Blues Artist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram on How He Got His Nickname, India Debut and More

Twenty-four-year-old American blues musician Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is all set to make his India debut this weekend at the Mahindra Blues Festival at Mumbai’s Mehboob Studios. Before his performance at the event, we spoke to Ingram about his music, how he received the name “Kingfish,” and more. Read below.

I wanted to understand what it was like for you growing up in Clarksdale, Mississippi. 

When I was growing up, music was pretty much all around, especially the blues. More of the older guys were alive at the time and I lived right next to a blues band. So, blues was just prevalent at the time. Gospel as well, church [music], all that. 

When I interviewed Buddy Guy in 2020, I asked him who the new young blues musicians people should keep an eye out for are and he recommend you. How does it feel to be validated by a legend like him? 

Wow, I appreciate that. It’s a really beautiful and amazing feeling. Mr. Guy was one of the first bluesmen that I felt I connected with and was very influenced by everything that he did, from how he pushed the blues boundaries to how he does a whole show. So, most definitely it felt like a sigh of relief when he liked what I did. 

Your interest in the blues came about through Muddy Waters. Can you tell me about that? 

My dad showed me a PBS documentary on Muddy Waters and Muddy was the first person I saw when I didn’t know how to play, and Buddy was the first person I saw once I knew how to play that style. My favorite Muddy Waters song I would say is ‘Long Distance Call.’ I love how the slide pierces on this song. 

How did you get the nickname ‘Kingfish’? 

Back home in America there’s an old sitcom called Amos ‘n’ Andy, one of the first black sitcoms, and there was a character on there called Kingfish. Well, one of my teachers, who’s also a bluesman back home, gave me that name because he said I reminded him of that character.  

You’ve got two albums out, Kingfish and 662 – what can you tell me about those records and what they mean to you? 

Well, the first record Kingfish was kind of like an introduction to myself, to my life, what was going on in my head. I feel like 662 was a deeper introduction. I got more in-depth about my life and what I’ve been going through at that time and whatnot. 

How does it feel to be in India for the first time? 

Man, no words can describe it honestly. I never thought I would get to India, especially this early in my career, so I’m just thankful that everybody thought that I was great enough to be here. It’s really cool to give some blues to you guys, most definitely. We’ve mostly toured Europe and the U.K. Honestly, overseas everywhere the blues is more accepted in today’s time rather than in the States. Everything’s all mainstream music back home, but you guys really do have a love and you guys are very appreciative of it as well. 

What can folks expect from your set? 

They can expect some of everything. Some of the old blues and new blues. Just a really fiery show for sure. 

What plans do you have for the rest of the year? 

I just came from L.A. We’ve been doing different sessions, trying to do some new stuff for a new record. I should have something out at least later this year.