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Blues is the Truth

Blues is the Truth

By: Ian McHugh
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Summary

 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.... Music
Episodes
  • Blues is the Truth 801

    Blues is the Truth 801
    May 10 2026
    The dust has settled on the big 800, but the momentum isn't slowing down. We are straight back into the thick of it this week with a selection that proves exactly why this genre never gets old. It is all about that raw, unfiltered energy that hits you right in the chest.

    We are opening up the throttle with the Dirty Weather Blues Review and the heavy hitters like Joe Bonamassa and the Altered 5 Blues Band. There is a massive amount of soul in this mix too, with Vanese Thomas and Jennifer Lynn and the Groove Revival bringing that undeniable spark, while Beth Hart and The Reverend Shawn Amos show us exactly how much heart you can pour into a single track.

    I’ve made sure we pay our respects to the masters who built the house. You will hear the pure genius of Howling Wolf, Ray Charles, and John Lee Hooker, alongside the legendary harmonica work of Sonny Boy Williamson II and Junior Wells. We are also digging into the craft with Rory Block, Eddy Clearwater, and the acoustic mastery of Brooks Williams and Corey Harris.

    The scene stays fresh with Thomas Heppell, Big Harp George, and Reverend Freakchild all making their mark, while Erroll Linton, Guto Konrad, and the powerhouse duo of Smokin’ Joe Kubeck and Bnois King keep the gears turning.

    It is just great music, played because it deserves to be heard. No gimmicks, just the good stuff.
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    2 hrs
  • Blues is the Truth 800

    Blues is the Truth 800
    May 2 2026
    It’s a big milestone this week. We’ve hit show 800, and I’ve decided to do something a bit different. No themes, no guest takeovers, just a selection of music that means the world to me. These are the tracks that move me, the ones I find important, and the ones that remind me why I started this show in the first place.

    We’re kicking off with the absolute masters of the pocket, The Meters, and keeping that heavy groove alive with Blues is Truth, Karena K, and Paul Michael. This episode feels personal because it is—we’re traveling from the delta grit of Leadbelly to the singular genius of Tom Waits, through to the West London soul of Robert Hokum and the Guv'nors and The Geoff Garbow Band.

    I've made sure the heavyweights are present too. You’ll hear Freddie King, BB King, and Buddy Guy showing us how it's done, alongside the pure fire of Derek and the Dominos and Nick Curran. There is space for the deep, soulful moments from Percy Sledge and the early magic of Fleetwood Mac, while Rob Millis, Yuri Apsy, and Bruce Mississippi Johnson keep the story moving forward.

    We’re also checking in with The Steady Rollin' Revue, the funk-infused mastery of John Cleary, and the legendary Sly and the Family Stone. It’s a real journey through the sounds that have shaped my ears over the years.

    It’s show 800. It’s special. And more than anything, it’s the truth.
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    2 hrs
  • Blues is the Truth 799

    Blues is the Truth 799
    Apr 25 2026
    The latest Blues is the Truth is live and this week we’re shifting gears. There are no awards or trophies this time around, just a deep dive into the kind of music that keeps the pulse of this scene beating.

    We’ve got a massive lineup that spans the full spectrum of the craft. You’ll hear the raw energy of The Milkmen, The South Island Rhythm Kings, and The Paul Michael Band alongside the world class talent of Geoff Achison and harmonica ace Giles Robson. The vibe stays heavy and authentic with tracks from John Cee Stannard, Tom Waits For No Man, and the effortlessly cool Stray Cat Willy and the Strays.

    We’re also honoring the storytellers and the technicians like Michael Messer, Half Deaf Clatch, and the Geoff Garbow Band. And because we always respect the lineage, we’ve brought the giants into the room. BB King, Freddie King, Mike Bloomfield, and Stevie Ray Vaughan are all here to remind us why we fell in love with this music in the first place.

    From the modern fire of Samantha Fish and Alice Armstrong to the deep pocket grooves of Willie Buck and Bob Corritore, Dave Specter, and The Steady Rollin’ Revue, there isn't a wasted second. Rounding it all out with the Backyard Casanovas, Kilborn Alley, Mighty Mike Schermer, and Charlie and the Fez Kings, it’s an hour of music that flows perfectly from one story to the next.

    It’s a masterclass in why the blues is and always will be the truth.
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    2 hrs
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