These are trying times, no matter where you look. Yet there is one universal language that we all speak, one balm that heals all wounds: the blues. Just when we could all use it the most, award-winning artist Keb' Mo' is coming to North Carolina, bringing his own sunny blues. Join us for a night of positivity and interaction performed in a style that harkens back to earlier days of unrest.

Keb' Mo' has all the credentials a modern blues artist could wish for. His accomplishments include Grammy wins and nominations, Blues Music Award, Blues Artist of the Year, and others. This industry icon recognizes that the blues are often a part of our common experience, "If you are a young person and having fun musically, at some point you are going to hear the blues. You may hear it before you 'hear' it, but at some point, you are going to hear it and go 'Holy crap!' Life is going to make you hear it." Anyone else feeling like life is making them hear it right about now? And when the blues do occur, they are equal opportunity, "Now the Blues is diversified. Color doesn't matter." We all laugh, we all cry, we all love good music that speaks to us on a deeper level. Keb's songs such as "Muddy Water" exemplify the gritty greatness that is the best of blues: "Cause I love muddy water, it's dirty but it feels alright. I love muddy water, and I'm ready for the blues tonight."

Yet despite Keb's bona fide blues street cred, he continues to reinvent the genre with his spirit of love, hope, and community. Keb' stated it best himself, "I love the blues, but I don't like to be depressing." Keb' delivers a buoyant message in his discography. Over the years, he has recorded the children's album "Big Wide Grin", a compilation album of covers and original work titled "Peace…Back by Popular Demand", and the elevating tracks "Life Is Beautiful", "A Brand New America", and "We Don't Need It" among others. Listen to any one of these and you can't help but smile and have a fresher take on life. Keb's infectious exuberance has attracted collaborations and gigs with the likes of Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Cole, Jackson Browne, "The West Wing", "Mike & Molly", and "Sesame Street", and perhaps most flatteringly, music legends such as Joe Cocker, B.B. King, Zac Brown Band, and Buddy Guy have recorded his songs. Keb' remains a bright beacon in a world of media aimed to reinvent negativity. Per "Life is Beautiful", "Life is beautiful, on a stormy night. Somewhere in the world, the sun is shining bright." On the 14th, you should swing round to McGregor Hall, and catch a glimpse of this sun shining in the Henderson evening.