UPDATE: More pictures and the story on Vegas...

Crossroads photo essay: Still more photos from a memorable weekend. Click here to see shots of Johnny with Derek Trucks, Steve Winwood, event host Bill Murray and the great B.B. King!

A message to Johnny's fans in Las Vegas: Johnny was very disappointed that he didn't make last Saturday's (Aug. 18) gig at Cannerystock with Sly & the Family Stone, but his absence was due to circumstances that were simply beyond his control. Blame it on the airline! Johnny & Co. unfortunately spent more than seven hours waiting at the airport... only to see their flight eventually cancelled. Word from Paul Nelson is that Johnny handled the sitiuaton better than most: a few pissed-off passengers apparently got angry enough that police had to be called in...

Johnny and Gibson Guitars: Great piece on Gibson.com that recalls the story of a teen-age Johnny boldly approaching B.B. King one night at a club in Beaumont, Texas, and asking B.B. if he could sit in. B.B., despite some initial hestitation, obliged. And the rest is history. (After reaching the Gibson site, see Johnny's link at left.)

Johnny appears in Blues Matters: Look for Johnny in the August-September issue of U.K.-based Blues Matters. Johnny has this to say to writer Billy Hutchinson: "I've always held true to one musical style, and that's the blues. I really have no interest in playing or listening to anything else. That's what I do best..."

UPDATE: More from Crossroads... Johnny gets ready for Northeast run...

Crossroads photos: It has been more than three weeks since Johnny lit up the stage at Toyota Park, but that doesn't mean we're through sharing photos from the big weekend. Above, Johnny gets a visit from Hubert Sumlin.

What's coming up: Johnny gets to stay a bit closer to his home base this week. On Wednesday (8/22) he'll hit the Newport Blues Cafe in Newport, Rhode Island, followed by a Thursday performance at Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus, Massachusetts. Johnny, Paul & Co. are looking forward to connecting with harp master James Montgomery, a great friend (and former sideman) to Johnny, and also a veteran of The Inflatable Tour.

Sold out in New Hampshire: On Thursday and Friday, Johnny plays a two-night stand at Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Both shows are sold out.

Johnny, Eric Clapton in Rolling Stone!

Johnny graces the pages of RS: The current issue of RS (Zac Efron on cover) features an excellent photograph of Johnny and Eric Clapton hanging backstage at Crossroads. The shot anchors a fine article written by Gus Wenner. If you’ve followed Johnny’s incredible return to form in recent years, you know what a true milestone this is. The Illustrated Man is back, baby!

Duluth News Tribune: Johnny Winter dazzles bluesfest crowd...

Here's a small taste from writer John Myers:

... Johnny Winter has defied the odds, survived, and on Saturday night wowed a packed Bayfront Blues Festival with five decades of blues rock magic... Guitar Johnny sat down for a scorching 10-song set with another two songs for his encore, casting aside any doubts that he still had the magic that made him a blues and rock legend nearly 40 years ago.

Click here (free registration required) to catch a bit of the vibe from Saturday night.

UPDATE: Johnny remembers Uncle John...

Remembering Uncle John: Johnny followed up his scorching July 28 appearance at Crossroads with two special shows in Texas, both benefits for the late Uncle John Turner. The second of these sold-out gigs took place August 1 at the legendary Antone’s in Austin. On a night that found Pinetop Perkins in the audience, Johnny welcomed to the stage two special guests: Tommy Shannon and James Cotton. Shannon, who along with Uncle John played on Johnny’s early seminal albums, handled bass duties on “Johnny Guitar,” and the harp legend sat in on “Hoochie Coochie Man.” Johnny also had a chance during the evening to meet with Uncle John’s wife, Morgan. A friendly reminder to members of the Johnny Winter online community: Help is still needed. Learn what you can do by visiting www.uncathon.com.

On the road: Johnny wraps up a two-week road swing tonight in Duluth, Minnesota, where he’s headlining the Bayfront Blues Fest. Tonight’s appearance follows shows in Minneapolis; Springfield, Missouri; Kansas City; St. Louis; and Fayetteville, Arkansas. After tonight, Johnny will be taking it easy for a few days before he hits Las Vegas on August 18. The rest of the month includes shows at Newport, Rhode Island (8.22); Saugus, Massachusetts (8.23); and Londonderry, New Hampshire (8.24-25). For an updated show schedule, click here.

UPDATE: Johnny rocks Crossroads...

Crossroads weekend revisited: If you didn't make it to Chicago to see Johnny do his thing at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, we've got great news: The national media is raving about Johnny's guest spot with the Derek Trucks Band. Here's what David Fricke of Rolling Stone had to say:

Trucks later said that Winter had missed soundcheck the day before... But on stage, Winter, sitting on a chair and hunched over his guitar, tore off squealing lines with his metal slide that meshed viciously, and perfectly, with the vocal-like shriek of Trucks’ bottleneck responses.

Shows for Uncle John: Johnny is scheduled to play the second of two benefit shows for his late bandmate, drummer "Uncle John" Turner, tonight in Austin. Stay tuned for information from the road. To learn how you can lend a hand, click here.