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. 2d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Jun 27

    Blues is the Truth 808

    Blues is the Truth #808 I have got some massive news to kick off the show this week. We have officially partnered up with the legendary Crawdaddy Club Richmond. If you know your music history, you know this is the absolute birthplace of the British R&B boom, the place where The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds cut their teeth. They are doing incredible work keeping live music alive at The Turks Head in Twickenham, and I will be sharing all the news on their upcoming brilliant gigs throughout the episode, so make sure you grab your diaries. The music matches that heritage note for note across two full hours. We are starting off with the undisputed fire of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the incredible harmonica mastery of Giles Robson. The groove stays thick and soulful with Eric Bibb and Jean Jacques Milteau, Oli Mac and Hi Rhythm, and the stunning vocals of Jovin Webb. We have got the royalty in the building too, with BB King and the hypnotic sounds of Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind leading nicely into some of the finest bands on the circuit today. You will hear the brilliant The Terraplanes Blues Band, The Mustangs, and the powerhouse Albert Castiglia before we pay our respects to the blueprint itself with Robert Johnson. The second half is relentless. We have locked in tracks from Chris O’Leary, a fantastic collaboration from Jen M, Lauren Tucker and Little Red & the Rooster, and the raw emotion of Luther Allison and Karen Carroll. We are keeping the standard sky high with Ry Cooder, the beautiful textures of Michael Messer's Mitra, Samantha Fish, and the soulful Frank Bey. Wrapping up this monster of a session, we are clearing the runway for the heavy rock blues of Mississippi Shakedown, the award winning The Cinelli Brothers, the legendary John Primer, Bob Malone, Robert Cray, Lara and the Blues Dogs, Kerri Powers, and the master Lonnie Brooks. It is a landmark show with the perfect partner on board.

    Blues is the Truth 808

  7. Jun 20

    Blues is the Truth 807

    ## Blues is the Truth #807 The crate digging has been particularly good this week. We have got a fair amount of brand new music making its way into the show alongside a massive milestone for yours truly. I am incredibly proud to be sharing another exclusive track from the upcoming Blues is Truth album, giving you another taste of what we cooked up in the studio 16 years ago. The new music on rotation is top tier. We are diving into fresh sounds from Colin James, Samantha Fish, and the brilliant Monster Mike Welch alongside the raw energy of Harrell Davenport, PK Harrell, and the excellent Oli Mac and Hi Rhythm. The contemporary scene is sounding absolutely massive with tracks from Nicky T and the Snake Charmers, The Shaelin Band, Trevor B Power Band, Sherri Harding, and The 251s all showing us how much fire is in the tank right now. As always, we keep our feet firmly rooted in the tradition. We have got the legendary John Primer, Eddie Boyd, and the hypnotic groove of Magic Sam keeping us company alongside the master Otis Grand and the unmistakable piano work of Pinetop Perkins. Rounding out this packed two hour session, we have got another stellar segment from The Paul Michael Band, the timeless guitar work of Junior Watson, and deep acoustic cuts from Graham Hine, Paul Jones, and Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind. We are finishing up in style with the wonderful Maria Muldaur, the clever songwriting of Mark Harrison, and the foundational groove of Lowell Fulson. New music, a sneak peek at what we did all those years ago, and two hours of pure bliss.

    Blues is the Truth 807

  8. Jun 13

    Blues is the Truth 806

    Welcome back. This week we have got some fantastic news to share from the local scene. First up, the legendary Tim Staffell, the man who fronted Smile before it evolved into Queen, is heading to the Turks Head in Twickenham with his band this coming Friday, June 19th. It is always a special night when Tim is on the bill, so if you are in West London, that is the place to be. I have also got some news closer to home. My old band, Blues is Truth, has some fresh release news on the horizon. We have been digging back into the archives and the studio lately, so stay tuned for updates on what is coming next from our corner. The music this week is a proper cross section of the greats and the new guard. We are kicking off with BB and the Blues Shacks and a track from my own Blues is Truth before sliding into the beautiful collaboration of Staffell and Stewart. You will also hear the Louisiana soul of Tab Benoit, The Knickerbocker All Stars, and the Papa George Band. Because no show is complete without the icons, we have got The Rolling Stones, Freddie King, and Big Mama Thornton keeping things grounded. We are also featuring the brilliant harmonica work of Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes, the fire of Coco Montoya, and a classic pairing of Buddy Guy and Junior Wells. The energy keeps rising with Garry Burnside, GA 20, Big Harp George, and Monster Mike Welch. We have also locked in the Walter Trout Band, Paul Garner Band, Shawn Pitman, and Little Mac. Wrapping up this two hour session, you will hear the legendary Taj Mahal, the powerhouse Kyla Brox, the king Muddy Waters, and the master of the slide, Steve Dawson. It is a packed show with a lot of history and plenty of future.

    Blues is the Truth 806
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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
    307
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Blues is the Truth
  • Show Website
    Blues is the Truth

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