The Best Blues Music Players of 2020

A list of the best blues music players of 2020. These artists know how to play the blues and will have you feeling the blues in no time!

Best Overall: Stevie Ray Vaughan

It’s hard to overstate the significance of Stevie Ray Vaughan in the history of blues music. He was one of the most important and influential guitarists of his generation, and his impact is still felt today. Vaughan brought a level of energy and excitement to the blues that had been missing for some time, and he inspired a whole new generation of guitarists. His playing was a perfect blend of technical mastery and soulful expression, and he had a style that was all his own. Vaughan was taken from us too soon, but his legacy continues to inspire musicians all over the world.

Best Electric: B.B. King

B.B. King was one of the most influential electric blues guitarists of all time. He is known for his distinctive style of playing, which combined elements of blues, jazz, and rock and roll. King was born in Mississippi in 1925, and began playing guitar when he was just a teenager. He soon developed his own unique sound, which made him a popular performer in the early days of rock and roll. King recorded dozens of hit songs over the course of his career, including “The Thrill Is Gone,” “Lucille,” and “Stand By Me.” He died in 2015 at the age of 89.

Best Acoustic: Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson was an American blues singer and musician. His date of birth is unknown, but he died on August 16, 1938. He is best known for his recordings in 1936 and 1937, which influenced later generations of musicians.

Johnson was born in Mississippi and learned to play the guitar from other blues musicians. He became a professional musician in 1929 and began performing in juke joints and barrelhouses. His style of playing was unique and influenced other musicians, including Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

In 1936, Johnson recorded his first songs for the American Record Company. These songs, “Terraplane Blues” and “Sweet Home Chicago”, were instant hits. Johnson’s popularity increased, and he began touring with famous blues musicians such as Waters and Wolf.

In 1937, Johnson recorded more songs, including “Cross Road Blues” and “Love in Vain”. These songs cemented his place as one of the greatest blues musicians of all time. Sadly, Johnson died just a few months after recording these tracks. He was only 27 years old.

Best Modern: Gary Clark Jr.

Gary Clark Jr. is a powerhouse blues guitarist and singer from Austin, Texas. He’s a modern master of the blues, and he’s still relatively young. He first gained attention in the early 2000s when he was playing clubs in Austin. In 2010, he released his debut album “Live” which was recorded live at Austin City Limits Festival. It includes the single “Bright Lights”, which went on to become Clark’s signature song.

Clark has played with some of the biggest names in music, including Eric Clapton, B.B. King, and Rolling Stones. He has won multiple Grammy Awards, and he was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2013.

If you’re looking for a modern blues artist who is keeping the genre alive and well, Gary Clark Jr. is your man.

Best Traditional: Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician who is often cited as the “Father of Modern Chicago Blues”, and an important figure on the developing post-war blues scene. His style of playing was unique and very influential. Muddy Waters started his music career in the early 1940s, playing harmonica and guitar with local bands in Mississippi. He eventually moved to Chicago, where he began working with famed producer Leonard Chess. Chess helped to launch Waters’ career, and he released his first record, “The Coming Of The Century”, in 1950. Waters went on to release a string of successful records, including the classic “I Can’t Be Satisfied” and “Hoochie Coochie Man”. He toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and his music had a profound impact on the development of modern blues and rock music. Muddy Waters passed away in 1983, but his legacy continues to live on through his music.