Let’s raise a glass and turn up the volume for the one and only Delbert McClinton, born on November 4th in Lubbock, Texas. This man’s voice carries the grit of the road and the soul of the blues. For decades, Delbert has blended rock, country, and rhythm and blues with that unique Texas swagger that only he can deliver.
I’ve played a lot of records over the years, but Delbert’s always stands out. His sound isn’t polished or overproduced; it’s honest, lived-in, and full of fire. Songs like “Giving It Up for Your Love” and “Two More Bottles of Wine” show us that music doesn’t need flash when it has heart. Delbert’s voice is rough like worn leather yet smooth like good whiskey. It cuts through the noise and hits you right in the chest.
I’ll never forget the first time I heard him. Back in the day, Poppa BamBam, my rock and roll DJ, played one of Delbert’s tracks during a late-night set. I didn’t even know who it was, but I was hooked. Poppa smiled and said, “That’s Delbert McClinton, son… real deal Texas soul right there.” He was spot on!
From his early days playing harmonica with blues legends to winning Grammys and inspiring countless musicians, Delbert’s legacy is pure Americana. He’s a storyteller, a road warrior, and one of the last true troubadours still doing it his way.
So here’s to Delbert McClinton! May the amps stay warm, the grooves stay greasy, and may he keep rolling down that Texas highway he’s traveled his whole life.
