore May 29th and going through June 29th in St Louis. About opening for Bonnie Raitt, Hunter says, “We’re very much looking forward to kicking off the night for the great Bonnie Raitt, so bring your dancing shoes and we’ll get you warmed up for a memorable evening of live music.”

Raitt will begin her tour in late April with singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Maia Sharp returning as her Special Guest for the first 8 headlining concerts. Sharp’s latest album, Reckless Thoughts was released in August 2023 and features singles “Kind,” “Old Dreams” and “She’ll Let Herself Out.” 

Tickets for the following shows will go on Fan Presale tomorrow, Wednesday February 7th at 10am local time and will go on sale to the general public this Friday, February 9th at 10am local time via www.bonnieraitt.com.

PLEASE NOTE: The presale/onsale dates for the Mountain Winery shows in Saratoga, CA are TBA.
INDIO presale code = BRJLT2024; PORTLAND presale code = BRJLT2024 (the other shows do not require a code.)

‘JUST LIKE THAT…’ 2024 TOUR DATES

*NEW* DATES JUST ANNOUNCED
With Special Guest James Hunter

6-Sept Prescott Valley, AZ Findlay Toyota Center 

7-Sept Tucson, AZ The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall

10-Sept San Diego, CA Humphreys Concerts by the bay 

11-Sept San Diego, CA Humphreys Concerts by the bay 

13-Sept Indio, CA Fantasy Springs Resort Casino  [presale code BRJLT2024]

14-Sept Costa Mesa, CA Pacific Amphitheatre *on sale 2/10 

17-Sept Thousand Oaks, CA Bank of America Performing Arts Center 

18-Sept Paso Robles, CA Vina Robles Amphitheatre 

20-Sept Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery *on sale TBA 

21-Sept Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery *on sale TBA 

26-Sept Oakland, CA Fox Theater 

27-Sept Oakland, CA Fox Theater 

29-Sept Redding, CA Redding Civic Auditorium  

01-Oct Portland, OR Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall [presale code BRJLT2024]

02-Oct Portland, OR Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall [presale code BRJLT2024]

04-Oct Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre 

05-Oct Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre 

08-Oct Eugene, OR Hult Center  

06-Nov Houston, TX The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts 

09-Nov Huntsville, AL Von Braun Center 

11-Nov Nashville, TN Opry House 

13-Nov Charleston, WV The Clay Center 

15-Nov Roanoke, VA Berglund Performing Arts Theatre 

16-Nov Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall 

19-Nov Durham, NC DPAC 

20-Nov Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium  

22-Nov Jacksonville, FL Moran Theatre At Jacksonville Performing Arts Center 

23-Nov Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall 

25-Nov West Palm Beach, FL Kravis Center for the Performing Arts 

ON SALE NOW
* With Special Guest Maia Sharp
# With Special Guest James Hunter

26-Apr    Lancaster, PA American Music Theatre *

27-Apr    Wilkes Barre, PA F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts *

29-Apr    Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall *

01-May    Knoxville, TN The Tennessee Theatre *

02-May    Montgomery, AL Montgomery Performing Arts Centre *

05-May    New Orleans, LA New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

07-May    Macon, GA Macon City Auditorium * 

09-May   North Charleston, SC North Charleston Performing Arts Center *   

11-May    Athens, GA The Classic Center Theatre *

12-May    Miramar Beach, FL Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend

29-May    Baltimore, MD The Lyric # 

31-May    Washington, DC Warner Theatre #

01-Jun     Washington, DC Warner Theatre #     

04-Jun     Albany, NY Palace Theatre #

05-Jun     Newark, NJ Prudential Hall @ NJPAC #

07-Jun    Philadelphia, PA The Met Philadelphia #

08-Jun     Westbury, NY NYCB Theatre at Westbury #    

11-Jun     Hyannis, MA Cape Cod Melody Tent #

12-Jun    Portland, ME Merrill Auditorium #    

14-Jun     Bridgeport, CT Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater #

15-Jun     Boston, MA The MGM Music Hall at Fenway #    

18-Jun     Hampton, NH Casino Ballroom #

19-Jun     Burlington, VT The Flynn #

21-Jun     Lewiston, NY Artpark Mainstage Theater #

22-Jun     Akron, OH Akron Civic Theatre #    

25-Jun     Toledo, OH Stranahan Theater #

28-Jun     Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Theater #

29-Jun     Saint Louis, MO Stifel Opera House #

Full list of 2024 tour dates including Fan Pre-sale and Special Benefit Seat information is listed at www.bonnieraitt.com.

ABOUT JAMES HUNTER

James Hunter, crowned “The United Kingdom’s Greatest Soul Singer” by MOJO Magazine, delivers electrifying live performances with his authentic brand of rhythms and blues. He’s been recognized with a nomination for a Grammy® Award for Best Traditional Blues Album and an Americana Music Award for Best New/Emerging Artist.  Hunter and his six-piece band (with a stand-up horn section), have released six studio albums, with a seventh that’s been recorded and is on its way. The band has toured the world for decades from tiny clubs to large festivals, with Hunter also sharing the stage to support legends including Aretha Franklin, BB King, Etta James and Van Morrison.  Whether belting out up-tempo R&B or crafting candle-lit ballads, James Hunter is a must-see artist who effortlessly draws from the depths of his musical well, leaving audiences captivated and craving more.  About opening for Bonnie Raitt, Hunter says, “We’re very much looking forward to kicking off the night for the great Bonnie Raitt, so bring your dancing shoes and we’ll get you warmed up for a memorable evening of live music.”

JAMES HUNTER ON THE WEB

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

ABOUT MAIA SHARP

Maia Sharp has had her songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, The Chicks, Trisha Yearwood, Keb’ Mo’, Cher, Edwin McCain, David Wilcox, Art Garfunkel, Lizz Wright, Paul Carrack, Lisa Loeb, Terri Clark and many more. And through it all, Maia has continued to record her own albums including nine solo releases, one collaborative project with Art Garfunkel and Buddy Mondlock and her duo project, Roscoe & Etta (with writing/production partner Anna Schulze).  Each release has been embraced by press and radio and led to extensive touring and appearances on Mountain Stage, Acoustic Cafe, World Cafe, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” CBS Early Morning and the Today Show to name a few.  

MAIA SHARP ON THE WEB

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

I’m deeply sorry to mark the passing of my friend, Dick Waterman, who made such a huge impact on the lives and careers of so many great blues artists, championing them as people as much as their music, booking and managing them with great care, integrity and skill. He gave me my start as well, going on to book and represent me for 15 years. He was also a renowned photographer who published a book and his wonderful photographs of some of our most legendary roots artists… He was an incredible storyteller, popular columnist in the local Oxford (Mississippi) Eagle and packed a great deal into his 88 years. We are so sorry to lose him and I am deeply grateful for the gifts he gave me and the life he lived.  My sincere condolences go to his wife Cinda and all his family.

Dick published a book of rare photographs and personal recollections called Between Midnight and Day: The Last Unpublished Blues Archive in 2003. While the book itself is out of print, you can learn more about it here: http://tinyurl.com/yduhh6sa and read an excerpt (below) from the preface I was honored to contribute.

To learn more about his life, you can check out his biography, “Dick Waterman: A Life In Blues” written by Tammy L. Turner. https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/D/Dick-Waterman

— Bonnie

From Preface: 
My friendship with Dick developed as closely as did the ones with the many blues artists we both adored. Through his connection I received the education and gift of a lifetime, hanging and learning about life and the music from all my heroes as well as being given a job I’d love for the rest of my life. Within a couple of years, I was opening for his acts and Dick went on to manage me for the next fifteen years.
  While so many mostly white, middle class Blues aficionados seem to obsess about only the actual Blues recordings, huddling around their hallowed 78s, speaking in hushed tones about this or that obscure song, the living, breathing scions of the music walk among us. Often forgotten, neglected and  long occupied in jobs other than music– farmer, porter, you name it, ..having given up on the idea of recognition of making a living in music, suddenly their lives are transformed by being ‘rediscovered’ during the heralded Folk/Blues revival of the mid-1960s. 
After starting his own management and booking agency, Avalon Productions,  Dick knew the meaning of rent money, medical bills, proper billing and payment. How to get a person from some small town in the Delta up to the big east coast cities for the gigs and back. He knew how to help these often rural, unsophisticated geniuses fare in the alien, impossibly whirlwind world of the folk/blues festival and concert circuit.
By gathering so many greats under one roof, Dick was able to collectively bargain to ensure each artist got to play the best gigs and be paid what they deserved. He steadfastly guarded every aspect of his artists’ professional life and was often the family’s solid rock during personal crises as well. 
For helping raise the quality of life for so many artists with whom he worked, for reminding the white progeny of these mighty scions wherein their debt lies, for refusing to compromise probably at the expense of his own advancement, taking the high road and loving the people as well as the music, Dick has helped shepherd the Blues to a place in history truly befitting its worth. 

For this, and for the gift that are these extraordinary images and reminiscences brought together in this book, we thank you. 
Bonnie 

Photos: Dick Waterman and Son House, 1969; Dick Waterman and Bonnie Raitt, 2006 (photographers unknown.)

Remembering my Dad on his birthday and wanted to share one of my favorite clips of him in his honor.
We are so lucky to have these great performances available to remember him by.
This was from when he was 65…in 1982, singing the song he made famous in his debut on Broadway, Carousel..back in 1945. So grateful to have had him in my life, all our lives… And for all the inspiration, lessons and genes too.
Love you, Dad.
Bonnie
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=bXy55ltw1Zk

With so much holiday music lifting our spirits this season, I wanted to share this version of Charles Brown and I singing his iconic “Merry Christmas, Baby” which we recorded in 1992 for the wonderful ‘A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 2’ benefit compilation series for the Special Olympics. We were so honored to feature Charles on our Nick of Time national tour in 1990 and along with felllow R&B legend, Ruth Brown, our very special guests on our Roadtested national tour in l995. Charles was and will remain one of the greatest artists I’ve known, as well as a dear friend. So glad to celebrate him this Holiday with his classic song, which has brought so much joy since it was a big R&B hit for him back in 1947 (1948 and 1949!)

You can add “Merry Christmas, Baby” to all of your holiday playlists and put that good music on your “radio.” 😉 Thanks and happy holidays! — Bonnie

Charles Brown and Bonnie Raitt version (1992): 
(Spotify) https://tinyurl.com/yc3wkuup
(Apple Music) https://tinyurl.com/nurmjf8p

Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers version (feat. Charles Brown) (1947):
(Spotify) https://tinyurl.com/mrrnt8sk
(Apple Music) https://tinyurl.com/3kzrapz2

Great news, everyone! We have rescheduled dates to announce for the Pittsburgh, PA and Athens, GA concerts that Bonnie postponed this spring.

The Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh concert originally scheduled for May 23, 2023 will take place April 29, 2024, and tickets for the May 23, 2023 show will be honored for the new rescheduled show. Anyone who would like to receive a refund has until July 29, 2023 to reach out to their point of purchase for a refund.

The Classic Center Theatre, Athens concert originally scheduled for May 17, 2023 will take place May 11, 2024, and tickets for the May 17, 2023 show will be honored for the new rescheduled show. Anyone who would like to receive a refund has until July 29, 2023 to reach out to their point of purchase for a refund.

REMINDER! The rescheduled concerts for Louisville and Indianapolis are this week! Friday, June 30th The Louisville Palace and Saturday, July 1st Murat Theater at Old National Centre, Indianapolis. Both show are sold out, thanks to all of you amazing folks!

Photo by Noah Riffe/Lincoln Journal Star

I wanted to respond to the incredible outpouring of messages that have come in since my song, “Just Like That,” won the GRAMMY award last Sunday night for Song of the Year.

I’ve been so deeply moved, often to tears, reading the personal stories of hundreds of you, some of whom have had no familiarity with me or my music before I won that GRAMMY, and were curious why this song had won. After listening, many of you wrote that you were
moved to tears, even inspired to share your own heart-wrenching stories of either having your loved one’s life saved by an organ donation, or having decided at the height of the terrible shock and loss of losing a beloved, that you would donate their organs so that others could live.

These stories and your responses to my song have moved me as much as anything I can remember and I want to thank you so much for this gift. So many messages from nurses and doctors in the field involved with transplants as well as people who were tragically not able to get an organ in time to save their loved one’s life. There are messages from the family members of people who wanted their organs to be donated, but are now living with the guilt when that wish, for whatever reason, was not able to be fulfilled.. These stories run the gamut and I’m just blown open by the vulnerability and power of each of them.

I am so honored that my song and the original news story that inspired it, are eliciting such a deep emotional response for so many. The story behind the song is this: A few years ago I saw a segment on the evening TV news where they followed a woman who was meeting the man who had received her son’s heart for the first time. It was very emotional, but when he invited her to put her head on his chest and listen to her son’s heart, I just lost it. I knew after it stayed with me for weeks, that I wanted to write my own story, inspired so much by John Prine’s music and his beautiful “Angel From Montgomery,” which I’ve sung every show since hearing it in the early 70’s. I wrote about a fictional woman, Olivia Zand, torn by grief and guilt at the loss of her young son, who finds redemption and grace through the loving act of another.

May the song bring about even more awareness and motivation for more of us to support organ donation registration and infrastructure — removing obstacles that have hindered helping thousands connecting to facilitate this miraculous gift of life and help bring comfort to those suffering such tragic loss. I’ve included a link here to organdonor.gov to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor in an effort to more directly connect to and support the 104,085 men, women, and children currently on the national transplant waiting list.

Thank you all so much again for your incredible responses and sharing your beautiful stories. More than any award, fame or commercial success, knowing what my song means to so many may be the greatest gift of all.

Blessings to you,
Bonnie

P.S. To read these many responses, please visit the “Just Like That” lyric video at the following link and read the comments below the video. https://youtu.be/Skd0XR3twCA

Photo by Ken Friedman

I’m still reeling. So grateful to everyone who helped bring me to last night. Thanks to the [tag] Recording Academy members who voted for me; to all the members of our mighty [tag] Redwing Records and support team: to my band, our brilliant engineer, Ryan Freeland, and to my wonderful road crew—I thank you all for helping me get our music out to the world.

And to all the friends, family and fans who lift me up with their steady love and support.

And lastly, to [tag] John Prine and all the songwriters who keep inspiring and giving us the joy of sharing their music.
I’m just bowled over..

Love,
💜Bonnie

Read Bonnie’s Song of the Year acceptance speech and watch all three acceptance speeches below:

Oh, my gosh. Oh, I’m so surprised. I don’t know what to say. This is just an unreal moment. Thank you for honoring me, to all the academy that surrounds me with so much support and appreciates the art of songwriting as I do. I was so inspired for this song by the incredible story of the love and the grace and the generosity of someone that donates their beloved’s organs to help another person live, and the story was so simple and so beautiful for these times.

And people have been responding to the song partly because of how much I love and we all love John Prine, and that was the inspiration for the music for this song and telling a story from the inside. … I don’t write a lot of songs, but I’m so proud that you appreciate this one and what this means for me and for the rest of the songwriters. …

I would not be up here tonight if it wasn’t for the art of the great, soul-digging, hard-working people that put these songs and ideas to music. So I thank my team for helping me get this record out. And thank you so much. I’m just totally humbled. I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Song of the Year “Just Like That”: https://youtu.be/4SGDteHRh4Q

Best American Roots Song “Just Like That”: https://youtu.be/XZetqbo60aA

Best Americana Performance “Made Up Mind”: https://youtu.be/s6_Ys0H8drw

Thank you all for your wonderful congratulations on my Grammy wins. l’m still processing and basking in the glow.

I want to share Sheryl’s post from yesterday where she explained the unfortunate technical glitch that marred our otherwise beautiful tribute to Christine McVie at Sunday night’s GRAMMYs show.

It was a very challenging situation, especially for such an important moment in the live broadcast. Sheryl, Mick and I were grateful to hear that the broadcast engineer caught the problem and was immediately able to switch and send the correct keyboard sound to those of you watching at home.

We were very dismayed to hear that unfortunately, those listening in the audience—our friends, peers, and fans — were hearing what we were hearing as well which was the broken keyboard playing in both the wrong key and none of the notes she was actually playing.

How Sheryl managed to play and sing anything close to the song, especially in that highly emotional, live moment, is a testament to her professionalism and artistry.

Technical problems happen, especially on live TV, but we wanted to be forthcoming about why things may have seemed off.

We were so grateful to be able to pay tribute to our beloved Christine. There will never be anyone like her and I love what Sheryl and Mick say at the bottom of her post below.

— Bonnie

Sheryl’s message:

Beautiful Christine! Last night during our Recording Academy / GRAMMYs tribute, something really strange happened. I sat down to play with Bonnie and Mick and the piano was not working right. I still cannot wrap my brain around it because I’ve never had it happen but the clock started for Mick and the first chord I played, only a couple of notes at a time would play. At one point, the piano in our ears was in a different key than what I was playing!

Thankfully, the broadcast mixer noticed something was off and switched over to the microphones. So to everyone else it sounds completely normal. But for us, the digital patch that was what we heard in our ears was CRAZY! 😩🤯

Needless to say, I was disappointed but Mick and I decided after the performance that perhaps Christine might be up there sipping champaign and giggling, having been a keyboard player herself.❤️

So happy for my friend, Bonnie though!! What a night!