Kim Wilson's Blues All-Stars

Kim Wilson

If you’re into the history of the blues, you’ll want to check out Kim Wilson’s Blues All-Stars on Thursday at Callahan’s Music Hall, 2105 South Blvd in Auburn Hills.

Wilson, 59, is a native Detroiter who is best known as a founding member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, along with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. The singer-harmonica player-songwriter received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Detroit Blues Society in 2009.

Wilson has played and jammed with many blues legends, including John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

A highlight of his solo career was his 2001 recording “Smokin’ Joint,” which earned Grammy and W.C. Handy nominations.

At Callahan’s, Wilson will be backed by a stellar collection of blues all-stars. Here’s a list of the band members and some of the artists they have performed with:

Bassist Larry Taylor (Canned Heat, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, The Monkees, Tom Waits), drummer Richard Innes (Hollywood Fats Band, Buddy Guy, Rod Piazza, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson and Lynwood Slim), guitarist Billy Flynn (Jimmy Dawkins, Mighty Joe Young, Luther Allison, Pinetop Perkins), guitarist Little Frank (Lazy Lester, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Hubert Sumlin), pianist Barrelhouse Chuck (Sunnyland Slim, Blind John Davis, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy).

Wilson and the band were nominated for a 2010 Grammy for their work on the "Cadillac Records" soundtrack, which spent 48 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Blues Albums chart.

Tickets for the show are $25 and $35. For information, click atcallahans.com or call (248) 858-9508.

If you can’t make the show at Callahan’s Thursday, Wilson and the band will be performing Friday with The Bluescasters at Guy Hollerin’s in Ann Arbor. Call (734) 769-9800.

Other top blues shows in the Detroit area this week:

Tonight, catch Carl Henry at Sneakers Pub and Grill,  22628 Woodward Ave. in Ferndale.

On Friday, The Broken Arrow Blues Band will be at Nancy Whiskey's Pub, 2644 Harrison, Detroit (313-962-4247); the Carl Henry Band will be at The Treehouse, 12213 Telegraph Road, Taylor; Motor City Josh rocks The Blue Goose in St. Clair Shores (586-296-0950); the The Delta Five Blues Band will be at All That Jazz River Club, 8900 E. Jefferson, Detroit (313-331-1012); and The David Gerald Band performs at the Knights of Columbus, 4391 Larkins, Detroit (313-843-5233).

On Saturday, catch the Howling Diablos with General Cluster Funk at Callahan’s;
Detroit’s “Queen of the Blues” Alberta Adams with RJ's Rhythm Rockers at Cliff Bell's, 2030 Park Ave.,  Detroit  (313-961-2543), big SHORTY at the Cadieux Café, 4300 Cadieux, Detroit;  The Black Cat Blues Band Holiday Party at Johnny G’s, 27 Walnut,  Mount Clemens  (586-469-8388) and Motor City Josh is back at The Blue Goose.

To send an item to Joe Ballor for JB Blues, please e-mail joe.ballor@dailytribune.com.