Time Signatures, hosted by Jim Ervin, features conversations with musicians, industry professionals, and others connected to the blues genre. Primarily focused on the blues, the program occasionally delves into other linked genres (ie. jazz, rock, soul, funk). Many of the episodes are recorded before a live audience at various venues in and around Mid-Michigan. The program is presented by the Lansing's Capital Area Blues Society, a non-profit blues organization dedicated to the promotion of, preservation of, and education about the blues. This is also the main goal of Time Signatures; acting as a digital time capsule, capturing moments in time...
Latest episodes
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29 min
Timeless Blues that Shines: Will Wilde
This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes UK blues rock harmonicist and Vizztone artist, Will Wilde. Will’s latest album, “Blues Is Still Alive” is out and doing we…
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30 min
Gutfiddlin' Ghost Notes: Lil' Ed Williams
Before Ed found his way into the world of the Blues, he worked at a car wash in the Greater Chicago area, and his uncle J.B. Hutto taught him and his half brother, Pookie to feel t…
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18 min
Carolyn Wonderland: Electrifying Border Blues
It’s another ‘Women of the Blues’ episode with Lonestar Lady and Alligator Recording Artist, Carolyn Wonderland. Carolyn dropped in to talk about her early days in music, her time…
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1 h 12
Michael Frank: Building Earwig Music
This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes another Chicago legend, Earwig Records founder and producer, Michael Frank. Michael came to the table with lots of great s…
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29 min
Framing the Mississippi Saxophone: Jacki Sackheim
As a young girl, today’s guest remembers her Father taking thousands of photos of her and her siblings. As she got older, she discovered the art for herself, even learning how to d…
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17 min
Jovin Webb: Blues Dipped in Hot Sauce & Bourbon
This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, it’s time to break out the hot sauce and bourbon, as Erv welcomes American Idol Top 10 contestant, Jovin Webb back for a discussion abo…
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29 min
Raised by the Blues: Jimmy D. Lane
A chance purchase at Vintage Sound in Williamston, MI led Erv to discover a tie to Chicago Blues he had no knowledge of previously. This week on Time Signatures, Erv is joined by t…
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1 h 03
Bob Sarles: Capturing the Technicolor Rainbow of the Blues
This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes celebrated editor, Bob Sarles for a chat about his early work in film, his documentary on Mike Bloomfield, and his subsequ…
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24 min
Journey of a Thousand Miles: Ruthie Foster
On this week’s edition of Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes back 2025 Grammy winner, Ruthie Foster. This time around, she and Erv discuss her spring-time trip to Austral…
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26 min
Slide into the Groove: Joanna Connor
It’s another Women In Blues episode on Time Signatures, as Erv welcomes one of Chicago’s treasure’s, slide guitarist extraordinaire, Joanna Connor. Joanna dropped by to talk about…
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29 min
From Ann Arbor to the World: Shaun Murphy
Over the next three weeks, Time Signatures with Jim Ervin is paying a special salute to the Women of the Blues, featuring three of the top names in the Blues. This week, Erv welcom…
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28 min
Zak Bekkers: It’s Never Too Late for the Blues
This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes International musician, Zak Bekkers. Zak’s music is best described as “Blues-driven Rock with a dark Americana soul. He st…
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26 min
Deadheadicated to the Blues: J.P Reali
Time Signatures is pleased to welcome a 35 year veteran of the Washington, D.C. music scene, J.P. Reali. He and host, Jim Ervin talk about his early years of being influenced by th…
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30 min
Jamiah Rogers: Just a Blues Machine
It’s another great conversation with the current/next generation of the Blues as host Jim Ervin welcomes Chicago’s Jamiah Rogers for a fun discussion about starting out as a VERY y…
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29 min
Treasuring the Music Made for Everyone: Terry Abrahamson
This week on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin, Erv welcomes another member of the Chicago music Family, Songwriter, Radio Host, and self-professed “Guy with a camera”, Terry Abrahams…
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48 min
Kim Wilson: More Than a Fabulous Thunderbird
Season Seven kicks off with legendary Bluesman, Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Kim talks about his early years in the music business, his early experiences with “the Orig…
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1 h 01
A Voice Built for the Blues: Big Llou Johnson
This week, Time Signatures with Jim Ervin celebrates another amazing season finale’ with arguably the most recognizable voice in the Blues, Big Llou Johnson. You will recognize his…
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1 h 04
John Hall: A Harmonica in Hand, Is Worth Two in the Bush
This week on Time Signatures, host Jim Ervin welcomes the founder of Bushman Harmonicas, John Hall. The birth of the rapidly growing harmonica brand began innocently enough on a su…
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28 min
The Holy Grail of Blues Bands: Melissa McKinney & MAMA
With only three episodes remaining on Season 6, host Jim Ervin welcomes first band runner up in the 2026 International Blues Challenge, Melissa McKinney. This woman of the Blues pu…
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51 min
Kevin Johnson: Booking the Boggie-Woogie
In the world of music, many of the albums produced are backed by record labels. In the Blues, we have Alligator, Blind Pig, Delmark, Ruf, Malaco and a few others. Each of these lab…