Blues & Brews Series: Marcia Ball

Dive into the heart of the blues!

Starting January 2025, the Orange Blossom Opry introduces the OBO Blues & Brews Series—a listening room experience where national blues legends take the stage. Enjoy intimate performances with a cold beer or a glass of wine in hand. Where the blues come alive!

Marcia Ball with special guest Beautiful Bobby Blackmon
Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: $43 - $37 - $32 - $28

Marcia Ball
"Fifty years have passed in a flash," says Texas-born, Louisiana-raised pianist, songwriter and vocalist Marcia Ball of her long and storied career. Ball, the 2018 Texas State Musician Of The Year, has won worldwide fame and countless fans for her ability to ignite a full-scale roadhouse rhythm and blues party every time she takes the stage. Her rollicking Texas boogies, swampy New Orleans ballads and groove-laden Gulf Coast blues have made her a one-of-a-kind favorite with music lovers all over the world. With each new release, her reputation as a profoundly soul- ful singer, a boundlessly talented pianist and a courageous, inventive songwriter continues to grow. Her love of the road has led to years of soul-satisfying performances at festivals, concert halls and clubs. The New York Times says, “Marcia Ball plays two-fisted New Orleans barrelhouse piano and sings in a husky, knowing voice about all the trouble men and women can get into on the way to a good time." The Houston Chronicle says simply, "She's as perfect as an artist can be."

Beautiful Bobby Blackmon
Showcasing a variety of rock and roll and rhythm and blues paired up with electric, Southern, soul, gospel, delta, Memphis, and Chicago blues, Bobby has mastered both his instrument and genre. The way Bobby is able to precisely pinpoint which particular variety of blues he is playing showcases the different styles that encompass the genre. He is sharp as a tack, quick witted within his on-stage conversations with audiences, and his style of performance adapts to the particular sub-genre the song calls for. A slick, savvy, and dexterous guitarist, Bobby holds true to the notion that one must explore and keep exploring, despite being tagged as an expert of his instrument.


Originally from Athens, Texas, Bobby's musical influences range from B.B. King to Buddy Guy and, over the course of his highly successful musical career, Bobby has had the honor of being named the opening act for both of these legends. He has shared the stage with ZZ Hill, Jimmy Reed, Johnny Taylor, Lou Rawls, and Barbara Lynn. He also performs regularly at B.B. King's Blues Club in Orlando, Florida and is featured on National XM Radio's blues station. His three-piece ensemble, Beautiful Bobby Blackmon & The B3 Blues band is comprised of Bobby on his signature electric guitar, Darnel Kelly on drums, and Jack Bumgarner on keys and organ. His studio body of work includes I'm Dialin' 911 (2000), Throwback Blues (2004), Yeah Baby - Chillin' with the Blues (2011), and his latest masterpiece, Travelin' Home (2019), which was recorded with his B3 Blues Band. A treasured performer and musician for over four decades, Beautiful Bobby Blackmon is an ace, a gem, a rarity, and an overall face-melting guitar wizard.