Panelists Steve Franz, Mark Hoffman and Jim Basnight have each traveled the world researching, filming documentaries, writing books, conducting interviews, producing radio programs, and putting their hearts and souls into preserving and sharing blues music. Each panelist will share stories and talk about one of the most important art forms in American history.

ABOUT MARK HOFFMAN
Mark Hoffman has written for Living Blues, Blue Suede News, and the Seattle Weekly. He was the chief consultant on The Howlin’ Wolf Story: The Secret History of Rock & Roll. He is the co-author of Moanin’ at Midnight: The Life and Times of Howlin’ Wolf, which was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2008 as a “classic in blues literature.” He lives on Bainbridge Island.

ABOUT JIM BASNIGHT
Jim Basnight has spent the last 8 years co-researching a biography and documentary film of the life story and musical legacy of blues master “Sonny Boy Williamson” (Alex “Rice” Miller 1913-65). Subjects interviewed for that project include Buddy Guy, BB King, Robert Plant, Marshall Chess and Charlie Musselwhite.

Jim has shared the stage with original members of Guns and Roses, Janes Addiction, Blondie, Yes, The Monkees, Nirvana, REM, Pearl Jam, Paul Revere and the Raiders and Madonna, and produced or co-produced shows with Quiet Riot, Charley Pride, Lou Rawls, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Gordon Lightfoot and Firesign Theater. He has appeared on radio and television and on bills with the Ramones, the Police, Suzanne Vega, the Romantics, Billy Idol, the Smithereens, the Band and was a member of Meyce, the Moberlys and the Rockinghams.

ABOUT STEVE FRANZ
Steve Franz graduated from the University of Memphis with a Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology. He is the author of The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James, which was translated into Japanese in 2006, and selected as one of the 100 Books Every Blues Fan Should Own. For the past decade, he has been the host and independent producer of the critically acclaimed and nationally syndicated radio show Blues Unlimited, which focuses on the history, heritage and rich cultural traditions of the blues. Three volumes of Blues Unlimited: The Complete Radio Show Transcripts will be available in the spring of 2019.