Carolyn Gaines: A Significant Figure in the Blues Scene

Carolyn Gaines has been an influential presence in the blues community for much of her life. Through her Blues Schools programs, she has educated countless children about the genre, authored numerous articles on blues legends, and conducted interviews with notable artists such as the late B.B. King, Guitar Shorty, and Buddy Guy's guitarist Ric Hall, among others. Gaines has also produced performances, engaged in publicity and radio promotion, and worked with record labels and festivals. Now, drawing from her extensive experiences, she is stepping forward as a noteworthy new blues singer.

Gaines draws inspiration from iconic figures like Buddy Guy—who shares her fondness for polka dots—as well as Bessie Smith, Koko Taylor, Etta James, and Robert Cray. Her unique, deep voice is both raw and steeped in southern blues tradition, conveying a wealth of emotion and authenticity in her performances.

For those unable to attend her live shows, her YouTube videos provide a glimpse of her artistry. Notable performances include her unaccompanied rendition of Buddy Guy's “Feels Like Rain,” showcasing her gutsy charm, and her expressive long notes in “Stormy Monday.” Additional highlights feature her rendition of Otis Redding’s “I Got Dreams,” accompanied solely by guitarist Gary Mays, a rock-influenced take on “The Thrill Is Gone,” and a full-band version of Buddy Guy’s Grammy-winning song “Born To Play Guitar.” Currently, Gaines is working on her first full-length CD, encapsulating her passion for the blues, as she expresses at the conclusion of “Feels Like Rain,” “That’s the blues, I love you blues.”

Born in Houston, Texas, Carolyn Gaines is the daughter of renowned guitarist and singer Roy Gaines, known for his work with Diana Ross and Billie Holiday. Her uncle, saxophonist Grady Gaines, has collaborated with various legends, including Little Richard and Sam Cooke. Gaines recounts, “Early on, my father played me Bessie Smith records, and that was my introduction to the blues.” As a child, she sang along to records by Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson, and Billie Holiday, particularly admiring Diana Ross for her glamour and style. She practiced tirelessly while her father performed at gigs.

During her youth, Gaines sang at some of her father's club performances alongside her siblings. However, her singing career took a backseat as she immersed herself in the blues industry. After majoring in theatre arts in college, she began managing her father's career in the early 1990s, booking him for festivals and clubs internationally. She also hosted and produced a cable television series on blues artists, featuring legends like Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy, while playing their recordings on her radio shows.

Gaines recognized a significant gap in blues education among young people, prompting her to establish the Blues Schools program. “I remember going to Audubon Middle School and asking the students if they had heard of Roy Gaines. Only two of the sixty raised their hands, and no one knew B.B. King or Buddy Guy,” she recalled. Over the past sixteen years, she has produced over 3,000 blues-related projects for students, teaching them about the lives and struggles of blues performers and encouraging them to write their own lyrics. Her efforts to bring local bands into schools and share the experiences of blues music have been widely recognized.

In 2012, she published her first children's book, Blues…Why Blues & Latin Music?, which received positive reviews for its informative content and illustrations. More children's books are in the pipeline.

Gaines' contributions have not gone unrecognized; in March 2015, she received an honorary degree from the Rhythm & Blues University, an accolade previously awarded to Buddy Guy. In 2014, Ric Hall produced three tracks for her, including “Feels Like Rain” and “Ain't No Sunshine.” Moreover, she collaborated with Leon Levy and Chan Romero on two songs, one of which was performed at Elvis Presley's 80th Birthday Party.

Now established as a Renaissance Blues Woman, Carolyn Gaines is poised to make her mark as a blues singer. With extensive experience performing at venues such as Barbara Morrison’s club in Los Angeles and the Blythe River Blues Festival, she states, “I call myself a closet blues singer because, although I’ve been teaching about the blues for years, I’ve been singing privately for a long time. I’m out of the closet now! I was born in the blues, worked in the blues, educated kids about the blues, and now I sing the blues.”

The blues community eagerly anticipates her future contributions to the genre.