Remembering Michael Ledbetter (b. 4/27/85 d. 1/21/19)
I saw Mike perform multiple times. First, in 2012 at the St. Louis (MO) Blues Week festival, with Nick Moss. Mike's voice and his passionate performance took my breath away. I was really drawn to him as a Blues artist. I saw him again that August at the Bean Blossom Blues Fest (IN). Same thing, amazing vocals! (I learned that he had studied and performed opera for years before discovering the Blues, and is a relative of the Self-proclaimed King of the 12-string guitar - Hudie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter - a Blues superstar in the 1930s and 40s.)
I last saw him in the summer of 2018, at the Heritage Music Blues Festival in Wheeling (WV), as half of the (Monster Mike) Welch-Ledbetter Connection band. Again, he just enthralled me.
Mike passed away January 21, 2019, from complications of epilepsy. We're left to fill that hole in our hearts by keeping his spirit alive, through his music and our memories. R.I.P. Bluesman.
Read MoreI last saw him in the summer of 2018, at the Heritage Music Blues Festival in Wheeling (WV), as half of the (Monster Mike) Welch-Ledbetter Connection band. Again, he just enthralled me.
Mike passed away January 21, 2019, from complications of epilepsy. We're left to fill that hole in our hearts by keeping his spirit alive, through his music and our memories. R.I.P. Bluesman.
