Trudy Lynn was born Lee Audrey Nelms in Houston’s Fifth Ward, where she began singing as a teenager. After high school, Lynn went to visit her aunt in Lufkin, where a club called the Cinderella needed a singer. She decided Lee Audrey Nelms wasn’t going to cut it as a stage name. The club had a bunch of cartoon character names painted on the wall and she noticed “Trudy,” which she quickly paired with Lynn. “Lynn was something in those days,” she says. “Gloria Lynne, Barbara Lynn. I thought, ‘I’m going to be one of those Lynns, too, baby.'”

Prior to striking out on her own, Trudy was the vocalist for such Texas greats as I.J. Gosey and Clarence Green, where Trudy spent five years as the vocalist for his band. Green was a stern mentor, but Lynn credits him with helping her become a professional. “He molded me well,” she says. “He’s still in me because of what he taught me. It takes that.” After leaving Green’s band, Lynn began performing on her own.

Since joining forces with harmonica wizard Steve Krase and the Connor Ray Music label in 2014, Lynn has played curator for herself. She has written her own songs that blend nicely with the vintage songs, mostly about good times and bad men. “Each one of these songs means something to me,” she says. “I truly understand something about each one of them.” I’ll Sing the Blues for You is Trudy Lynn’s 12th solo album and the third release on the Connor Ray Music label following up on 2014’s Royal Oaks Blues Café, which hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart and 2015’s Everything Comes with A Price which spent 4 months on the Living Blues Radio Chart. Trudy is also a five-time Blues Music Award nominee and was inducted into the Houston Music Hall of Fame in 2015. I’ll Sing The Blues For You peaked at #6 on the Billboard Blues charts.

Trudy Lynn released her 13th solo album on 2018. “Blues Keep Knockin’ ranks with her best work to these ears and hopefully the best is still yet to come,” said Graham Clarke with the Phoenix Blues Society.

In 2019, Lynn was presented with two prestigious awards – the Living Legend Blues Award from the Houston Blues Society, and the Willie Mitchell Lifetime Artist Award from the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2019
– Living Legend Blues Award from the Houston Blues Society
– Willie Mitchell Lifetime Artist Award from the ​Jus’ Blues Music Foundation

2018
– Blues Music Award nomination for Soul Blues Female Artist category
– I’ll Sing The Blues For You received three Living Blues Awards nominations

2017
– Blues Music Awards nomination for Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)
– I’ll Sing The Blues For You received three Independent Blues Award nominations
– Blues Blast Awards nomination for best female blues artist

2015
– Inducted into Houston Music Hall of Fame

2014
– Royal Oaks Blues Cafe reached #1 on Billboard blues charts
– Blues Music Awards nomination for Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)

2007
– I’m Still Here received Blues Music Awards nomination for Best Soul Blues Album
– Blues Music Awards nomination for Best Soul Blues Artist

PRAISE FOR “I’LL SING THE BLUES FOR YOU”

“Each of the ten cuts here also has a solid groove, with a Friday night, forget your troubles energy. Lynn’s harp player, Steve Krase, leads his own band as well, with decades of experience too, and they make a perfect pair, as he follows her soulful lines with plenty of expert licks. This is a group I would rush to go see, and stay for each set.”
– CBC Radio’s Bob Mersereau, review of I’ll Sing The Blues For You

“Already at the top of her game, with the freedom to do it her own way, this might be a smoking set of traditional urban blues but it’s smokingly in the moment as well because her vibe is timeless. Killer stuff.”

– Midwest Record, review of I’ll Sing The Blues For You

“Between the woman’s originals and covers of Lowell Fulson, Memphis Minnie, Johnny Copeland, and others, this is working class blues for those who need it to stay alive. Lynn wins again.”
– The Morton Report, review of I’ll Sing The Blues For You

Lynn is a powerful yet expressive vocalist who can also write an original tune that blends well with the vintage material she selects.”
– Making a Scene, review of I’ll Sing The Blues For You

Performances

Saturday July 30th, 2022

7:00PM ~ Mainstage

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