Newsletter / Feedback: The Reverend Shawn Amos

Dear Blues Congregation,

This is Richard Hölscher. His runs a wine shop and fresh market in Schöppingen, Germany—a small store that has been in his family for 97 years. For the past 33 years, Richard (along with a crack team) has staged a blues festival for his neighbors. I had the joy of playing Bluesfestival Schöppingen last weekend.

Schöppingen is a small town about 7000 people. It's a 15-minute drive from the Dutch border. Deer, sheep and windmills dot the landscape. Richard's blues festival is a love letter to his community. It's a blues block party.

Man, I gotta tell you, arriving in this soulful little village was good medicine. COMMUNITY, people. Community, community, community. Folks coming together in fellowship. Just good vibes. “Peace, love & blues,” as Richard says.

And then there was my fellowship of blues musicians. Being a part of this traveling circus still gives me a thrill. Sharing stories, talking shop, taking notes. It's a blessing to be considered an equal amongst these people. They are family.

The finest moment may have been watching 92-year old blues legend, Bobby Rush, from the side of the stage. Watching him fearlessly blow his harp next to his big-legged woman was proof positive of a life well-lived. I can only hope my journey takes me nearly as far as the roadmap he's laid out.