“Ridin' A Chicken was #63 on the Roots Music Report's Top 200 Blues Rock Album Chart for the Year of 2017.”

"I know that in my last email I said that I am only able to play-list single tracks, but in this instance, and with an album as bloody awesome as this one, I’ve decide that “breaking the rules” is in the best interests of music lovers everywhere. Every track is mind blowing, and choosing just one to feature has been damn near impossible. That said, this email serves to confirm that I have added the entire album to our music database and that “Just Let Me Bleed” be officially play-listed on Zone Radio and showcased during our “No Hoops Required” feature on Wednesday . ...Take a bow Sir, this is one hell of an album. Thank you"

“Big Joe Shelton delivers a hard-hitting collection of sparkling originals on this self-produced album...Big Joe is a powerful vocalist and solid old-school harmonica player...Ridin’ A Chicken provides a rich tapestry of tunes for anyone with a taste for traditional blues, full of loving glimpses of the past as well as thoroughly modern, timeless themes”

"Ridin 'A Chicken" Big Joe Sheltona & The Black Praire Blues Ambassador I recommend both beginners and the elderly who could occasionally hear a little bit of what was a bit differently talked about. Personally, I think this album is worth every second I spent with it! Big Joe Shelton & The Black Praire Blues Ambassadors give us our blues 1000% open and direct. They are not afraid of anyone and believe in what they do and do it boldy!

“Big Joe Shelton & The Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors – Ridin’ A Chicken (Self-produced): Singer/songwriter/harmonica player Big Joe Shelton grew up in the Black Prairie region of Mississippi and was exposed to the older country style blues as well as learning a few things from Big Joe Williams. While Shelton’s music and performance don’t really sound like Williams, he does stick with a more basic style that one would expect from a roadhouse band. The music is direct and even when it rocks, it’s fairly laid back. The Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors include Ben Ferrell (guitar), Ed Swan (bass), and Bob Damm (drums) with some added sound from Bobby Shannon (keys), Doug Thomas (sax) and Susan Alcorn Lobato (pedal steel). I suspect the group is at it’s best live. This is a solid journeyman performance, with some laughs and some reflection.”

“. it's real cool. Opening with Put The Chairs In The Wagon, a driving rocker, Big Joe Shelton is up front on vocal and harp with firm backing by Bob Damm on percussion, Ed Swan on bass and Ben Ferrell laying down some real strong riffs on guitar. Title track, Ridin' A Chicken, has a real Latin flavor and the tight percussion work of Damm is nicely complimented by Bobby Shannon on keys. Shelton shows solid vocals and Swan lays solid footing under the adventurous guitar soloing of Ferrell. Very nice! Got So Hot is a smokin' blues rocker with shifting keys, nice guitar work and strong percussive punctuation. With a walking bass line and a familiar Sonny Boy Williamson form, Just Let Me Breathe has a great feel. Shelton's vocals are solid and rich key work by Shannon is nicely complimented by the flowing guitar riffs and a nice sax solo by Doug Thomas. No Man's Land is a hot rocker with Shelton leading the way on vocals, tight riffs by Ferrell and cool sax by Thomas. Low slung blues number”

“Ridin’ a Chicken comes out of the gates swinging with the aggressive Put the Chairs in the Wagon. The lead song is a high-powered rock ’n’ roll song that highlights guitarist Ben Farrell’s outstanding rhythm and lead guitar work and portends the guitarist’s presence on the disc. Farrell is accompanied by Shelton’s gravelly vocals and harmonica playing and a rock-solid rhythm section (bassist Ed Swan and drummer Bob Damm). While grounding the music in rock and blues, Shelton and company throw in a splash of soul and Latin (title song), spiritual (Lorraine) and reggae (Time to Go Home). Pool Hall Red is the most traditional blues song you will hear on the disc highlighted by Shelton’s harmonica work, Farrell’s blues-jazzy solos and guest Bobby Shannon on the keyboards. Too Wet to Plow is the band’s musical answer to Led Zeppelin’s titanic version of When the Levee Breaks Ridin’ a Chicken is a worthy purchase from a band that is both inventive and consistent—there ”

“Ridin' A chicken climbs to #17 on the Root's Music Report's World Wide Top 50 Blues Rock Chart for July3rd”

"Just Let Me Bleed" off the "Ridin' A Chicken" debuts at #4 on the June 14 B.B. King's Bluesville Picks to Click Chart.

“Ridin' A Chicken debuts at #16 on the INDEPENDENT BLUES BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION June 2017 UK Blues Chart.”

"The Older I Get The Better I Was" nominated for 2012 Blues Music Award "Song of The Year"

"I'd Never Let Her Down" is # 29 on "Blues In The South" Top100 CD's for 2013 chart http://bluesinthesouth.com/graphics/BiTS_02_FEBRUARY_2014.pdf

“We were highly impressed with Big Joe Shelton’s 2011 release "The Older I Get the Better I Was" and therefore very curious what it’s follow-up would bring. "I'D Never Let Her Down" is the title of his new album and it reaches the high expectations we had envisioned. It speaks well for the artist that he did not take the easy route but quietly build on the originality and creativity exhibited by its predecessor. It is definitely a little more swing blues we are hearing, especially at the start. All 11 songs were written by Big Joe. In our 2011 review we wrote that we did not understand why this man is not better known to international blues audiences. This is a full blown musical artist who deserves much more recognition. The skills he shows on this release are extremely impressive. There is a delightful diversity of musical genres in play on this blues based album, but most of all, rock solid songs brought to you by a very convincing Big Joe Shelton and his excellent band.”

“Big Joe Shelton is a no-holds-barred triple threat when it comes to singing, songwriting and harmonica playing, so much so that he’s already honored on a marker along the Mississippi Blues Trail in an area that’s produced two first-generation superstars – Bukka White and Big Joe Williams – along with the legendary Howlin’ Wolf. He and his band, the Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors, received a Blues Music Awards nomination for Song Of The Year for the title tune on their 2012 CD, “The Older I Get The Better I Was,” and they follow it up with this one, “I’d Never Let Her Down.” ...(Is) Another straight-ahead powerhouse collection of originals straight from the roadhouses Big Joe calls home. The music’s fine, and the songs are special.”

“Living Blues Magazine (US)– Oct/Nov, 2013 Following his 2012’s Blues Music Award nomination for The Older I Get the Better I Was, Mississippi’s own Big Joe Shelton bares it all on I’d Never Let Her Down. Produced by Shelton with Mike Yeager, the disc sounds as if it was recorded in a large room, with slight reverb accenting Shelton’s vocals on each track. The rhythm section of Ed Swan on bass and Drummer Bob Damm backs off enough to let guitarist Ben Ferrell and Shelton’s own harp edge out front – no instrumental performance is overdone. Track’s like Frog’s Hair boast a snarky Chicago grin, the piano plink of guest David Reese adding a spike of controlled chaos. Little Willie is perhaps an answer to the classic 1958 Johnny Otis single, echoing the patented Bo Diddley beat the rock n roll pioneer spun into Otis’ original take. Big Jos Shelton is as charming as he is musically dexterous. – Mark Uricheck”

“Review of I’d Never Let Her Down Asser-Prwada Musik und Meer Magazin (Germany) Is that Retro? Is that Traditional? The Music that Joe Shelton from Northeast Mississippi plays on his third album, I’d Never Let Her Down, is very reminiscent of stuff from the 50’s. His band swings with all the tradition of post-war blues both from Chicago and Mississippi, while Joe primarily sings and plays the harp. The whole thing is a joy. Only afterwards do you realize that here is a songwriter and musician telling his own story and not repeating the same ol’ Clichés. But just why is he so special today? Shelton has great stories to tell. His band is wonderfully placed. “I’d Never Let Her Down” is for people who want to hear 21st century blues and not only the faded memories of the original music dating back to the beginning of the 20th.”

"I'd Never Let Her Down" 2013 Blues411 ‘Jimi’ Awards "Song of the Year"...

“Blues Review Magazine Issue #132 NOV / DEC 2011 Harp player Big Joe Shelton is back and tougher than before, despite the wry title of his latest CD, The Older I Get The Better I Was (Alt 45 Records). His fond look back at vanished youth is only one example of Shelton’s perceptive, often witty, songcraft: “What Else Can It Be” is narrated by the man who’s pretty sure he has been kissed off; in “Psychoanalyst Voodoo Queen,” a New Orleans radio show hostess captures the singer’s fancy; “Hole In Yo Soul” is part anthem, part manifesto; and “They Can’t Be Satisfied” fearlessly calls out the questionable motives of President Obama’s detractors. Shelton delivers boogies, slow blues, shuffles, country blues, R&B ballads, and even a Latin number, "Ashes To Ashes", in a gruff, gritty manner much like Omar Dykes’. Highly recommended.”

“The CD features some musical gems. Shelton provides witty and keen observations on relationships, politics, and the huiman condition. Tracks 1 & 2 are standard juke joint blues shuffles that Shelton could probably write in his sleep. By the third song, however, Big Joe and The Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors, offer listeners something to get excited about: the drum introduction and greasy slide guitar distinguish What Else Can It Be; the zydeco-flavored Psychoanalyst Voodoo Queen, is a rollicking and hilarious tale of Shelton's voodoo lover. The loping Midnight In Mississippi genuinely captures the pathos of self-loathing and loneliness. And Ashes To Ashes, a tale of relational dissolution, is the CD's keynote song and captures the Ambassadors at their best: Ed Swan's bass riff, Will Hunt's tribal drums, Ben Ferrell's seductive guitar, and Shelton's remarkable, weathered sandpaper voice coalesce into a dynamic whole, creating genuine suspense and tension.”

"The Older i Get The Better I Was" is one of six finalist in the Blues Music Awards, Song Of The Year catagory. The Blues Foundation Announces 33rd Blues Music Award Nominees .The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists. The Blues Foundation is Memphis-based, but world-renown as THE organization dedicated to preserving our blues music history, celebrating recording and performance excellence, supporting blues education and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form. Founded in 1980, The Blues Foundation has 4500 individual members and 200 affiliated local blues societies representing another 50,000 fans and professionals around the world. Its signature honors and events--the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame, International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards--make it the international center of blues music.

“Big Joe Shelton is the real deal! This CD, Shelton’s second for the Alt 45 Records label follows his awards nominated Black Prairie Blues. The music is sometimes raw and often, Joe’s lyrics are very funny. Over all, the effect of the album is to make you realize that all those calls to Keep The Blues Alive are really unnecessary as Big Joe and his like are doing it by doing their thang. The music on the CD is wonderful. The opener, a super little shuffle called Hole In Yo’ Soul says it all and comes with with a chorus that goes “If you don’t dig the blues you got a hole in your soul” The track comes – as do many others - with some sizzling, big toned harp work . The title track The Older I Get The Better I Was is a delightful song best related to by people who are past their prime on the theme of, Super harp work here too. The remainder of the tracks, in a similar vein are right up there in ‘award winning’ territory. ”

"The Older I Get The Better I Was" is the title of the album and Big Joe Shelton the author of this CD which has constantly been our player. He was born in the Black Prairies of Northeast Mississippi This album is his second release on the independent Alt 45 Records and has ten self-written songs. Why he is still considered an "insider tip" is a complete mystery. We hope that this review will finally help bring him the recognition he deserves on this side of the pond. The man has a gifted voice, growling and powerful. “Women And Whiskey " settles immediately into the heart of every blues lover. His warm, supportive harmonica lines make this song one of most poignment of the tracks. Another high-flyer is "What Else Can It Be" which features the great slide guitar.The accented with horns "Psycho Analyst Voodoo Queen", is bathed in a New Orleans blues."Thanks For The Love" brings back memories of the late sixties R&B. It is a strong disc

“BluesNews Germany Juli-September 2011 In his native country Big Joe Shelton falls into the category of “insider tip,” which given his undeniable stellar songwriting talent is somewhat surprising.“What Else Can It Be,” rocks the Blues hard as it undulates between powerful slide guitar and harmonica leads into which his growling voice fits wonderfully. In the Chicago style “Women and Whiskey,” his harmonica resonates with a warm, rich tone. New Orleans influenced “Psychoanalyst Voodoo Queen” is driven by a second-line drum accentuated by horns and accordion and very greatly animates the shaking of a leg. “Ashes To Ashes” has a psychedelic mood à la Pink Floyd with a deep bass in the style of Chris Ray. “Thanks For The Love” features a Hammond B3 organ. "Thanks For The Love" acknowledges a past lady of the heart for the love she had once given to him. This CD should give him the much-deserved attention he is due. ”

“ROOTS MUSIC REPORT RADIO AIR PLAY CHART FOR MISSISIPPI ARTISTS~ July 08, 2011 1 BIG JOE SHELTON THE OLDER I GET THE BETTER I WAS ALT 45 RECORDS BLUES 2 NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS KEYS TO THE KINGDOM SONGS OF THE SOUTH ROCK 3 BIG BILL BROONZY BIG BILL BROONZY SINGS THE BLUES AVID RECORDS BLUES 4 BIG BILL BROONZY FOLK BLUES AVID RECORDS BLUES 5 JAMES COTTON GIANT ALLIGATOR BLUES 6 GRADY CHAMPION DREAMIN' GSM MUSIC BLUES 7 MUDDY WATERS ONE MORE MILE MCA/CHESS BLUES 8 JOHNNY RAWLS MEMPHIS STILL GOT SOUL CATFOOD BLUES 9 HOMEMADE JAMZ BLUES BAND THE GAME SELF BLUES 10 EDEN BRENT AIN'T GOT NO TROUBLES YELLOW DOG BLUES 11 LIGHTNIN' MALCOLM RENEGADE 12 ROBERT JOHNSON THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS CBS BLUES 13 GRADY CHAMPION BACK IN MISSISSIPPI 14 LITTLE MILTON WHAT IT IS 15 BIG JOE SHELTON BLACK PRAIRIE BLUES 16 HILL COUNTRY REVUE MAKE A MOVE 17 HOWLIN' WOLF LONDON SESSIONS 18 SUPER CHIKAN CHIKADELIC 19 JERRY LEE LEWIS MEAN OLD MAN ”

“ROOTS MUSIC REPORT INTERNATIONAL BLUES TOP 50 RADIO AIRLPAY For the Week of July 08, 2011 1 BEN WATERS BOOGIE 4 STU EAGLE RECORDS 2 TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND REVELATOR SONY 3 HOT TUNA STEADY AS SHE GOES RED HOUSE RECORDS 4 MARCIA BALL ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS ALLIGATOR 5 BOOKER T. JONES THE ROAD FROM MEMPHIS EPITAPH 6 GREGG ALLMAN LOW COUNTRY BLUES ROUNDER 7 RORY BLOCK SHAKE 'EM ON DOWN 8 SOLOMON BURKE & DE DIJK HOLD ON TIGHT VERVE 9 THE STEVE MILLER BAND LET YOUR HAIR DOWN 10 TRACY NELSON VICTIM OF THE BLUES DELTA GROOVE 11 VARIOUS ARTIST TOMMY CASTRO PRESENTS 12 GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS 13 HARRY MANX & KEVIN BREIT STRICTLY WHATEVER STONY PLAIN 14 TAB BENOIT MEDICINE TELARC RECORDS 15 STEVE DAWSON NIGHTSHADE BLACK HEN 16 BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS SCANDALOUS 17 JP SOARS AND THE RED HOTS FEATURING ROBIN ROGERS 18 BIG JOE SHELTON THE OLDER I GET THE BETTER I WAS ALT 45 19 ROBERT NIGHTHAWK”

“B.B. KING’S BLUESVILLE PICKS TO CLICK FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 9, 2011 1. “Keys To The Kingdom” – North Mississippi Allstars – Songs of the South Records 2. “The Older I Get The Better I Was” – Big Joe Shelton – Self Produced 3. “Highway Bound” – Lloyd Jones – Underworld Records 4. “Renegade” – Lightnin’ Malcolm – Ruf Records 5. “Girls With Guitars” – Samatha Fish, Cassie Taylor, and Dani Wilde – Ruf Records 6. “Troubadour Live” – Eric Bibb - Telarc 7. “Cazadero” – Eric Lindell – Sparco Records 8. “The (R) evolution Continues” – Various Artists – Raisin’ Music 9. “One Crow Murder” – Ben Prestage – Benprestage Music 10. “Hey Baby” – Jimmy McCracklin – Budget Music 11. “Dreamin’” – Grady Champion – GSM Music Group 12. “Show You A Good Time” – Bobby Rush – Deep Rush Record”

“‘The Older I Get the Better I Was’ was recorded at the B.B. King Recording Studio on the campus of Mississippi Valley State University in the summer of 2010 and includes ten original tracks. Shelton does harmonica and vocals on all tracks and does a fine job indeed. The album rocks along from the first offering, ‘Hole In Yo Soul’ to the last one ‘Hard To get Along’. All tracks offer fine harp blowing, gutsy guitar work from Ben Ferrell (especially on ‘What Else Can It Be’) and some tight rhythm work from Ed Swan on bass and Will Hunt on drums. Jimmy Lee Jr. contributes some good blues keyboards as well. Shelton’s real strength is his writing and all ten tracks are high quality, in particular ‘Psychoanalyst Voodoo Queen’, and played with clear passion. The CD cover says that the album was funded in part by the Department of Education and University sponsored programs – it was money well spent!”

“The Older I Get The Better I Was...There are ten original numbers on this CD, making me wonder just what an artist has to do to get a recording contract these days. Big Joe has a big, gritty voice akin to Howling Wolf’s, and although his style is certainly tough, pounding, and unmistakably rooted in Mississippi, it is also quite varied. Much of the time Joe is in down-home mood, with a raw, exciting harmonica style to match, but then again the closer ‘Hard To Get Along’ is subtly gospel-based, ‘Ashes To Ashes’ reminds me of a spooky Santana, and ‘Psychoanalyst Voodoo Queen’ flits between zydeco and N’Awlins R’n’B. ‘Thanks For The Love’ is a Little Willie John-inflected blues-ballad, and ‘What Else Can It Be’ has the martial beat and wild slide of the Hill Country blues. ‘They Can't Be Satisfied’ is an anti-racism anthem. All in all, this is a CD certainly well worth investigating. Rating: 9 ”

“BLUES DELUX On our program that will air June 12 - 18, 2011 JOE LOUIS WALKER - "IT'S A SHAME" RAY MANZAREK & ROY ROGERS - "FIVES & ONES" CANNED HEAT - "ONE KIND FAVOR" BIG JOE SHELTON - "THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS" (THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS) R.B. STONE - "MISSISSIPPI WOMAN" ELVIN BISHOP - "ROCK MY SOUL" AEROSMITH - "RAG DOLL" SAMANTHA FISH/CASSIE TAYLOR/DANI WILDE - "MR. LOVING MAN" ROY ROBERTS - "HEY, BABY" KIMON & THE PROPHETS - "NEW YORK'S FINEST" GRADY CHAMPION - "WALK WITH ME, BABY" Total Audience: 2,020,720 ”

“Australia Top 20-May 2011 Top 20 Plays "BluesBeat" 5EFM, CRN Blues Playlist for May 2011 Submitted To Living Blues Magazine (USA) For Inclusion In The 01/06/11 National Radio Chart THIS MONTH ARTIST 1 *The Waifs 2 Al Basile 3 The Steve Miller Band 4 Johnny Rawls 5 Tab Benoit 6 Tracy Nelson 7 *Stormcellar 8 Big Joe Shelton 9 Greg Allman 10 Scott Holt 11 *Buddy Knox 12 Joe Bonamassa 13 *Various 14 Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans 15 Elam McKnight & Bob Bogdal 16 The Sugar Prophets 17 Charlie Musselwhite 18 Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce 19 Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes 20 Marcia Ball ”

“THE OLDER I GET THE BETTER I WAS debuted at # 26 on the 5/27/11 ROOTS MUSIC REPORT TOP 50 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHART ”

“Mississippi native Big Joe Shelton is one of the blues’ many unsung local heroes. Shelton’s real strength lies in his songwriting. All 15 tunes on the set list are original numbers and Shelton performs them with an unrelenting passion. He covers all the blues canon with a pen guided by years of experience playing in the deep south. The title track finds guest Willie King contributing tasty lead guitar to the mix. No doubt Shelton’s got the goods and Black Prairie Blues is a solid, enjoyable record that should broaden his fan base. ”

“Harp player Big Joe Shelton should be named an auxiliary member of the Mississippi Chamber of Commerce for advancing his home state’s interest with Black Prairie Blues (Alt 45 records). The title cut, featuring Willie King on guitar, presents a hard-hitting roster of blues titans from the Mississippi-Alabama border; the hard-shuffling “In Mississippi” touts the local character. “Best I Can Tell” is a solid slow blues: “Devil Lives in Memphis” borrows from “Roll and Tumble”; and an Elmore James feel informs “Hope We Live to See the Day.” “One’s Too Many” and “Can’t Come Back” effectively blend humor with plainspoken truth; he’s a strong songwriter. ”

“Big Joe Shelton was born in north-east Mississippi and encountered the blues as a youngster, befriending no less a personage than Big Joe Williams, and he began playing guitar and harmonica in his teens. He later moved to Chicago, before returning back down south. There is little doubt then that he knows his stuff, but just in case ‘Black Prairie Blues’ (Alt 45 Records, no issue number)) should dispel any lingering thoughts. Joe has a big voice, a wonderful non-flashy harmonica style, and at his best sometimes recalls Howling Wolf. Many of his tracks are good old-fashioned house-rocking juke-joint blues, but as the opener shows, even without a band he can whip up a storm (shades of Rice Miller). Down-home Alabama bluesman Willie King is a friend of Joe’s and turns in a brief guest appearance on what is a very fine set indeed. ”

“Piglet Joe Shelton is an warbler/accordionist from the region Black prairie in Mississippi and Alabama. - A lot well-known bluesartiesten come from that region. I think of among other things Howling wolf, Bukka White, piglet Joe Williams, Carey Bell, Eddy Clearwater or recently died Willie King to call of it a number. - Piglet Joe brings here with its link Mississippi blues an boogie to fifteen numbers where it is very difficult quietly continue sit. At hearing this disc, I think especially of Howling Wolf and of John lee Hooker. Very nice debut of this artist.”

“BIG JOE SHELTON RECEIVES MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION FELLOWSHIP (Jackson, MS) – Big Joe Shelton of Columbus has been awarded a Fellowship grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the $1.64 million in grants the Commission will award in 2010-2011 and will be used to complete his current record project. The CD, which features ten original tracks penned by Shelton, is being recorded over the summer at the B.B. King Recording Studio on the campus of Mississippi Valley State University at Itta Bena, MS. The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. ”

“Now wait a minute, this is raw. Big Joe Shelton, straight from the Black Prairie region of Mississippi, home of Willie King, who makes a guest appearance on the title track. Energetic and exciting, there’s even some of King’s political edge creeping in too. “Black Prairie Blues” comes highly recommended, and guaranteed to get your toes tapping ”

“Black Prairie Blues musician Big Joe Shelton was honored by being included on the "Columbus Mississippi/Cat Fish Alley" Mississippi Blues Trail Marker which was recently unveiled in his hometown. Shelton also performed for the dedication ceremony along Clarence "Bluesman" Davis.”

“Black Prairie Blues, released by Big Joe Shelton on the ALT 45 RECORDS label, is one of six finalist in "Best Self-Produced CD" catagory of the 2009 International Blues Challenge sponsered by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN.”

"Devil Lives in Memphis" from Big Joe Shelton's album, Black Prairie Blues" was nominated for 2009 "Song of the Year" by the Blues Critic readers poll.