Among many other things written about guitarist and singer Erin Harpe, a tribute from the magazine ’Living Blues’ seems to sum her up the best.

’One of the most dynamic, talented and exciting roots rocking blues women on the scene’ is how the publication described her after she was named the winner of the 2018 Boston Blues Challenge, and nominated for 2018 ’Blues Artist of the Year’ by the Boston Music Awards.

And island blues fans will be able to see for themselves what they hype is about when Erin and her bandmate and husband, Jim Countryman, arrive in the island for a series of shows, at the Erin Arts Centre, on Saturday, March 9, and the Laxey Institute, on Sunday, March 10.

The exponent of the delta finger-picking blues guitar has won a legion of fans, including such blues royalty as ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons and Ronnie Earl during her near 20-year career and, if more proof of her credentials as a master of her craft was needed, this year she took part for the fourth time in the International Blues Challenge, where she reached the semi-finals of the competition, which looks for the world’s most promising blues acts.

’Yes, I was fortunate enough to win the Boston Blues Challenge last year, which meant I got to go to the home of the blues, Memphis, Tennessee, and represent Boston,’ said Erin.

’I performed as a solo act and ended up making it to the semi-finals, which was exciting.

’There are over 200 acts from all over the world that come to compete, and many more musicians and fans who come just to be there for this great event, the biggest blues event in the world, with the Blues Music Awards in May being the next biggest.

’It was fun meeting so many cool musicians, like getting to hang out with Kyla Brox - whose band also made it to the semi-finals.’

After her success in the prestigious competition, Erin headed straight back out on the road, touring across the States, before heading to Europe for an acoustic tour.

She also has plans to tour and record with her full electric band, making 2019 a busy one for her.

’We are in the UK until March 18, with dates in London, Southampton, Suffolk, Lancaster and Edinburgh,’ she said.

’Then it’s back to the US with a busy schedule starting up with our band Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers as soon as we get home.

’This year I will also be teaching for a week at Augusta Blues & Swing Week in West Virginia, playing some big festivals including the Tall City Blues Festival in Texas and the Rhythm & Roots Festival in Rhode Island.

’I also plan to release an acoustic album this year, and begin work on the next album for the band.’

With the focus on her two Manx dates, Erin and Jim will be performing a set of Delta blues classics, played in a stripped down and authentic style.

’We will be playing some down-home acoustic roots blues, influenced by 1920s and 30s Delta and Piedmont Blues, said Erin.

’We’ll be doing some original songs as well as our own take on songs by Memphis Minnie, Ma Rainey, Mississippi John Hurt, Tommy Johnson and others.

’Many of the songs are upbeat, uplifting and fun, and we hope to get the audience to participate a bit as well!’

Looking forward to playing a concert in a town sharing her name, Erin said that she is no stranger to playing small islands, and she is intrigued to what she will find when she arrives here.

’I don’t really know that much about the Isle of Man and it will be our first time there,’ said Erin.

’I’ve been excited for a while about the name: the Erin Arts Centre, in Port Erin - which seems perfect given my name!

’I have been to Scotland before and some of the closer islands, like Skye and Mull, which were very beautiful.

’I actually met Kyla Bronx by chance on the Isle of Mull on my last trip to the UK.

’So I’m expecting some nice scenery! Also I heard there are castles, which we don’t have back home.’

Tickets for each of Erin’s concerts, which both begin at 7.30pm, are £15 each, and are available from etickets.im/bjm and, for the Port Erin show only, from the Erin Arts Centre box office on 832662.

Erin is also hosting a guitar workshop on Saturday. For more information, email John Gregory at [email protected]

Support come from local bluesmen Blue John and Papa Cass.

by Mike Wade

mike.wade@iomnewspapers

twitter:@iomnewspapers