Cody Englander
Staff writer
This is prolific blues guitarist Austin Walkin’ Cane’s first solo performance but third time performing at Chautauqua. The first two times, he opened for Jay Leno, originally on the first day of the newly renovated Amphitheater’s first season in 2017, and then again in 2022.
“I was the first to play at the renovated Amphitheater,” Cane bragged. “Jay Leno was number two.”
At 3 p.m. on Sunday in the Smith Willes Hall, Cane — who shared the stage with musical icons like Buddy Guy and Robert Lockwood Jr. — will bring his acoustic blues back to Chautauqua. Given how much more intimate the venue is compared to the Amp, folks are encouraged to bring blankets with them for a cozy, festival experience in Smith Wilkes.
Cane, a native of Cleveland, noted his hometown as where his love for the Delta blues began. Cane refers to it as the “damn fine blues.”
“It’s just all sorts of different styles of blues, because it’ll just be me and singing acoustic,” Cane said. “I think it would be the best way to play, and then I might have some new songs that I’ll play from an upcoming album and then some of my originals.”
Originally, Cane was a part of a band before going solo in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis.
This came right after the release of his 2007 album Murder of a Blues Singer. After going solo, Cane found more opportunities to perform his acoustic sound.
“I thought it was gonna be a slow couple of years,” Cain said. “And instead, it turned into a thing where other countries started taking me because, you know, they could afford one guy. I was able to see the world.”
Before traveling the world, Cane worked with Robert Lockwood Jr., Cane’s inspiration for his debut album.
“I think most of the blues guys from my generation are inspired by the music of Robert Lockwood Jr.,” said Cane. “… His mentor was Robert Johnson, who was the king of Delta blues singers.”
According to Cane, Lockwood lived in Cleveland from the ’60s up until his death in 2006.
“All the musicians around town would go see him, pay him our respects and learn things,” Cane said. “The guy was a wealth of knowledge. He played with a majority of the Chicago Blues artists that anybody would want to hear because he was just a versatile guitar player.”
Like Lockwood, Cane travels to spread his blues sound.
“I do probably 300-plus shows a year,” Cane said. “Songs are only new for a little while.”
He said he logs songs to a file in the back of his brain, retaining song lyrics and chords. Spending so much time on the road, Cane looks to travel less while still spreading blues music.
“Hotels can be a drag after a while,” Cane said. “You don’t eat right, it’s hard to keep everyone at home happy in terms of relationships, things like that.”
He looks forward to performing at Chautauqua again, this time operating as solo act, not an opener.
“Chautauquans are very kind people. They embraced the music and were overly nice to me about everything. It’s a nice thing to be part of,” Cane said. “…So far, my two times there have been incredible. It’s a bookmark in my life.”
