From my very first nights, I immersed myself in the clubs. I visited BLUES on Halsted, Kingston Mines, and Wise Fools Upstairs, letting the music wash over me. At Biddy Julligans, I saw legends on stage together: Eddie Clearwater, Lonnie Brooks, Magic Him, Junior Wells, Fenton Robinson, Buddy Guy, and even Albert King. I saw Larry Davis perform at BLUES one night — the tone, the phrasing, the sheer presence — it stayed dth me forever. These experiences were schooling in themselves; watching the masters haped my ears, my fingers, and my understanding of what the blues could be.
By 1989,1 started stepping onto those very stages myself. At the Checkerboard Lounge, I erformed with Vance Kelly, and the club quickly felt like a second home. Around the corner t Lee’s Unleaded Blues, I played with Buddy Scott & The Rib Tips, learning the pulse of outh Side soul-blues. I jammed with Buster Benton and Johnny B. Moore, soaking up their jchnique and stage presence. Every night was a lesson, every set a chance to grow.
The early ’90s were a whirlwind. I became a regular with Vance Kelly’s Backstreet Blues land at Lee’s Unleaded, and at the Tam Tam Lounge, I played alongside L.V. Banks, ^hose fiery guitar taught me the essence of South Side blues. One night, Robert Jr. uockwood dropped by — I backed him for a set. It was surreal, playing with someone who lad learned directly from Robert Johnson. The strings, the phrasing, the history in his hands — it was humbling and thrilling at the same time.
Some nights were historic for other reasons. At Legends, I was on stage with Professor Iddie Lusk when news came that Stevie Ray Vaughan had died. Everyone in the club was waiting for Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, and Stevie Ray himself. They never ame. The room was heavy with grief, yet charged with music — a reminder that the blues arries both sorrow and celebration.
I Also had the privilege of performing and sitting in with some of soul-blues’ greatest voices: )tis Clay, Tyrone Davis, Alvin Cash, Little Scotty, and occasionally backing Artie White. Seeing legends like Bobby “Blue” Bland, Little Milton, Latimore, Denise LaSalle, darvin Sease, and vocal groups like The Manhattans, The Chi-Lites, and The Dells, often nore than once, taught me phrasing, timing, and the subtle emotional storytelling that defines oul-blues. Each show was a masterclass, and every night added depth to my playing.
’’Lipstick on Your Bra" - Larry Doc Watkins (Eddie Kold Band)▼
In 1992,1 performed with Zora Young at the Chicago Blues Festival, a thrilling experience n front of tens of thousands of fans. That same year, we toured internationally: Montreal lazz Festival, Winnipeg Blues Festival, and the nationally broadcast Mountain Stage iadio Show. Later, a European tour with Zora brought us to Tiel, Amsterdam, and Brügge, preading the Chicago sound to audiences who had never set foot in a blues club before.
Even amidst festivals and tours, the clubs remained central to my experience. Checkerboard, Hue Chicago, Lee’s Unleaded, Tam Tam, Legends — each stage taught something lifferent: the raw energy of South Side dives, the tight grooves of West Side bands, the connection between musicians and audience, and the way blues could be both a conversation and a story.
Through it all, I tried to carry the lessons of every night. Playing with Vance Kelly, Buddy Scott, L.V. Banks, Zora Young, Buster Benton, Johnny B. Moore, Robert Jr. Lockwood, and the others, I learned to listen, to respond, to honor the history behind each note. Chicago may not have been my birthplace, but through years of performing, jamming, witnessing legends, and touring with the music, it became the home of my musical heart. The city’s blues lives in every string I touch, every stage I step on, and every audience 1 meet.
The Eddie Kold Band - Chicago Roots, European Fire
The Eddie Kold Band stands at the crossroads of Chicago’s gritty blues tradition and Cologne’s vibrant music scene. Led by guitarist and educator Eddie Kold, the band has carved out a reputation for raw authenticity, soulful storytelling, and stage-shaking performances.
With two acclaimed releases on the legendary L+R Records, both recorded in Chicago and featuring a host of scene-defining guest artists, the band has proven its deep connection to the heart of the blues. These sessions captured the spirit of the South Side—live, loud, and loaded with soul.
Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Larry Doc Watkins, the band blends classic blues tones with fresh energy. Watkins’ voice—featured on the upcoming single “Lipstick on Your Bra ” (Nov/Dec 2025)—brings fire and finesse to every verse.
Whether on record or on stage, the Eddie Kold Band delivers blues that’s lived-in, loved, and loud.
’’Lipstick on Your Bra" - Larry Doc Watkins (Eddie Kold Band)
Get ready for a soulful storm this winter as Larry Doc Watkins, the unmistakable voice of the Eddie Kold Band, drops his electrifying new single: ’’Lipstick on Your Bra" - a blues tale soaked in suspicion, swagger, and raw emotion.
Ö With his signature grit and velvet growl, Watkins delivers a powerhouse performance that channels the spirit of Chicago’s South Side and the heartbreak of a love gone sideways.
Backed by the Eddie Kold Band’s tight grooves and smoky guitar licks, this track is a slow-burning confession that hits like a late-night whisper and stings like a truth too long denied.
For more information: Eddie Kold eddiekold@t-online.de | www.eddiekold.corn
Eddie Kold Band feat. Larry Doc Watkins Blues In My Heart▼
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Read this Review on Bluesmagazine in Dutch.
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