Delbert McClinton
If there is one artist who embodies the true merger of blues, rock, and country, it's Delbert McClinton. Starting out his career as a blues musician in his native Texas, McClinton played harmonica for such notables as Howlin' Wolf, Jimmie Reed, and Bobby "Blue" Bland. In 1960, he became the first white artist played on Fort Worth station KNOX with his cover of "Wake Up Baby." On a tour of England with Bruce Channel, he gave harp lessons to a young John Lennon. He recorded behind several artists and formed a duet, Delbert & Glen, with friend Glen Clark, but did not release his first solo album until 1975, Victim of Life's Circumstances. He wrote "Two More Bottles of Wine" for Emmylou Harris, and "B Movie Boxcar Blues" for the Blues Brothers.
Through the 80's, Delbert eschewed recording for live performances, and did not release another album until 1988, with Live From Austin, which earned him a Grammy nomination. He didn't get his first win, however, until the 1991 duet with Bonnie Raitt, "Good Man, Good Woman." He has released a fairly steady stream of excellent music since. He's been nominated for "Midnight Communion," off his 2005 release, Cost of Living.
Previous Grammy Wins:
- Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (with Bonnie Raitt) - "Good Man, Good Woman" - 1991
- Best Contemporary Blues Album - Nothing Personal - 2001
Current Grammy Nominations:
- Best Country Vocal Performance, Male - "Midnight Communion"
(Bio courtesy of Kathy Coleman)