Time Signatures with Jim Ervin

This week on TIme Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes Manx Blues guitarist, straight from the Isle of Man, Davy Knowles. Davy dropped by to talk about his early years in music, largely influenced by the likes of Rory Gallagher, Eric Clapton, and Robert Johnson. It was the Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing that first bit Davy, and after a few guitar lessons, he chose to take the self-taught route…...

Just three episodes remain in Season Four, and this week, host Jim Ervin welcomes 17 year old guitar and harmonica phenom, Kiersi Jolie. Kiersi was in Michigan not long ago for a Women In Blues Showcase, held at the legendary Token Lounge in Westland, MI. Join us for a discussion about her early start in music, first taking on the piano at age 3, and the harmonica just a few short years later. She...

It’s the month of June and we have just four episodes remaining in Season Four. Our guest this week is one of many Michigan musicians who have made their musical chops in the Greater Detroit area. New Baltimore native, Michael Hishon, aka ‘Michigan Mick’, released his first album ‘Big Leg Woman’ in 2024, and he stops in to talk about it in detail, along with a discussion about his baptism into the...

Season Four is winding down quickly, and this edition of Time Signatures features fellow broadcaster and recipient of the Keeping the Blues Alive Award, Gil Anthony. Gil has amassed more than 55 years behind the microphone, and his current radio program, ‘Blues Power’ is heard on 1450 AM, and 102.1 FM, WDIG out of Dothan, Alabama. The North Dakota native US Air Force Vet dropped in to talk about h...

This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes some true Blues Royalty. Shaun Murphy began her career, of all places, on the main stage at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival! In 1971, she teamed up on Motown’s Rare Earth label in a group called Stoney and Meatloaf (yup, THAT Meatloaf!). She has had touring stints with the likes of Bob Seger, Eric Clapton, the Moody Blues, Bruce Hornsby,...

This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, join Erv as he ‘travels’ to Clarksdale, Mississippi for a fun chat with another legendary Bluesman, Deak Harp. Deak traveled up and down the east coast in his early life, following the James Cotton Band and that dedication turned into an opportunity to drive Cotton’s bus. But it also allowed Deak to get to know James on a personal level, and ultimately...

This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes true Blues royalty, and another top woman in the Blues, Teeny Tucker. Teeny talks about her earliest inspirations in music, spending summers with her legendary musician father, Tommy Tucker, that 1994 ‘baptism by fire’, and subsequent breakthrough performance at the Apollo Theater in New York, opening for B.B. King, traveling to Chicago to...

On this edition of Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes Founder of Gulf Coast Entertainment, Susie Criner. In 1979, she and her husband, Sanford also restored and opened Rockefeller’s, a gorgeous building built in 1928. Rockefeller’s attracted the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Garth Brooks during its 18 year run. Susie shares her work throughout the last 45 ye...

It’s a special episode of Time Signatures this week as your host, Jim Ervin welcomes a fellow Michigan native turned Texas and now Florida transplant, Grego Anderson to the show. Grego is a highly skilled acoustic Blues, Folk, and Country musician, but he is perhaps better known for his work as an artist. Perhaps you have seen some of his work out there on the Internet? His website, Mojohand.com,...

It’s another amazing interview on this week’s edition of Time Signatures with Jim Ervin. Erv welcomes Kid Ramos to the show, and they had a lot to talk about. Kid is promoting a new album, but of course, they had to discuss other things along the way, too. From his early years working with James Harmon, his trips to the Golden Bear in Orange County to see Buddy Guy and many others, his deep obsess...

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Lady of the Blues, Miss Freddye joins host Jim Ervin this week for a discussion about life as a Blues musician, Mother, Nurse, and cancer survivor. Miss Freddye also talks about her influences, which include Koko Taylor, Etta James, and Big Momma Thornton, and getting started as a Blues/ R&B Musician with not one, but TWO bands. Please take some time to check this in...

This week on Time Signatures, Erv welcomes one of Michigan’s finest photographers, Marty Rickard. Marty is the house photographer at the legendary Token Lounge in Westland, Michigan, and he and Erv have shared space around the Token’s stage for the last couple years. Marty talks about the many Blues concerts he has documented there, but also about a special relationship he developed with the late...

On this edition of Time Signatures, Erv welcomes Minnesota Folk Troubadour, Charlie Parr to the microphone. Parr is not your average folk artist, as he wields a Michigan-made Mule Resophonic guitar, ladling out generous servings of Blues laden tunes to his audiences. Known for booking more than 250 dates per year, Parr stops in to discuss his musical roots, cutting back a bit on his touring dates,...

This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv heads past the halfway point in Season four, with legendary Bluesman and elder statesman, Elvin Bishop. Many will remember Elvin for his smash hit with Mickey Thomas on vocals in 1976, ‘Fooled Around And Fell In Love’, but Bishop’s bigger claim to fame was his work with the Chicago Blues scene in the 1960s and 70’s. Elvin talks about meeting a young...

This week, it’s a very special episode of Time Signatures as your host, Jim Ervin welcomes another legendary bluesman, Steve Nardella. Join Steve and Erv as they discuss his relocation to Michigan from the east coast in 1971-just to be closer to Chicago, the early Blues hangouts in Ann Arbor (Blind Pig, Mr. Flood’s Party, Rick’s American Cafe, etc), and his appearance in a supporting role at the 1...

This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes 2022 People’s Choice winner and 2023 Solo/Duo winner of the Capital Area Blues Society’s Blues Brawl, Justin Deason. Justin drops in to chat about his wins in Lansing, his trip and competition in Memphis, Tennessee as part of Dedfoot Duo, and branching out on his new venture with his band, ‘Just Magnetic’ and their first release, ‘Life Elec...

This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, it’s another fantastic discussion with one of the biggest names in Blues promotions, Paul ‘Mr. Blues’ Benjamin. Join Erv and Paul as they discuss Paul’s work establishing the Rockland-based North Atlantic Blues Festival, his work with the Blues Heaven Blues Festival in Denmark and four other U.S. based events. They also talk about Paul’s long tenure in...

This week on Time Signatures, host Jim Ervin welcomes the Founder and Chief Bottle Washer (CBW) of the National Women in Blues, Michele Seidman. Seidman founded the 501 c3 to support, edify, mentor and promote women in the Blues music genre. Join us for a sober look at the state of the music business, and what this dedicated woman is doing to foster change for those going forward. Doesn’t matter i...

This week, host Jim Ervin welcomes a truly legendary member of our Blues Royalty, a gentleman known affectionately as ‘Michissippi’ Mick, or as Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram calls him, ‘Uncle’ Mick Kolassa. Mick drops in to talk with Erv about his years on the board of the Blues Foundation in Memphis, his move to the home of the Delta Blues in Mississippi (thus the nickname), and his work with his r...

This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes Detroit native Blues Rocker, Eliza Neals for a chat about her earliest memories of music growing up, hanging out 5-6 nights a week at Detroit Blues venues such as Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Bert’s and others, and her music relationship with the legendary Barrett Strong. Eliza also talked about her new album, ‘Colorcrimes’ and what comes next....

his week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes Chris Tapp, lead vocalist and guitarist for the band The Cold Stares. Join us for some conversation on the band’s upcoming release ‘The Southern’, how he took part in last year’s auction of the Legendary Peter Green’s guitars, and had a winning bid for one…..or was it two of them? And then there is discussion about his album featuring one of...

Joce Reyome is FRESH off their decisive win in the solo/duo category at the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. The North Atlantic Canadian musician stopped in to discuss the win, and the plans which lie ahead for an album....and some other fun things. It was a fun interview, and one you don't want to miss, so come on it and give it a look and listen! Website: https://www.joc...

This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes another member of the Blues music community, Joe Flip. His album, ‘Old Soul Live’ was offered free (and signed), with shipping, and after checking out the album an interview was scheduled. Flip plays his signature oil can guitar, and his music is a blend of rock infused Blues, with a tasteful Texas flair. Join us as we discuss Joe’s passion...

Season Four comes out of the gate with fellow broadcaster and podcast veteran, Shaun Bindley. Shaun has more that 30 years in the broadcasting field, and his weekly podcast, “Blues With a Feeling” features incredible guests, some of their music, and lots of fun. Join host, Jim Ervin as he chats with Shaun about his work in the Blues, his work as an extra on some movie sets, and what he plans for t...

As Season 3 comes to a close, Erv welcomes former frontman from the band ‘Smile’, Tim Staffell for a chat about his work with the band, which later was fronted by Freddie Bulsara, who changed his name to Mercury, and the band’s name to ‘Queen’....and the rest, as they say, is history! Tim was an incredible guest, and we had a great discussion about his baptism into the Blues, his work with an earl...