Since it’s inception, blues music has been used to explore emotions and connect people.
Locals can experience an intimate musical experience at the Orange Blossom Opry with the OBO Blues and Brews Series.
From January to April, the live music venue hosts blues artists from across the nation to perform different forms of the genre. There are five shows left in the series.
“Blues genre is a wide variety,” said Roger Beyer, who owns the Opry with his wife, Heather. “There’s Mississippi blues, Louisiana blues and Chicago blues. It’s not all the same style of music. We wanted to have a variety to capture what the blues are.”
Music lovers were able to experience the emotion that comes with the authentic blues experience Wednesday with the “Stacy Mitchhart with special guest Mark Kroos” show.
Mark Kroos opened the show by playing sounds of soul-touching emotion invoking humanity in others. The musician often performs with a double neck guitar, playing both necks in the same tune.
“I am a big fan of the blues, but my music is a bit more folksy,” said Kroos. “I really love getting to connect with people, it is a passion of mine. The emotion I get by getting to bring music to people is joy.”
Kroos said that as a fan of blues who has a lot of influence from guitarist and singer Albert Collins, he was excited to open for Mitchhart, who also mentioned being influenced by Collins and B.B. King.
Mitchhart, who said he wants to be considered a blues-based artist with his own sound, took to the stage to perform his fusion of music that has been heard around the world.
“I like to think (the music we make) invokes emotion.” Kroos said. “I compose music that comes from the heart.”
Along with embracing the emotions the blues brings, the audience can dance their worries away during the March 26 show at the OBO when CJ. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band takes the stage.
The life of Grammy nominated musician Chenier, sometimes referred to as “The Crown Prince of Zydeco” was shaped by the sound of blues.
Born the son of Clifton Chenier, the “King of Zydeco,” C.J. Chenier, the “Prince of Zydeco,” performs a style of blues that creates an energetic party atmosphere meant to get everyone moving.
Zydeco is a music genre that blends the sounds of Louisiana to create something altogether distinctive. The genre mixes French musical sounds, African American rhythm and blues along with other indigenous music.
“This is a very high energy style of blues,” Beyers said.
Prior to the Chenier’s performance, the OBO Blues Band will perform as the opening act.
“The Orange Blossom Opry Blues Band is our very well known house band,” Beyers said. “People love them.”
The prince will perform at the OBO at 7 p.m. March 26. Tickets for the show range from $33 to $48.
The OBO band will be back to perform at Walter Trout’s show when he performs at 7 p.m. April 16.
As the last show in the lineup, the show is poised to be a worthy finale as entertaining as the rest of the series.
Trout, a contemporary blues artist, has been performing since 1973 and has released 30 solo albums during his career.
Tickets for the show range from $47 to $62. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the show, visit obopry.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
