Events

Arizona Blues Hall of Fame Showcase 2026
$31.00 – $53.00 including fees

The Arizona Blues Hall of Fame (ABHOF), founded in 1995, was established to honor the musicians, bands, venues, and individuals who have made significant contributions to the blues culture of Arizona. Over 150 inductees have been honored into the ABHOF since its inception. The goal of the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame Showcases is to feature many of these outstanding musicians in regions of the state where blues fans might not otherwise get a chance to see them perform.

This year’s lineup is again headlined by one of the first members to be inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, Mr. Pete Pearson and his five-piece Big Pete Pearson Blues Band.

Big Pete was born in Jamaica in 1936. He honed his blues chops growing up in Texas starting at the age of nine, where his first gig was in a bar In the mid-1950s, Pete moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and soon became not only an Arizona blues icon but also gained national recognition playing with the likes of BB King, Buddy Guy, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Big Joe Turner, Ike and Tina Turner, Koko Taylor, and so many more. Big Pete has toured extensively in the US as well as Europe. His Discography includes eight recorded albums over his lifetime, in which “One More Drink” hit #1 worldwide and earned him Best Blues Album of the Year at the Independent Music Awards in 2007. Big Pete was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 1995 and was recently inducted into the Arizona Music Hall of Fame. Joining Big Pete at this year’s Showcase will be ABHOF members Scotty Spenner (Inductee 2009) and James Robertson (Inductee 2022). If you want to hear and see the “real” blues deal, don’t miss your opportunity to see Big Pete at this year’s 3rd Annual Arizona Blues Hall of Fame Northern Showcase in Prescott, Arizona.

The Bad News Blues Band (ABHOF Inductee 2004) will also be performing at this year’s Showcase. This Tucson-based blues band was formed by leader Mike Blommer (ABHOF Inductee 2003) in 1992 and consists entirely of all Arizona Blues Hall of Fame musicians: Alex Flores (ABHOF Inductee 2003), Carla Brownlee (ABHOF Inductee 2002), Glen Veldari (ABHOF Inductee 2012) and Steve Grams (ABHOF Inductee 2000). The Band has seven titles in their album discography and has won several Tammies (Tucson Area Music Awards) for Best Blues Album, Best Blues Band, Best Male Vocalist, and others. With a powerful horn section, the band delivers authentic blues from West Coast swing to Texas Blues guitar sting, and all things in between! All five members contribute vocals, creating a dynamic, powerful, sometimes comedic sound that is truly Arizona.

Big Daddy D and the Dynamites. Prescott’s own native son, Big Daddy D (aka Darryl Porras, (ABHOF Inductee 2026), returns to Prescott to perform at this year’s Showcase. He brings with him his six-piece band featuring vocalist Betty Jo Vachon. This Phoenix-based blues band has performed throughout the state since 1999 and has played on numerous festival stages and for many corporate events. This band is sure to get you up on your boogie feet.

This year’s Arizona Blues Hall of Fame Showcase is proudly sponsored by Forest Villas Hotel, Badass Blues Radio 93.1 FM, Prescott, and By The Bucket restaurant and the Windsock Lounge.

The Arizona Blues Hall of Fame is a nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) organization. To see all 150+ ABHOF inductees, go to https://azblueshof.com/