Kelly Joe Phelps R.I.P. 1959-2022

This week we said a sad farewell to our old friend, the incomparable Kelly Joe Phelps, who passed away too soon at the age of 62. Kelly Joe stood head and shoulders above all contemporary acoustic country blues/gospel players. At On the Wire we were proud to host him for a memorable session in the early nineties, which we will repeat in full soon. He also recorded a stunning improvisation sent to us on a CD entitled “Frets Wilson describes the events leading up to his most recent incarceration” in which Kelly Joe attempted a fusion between Blind Willie Johnson and John Coltrane.