Much like house music, gospel and rap, the blues is an integral part of Chicago's music history. While the genre is rooted in the American South, the blues has left an indelible mark on the Windy City, so much so, it's birthed a regional offshoot, Chicago blues, and has produced music giants like **[Muddy Waters](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/muddy-waters/6890)**, **[Howlin' Wolf ](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/howlin-wolf/3257)**and **[Buddy Guy](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/buddy-guy/3662)**.
This month, as part of its 60-year anniversary, **[the Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter](https://www.grammy.com/recording-academy/membership/recording-academy/about/chapters/chicago)** is celebrating the blues and its deep history in Chicago with Histories: Chicago Blues. The new, limited-run video series, which launches today, chronicles the story of Chicago blues as told through the perspectives of some of the genre's key players across three generations of the blues. The three-part series, which includes interviews conducted by GRAMMY-nominated blues artist **[Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/kenny-beedy-eyes-smith/7170)**, will feature episodes with modern blues artist and Chicago native Melody Angel, three-time GRAMMY nominee **[Billy Branch](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/william-e-billy-branch/799)**, and celebrated blues legend Bob Stroger.
In the debut episode of Histories: Chicago Blues, Melody Angel talks about how her upbringing in Chicago's South Side influenced her own sound. Angel, who was inspired to pick up a guitar after first seeing **[Prince](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/prince/5675)** in ***[Purple Rain](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/princes-masterpiece-purple-rain-record)***, grew up hearing stories about her cousin, Chicago blues legend **[Otis Rush](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/otis-rush/5659)**, jamming with fellow blues greats like Buddy Guy, Magic Slim and Howlin' Wolf.
### node: video: Melody Angel On The Evolution Of Chicago Blues | Histories: Chicago Blues
"I've been surrounded by some really amazing blues musicians my whole life, and I had no idea how much they would end up influencing me, but they did," Angel says in the video.
In the debut episode of Histories: Chicago Blues, watch Melody Angel talk about how the blues will continue to grow and evolve through younger generations, her journey in the music industry, and her commitment to uplifting and amplifying Chicago's blues sound and scene.
*For the past 60 years, [the Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter](https://www.grammy.com/recording-academy/membership/recording-academy/about/chapters/chicago) has recognized and celebrated the creative accomplishments of our members across the Midwest, fought for their collective rights, and supported them in times of need. We are proud of our legacies and excited to continue looking ahead. Here's to the next 60.*
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