Win a FREE "Heroes of the Blues" T-Shirt

We are so excited about our new compilation "Heroes of the Blues" Tees with Art by R. Crumb that we are giving them away.

Just go to our new "Heroes of the Blues" Facebook page here: LINK

Then "Like" us, and you'll be automatically entered to win this cool t-shirt which features these early great musicians who where among the first to record the blues: Blind Blake, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charley Patton, Mississippi John Hurt, Son House, Skip James, Memphis Minnie, Roosevelt Sykes, Reverend Gary Davis and Big Bill Broonzy.

We will randomly draw 3 winners on May 13th--so be sure to check back to see who won!!

New Heroes of the Blues Poster Tee

New from Keep On Truckin' Apparel this Heroes of the Blues Poster t-shirt. If it's just too hard to pick just one blues "Hero" from our t-shirt collection of 36 this compilation shirt is for you.

Included are 20 color portraits, of the early great men and women who where among the first to record blues music, all drawn by R. Crumb. Starting at the top from right to left you'll find: Charley Patton, Son House, Blind Willie McTell, Big Bill Broonzy, Blind (Reverend) Gary Davis, Roosevelt Sykes, Skip James, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Memphis Minnie, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Blake, Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell, Sleepy John Estes, Jaybird Coleman, Peg Leg Howell, Tommy Johnson, Buddy Boy Hawkins, Barbecue Bob, Blind Willie Johnson, and Clifford Gibson.

Available in both Men's and Women's sizes Small to X-Large, and colors white, black, chestnut, and indigo exclusively at www.kotapparel.com.

Heroes of the Blues: Big Bill Broonzy

Big Bill (1898-1958)

Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #22

Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt

Born in 1898, Bill Broonzy played violin in the vicinity of Little Rock, Arkansas, before moving to Chicago where he took up guitar in the early 1920's. He first recorded in 1927 and became a hit-maker during the next decade, enjoying a continuous recording career up to his death in 1958. He was associated with a sound rather than a signature song and his warm voice, facile touch, and strong beat earned him popularity as both a city and country blues stylist. Big Bill was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Image copyright of Shanachie Entertainment Corp.

On Sale this month Big Bill Broonzy T-Shirt

To celebrate the release of the new biography "I Feel so Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy" Keep On Truckin' Apparel is offering 20% off our Big Bill T-Shirt for the entire month of April. Available in both short and long sleeve 100% cotton tees, chose for black, white, indigo or chestnut in Sizes S-3X.

This color portrait of Broonzy was drawn by underground comic icon and musician Robert Crumb. Crumb was commissioned in the 1980's by Nick Perls of Yazoo Records to create 36 color portraits of the early great men and women who where among the first to record the blues. The portraits where then incorporated into the "Heroes of the Blues" boxed Trading Card set. Stephen Calt, well known blues historian, provided the historical text on the back of each card.

Big Bill sings, "I Feel So Good."

Heroes of the Blues Featured Artist: Blind Willie McTell

Blind Willie McTell (1901-1959)

Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #30

Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt

Born in Thompson, Georgia, in 1901, Willie McTell learned guitar from his mother around 1914 and made his recording debut in 1927 after working as a street singer and medicine show minstrel. Over the next nine years he recorded forty-eight sides for four companies under four different names, sometimes teamed with his wife, Kate McTell. A deft guitarist with a sweet voice, McTell made Library of Congress blues field recordings and postwar records for the R&B market as well. He died in 1959. Blind Willie McTell was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1981.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.


Blind Willie McTell, Searching the Desert for the Blues

Heroes of the Blues Featured Musician: Tommy Johnson

Tommy Johnson (1896-1956)
Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #34

Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt

An outstanding vocalist whose trademark falsetto was widely copied, Tommy Johnson was born around 1896 near Terry, Mississippi. He took up music around 1914 and was influenced by Delta performer Charley Patton, although his guitar playing was far more ragged than his mentor's. Johnson's travels made him a familiar figure throughout the Mississippi Delta. Between 1928 and 1930, he recorded eleven sides, including the popular "Big Road Blues." He died in 1956. Tommy Johnson was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1986.


A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Heroes of the Blues Featured Artist: Blind Lemon Jefferson

Blind Lemon Jefferson (1893-1929)

Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #9

Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt

A native of Wortham, Texas, the legendary Blind Lemon Jefferson worked as a street singer and visited several state in the course of his travels. His successful recording debut in 1926 launched the vogue for country blues. Before his mysterious death in 1929, Jefferson recorded eighty-five sides and established himself as the most popular blues guitarist of his era. An off-beat guitarist known for his free phrasing patterns, he was one of the most inspired singers found in blues. Blind Lemon Jefferson was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.