James Cotton

Billy Branch is an Emmy Award winner, three-time Grammy Award nominee, retired Grammy governor, and internationally respected blues harmonica artist whose career spans nearly five decades. A 2020 inductee into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, Branch has received multiple Blues Music Awards, including the 2025 Best Harmonica Instrumentalist honor, as well as Living Blues Critics’ Awards and several Keeping the Blues Alive recognitions for his long-running Blues in Schools program.

James Cotton learned the blues from many of the greatest artists in recorded history! As a result his style of playing is our link to the early development of the music form, especially those influences in the years following World War II. James was nine years old when he played with Sonny Boy Williamson and later played with icons such as Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bobby “Blue” Bland, BB King and Big Mama Thorton, among many others. His passion for music and his willingness to share his style with others has made him one of the most beloved bluesmen of our time.

Ike Turner was well known for his role in the life of Tina Turner and as the guitarist and arranger of her early career. However, during our interview with him, Ike took the time to discuss the early part of his own music career beginning with the first rock and roll song “Rocket 88” for which Ike played the great piano boogie-jump style that defined the early days of rock. Ike produced a host of recordings for performers such as Bobby “Blue” Bland and Otis Rush and is credited for discovering harmonica legend James Cotton. His Oral History interview was completed in Carlsbad, CA