Manufactures, retailers and musicians converge at the 110th National Association of Music Merchant Show (NAMM) in Anaheim California. It is the largest musical instruments and products trade show in the United States.

NAMM is the crossroads for bringing the latest tools for producing music to the buying world, where business deals, demonstrations, educational session,and live performances make up the four day event.

Walking around the isles of the massive convention center, there is no escaping the wall of sound and masses of people. According to NAMM officials the 2012 attendance set a record with a reported 95,709 registered attendees, a six percent increase from last year.

BLUES made its presence everywhere you turned, from guitar greats testing products to open jams of artists through out the halls.

John Mayer was on hand talking up Martin Guitar’s new '0045SC Stagecoach' acoustic guitar- shortly after demonstrating the guitars beautiful tone.

Video courtesy of Harmony Central

YouBlues is sad to report the death of legendary singer Etta James. James had battled long and hard with Leukemia over the years, finaly losing her battle Jan 20th.

James started her career in the 1950's Her style spanned a variety of music genres including blues, rhythm and blues, rock, soul, gospel and jazz. Her hits included "Dance With Me, Henry", "At Last", "Tell Mama", and "I'd Rather Go Blind".

She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993,and the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001.

Etta James was 73.

You Blues is proud to present Featured Artist T-Bone Walker.

Aaron Thibadeaux "T-Bone" Walker born May 28, 1910, was a critically acclaimed American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who was one of the most influential pioneers and innovators of the jump blues and electric blues sound. He is believed by some biographers to be the first musician to perform playing the electric guitar. His solos influenced blues players like B.B. King and such rockers as Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Early in the 1920s, the teenage Walker learned his craft amongst the street-strolling string bands of Dallas Walker had left school at age 10, and by 15,he was a professional performer on the blues circuit, with famed performer Charlie Christian as his mentor. Initially, he was Jefferson's protégé and would guide him around town for his gigs. In 1929, Walker made his recording debut with a single for Columbia Records, "Wichita Falls Blues"/"Trinity River Blues," billed as Oak Cliff T-Bone.

By the age of 26 he was working the clubs in Los Angeles' Central Avenue; sometimes as the featured singer and guitarist with Les Hite's orchestra. By 1942, with his second album release, Walker's new-found musical maturity and ability had advanced to the point that Rolling Stone claimed that he "shocked everyone" with his newly developed distinctive song upon the release of his first single "Mean Old World", on Capitol Records.

Much of his output was recorded from 1946–1948 on Black & White Records, including his most famous song, 1947's "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)". Other notable songs he recorded during this period were "Bobby Sox Blues" (a #3 R&B hit in 1946), and "West Side Baby" (#8 on the R&B singles charts in 1948).

By the early 1960s, Walker's career had slowed down but had continued to perform into the 70’s. He did record albums from 1968-1974. Following a stroke in March 1975, he died at the age of 64.

Bio Excerpts from Wikipedia.

Keith Richards talking about how the Blues kicked off in Britain, along with the Rolling Stones themselves. From the BBC4 show, "Can Blue Men Play The Whites", as part of Blues Britannia. Also features Bill Wyman and Paul Jones.

Live from Los Angeles,

Keep BLUES alive by supporting todays artists.

Visit: Johnmayer.com "Where The Light Is" John Mayer @ the Nokia Theatre live in Los Angeles DVD

Performing YER BLUES with multi camera perspective. Very cool. ENJOY

The late Tom Dowd was a Blues fan, musician,legendary engineer, producer, physicist, mathematician, and everyday genius. Along with Eric Clapton he discusses how the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs came together with Clapton, Duane Allman, and Derick and the Dominos.

Filmed at Criteria Studios in Miami, FL, Dowd is shown at work behind the soundboards and reflecting on his memorable career. Dowd, whose creative spirit and passion for innovative technology helped shape the course of modern music, takes the controls behind the mixer relearning the title song Layla 30 years after its creation. From "Tom Dowd The Language of Music."

Mr. Dowd's credits include recording sessions with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Otis Redding, John Coltrane, The Allman Brothers Band, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Cream, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Booker T. & the MG's and countless other musical luminaries.

Born 20 October 1925 in New York, New York, died 27 October 2002 in Aventura, Florida.

One of Tom Dowds legacies is a music treasure chest filled with timeless classics.

Here Eric talks about Johnsons guitar style and approach from the 'Robert Johnson sessions'