Louisiana-born blues phenomenon D.K. Harrell will celebrate the release of his Alligator Records debut album, Talkin’ Heavy, with a headlining performance at the Fishers Blues Fest at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31.
A guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Harrell is one of the most formidable young stars of the current blues resurgence. With his stinging, single-note string bending, deep soul vocals, and attention-grabbing original songs, the 27-year-old – a major draw at blues festivals around the world – is already in a league of his own.
With Talkin’ Heavy, D.K. Harrell cements his place among the leading voices of the new generation of blues players.
Fishers Blues Fest takes place at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Drive. Get your tickets for Blues Fest at this link.
About the artist
D.K. Harrell was born D’Kieran Harrell in Ruston, La., in 1998. He first heard B.B. King at age two and responded by singing along. He sang in his church choir as a boy while continuing to be drawn to the blues. Films like The Blues Brothers, Cadillac Records, and Ray made him eager to sing and play. He received his first guitar at 12, and by 16 was writing his own songs.
Initially inspired by B.B. King, the youthful Harrell spent hours studying every video of King he could find, learning not just King’s licks but ultimately his tone, his finesse, his stage craft, and his band leadership skills. Harrell’s first paying gig was as an invited guest to the B.B. King Symposium in Indianola, Miss., where he played “The Thrill Is Gone” on King’s iconic guitar, Lucille, backed by members of King’s touring band.
In 2022, Harrell won the B.B. King Of The Blues Award for Preserving Traditional Blues Heritage from the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation.
He already has more than 20 festivals booked for 2025 and that number continues to swell. Using his expansive blues lexicon to create his own inimitable sound, Harrell is forging his own path with every performance he gives.
“The past gives a blueprint that you can add yourself to,” Harrell said. “I keep progressing by keeping all the genres in the mold. And I keep exposing my music to younger folks everywhere I go. I am hell-bent on crossing the blues over to a new generation of fans.”