Lightnin’ Wells

Location: R.A. Fountain

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Lightnin’ Wells Celebrates Release of New CD Friday at Fountain – New Retail Hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays

Lightnin’ Wells celebrates the release of his latest CD with a concert of traditional blues and early Americana music at Fountain General Store this coming Friday night.

O, Lightnin’, Where Art Thou? is Lightnin’s sixth solo CD. It was released April 1 by the German label, Blind Lemon Records.

Wells, who lives in Fountain, has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe. “Lightnin’s been especially popular in Germany,” said Alex Albright, Fountain General Store proprietor. “And we’re always glad to have him performing here at ‘home.'” Wells returns to Germany for a concert tour later this summer.

Mike “Lightnin'” Wells was born in West Virginia and grew up in Goldsboro. Before moving to Fountain, he lived for many years in Farmville. He earned degrees at UNC-CH and ECU and worked for several years as a music therapist before embarking on a career as a solo musical artist. He built his national and international reputations as one of the most outstanding proponents of Piedmont blues, and he has performed with many of the best second generation of Piedmont blues people, including Big Boy Henry of Beaufort; George Higgs of Tarboro; Algia Mae Hinton of Johnston County; and John Dee Holeman of Durham. He also teaches at blues workshops in North Carolina, New York, and Washington State.

Wells performances demonstrate a broad range of musical talents and interests. He plays acoustic and resonator guitars; harmonica; banjo and mandolin; and three kinds of ukuleles. He also whistles and yodels and serves up with many of his songs an entertaining and lively historical perspective. “Wells shows are really variety shows,” added Albright. “He plays Piedmont and Delta blues, early vaudeville and hokum, country, early 20th century pop, gospel, and old-time songs. Expect a full evening’s entertainment.”

Tags: Americana, Concert, Delta blues, eclectic, guitar, harmonica, hokum, old-time, Piedmont blues