Albany will be singing the blues at second Good Life City Blues Festival

ALBANY – The “Blues Is Alright Tour” is headed to the Albany Civic Center with the second annual “Good Life City Blues Festival” on Nov. 23, starting at 7 p.m.

The Blues is musical storytelling filled with stark emotion and a revolving reality check. It’s authentically raw; transforming tragedy, adversity and heartache into a visceral and cathartic experience. This special night of emotive lyrics and guitar-driven accompaniment features performances by King George, Tucka, Pokey Bear, West Love and J-Wonn.

Tickets went on sale to the general public on Friday, starting at $55, plus additional taxes and fees. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com (https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/220060CDAD611938) or in person at the Georgia’s Own Box Office at the Albany Civic Center.

KING GEORGE: Bursting onto the Southern Soul scene with his signature party-centric sound filled with R&B flair, King George has quickly become a fan favorite. Based out of Hopkins, S.C., King George exploded to headliner status on the Blues Is Alright Tour this past spring. His album “Juke Joint Music” was released in 2022 after launching his career on the music scene via YouTube in 2020. For old-school music lovers, King George’s music is the perfect combination of R&B, soul, and funk that is sure to get anyone to do a little two-step. His songs “Keep on Rollin’,” “Too Long,” “Friday Night” and “Leave & Party” are his top hits.

For more information on King George, visit www.803kinggeorge.com and follow @King George on Facebook and @803kinggeorge on Instagram.

TUCKA: Equally influenced by R. Kelly and Barry White, Louisiana’s Tucka James is an R&B singer who can deliver “pillow talk” songs that recall the grooves of the ’70s, 80s and 2010s. He kicked off his career in 2007, singing lead vocals with Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band. He introduced his solo career in 2008, along with his nickname “the King of Swing.” He soon became a regional Louisiana favorite, and opened gigs for Mystikal and Lenny Williams.

Tucka’s “Love Rehab” album landed in 2009 with songs like “Sex on My Mind” and “Myspace Love.” “Forever King” followed in 2011, then in 2015 he released “Love Rehab 2.” For more information on Tucka, visit https://www.tuckajames.com/ and follow @TUCKA on Facebook and @tuckakingofswing on Instagram.

POKEY BEAR: Wardell “Pokey Bear” Brown was born in Baton Rouge, La. He is known for his soulful sound in the Blues/Southern Soul genre; however, he did not start out that way. Pokey Bear began his career as a rap artist, but after doing it for a while decided to try other styles.

He was first recognized in music for his first two projects produced by Beat Flippa, particularly his songs “They Call me Pokey” and “Side Piece.” He has worked with artists such as Tyree Neal, Adrian Bagher, Ms. Pat, Veronica Raelle and Cupid. For more information on Pokey Bear, follow @Big Pokey Bear-JSP on Facebook and @bigpokeybearjsp on Instagram.

WEST LOVE: Hailing from the Mississippi Delta, Love’s voice carries the weight of generations of Blues legends and the passion of her own experiences. With a mesmerizing stage presence and a voice that’s equal parts gravel and honey, West Love has earned a reputation as a modern-day blues torchbearer. She weaves tales of love, loss, and life’s struggles into every note, evoking raw emotions that resonate deep within the listener’s soul.

West’s distinctive guitar skills, inspired by the greats like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, complement her evocative vocals, creating a sound that’s both timeless and contemporary. She has graced stages worldwide and is a testament to the enduring power of the blues and a reminder that its heartbeat continues to thrive in the hands of exceptional artists like her.

J-WONN: Jawonn Smith, better known by his stage name J-Wonn, is a soul singer who hails from Jackson, Miss., and has built a name for himself following the release of his hit single “I Got This Record.” His love of Blues came from growing up around his mother and grandmother, who would often sing around the house. At the age of 13, JWonn began writing music of his own and went on to write for many Blues and Soul singers. One of his proudest writing credits came from penning a track for the legendary soul artist Lenny Williams.

During high school, he was a member of a hip hop group that also included elements of R&B. The group gained an artist development deal and it helped Smith to learn a lot about navigating the music industry. It also gave him an opportunity to grow as an artist. J-Wonn’s latest single, “Move On,” is available on all digital and video platforms.” J-Wonn followed up “I Got This Record” with several other hits that were in continuous rotation on Southern Soul radio stations. He also has won several awards from various outlets, including Best Entertainer, Artist of the Year, and Best New Single.

He finished working on his second full-length album, “The Legacy,” which had led to collaborations with a wide range of different artists and an expansion of his brand. For more information on J-Wonn, visit www.JWONN.com and follow @jwonn on Facebook.

The Good Life City Blues Fest is produced by North American Entertainment Group Inc., one of the leading independent promoters of entertainment tours and live events in the United States, in conjunction with Heritage Entertainment Group.

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