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included a Grammy Nomination for Bo Diddley’s 40th Anniversary album, John Primer’s “Real Deal”

award winning album and several others along the way. That chance meeting led to a great
friendship that continues to this day and for my realizing how many Mike Vernon produced albums
I had in my collection in the UK as a young man, how they
had influenced my musical tastes and what serendipity to be
working with him all those years later! Life’s journey!

I think the most rewarding moment for me must have been

the moment Pinetop Perkins (at 95 yrs. old) and Willie “Big
Eyes” Smith (at 77 yrs. old) received a Grammy for their
“Joined At The Hip” album that I produced and mixed for
them. To see their joy at the ceremony was worth it all.

I have also given service in many ways. I was a Governor,
Chapter President and National Trustee from Chicago for The

Recording Academy; I currently Co-Chair The Blues Advisory
Committee with Shemekia Copeland for The Recording Mike Vernon
Academy and I have served as a Director and currently, the
Chairman of The Board of Directors for The Blues Foundation
in Memphis.

LL: Why do “the blues” resonate with you?

MF: Blues is about as real as music gets period! It may tell you a story of men and women and their
struggles in the past, but it will surely put you right back into reality if you allow it into your
sensibilities. Blues is about a human condition. It is not to be taken lightly. I never truly understood
the meaning of blues and its depth until I got to know some of the older legacy artists and heard
their stories and takes on life. That was a privilege. Few realize that blues can often be uplifting. It
can take you from despair to hope, from darkness to light. But it can also show you the dark side

but also how to take care. No other musical form does that in such a profound way.

Last year we lost a rising star in the blues community. Joseph “Mojo” Morganfield, Muddy’s
youngest son. He and I had forged a wonderful working relationship that produced a self-released
EP and a single ‘It’s Good To be King’ that shot up the RMR radio charts to #1. Joseph was the next
generation of blues artists and had everything ahead of him for a successful
career trajectory. His passing shook the entire blues world. His passing

spoke volumes.

LL: How long have you served on the board of directors, and as
chairman at The Blues Foundation and what are your prized
accomplishments in that role?

MF: I’m almost at the end of my Chairmanship and term out this
coming November. This has truly been a privilege and I have been a
part of the transition from one President/CEO to another. Barbara
Newman left her tenure with amazing growth for the Foundation, and we
are in her debt for the growth that she propelled. Our new President/CEO Patty
Aden comes from a stellar background, has embraced the challenges ahead and is a delight to work
with. The future for The Blues Foundation is bright and especially in her hands as we navigate
extraordinary times and challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.