Blues star to appear on ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”
Shemekia Copeland will appear live on ABC-TV on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 as part of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest. The performance marks the largest audience of her career. The annual broadcast remains America’s most-watched New Year’s celebration, with the 2024 edition drawing nearly 18 million viewers. Although the show is based in New York City, this year marks the first time in its more than 50-year history that it will also include a live broadcast from Chicago.
Copeland is scheduled to perform at 11:10 p.m. Central time. The Chicago segment of the event will take place along the city’s downtown Riverwalk. It is hosted by The City of Chicago and will also feature Chance The Rapper and additional performers.
“Forget about ringing in New Year’s Eve. We are rockin’ it in. Let us get this party started,” Copeland said.
Copeland is regarded as one of the most distinctive and soulful voices in contemporary roots and blues music. The multi-GRAMMY nominee has earned acclaim for her powerful delivery and the emotional clarity of her songwriting. The Chicago Tribune has described her as the greatest female blues vocalist working today, praising both the strength of her voice and the intensity of her performances.
Her latest album, Blame It On Eve, received a GRAMMY nomination and has been noted for its blend of serious themes and uplifting moments. “There is serious business on the album,” Copeland said. “But there are a lot of smiles here too, a lot of joyous moments. It is my blues for sure but it is the brighter side. Issues are always important to me, but so is rocking, dancing and just having fun. And that is something we all can agree on.”
Born in Harlem in 1979, Copeland first performed with her father, blues musician Johnny Copeland, at the Cotton Club at age eight. She released her Alligator Records debut Turn The Heat Up in 1998 at only 18 years old, drawing praise from outlets such as The New York Times and CNN for her commanding voice and presence. Her profile has continued to rise with each release as her music evolves and reaches new audiences.
finally, something great on tv 😘🎸🎤
You Go, Woman 💙
This is exciting. She and her band give a dynamic live performance. I know where I’ll be on NYE … in front of my TV!
Shemekia is a dynamic performer – I hope a lot of people will get exposure to her talent as a result of this appearance.
Shemekia performed several times at the Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival, over the past two decades (Sadly, the Festival is no longer in play, at least for now) and always had a rousing set each time.
I met her briefly, in passing, between performers, and told her how much I enjoyed her album CDs, and she was gracious of the appreciation – a class act.
P.S. – Check out Shemekia Copeland’s rocking live version of “It’s 2 a.m. (Do You Know Where Your Baby Is)” at the RAWA Blues Festival.
https://youtu.be/qJWGtPUsozc?si=k9mdHklHNEJyp0rT