Lightnin’ Wells

Location: R.A. Fountain

From our promo for this concert:

Lightnin’ Wells performs Piedmont blues and a variety of early 20th century music at venues throughout the United States and Europe. “He’s our most famous neighbor,” said proprietor Alex Albright, “and we’re always happy to have him showcasing his internationally renowned talents for his newly adopted home folks.” 

A Goldsboro native, Wells moved to Fountain last year after spending twenty years living outside Farmville. Although most widely acclaimed as a bluesman, specializing in both Piedmont and delta styles, he also performs classic folk, vaudeville, gospel, country and pop music from the early twentieth century. He has recently added banjo picking to his already considerable talents on guitar, Dobro, ukelele, and harmonica. 
Wells is a “consummate entertainer,” Albright added, “his shows a lively mix of music styles expertly and professionally presented. No wonder such world-class events as the Port Townsend Blues Festival bring him back every year. He’s a legitimate star in the indy music world, and we’re fortunate to have him living so close by.” 

Wells has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe with a veritable who’s who of second generation Piedmont blues musicians: Big Boy Henry, Algia Mae Hinton, Etta Baker, John Dee Holeman, Fris Holloway, Drink Small, and Tarboro’s George Higgs, among them. “But he’s a star in his own right,” said Albright, “and tonight is his night to shine: in a listening room setting that always feels right with his acoustic sounds filling it up.”

Tags: blues, Concert, Delta blues, folk, gospel, guitar, hokum, old-time, Piedmont blues