D.K. HARRELL

In less than a year, singer-guitarist D.K. Harrell has risen from a promising blues artist to one of the most sought-after musicians on the scene.
His debut album, The Right Man, released in June 2023 on Little Village, garnered critical acclaim worldwide and became the second most-played blues album on U.S. radio in 2023. In 2024, he was honored as Best Emerging Artist at the prestigious Blues Music Awards hosted by the Memphis-based Blues Foundation.

This year alone, Harrell is set to perform at major U.S. festivals and embark on five European tours, playing in ten different countries. He has truly burst onto the blues scene in a big way. His impassioned live performances radiate his deep love for the genre, and the joy in his music spills over to the audience — creating an emotional connection that is already shaping his legacy.

The Right Man features 11 original songs written by Harrell, drawing from his own life while capturing the universal spirit of the blues. He has a rare gift for translating personal experiences into songs that resonate deeply with listeners. “I just love to play music for people, and to watch them share in the experience,” he says. “I’ve always said that music is my voice.”

At just 26 years old, D.K. Harrell is a self-taught guitarist from Ruston, a rural town in northern Louisiana. His passion for the blues was sparked at age 11 after watching Cadillac Records and being captivated by the sound of Little Walter’s harmonica. He began playing harmonica, but by age 13, he had moved to the guitar — exploring the blues from all angles until discovering B.B. King.

From that moment, Harrell immersed himself fully in B.B. King’s music, studying every nuance through countless videos. He honed in on the subtle dynamics that many overlook, and more importantly, absorbed the emotional depth that made B.B. King a global icon.

At 19, Harrell was invited to perform at a blues symposium in Indianola, Mississippi — B.B. King’s hometown — marking his first paid gig. The B.B. King Museum honored him with the opportunity to play King’s legendary guitar, “Lucille”.

For his debut album, Little Village assembled an all-star backing band:

  • Jerry Jemmott on bass (who played on “The Thrill Is Gone” and worked with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and King Curtis)

  • Tony Coleman on drums (30 years in B.B. King’s band)

  • Jim Pugh on organ (former band member for Etta James and Robert Cray)

Along the way, D.K. Harrell has gained the admiration of major blues figures like Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush, Susan Tedeschi, and Chris Cain, all recognizing the exceptional talent of this rising star.

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