Unlike the young whippersnappers who populate the rest of the “New Artists” feature, Leo “Bud” Welch began his professional career as a musician at the age of 81 with the release of his debut album in 2014. For half a century, Welch earned his living by logging and mule plowing in the hills of North Mississippi, playing occasionally with local gospel groups and for close family and friends. Although the Mississippi-born bluesman began playing the guitar in 1945, he remained well under that radar before being secretly recorded during a 2013 performance at the 50^th birthday party for the man who would become his manager.

His debut album, Sabougla Voices, is a beautiful example of the electric gospel that he played for decades, while his most recent release, I Don’t Prefer No Blues, is a gritty blues album characterized by guitar distortion and grimy vocals. Mr. Welch is garnering well-deserved attention both at home and abroad, with recent features in Al-Jazeera, The Jerusalem Post, and Rolling Stone (“10 New Artists You Need to Know”). At the age of 83, Leo “Bud” Welch is just getting started…

To discover more, visit http://www.leobudwelch.com/