Bluestime Power Hour

The Bluestime Power Hour is a series of non-commercial video documentaries designed to showcase locally prominent blues musicians from throught the United States. The videos which were produced between 1997-1998, include footage of live performances by the featured artists, and many include interviews with the performers.

The Bluestime Power Hour video series was the concept of Cinthea T. Coleman, an entrepenuer, music enthusiast and semi-professional producer. With Diva Music Productions, the precurser of The Bluestime Power Hour, Coleman attempted to start a company to sell blues recordings over the internet. While working on this venture Coleman became interested in the possibilties of useing streaming technology for the broadcast of live or taped performances accross the Internet. The Bluestime Power Hour grew out of this concept.

The programs consist of live performances of the featured perfrormer along with introductory and closing comments by the host (usually Coleman). The shows often contain interviews with the featured artist. Coleman began the series in the Oakland/East Bay area. She subsequently took her production on the road, featuring artists from Kansas City, St. Louis and central California.

From the guide to the Bluestime Power Hour videos, (The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.)