Uploaded June 2010 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Listening Booth:1970 represents a continuation of a creative resurgence for Cohn, ultimately brought on by one of the strangest and scariest events of his life. In 2005, while driving back to his hotel with his band and tour manager after a show in Denver, Cohn was shot in the head by a would - be carjacker. Although the bullet had to be removed from his left temple, it miraculously missed penetrating his skull by a centimeter, causing no physical damage and allowing him to be released from the hospital the next day. After working through a bout with post-traumatic stress syndrome, Cohn has been busier than ever. Ending a nearly ten-year absence from the studio, he released one of his most critically acclaimed records, Join The Parade, in 2007 and followed it with well over 150 shows across the country. "I had always had my priorities straight when it came to my family. For me, it never felt right bringing children into the world and then spending all your time in a studio or a tour bus. But that night in Denver somehow brought me a new appreciation for my work and my audience."
Now, Listening Booth:1970 ultimately brings Cohn back to where he began-- writing songs like 'Walking In Memphis' which spoke so eloquently about the transformative, healing power of music. Like that hit single, Listening Booth: 1970 is really the soundtrack to his life. As Cohn reflects, "It seemed like such a natural progression for me to do a record like this because, if you've been following my records from my first single, I have been paying tribute to musicians through my writing all along, from Al Green to Elvis to Levon Helm to Charlie Christian, It's really been a touchstone for me. Now I'm just repaying a debt of gratitude to the artists who've changed my life and taught me how to do what I do."
Listening Booth:1970 represents a continuation of a creative resurgence for Cohn, ultimately brought on by one of the strangest and scariest events of his life. In 2005, while driving back to his hotel with his band and tour manager after a show in Denver, Cohn was shot in the head by a would - be carjacker. Although the bullet had to be removed from his left temple, it miraculously missed penetrating his skull by a centimeter, causing no physical damage and allowing him to be released from the hospital the next day. After working through a bout with post-traumatic stress syndrome, Cohn has been busier than ever. Ending a nearly ten-year absence from the studio, he released one of his most critically acclaimed records, Join The Parade, in 2007 and followed it with well over 150 shows across the country. "I had always had my priorities straight when it came to my family. For me, it never felt right bringing children into the world and then spending all your time in a studio or a tour bus. But that night in Denver somehow brought me a new appreciation for my work and my audience."
Now, Listening Booth:1970 ultimately brings Cohn back to where he began-- writing songs like 'Walking In Memphis' which spoke so eloquently about the transformative, healing power of music. Like that hit single, Listening Booth: 1970 is really the soundtrack to his life. As Cohn reflects, "It seemed like such a natural progression for me to do a record like this because, if you've been following my records from my first single, I have been paying tribute to musicians through my writing all along, from Al Green to Elvis to Levon Helm to Charlie Christian, It's really been a touchstone for me. Now I'm just repaying a debt of gratitude to the artists who've changed my life and taught me how to do what I do."






![Blind Boys of Alabama new clip from upcoming album
THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA SPREAD THE WORD ON 08 TOUR
BLIND BOYS TO JOIN GOSPEL CARAVAN AT NYCS NEW YORK CITY CENTER JAN 25
NEW ALBUM DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS OUT JAN 29 ON TIME LIFE
Four time GRAMMY Awards winners The Blind Boys of Alabama are plotting a
national tour in support of their new album Down In New Orleans (Jan
29/Time Life). To kick off the tour, the group will join an all-star lineup
of Gospel music legends including The Dixie Hummingbirds, Chuck Campbell,
and the McIntosh County Shouters in the National Heritage Masters: Gospel
Caravan concert January 25. The tour also sees the band sharing bills with
Mavis Staples and Taj Mahal.
Blind Boys concerts are joyous celebrations. The Boston Globe observed
earlier this month, In concert, the Blind Boys of Alabama still raise up
their bluesy hallelujahs to rarefied soul-groove highs. In a recent concert
review, The Boston Herald said, [The] Blind Boys wow... the night was as
solid as a rock. The Philadelphia Inquirer agreed, In their own way, The
Blind Boys have given black vernacular music a 21st century significance.
They may be from Alabama but theyve been spending time in the Crescent
City. The Blind Boys new album Down In New Orleans, their first in three
years, will be released January 29, 2008 on the Time Life Music label.
The Blind Boys of Alabama are Jimmy Carter, Eric Ricky McKinnie, Joey
Williams, Caleb Bobby Butler, Tracy Pierce, Billy Bowers and Ben Moore.
THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA 2008 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
1/25/2008 New York City Center New York, NY (w/ Gospel Caravan)
1/26/2008 Bearsville Theatre Woodstock, NY
2/6/2008 Attucks Theater Norfolk, VA
2/8/2008 Duke University Durham, NC (w/ Mavis Staples)
2/10/2008 Carnival Center Miami, FL (w/ Mavis Staples)
2/12/2008 Oberlin College Oberlin, OH
2/13/2008 The Kent Stage Kent, OH
2/15/2008 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
2/16/2008 Mayo Civic Center Rochester, MN
2/22/2008 Jacoby Hall Jacksonville, FL
2/23/2008 Jacoby Hall Jacksonville, FL
3/7/2008 Knitting Factory Los Angeles, CA
3/8/2008 Coach House San Juan Capistrano, CA
3/9/2008 Belly Up Solana Beach, CA
3/14/2008 Humboldt State University Arcata, CA
3/15/2008 Stanford Lively Arts Stanford, CA
3/16/2008 Gallo Center for The Arts Modesto, CA
3/20/2008 Savannah Music Festival Savannah, GA (w/ Adolphus Bell)
5/23/2008 Burton Cummings Theatre Winnipeg, MB (w/ Taj Mahal)
5/24/2008 Esplanade Center Medicine Hat, ALB (w/ Taj Mahal)
5/25/2008 Winspear Centre Edmonton, AB (w/ Taj Mahal)
5/26/2008 Jack Singer Concert Hall Calgary, AB (w/ Taj Mahal)
5/28/2008 Royal Theatre Victoria, BC (w/ Taj Mahal)
5/29/2008 Centre for Performing Arts Vancouver, BC (w/ Taj Mahal)
5/30/2008 Casino Regina Regina, SK Blind Boys of Alabama new clip from upcoming album](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WW3FFRuENag/mqdefault.jpg)



![The Blind Boys of Alabama from their new DVD exclusive clip
Four-time Grammy winners The Blind Boys of Alabama will release a new DVD, Live In New Orleans, on February 24th. The DVD was filmed at the historic Crescent City club Tipitinas during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival earlier this year. Inspired by the Blind Boys critically acclaimed album Down in New Orleans, the DVD continues their heartfelt tribute to the Crescent City and includes guest appearances by old friend Susan Tedeschi as well as New Orleans-born acts the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John, Henry Butler and Marva Wright.
Live in New Orleans combines new songs and old favorites, with selections from the Down in New Orleans disc (just nominated for a Grammy award) performed alongside songs from the Blind Boys four Grammy-winning CDs as well as several classic gospel tunes. The DVD also features bonus material: The Making of Down in New Orleans program which aired on BET earlier this year, and the music video for Free at Last, filmed in New Orleans.
The Blind Boys latest album, Down in New Orleans, was released on January 29th, a recording laden with hope and promise for the city still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The CD includes performances by some of the citys finest musicians, including David Torkanowsky and The Hot 8 Brass Band. We may not be able to swing a hammer, explains founding member Jimmy Carter, but we hope we can help inspire folks with a song.
The Washington Post said, Inspired and relevant, [Down In New Orleans] borders on the miraculous. USA Today praised the rousing musical tribute to New Orleans, Rolling Stone called it A super weapon of roots-music uplift, while the Toronto Sun gasped that the CD is Inspirational.
Not only known for their powerful and award winning CDs, the Blind Boys live concerts are legendary, packed with exuberance, passion and spirit. The Boston Globe observed, In concert, the Blind Boys of Alabama still raise up their bluesy hallelujahs to rarefied soul-groove highs.
Blind Boys of Alabama are Jimmy Carter, Eric Ricky McKinnie, Joey Williams, Tracy Pierce, Billy Bowers and Ben Moore. The Blind Boys of Alabama from their new DVD exclusive clip](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XnQq52Aq6JI/mqdefault.jpg)