A New Generation of Blues Rock, Channeling the Soul of 1958.
A couple months ago, I posted “The Crossroads, the Dream, and the Blues” after watching the critically acclaimed film Sinners. For those who haven’t read the post or seen the film, it follows a young man torn between his passion for music and his spiritual duty as the son of a pastor. That conflict hit deeper than I expected, especially for a movie involving vampires and fictional twists. But what stood out most wasn’t just the drama, it was how music was at the center of it all.
Sinners opened my eyes to the power of music not just in individual lives, but in culture, resistance, and survival. In history class, we often hear about the brutal oppression Black people faced in the South, but what doesn’t always get emphasized is how soul, blues, and gospel music became a lifeline, an expression of pain, joy, and hope. It wasn’t just background noise; it was a movement.
Chance Music started with one goal: to spotlight the artists, the sounds, and the people who carry music’s legacy forward, whether they’re major stars or just starting out. It’s not about numbers, it’s about soul. Along the way, my growing interest in blues, rock, and gospel has only deepened my inspiration to showcase these artists. Today, that artist is Buddy Red.
A young artist with an old soul, Buddy Red brings one of the most impressive mixes of sound I’ve heard in today’s music scene. Imagine Muddy Waters meets Jimi Hendrix, with a touch of Led Zeppelin on top. That’s him. He’s not trying to fit into the modern mold, he’s reviving something raw, something timeless.
Buddy’s just starting out, but you can tell by the way he plays that he’s been searching, learning, and crafting his sound for a while. He’s the kind of artist you have to see live. Some musicians are good in the studio, but performers leave something behind with every show. Buddy Red is that kind of performer.
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out his Genius Open Mic performance. The outfit? Retro and bold. The vibe? Groovy and offbeat. The talking verses? Super old school. Somehow, it all works. You watch with questions, and walk away curious, maybe even a little hooked. That’s artistry.
What’s also wild is that music is in his blood, he’s the son of hip-hop legend T.I. But instead of walking that well-paved path, he went his own way, chasing a sound that spoke to him. Music is universal; if it’s real, people feel it.
Buddy Red hasn’t announced a release date for more music yet, but his single “Sold His Soul” gives a solid taste of what’s coming. While he works on his next moves, he’s playing local bars and venues across Atlanta, Nashville, and Austin. You might catch him live without even planning it, or maybe you already have, and didn’t realize you were watching one of the new torchbearers of blues rock. Nevertheless keep an eye on Buddy Red. He’s not just reviving a sound, he’s sparking a new generation’s connection to the roots of music. And if Sinners taught me anything, it’s that the crossroads between passion and purpose, that’s where the real magic happens.
