November 11, 2026 | The Radio Room | Greenville, South Carolina | Michael Bragg
The blues have a rich history, but Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is proving that the genre’s future is just as promising as its past. On Wednesday night, the Grammy Award-winning guitarist and vocalist brought his Hard Road Tour to The Radio Room in Greenville, South Carolina, with a performance featuring songs from across his career alongside material from his latest album.
Born in 1999 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Kingfish grew up surrounded by the musical heritage of the Mississippi Delta, a region that helped shape legends such as Muddy Waters, whose former bass player Mac Arnold was in attendance this evening, John Lee Hooker, and Robert Johnson. Inspired by blues greats including B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, and Jimi Hendrix…Kingfish began developing his skills at an early age through programs at the Delta Blues Museum. His extraordinary talent quickly gained attention, eventually establishing him as one of the most exciting young guitarists in modern blues.
His self-titled debut album, Kingfish, arrived in 2019, earning widespread acclaim and a Grammy nomination. His sophomore release, 662, followed in 2021, taking its name from the telephone area code of his hometown and earning him the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2022. His 2023 release, Live in London, further showcased the powerful musicianship that has made his live performances a major attraction.
Now, with his latest studio album, Hard Road, Kingfish continues expanding his sound beyond traditional blues, incorporating elements of rock, soul, funk, and R&B. Released in September 2025, the album also marked a significant milestone as the first release on his own independent label, Red Zero Records. An expanded edition, Hard Road (Extended), followed in October 2026, featuring additional material and highlighting his continued evolution as both a guitarist and songwriter.
Wednesday night’s performance opened with the instrumental “Midnight Heat,” followed by “Fresh Out” from his debut album. The set continued with “Voodoo Charm,” “Empty Promises,” “Hard Times,” and “Mississippi Night,” blending expressive blues guitar with the harder-edged sound that has become part of his musical identity.
Newer material remained prominent throughout the evening, with “Nothin’ But Your Love” and “Bad Like Me” representing the Hard Road album. Kingfish also revisited earlier favorites, including “Outside of This Town” and “662,” before closing the evening’s planned set with an encore of “Train,” a track featured on Hard Road (Extended).
What separates Kingfish from many contemporary guitarists is his ability to combine extraordinary technical skill with the emotion and authenticity that define the blues. His playing carries the unmistakable influence of the musicians who came before him, yet his willingness to explore new musical territory ensures that his sound remains distinctly his own.
From his beginnings in Clarksdale to Grammy recognition and international stages, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram has become an important figure in carrying the blues into a new generation. His Greenville appearance served as another reminder that while the music’s roots run deep in Mississippi soil, its future continues to grow well beyond the Delta.
Do not altar photos
Copyright: MJBragg Photography
