Blues is the Truth

Ian McHugh
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Music
  • Updated Weekly

Blues is the Truth is a weekly 2 hour radio show, featuring some of the very best new Blues Music alongside some classic tracks that define the genre. Presented for a decade by Ian McHugh, frontman and guitarist with the band Blues is Truth and compere of the Ealing Blues Festival main stage, The show is informative, entertaining and sometimes a little different....

  1. 6d ago

    Blues is the Truth 816

    We are back with another two hours of wonderful blues, brought to you in association with our good friends at the Crawdaddy Club. The music this week is a celebration of the blues in all its forms. We are getting straight down to business with Emanuele Fizotti, Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations, the acoustic roots of Mulebone, and the fabulous harmonica work of Michael Rubin and Junior Wells with a track from each. We then move on to Oli Mississippi MacDonald, the historic acoustic cuts of Tommy McLennan, and the powerhouse vocals of Kaitlyn Krisko and the Broadcast with a cut from her upcoming release. The quality does not drop at all as we bring you Sons of the Delta, Jimmy Regal and the Royals, Two Bad Jims, and the legend of the blues, Muddy Waters. You will also hear the blistering rock and roll energy of The Blasters, Mike Wheeler, the brilliant songwriting of Sean Taylor, and Christopher Waze and the Tellers. To wrap up a fantastic show, we feature the seasoned guitar work of Bob Margolin, Kyle Chadburn, Jola Recchioni, and Chickenbone Slim. We finish up in fine fashion with Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers, the legendary Freddie King, James Buddy Rogers, AG Weinberger, Chicago Nola, and BB and the Bullets. Two hours of amazing songs, fine musicianship, and all your regular features.

    Blues is the Truth 816

  2. Aug 15

    Blues is the Truth 815

    We are back this week with another two hours of blues, proudly presented alongside our friends at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond. We have got tracks from the fantastic artists performing at their upcoming live dates. The regular features, The Song Remains the Same and The Title Track Tango, are all present and correct, and Ian McHugh is behind the mic, just as you’d expect! The playlist this week is an absolute triumph. We are setting off with the living legend Buddy Guy, followed by West London's own The Guv’nors, the deep vocals of Oscar Wilson, and Mississippi MacDonald and the Cottonmouth Kings. We are keeping the energy right where it needs to be with Smokin’ Joe Kubek’s take on Cross Cut Saw, The Johnny Max Band, the funk soul of Trombone Shorty, and the incredible harmonica work of Giles Robson. The standard stays high as we bring you the brilliant young musician Connor Selby, the Master of the Telecaster Albert Collins, Mighty Mike Schermer, and the blistering slide guitar of Joanna Connor. We also have firm show favourites The Mustangs, slide master Roy Rogers, the soulful Al Corte, and the beautiful, expressive fretwork of Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. Rounding off the show we clear the way for Roomful of Blues, the classic jump-blues energy of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Big Steam, and the Backtrack Blues Band. To close out in absolute style, you will hear the formidable Joe Louis Walker, Colin James, the fantastic pairing of John January and Linda Barry, the deep blues of Big Daddy Wilson, and the undisputed master Otis Grand.

    Blues is the Truth 815

  3. Aug 9

    Blues is the Truth 814

    We are right back in the studio for another full two hours of brilliant music, proudly working alongside our good friends at the Crawdaddy Club. We have got news on all the fantastic gigs coming up at the club, so keep an ear out for a sneak peek at who's hitting the stage soon! The music selection this week is an absolute joy from start to finish. We are kicking off with the timeless funk groove of The Meters, before sliding into the brilliant Steady Rolling Revue, Blues is Truth, and the absolute harmonica mastery of Giles Robson. We have also got blues royalty on board with Albert King, the sensational Susan Tedeschi, the incredible guitar work of the Matt Schofield Trio, and the force of nature that is Freddie King. The quality just keeps on coming as we spin tracks from Emma Wilson, the silky soulfulness of Bobby Blue Bland, The Paladins, and the wonderful Vintage #18. We pay our respects to the master of the slide Elmore James, alongside Eric Clapton, the sharp wit and harp playing of Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, and the sheer power of Big Mama Thornton. To top off a stellar session, we are featuring the genius of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the force of Hurricane Ruth, and the brilliant Terry Hanck. We round things out in pure style with the foundational genius of Muddy Waters, the brilliant Lowell Fulson, the raw grit of Ian Siegal and the Mississippi Mudbloods, and the great Taj Mahal. Two hours of proper music, top artists, and all the details for your local live diary.

    Blues is the Truth 814

  4. Aug 1

    Blues is the Truth 813

    Blues is the Truth #813 We are rolling right along into another packed two hour session, proudly supported by our friends at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond. As always, we have got fresh updates on all the top tier live music hitting the stage at their home in The Turks Head in Twickenham, so keep an eye on those calendars as we run through the news. The lineup this week is a beautiful mix of sharp contemporary sounds and deep rooted classics. We are setting the tone early with the master Bob Corritore, Murali Coryell, and another selection from my old band, Blues is Truth. The momentum picks up fast with Robbin Kapsalis, the legendary Johnny Winter, Mike Wheeler, and the gritty grooves of Kilborn Alley. We keep pushing the tempo through the middle stretch with heavy hitting tracks from Albert Castiglia, Buddy Whittington, The Mighty Howlers, and Devon Allman. You will also hear the hauntingly unique sounds of Ma Polaine’s Great Decline, the blistering guitar of Joanne Shaw Taylor, the deep storytelling of Mississippi Macdonald, and raw cuts from Lonesome Pete and King Bizcuit. Rounding out the final stretch of this two hour run, we are bringing you the fiery fretwork of Junior Watson, harmonica brilliance from Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes, and the timeless Chicago style of John Primer. We are closing things out in absolute style with Misty Blues, the incomparable Bonnie Raitt, the vintage swing of Rob Heron and the Teapad Orchestra, the legendary Joe Louis Walker, and the soulful touch of Dave Thomas. Two full hours of pure music and live gig updates from the local scene.

    Blues is the Truth 813

  5. Jul 25

    Blues is the truth 812

    We are giving West London some serious spotlight this week as we gear up for the iconic Ealing Blues Festival over at Walpole Park. There is a stacked lineup coming to the park, including a very special homage to festival founder Robert Hokum on The Hokum stage, so we are spotlighting plenty of the stellar artists hitting the boards. On top of that, we have got fresh live dates and news straight out of our home base with the Crawdaddy Club Richmond at The Turks Head in Twickenham, plus all of our regular weekly spin features. The music for this edition is packed with festival heavyweights and local legends. We are setting the pace with Robert Hokum and the Guv’nors, the Geoff Garbo Band, the jump blues energy of Jump 66, and the wildly chaotic slide master Bob Log III. You will also hear contemporary gems from Leoni Jane Kennedy, the phenomenal Kyla Brox, and the incredible Louisiana soul of Robert Finley. We keep the pressure on with a classic collaboration featuring Champion Jack Dupree and Eric Clapton, alongside powerhouses Albert Castiglia, Oli Mac and Hi Rhythm, Robbin Kapsalis, and harmonica virtuoso Giles Robson. The second half carries the torch just as high, featuring Hubris Music, Ross Harding, the heavy rock-blues of Mississippi Shakedown, Monster Mike Welch, and the fiery piano work of Veronica Lewis. Wrapping up two solid hours of world-class blues, we bring you Murali Coryell, The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan, Emma Wilson, Brigitte Purdey, The Mustangs, Julian James, Curtis Salgado, and the King of the Electric Blues himself, Albert King. Two hours, festival anticipation, and the absolute best music around.

    Blues is the truth 812

  6. Jul 18

    Bues is the Truth 811

    We are locking in another solid two hours of blues this week, proudly supported by our sponsors at Crawdaddy Club Richmond. We have got updates on all the superb live gigs coming up there over the next few months. Musically, the selection is absolutely massive. We are jumping right into the groove with the legendary Andy Fairweather Low, alongside Ryan Bluwrath Newman, the grit of The Bad Day, and the sharp sounds of Chicago Nola. We have also got the brilliant Thomas Heppell with his new single, followed closely by another piece of history from my old band, Blues is Truth, spinning what we recorded in the studio sixteen years ago. The variety stays completely relentless as we spin tracks from Jo Carley and the Old Dry Skulls, the fantastic The Terraplanes Blues Band, Estonian slide master Andres Roots, and the raw power of the Five Points Gang. The line-up rolls straight on through the stellar sounds of The Mustangs, Bad Influence, and a brilliant side-project cut from Carleys Wreck and Ruin. As the show continues we have great tunes from the legendary Dave Kelly, the clever harmonica work of Big Harp George, and the incredible Ciaran Hodgins Band. You will also hear Breezy Rodio, the timeless Chicago style of Lonnie Brooks, and the massive soul-blues energy of the All Night Boogie Band. Wrapping up an absolute monster of an episode, we are bringing you the top-tier combination of Giles Robson and Robbin Kapsalis, one from JP Reali, Davis Coen, and the unmistakable Texas tone of Jimmie Vaughan. Two hours, exceptional bands, and the best blues anywhere on the web.

    Bues is the Truth 811

  7. Jul 11

    Blues is the Truth 810

    Blues is the Truth #810 We are keeping the engine running hot this week, and we are proud to be flying the flag for the legendary Crawdaddy Club Richmond. We have got news of some brilliant live music coming up at their home base at The Turks Head in Twickenham, so make sure you keep your ears open during the show for the full breakdown of who is hitting the stage next. The music for this two hour stretch is an absolute masterclass in dynamics. We are setting the tone with the foundational greatness of BB King and the unstoppable energy of Big Mama Thornton before moving into a fantastic partnership from Katie Bradley and Chris Corcoran. The contemporary scene is heavily represented too, with The Terraplanes Blues Band showing exactly why they are packing out venues, alongside the grit of Bob Margolin and another heavy cut from my old band, Blues is Truth, giving you a taste of what we tracked in the studio sixteen years ago. The standard stays sky high as we dive into tracks from Eric Clapton, Bad Influence, and the reliable grooves of The Mustangs. We have got harmonica heat from Giles Robson and timeless, deep water blues from John Lee Hooker and Bobby Blue Bland. You will also hear the brilliant pairing of Dave Thomas and Wallace Coleman, the unmatched storytelling of Mississippi Macdonald, and the wild energy of Doc Stenson’s Amazing Hotshots. We keep pushing the boundaries in the second hour with Smokesack Rhino, the modern fire of Gary Clark Jr, and the slide mastery of Roy Rogers. We have also locked in the beautiful vocals of Hollie Rogers, the legendary Dave Kelly, and the forward thinking sounds of Selwyn Birchwood. Wrapping up an absolute marathon of the good stuff, we are finishing up with the deep pocket of Bob Stroeger, the sharp guitar work of Kai Strauss, and the classic swing of The Four Flames. Two hours, incredible artists, and the finest live music community supporting us.

    Blues is the Truth 810

  8. Jul 5

    Blues is the Truth 809

    Blues is the Truth #809 We are keeping that momentum rolling this week with our brilliant partners at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond. Following on from our sponsorship news, I have got some fantastic upcoming gig details for you in this edition. We are looking forward to the return of The Terraplanes Blues Band to the club at The Turks Head in Twickenham on Friday July 17th, so make sure you lock that into your calendars. The playlist for this two hour stretch is an absolute dream for anyone who loves their blues with real feel and conviction. We are getting things moving with the brilliant guitar work of Buddy Whittington, the raw energy of Bad Influence, and the soulful vocals of Tomiko Dixon. I am also incredibly proud to be sharing another exclusive track from my old band, Blues is Truth, giving you another taste of what we put together in the studio sixteen years ago. The heavy grooves keep coming with The Terraplanes Blues Band showing us exactly why they are one of the best on the circuit, followed by the king Freddie King and another top tier segment from The Paul Michael Band. We are bridging the gap into some massive sounds with The Black Keys, Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials, and the incredible harmonica mastery of Giles Robson alongside Robbin Kapsalis and Oli Mac and Hi Rhythm. The second hour is completely relentless. You will hear the powerhouse Joe Bonamassa, Ron Sorin and the Blue Coast Band, the legendary Taj Mahal, and the wonderful acoustic touch of Kaspar ‘Berry’ Rapkin. We have also got West London's own Erroll Linton, the beautiful talent of Leoni Jane Kennedy, Bobby Messano, and the deep organ grooves of Roosevelt Purifoy. Wrapping up this massive session in style, we are clearing the deck for Jimmie Vaughan, Anthony Geraci, Little Mike and the Tornadoes, the powerhouse vocals of Kyla Brox, and the swampy Southern soul of JJ Grey and Mofro. It is two hours of pure unadulterated music that flows perfectly from the first note to the last.

    Blues is the Truth 809
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Blues is the Truth is a weekly 2 hour radio show, featuring some of the very best new Blues Music alongside some classic tracks that define the genre. Presented for a decade by Ian McHugh, frontman and guitarist with the band Blues is Truth and compere of the Ealing Blues Festival main stage, The show is informative, entertaining and sometimes a little different....

Information

  • Creator
    Ian McHugh
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    310
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Blues is the Truth
  • Show Website
    Blues is the Truth

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