Inernationally known blues artist with East Texas roots to preform in Tyler

Edwin Holt well known blues artist grew up in New London, will preform at Tyler's Coldwell Auditorium Edwin Holt, internationally known blues artist, will perform with members of the East Texas Symphony at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Caldwell Auditorium in Tyler. The event marks the first traditional blues and soul pops concert ever offered by the ETSO.

Holt grew up in New London and is the son of Dr. Rene Holt and Lynn Holt. Dr. Holt, a dentist, practiced many years in Kilgore before his retirement. Edwin is a 1985 graduate of West Rusk High School.

Globally recognized blues and soul artist, Holt's first album "Second Time Around," has received praise from blues publications in France, Yugoslavia, Spain, Great Britain, Italy, Canada, Australia, Nashville, and of course Dallas, Texas.

The East Texas native began his career when he was 18 years old after attending the Mississippi Delta Blues Festival. He has spent the last 20 years learning the blues craft while performing shows across the nation. Holt was tutored by blues legends James "Son" Thomas and Willie Foster and has opened for legends like Bobby "Blue" Bland, Jonnie Taylor and Al Green. His trademark "white man in a black genre" sets him apart from any other blues artist today. Holt and his 12-piece band continue to set the standard in Texas blues as they gain recognition both nationally and internationally.

Joining Holt will be Texas blues legend Anson Funderburgh. Nominated for 16 and winner of seven W.C. Handy Awards, Funderburgh will also be showcased in the concert. Receiving a guitar at the age of seven, he cultivated a love for blues through the blues clubs of Dallas. He worked with blues icons Freddie King, Jimmy Reed and Albert Collins to build his definitive electric sound, and has toured since 1981.

Tickets are available on the ETSO Web site at www.etso.org and at the Caldwell Auditorium doors before the performance.