Grammy-winning artist Delbert McClinton will bring his blend of rock, country and soul to Whittington Park Friday.
The seasoned performer, who is scheduled to take the stage at 9:30 p.m. Friday, perfected his act in the '50s playing with the Straitjackets, a house band for an all-black blues club near Fort Worth, Texas.
The group backed such blues greats as Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, Lightnin' Hopkins and Jimmy Reed.
Joe Seawright, BalloonFest chairman, said he is excited to have such a talented artist playing the festival this year. He also said McClinton's fan following is impressive.
"These Delbert people are coming out of the woodwork," Seawright said. "He's reached Willie Nelson cult status."
McClinton, who was born in Texas in 1940, made a name for himself in Fort Worth by the late '50s. The early '60s brought some notable experiences as well.
He is recognized for playing the distinctive harmonica lick on Bruce Channel's 1962 hit song "Hey, Baby," and legend says that while touring England with Channel, McClinton instructed a young John Lennon on harmonica technique.
After that tour, McClinton recorded songs with his newly formed group, the Ron-Dels, and built his experience by playing practically every roadhouse in Texas.
McClinton's solo career ran into some difficulties with bad marketing and failed labels throughout the '70s, but he continued to write and perform songs that were catching people's attention.
In 1978, McClinton's song "Two More Bottles of Wine," performed by Emmylou Harris, went to No. 1 on the charts. His song "B Movie Boxcar Blues" was featured in the 1980 movie "The Blues Brothers."
McClinton's first hit single, "Givin' It Up for Your Love," was released on his 1980 album "The Jealous Kind."
McClinton rested for most of the '80s, returning to the music world in 1989 with his "Live From Austin" album, recorded during an "Austin City Limits" appearance.
He got his Grammy in 1991 for a duet with Bonnie Raitt, "Good Man, Good Woman," and also went to No. 5 on the country charts for "Tell Me About It," a duet with Tanya Tucker.
Another folded label and a few albums later, McClinton released "Delbert McClinton Live" in 2003.
The double album, recorded during a blues festival in Norway, is a collection of essential McClinton tunes from the artist's extensive career.
