‘Honest and simple’ blues

2/4/2026

As a child, Brandon Hudspeth was intrigued with Big Bird and other characters from “Sesame Street.” When the show featured various guest stars, Hudspeth took note of a man dressed in black, playing guitar and singing.

The famed musician, Johnny Cash, commanded more attention than Kermit the Frog, and Hudspeth begged his parents for a guitar. He began taking lessons when he was just 5 years old.

Fast forward to today, and Hudspeth is an accomplished, award-wining blues musician playing in two bands and a duo. Hudspeth and Jaisson Taylor, in the duo Hudspeth and Taylor, received nominations for the Blues Music Award, Blue Blast Award and an Independent Blues Award. 

The duo is one of the featured performers at Central Iowa Blues Society’s Winter Blues Festival on Feb. 14. 

Hudspeth has performed several times at the Winter Fest in different bands. His band, Levee Town, was formed in 2002 in Kansas City. Levee Town represented the Kansas City Blues Society in the International Blues Competition twice, placing in the top 10 in Memphis in 2009.

Levee Town has also released nine albums. “Trying to Keep My Head Above Water” was nominated for a Blues Blast Award for best blues rock album. 

Growing up in Oklahoma, his dad was big fan of B.B. King. 

“I remember my dad waking me up when Johnny Carson was on and B.B. King was on the show. B.B. King was a big influence in my music career,” he reflects.

He began playing in band gigs at age 16 and taught guitar lessons to his friends from school. He moved to Kansas City after high school, attended music school and has performed ever since.

With a background in jazz and classical music, he teaches guitar and music lessons, which helps during the slow times when not touring. He played on the Rhythm and Blues Cruise and has opened for Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Leon Russell, George Thorogood and others.

Hudspeth loves the “honesty and simpleness” when playing the blues genre. 

“You have to put your heart and soul into making it work. If you don’t put your gut and sweat into it, it won’t work,” Hudspeth reflects. “It’s paying respect to where the music came from, along with the emotion and honesty of it.”

Hudspeth is happy to return to the Winter Blues Fest, where in last year’s performance, his duo recorded a live album at the festival. 

“If you came last year, you might hear yourself cheering in the background of the album,” he laughs. 

Winter Blues Fest  Sponsored by the Central Iowa Blues Society Feb. 13-14  Marriott Hotel, 700 Grand Ave., Des Moines  Tickets: Feb. 13 – $30 advance/$45 door; Feb. 14 – $40 advance/$55 door; weekend pass in advance, $60.  For a complete lineup and more info visit: https://cibs.org/

Winter Blues Fest

The Central Iowa Blues Society has hosted the Winter Blues Fest for 31 years. Hundreds of musicians have performed the two-day festival, and 20 acts are featured for this year’s festival.

Scott Allen, CIBS president, says the festival promotes live blues music. Typically they feature different regional musicians each year, and most are new every year. 

“If I filled it with local bands who typically play for free, then not many folks would attend,” he explains. 

Yet, they want to showcase Iowa blues musicians. Heath Allen puts together a Blues Expo, a collaboration of local musicians for one of the concerts. Bob Pace assembles a Blues Hall of Fame Showcase, featuring Iowa Blues Hall of Fame musicians. 

Additionally, the CIBS hosts a yearly Blues Challenge, where the winners, Weary Ramblers and Other Brothers, represented Iowa at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. The Weary Ramblers recently won the 2026 International Blues Challenge on Jan. 17. for best solo/duo act out of 130 other acts. The Central-Iowa Weary Ramblers consists of Kathryn Severing Fox and Chad Elliott. Elliott also won first place in the solo/duo guitar. The Other Brothers made it to the semi-finals.

Allen encourages music lovers to attend the fest, as the lineup is diverse blues, such as jazz blues, rock blues, gospel and more.  

“There’s something for everyone. The blues genre is like a big family and a friend you haven’t met yet,” he says. “Iowa has good musicians, just as anywhere in the world.” ♦