Sweet Alice Hoskins, dubbed Cincinnati’s “Queen of the Blues,” will lend her gutsy, high-energy singing to the second concert in the 2015 Music@BCM series in Covington’s Devou Park on Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Sweet Alice’s music draws on the gospel songs she grew up with and the blues artists she listened to on the radio, culminating in her own blues style. The result is a potent mix of melody and raw energy which draws in her audiences.
“What comes from the heart, reaches the heart,” she says.
Sweet Alice’s vocal career didn’t begin until she was in her mid-30s after raising five children and working as a cook in public schools and nursing homes. She began singing in a church gospel choir, and moved on to nightclubs, bars, state fairs and festivals, eventually performing in Paris and Torino, Italy, as well as around the U.S.
She has opened for top Blues musicians such as Bobby Blue Band, Luther Allison and Buddy Guy, and has released several CDs. She has won a number of awards, including the CAMMY for “Best Blues Vocalist” in Cincinnati and the Blue Ball Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cincinnati Blues Society.
When asked to describe her music, Sweet Alice said, “I have one rule. I don’t sing songs I don’t relate to – real cryin’ songs where love takes over and you’ll do anything to hold on. It’s not my style. I like up-tempo, high-energy songs that make everyone, as well as myself, happy.”
The family-friendly concert will take place in Behringer-Crawford’s amphitheater at 1600 Montague Road in Covington’s Devou Park. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the performance running from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12. Food and beverages are available for purchase. The next Music@BCM concert, “Something for Everyone,” featuring Wild Carrot, takes place on Thursday, June 4. The series continues each Thursday evening June 11-25 and July 9-August 13.
For more information about Music@BCM, call (859) 491-4003, email info@bcmuseum.org or click here.