Jonny Lang’s classical blues connection

Guitarist Jonny Lang says playing the blues now that most of the greats are gone is like classical musicians still playing music written centuries ago.

He tells the Columbus Dispatch: “Classical musicians weren’t around when Beethoven was going through whatever he was going through to make him write that music; they’re standing on his shoulders when they perform.“

Lang also reveals that while he can’t experience what greats such as B.B. King went through in their early days, he can still appreciate it.

The North Dakota native adds: “Culturally, I couldn’t be further away from the fellows that this music was born from. I don’t have that life experience, but I can imagine what it was like to the best of my ability.”

Lang released his most recent work Fight For My Soul in 2013 and believes pigeonholing music is growing increasingly pointless.

He says: “I can’t keep tabs on what style of music I’m supposed to fit into. A lot of the songs I’ve done over the years, if you played a Muddy Waters record and then played mine, you’d go: ‘No, those aren’t in the same genre.’

“People’s perception of the blues has evolved.”

Lang takes to the road in July for a 22-date North American tour:

Jul 08: Beaver Creek Vilar Performing Arts Center, CO

Jul 09: Arvada Center Amphitheatre, CO

Jul 10: Steamboat Springs Howelsen Hill, CO

Jul 11: Telluride The Ride Festival, CO

Jul 19: Glenside Keswick Theatre, PA

Jul 21: Morristown Community Theatre, PA

Jul 23: Rochester Martin Luther King Jr Park, NY

Jul 24: Baldwinsville Paper Mills Island Amphitheatre, NY

Jul 25: Owen Sound Kelso Beach Amphitheatre, ON

Aug 01: Mammoth Lakes Sams Wood Site, CA

Aug 21: Las Vegas Railhead At Boulder Station Hotel & Casino, NV

Aug 22: Apple Valley Weesner Family Amphitheatre, MN

Sep 03: Birmingham Iron City, AL

Sep 04: Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony Center, TN

Sep 05: Peoria Budweiser Illinois Blues Festival, IL

Sep 25: Kalamazoo State Theatre, MI

Sep 26: Munhall Carnegie Of Homestead Music Hall, PA

Sep 29: Rocky Mount Harvester Performance Center, VA

Sep 30: State College State Theatre, PA

Oct 06: Newton Theatre, NJ

Oct 07: Boston Wilbur Theatre, MA

Oct 30: Beverly Hills Saban Theatre, CA

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.