Article Contributed by jbleicher.com
Published on November 16, 2025
Joe Bonamassa has released the next five songs from his monumental tribute project, B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, celebrating what would have been B.B. King’s 100th birthday. Out now via KTBA Records, Vol. III features powerhouse collaborations with some of the most respected figures in modern blues and roots music.
The newly issued tracks—“Sweet Little Angel” featuring Buddy Guy, “Don’t You Want A Man Like Me” featuring Larkin Poe, “Heartbreaker” featuring Trombone Shorty & Eric Gales, “Watch Yourself” featuring Jimmie Vaughan, and “When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around)” featuring Larry McCray—continue the project’s mission of honoring King’s influence across generations.
Bonamassa also revealed one of the album’s most anticipated moments: a new interpretation of “The Thrill Is Gone,” featuring Chaka Khan and guitar legend Eric Clapton. The track arrives with the full 32-song album on February 6, 2026.
Leading the Vol. III rollout is “Sweet Little Angel” featuring blues titan Buddy Guy, paired with a powerful video that interweaves archival and live footage of B.B. King and Buddy onstage together — a poignant celebration of their friendship and shared musical lineage.
“Buddy Guy is obviously the first call you make when putting this project together, and ‘Sweet Little Angel’ was his preferred song,” says co-producer Josh Smith. “This take shows you why Buddy is the living legend he is. Our most important living blues artist. In regards to the track, both Buddy’s vocal and guitar playing are from the same live track. No messing around, old school. The Real Deal indeed!!!”
“Don’t You Want A Man Like Me” features the powerhouse duo Larkin Poe reimagining one of King’s most playful songs with swagger and soul. “They brought such a unique spin and attitude to the original that flips it on its head,” Smith notes. “Mostly, it’s just such a fun rocking track. The vocals are incredible, as is the lap steel guitar solo.”
On “Heartbreaker,” Trombone Shorty and Eric Gales deliver one of the project’s most explosive moments. “Shorty kills the vocals and plays all the horns on the song, and Eric does what he does — pays tribute to B.B. while always being himself. This one just came together magically,” says Smith.
“Watch Yourself” finds Texas blues legend Jimmie Vaughan at his most relaxed and soulful. “This is one of my favorite B.B. shuffles ever, and Jimmie brought so much fun and attitude to it,” Smith adds. “He even recorded his own horn section unprompted. So cool, and such a great performance.”
The volume closes with “When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around)” featuring Larry McCray, a deep cut from B.B.’s magical late-’60s/’70s era. “Larry is truly the top of the heap, the greatest contemporary bluesman in the world,” says Smith. “We just knew he would kill this song, and he does nothing less.”
Produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 continues to unfold in monthly installments through February 2026, culminating in the full 32-track album’s release on February 6. With the blessing of the B.B. King Estate, The B.B. King Music Company, and the King family, the project unites generations of artists shaped by King’s influence.
“When B.B. was alive and active, he was the blues – he was the sun which all planets rotated around,” Bonamassa says. “You only get one shot to do this correctly. And I think we nailed it.”
Previous volumes have featured a staggering lineup, including Gary Clark Jr., Keb’ Mo’, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Paul Rodgers, George Benson, Warren Haynes, Michael McDonald, Slash, Aloe Blacc, Bobby Rush, Joanne Shaw Taylor, D.K. Harrell, and more — each bringing their own story, sound, and reverence to King’s legacy.
The project also arrives at a milestone moment for Bonamassa, whose latest studio album Breakthrough earned him his fifth GRAMMY nomination, while Eric Gales’ A Tribute To LJK — produced by Bonamassa and Smith — received a nomination in the same category. On the road, Bonamassa is in the midst of his U.S. Fall 2025 Tour, which runs through December 6 and marks the final run with longtime keyboardist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Reese Wynans.
For tickets or more information, visit jbonamassa.com.
B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 – Full Tracklist
Disc 1:
1. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss feat. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
2. Don’t Answer The Door feat. Marcus King
3. To Know You Is To Love You feat. Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks
4. Let The Good Times Roll feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Noah Hunt
5. Sweet Little Angel feat. Buddy Guy
6. When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around) feat. Larry McCray
7. When Love Comes To Town feat. Slash, Shemekia Copeland & Myles Kennedy
8. The Thrill Is Gone feat. Chaka Khan & Eric Clapton*
9. Watch Yourself feat. Jimmie Vaughan
10. Why I Sing The Blues feat. Bobby Rush
11. Sweet Sixteen feat. Jimmy Hall & Larry Carlton
12. Don’t You Want A Man Like Me feat. Larkin Poe
13. I’ll Survive feat. Keb’ Mo’
14. Heartbreaker feat. Trombone Shorty & Eric Gales
15. There Must Be A Better World Somewhere feat. George Benson
16. Chains And Things feat. Gary Clark Jr.
Disc 2:
1. How Blue Can You Get feat. Warren Haynes
2. You Upset Me Baby feat. Chris Cain
3. Ghetto Woman feat. Ivan Neville
4. Night Life feat. Paul Rodgers
5. Ain’t Nobody Home feat. Jade MacRae & Robben Ford
6. Bad Case Of Love feat. Joanne Shaw Taylor
7. Never Make A Move Too Soon feat. Dion
8. Three O’Clock Blues feat. Marc Broussard
9. Think It Over feat. Train & Chris Buck
10. It’s My Own Fault feat. Kim Wilson
11. Every Day I Have The Blues feat. D.K. Harrell
12. Please Accept My Love feat. John Nemeth
13. So Excited feat. Aloe Blacc
14. When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer feat. Dannielle De Andrea
15. Playin’ With My Friends
16. Better Not Look Down feat. Kirk Fletcher
*Just announced
