10 Standout Blues Rock Collaborations of the 2020s

Blues Rock has always been a genre that’s encouraged collaboration. Whether it’s a guest appearance on an album or joining together on stage, collaboration is a huge part of the genre. Here are 10 standout blues rock collaborations of the 2020s so far.

Shemekia Copeland and Kenny Wayne Shepherd

In 2021, Shemekia Copeland and Kenny Wayne Shepherd teamed up to release “Hit ‘Em Back.” The song was released during a time of major divisiveness not only within the blues community but the country as well. Copeland’s lyricist John Hahn wrote the lyrics and Shepherd composed the music along with producer Marshall Altman. The duo also enlisted the help of Robert Randolph on the pedal steel and drummer Tony Coleman. The song was a great response to the current events of the time with a powerful message and saw everyone involved hitting on all cylinders.

Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton

Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton are both established musicians but together the duo accomplished a feat neither arist had ever achieved receiving a Grammy nomination. Their 2023 album, Death Wish Blues, was nominated for “Best Contemporary Blues Album.” Death Wish Blues also earned the #2 spot on Blues Rock Review’s Top 20 Albums of 2023. The album pushed the boundaries of the blues and helped elevate each artist.

Walter Trout and Beth Hart

Walter Trout and Beth Hart are two of the most well established artists in the modern blues rock scene. They joined forces for “Broken,” which is the title track from Trout’s 2024 album. About the collaboration, Trout said, “I thought my friend Beth Hart could relate to the title track, Broken. With that song, I was looking at the world – especially what’s going on in the United States – but also thinking about my recovery from the things that happened to me.” The end result was Trout and Hart delivering one of the top tracks of 2024.

Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia

Longtime friends Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia partnered up to form Blood Brothers. The duo released the self-titled Blood Brothers record in March of 2023 with the production team of Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. The album was voted Blues Rock Review’s #1 album of the year while also hitting #1 on the Billboard Blues chart among other accolades. Zito and Castiglia have a history as solo artists but the album is arguably the best of each’s career. However, the pair wasn’t done, releasing Live in Canada later in the year.

Eric Gales and Joe Bonamassa

Eric Gales and Joe Bonamassa are two of the world’s greatest guitar players and have known each other for decades. Bonamassa alongside Josh Smith produced Gales’ most successful album to date, Crown, which picked up a Grammy nomination. Gales and Bonamassa traded licks on “I Want My Crown” with the music video billing it up as a “heavyweight” showdown inside a boxing ring officiated by Keb’ Mo’. The two have also shared the stage multiple times on the Keeping the Blues Alive Cruise as well as Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival.

Devon Allman and Duane Betts

While Devon Allman and Duane Betts each have their own solo careers, the duo has continued their family legacy with the Allman Betts Band while also carving out their own legacies. Not only do they tip their hat to their rich musical history, but they also bring strong new and original material to the table. 2020’s Bless Your Heart was voted Blues Rock Review’s #2 album of that year. The duo has continued to tour with the Allman Betts Band along with the Allman Betts Family revival.

Robin Trower and Sari Schorr

The legendary Robin Trower was joined by Sari Schorr to release the highly acclaimed Joyful Sky in 2023. The project featuring Trower’s sublime guitar and Schorr’s powerful vocals hit #1 on the Billboard Blues chart. Blues Rock Review’s Breton Towler called Joyful Sky, “a real labor of love that sees two very different talents collide, but prove themselves to be a dazzling combination.”

Ally Venable and Buddy Guy

Over the years, Buddy Guy has mentored several young artists and provided them a platform to be heard. Ally Venable is another example of that. Venable shared a duet with Guy on “Texas Honey” from her Real Gone album which was produced by Guy’s drummer and longtime producer, Tom Hambridge. Both the single and the album were a major success for Venable who has also had the honor of opening for Buddy Guy during his farewell tour.

Slash and Brian Johnson

Slash surprised fans with the announcement of a new blues album in 2024, Orgy of the Damned. The album features an all-star lineup of guests and the first single released from the album featured legendary vocalist Brian Johnson of AC/DC for a cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor.” Upon hearing the vocals the listener may not even realize it’s Brian Johnson singing but his voice blends perfectly with the blues. It’s two major artists putting a huge and much needed spotlight on the genre.

Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith

Richie Kotzen and Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith joined together to release their self-titled debut album in 2021. Combining influences from blues, rock, and metal, it’s been a seamless collaboration with the two sharing duties on guitar and vocals. Smith/Kotzen hit the road on tour and featured tracks from that experience on the Better Days… And Nights EP. Better Days was also released as an EP.