Watch the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, December 22nd at 8:30/7:30c on CBS, but to be safe please check your local listings for time of broadcast in your area. #KCHonors

The program will also be available for streaming on Paramount+ beginning December 22nd at 8:30pm ET. https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/kennedy_center_honors/

Bonnie has contributed a new recording of “Prison Bound Blues” written by Leroy Carr to a project called Better Than Jail, an extraordinary new album benefiting Free Hearts and Equal Justice USA. Better Than Jail is available everywhere today and features covers of iconic prison songs from Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Margo Price, The War & Treaty and many more. The album seeks to raise awareness and support for the urgent need to reduce the harm of the criminal justice system.

“I’m so proud to have joined in with so many illustrious artists in creating this very special album in support of rural prison reform. Overlooked for far too long, this issue cuts across all cultural and political divides and deserves all our focused attention to finally bring about some swift and meaningful action. Better Than Jail is one of the most inspired and heartfelt albums I’ve been blessed to be a part of and I hope it sets a fire in hearts far and wide to join in our efforts.” – Bonnie Raitt

LISTEN HERE: https://found.ee/BetterThanJail

Bonnie joined Nathaniel Rateliff and his bandmates for an in-depth conversation on Night Sweats Radio on Sirius XM The Spectrum, Channel 28. Listen to the episode on demand here: https://sxm.app.link/NightSweatsRadioBonnieRaitt

Bonnie spoke with Stuart Miller at the LA Times about the art of crafting a setlist that will satisfy herself, her band and the audience alike.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-09-10/bonnie-raitt-squeeze-the-who-share-secrets-of-a-great-setlist

Viewable PDF

Bonnie and her band will headline Friday, May 2, 2025 at Tedeschi Trucks Band Sun, Sand and Soul Beach Weekend! Join us in Miramar Beach, FL from May 1-3, 2025 for TWO performances from Tedeschi Trucks Band plus sets from Bonnie, Cory Wong, Los Lobos, The Wood Brothers, and more!

Sign up for the presale NOW at the link below to be among the first to secure priority access to your dedicated cove and take advantage of early bird pricing! https://sunsandsoul.topeka.live/

PRESALE SIGN UP WINDOW:
Tuesday, July 30 at 2 pm ET to Sunday, August 4 at 11:59 pm ET

GUEST PRESALE BOOKINGS:
Wednesday, August 7 and Thursday, August 8

GENERAL ON SALE:
Friday, August 9 at 12 pm ET

Happy 85th Birthday to my dear ‘big sis,’ Mavis Staples. I cherish every moment we’re together, including your incredible early birthday celebration in LA a couple of months ago. What a blast we had and what a lineup gathered in celebration to honor and adore YOU! Your irrepressible vitality and spirit shine through every song you sing, calling us to keep up the fight for equal rights, freedom and justice for all. You bring us all together in ways no one else can. I send my deep love and warm wishes for many more wonderful years to come. Hope to see you soon!..XX your ‘lil sis,’ Bonnie

What a great time was had by all on Saturday night at Bonnie’s sold out show at Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway. She was honored to have fellow soul rocker Peter Wolf at the show. Here’s a photo of them backstage after the show and linked below are a couple of great reviews. Bonnie thanks all the fans, her band and crew, The James Hunter Six and their MGM hosts for a fantastic night!
— BRHQ

Photo by Duke Levine

Boston.com review: https://tinyurl.com/4tez795f
Boston Globe review: https://tinyurl.com/mr38sue7

With Father’s Day this weekend, we wanted to note how special it has been for Bonnie to perform in some of the more historic venues on the East Coast of the U.S. where her father, Broadway legend John Raitt, performed many times over his career. John brought Broadway to “small town USA” appearing in Summer Stock productions across the country for 25 consecutive summers from 1960-1984. Performing in venues like Westbury Music Fair (now know as NYCB Theater at Westbury) and Cape Cod Melody Tent, both of which Bonnie and her band played to sold out crowds this past week.

Thinking of John Raitt and the many fathers and father-figures in our lives who have inspired and taught us so much. Happy Father’s Day to all! — BRHQ

Learn more about John’s Summer Stock legacy here: https://www.johnraitt.com/career/road

Marquis photo by @James “Hutch” Hutchinson

Written by Jay Lustig

“Oh my gosh, what would we do without soul music!” said Bonnie Raitt, before singing her own soulful “Nick of Time” at her June 5 concert at Prudential Hall at NJPAC in Newark.

Testifying to the power of music itself was a constant theme of her between-song commentary during this show. After performing John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” for instance, she remembered how Phoebe Snow used to come to her New Jersey shows and how Snow would sit in with the band and “tear the roof off of that sucker right there. We’d do a Sam & Dave song, ‘I Thank You,’ and it was just … I fell over, you know.”

Read the full review here:
https://www.njarts.net/bonnie-raitt-remains-at-top-of-her-game-at-njpac-concert-review-photos-setlist-video/

Photo by John Cavanaugh

I’m heartbroken at the loss of one of my dearest friends, Spider John Koerner, who passed away last Saturday at 85 in Minneapolis, surrounded by his family.   

We’ve been close friends since we met in ‘69, hung out in Cambridge in the early 70’s and in all the decades since. John, along with Snaker Dave Ray and Tony Little Sun Glover, comprised one of the greatest and most influential blues groups from the mid-Sixties. From the first time I heard their seminal ‘Blues, Rags and Hollers’ album, I’ve been completely under his spell. 

He was funny, talented, mischievous, always curious —loved life, good music, watching stars and a high time with friends. Between his incredibly unique, funky, rhythmic guitar playing and singing, his great original songs and the hilarious, long-winding stories he’d weave into his sets, there was simply no one like him. 

Through their terrific album together, ‘Running, Jumping, Standing Still,’ I met Willie Murphy, who went on to produce my first album and record one of my favorite song of John’s, “I Ain’t Blue.“

We got to enjoy a lifetime of fun, great music and meaning. John will be remembered as one of the most beloved and important revivalists of the great folk and blues song tradition. 

My deep condolences to his family and we will remember and treasure him and his wonderful music always.

— Bonnie

https://www.startribune.com/spider-john-koerner-obituary-minneapolis-minnesota-bob-dylan-ray-glover-bonnie-raitt-palmers-cancer/600366946

http://www.redhouserecords.com/artists/spider-john-koerner/

One of my faves of John’s originals, from his first album with Dave Ray and Tony Glover, 1963‘s  Blues, Rags and Hollers.
“Creepy John” https://youtu.be/C91OMLB36I8

Another great original from one of my favorite albums ever—Running, Jumping, Standing by Still, recorded with Willie Murphy and  released in 1969.
“Running Jumping Standing Still” https://youtu.be/lK8Xry9I-1k

And here’s my version of John’s beautiful “I Ain’t Blue,” from my first album 1971.  Produced by Willie Murphy 
“I Ain’t Blue” https://youtu.be/YsELUACBg8s

Photo Courtesy of Treehouse Records (top); Photo Courtesy of Red House Records (bottom)