CHICAGO’S WTTW-TV TO RE-AIR
SWEET HOME CHICAGO — CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF ALLIGATOR RECORDS
ON FEBRUARY 10 AND FEBRUARY 12 AS PART OF BLACK HISTORY MONTHConcert Film Features Label Stars Billy Branch & The Sons Of Blues, Shemekia Copeland, Toronzo Cannon and Lil’ Ed Williams

Recorded Live At Governors State University
Center For Performing Arts

The film features roof-raising performances from label stars Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues, Grammy-nominated vocalist Shemekia Copeland, slide guitarist Lil’ Ed Williams, and guitarist and songwriter Toronzo Cannon. Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer appears as emcee.

Alligator Records, founded in 1971 by Iglauer, is home to some of the world’s foremost blues and roots rock talent and is regarded by fans and the media alike as the top contemporary blues record label in the world. On June 18, 2021, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot declared “Alligator Records Day” throughout the city via official proclamation. This is the same day Alligator Records–50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin’ Music (a 2-LP or 3-CD set) was released.

Rolling Stone says, “Prestigious, scrappy independent blues label Alligator Records has reached dizzying heights in celebrating the blues.” From classic Windy City artists like Hound Dog Taylor and “Queen Of The Blues” Koko Taylor, to next generation legends Lil’ Ed Williams and Billy Branch to contemporary stars including Toronzo Cannon and Shemekia Copeland, Alligator’s discography reads like a who’s who in modern blues history. Legendary artists including Lonnie Brooks, Luther Allison, Johnny Winter, Albert Collins, James Cotton, Rick Estrin, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Michael “Iron Man” Burks, The Holmes Brothers, Mavis Staples, Marcia Ball and rising stars Selwyn Birchwood and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram are just some of the blues immortals who have recorded groundbreaking music for the label. Now, at 50 years old, Alligator is still committed to discovering great new talent, proving that the passion, soul and redemptive power of blues and roots music is alive and well.

Sweet Home Chicago — Celebrating 50 Years Of Alligator Records is produced by the Governors State University Center for Performing Arts with the generous support by the GSU Department of Learning and Media Design, Illinois Arts Council and First Midwest Bank.