Donna Herula
Donna Herula is a Chicago-born singer, songwriter, and acoustic folk-blues resonator slide guitarist who has a passion for playing traditional blues, roots, and original songs. In 2016, she was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame, and in 2022, won "Best Traditional Blues Artist" and "Best Acoustic Blues Album" for her album Bang at the Door at the Independent Blues Awards. Playing a variety of folk-blues and Americana styles, her songwriting tips the hat to the tradition while creating a fresh, contemporary perspective on blues and roots music.
Donna has been a regular performer at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago for the past 12 years and has been the acoustic-opener for Buddy Guy multiple times. She has performed at the Chicago Blues Festival (Pritzker Pavillion), King Biscuit Blues Fest in Helena, Arkansas, the Juke Joint Fest in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland, Durban International Blues Festival in South Africa and numerous folk music festivals including the White Oak Folk Fest, CU Folk and Roots Fest, Woodstock Folk Fest and Fox Valley Music and Storytelling Festival.
Donna is a guitar teacher at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago where she teaches group acoustic slide guitar lessons. She has taught guitar and slide at folk and blues clubs and guitar camps.
Donna's original songs have been played on the BBC and SiriusXM and listed on numerous "Best of" music lists including Living Blues Magazine Top 50 Albums. Her song "Bang at the Door" won "Best AAA/Alternative Song" and "Who's Been Cookin' in My Kitchen" was a finalist at the 2022 International Acoustic Music Awards.
Quotes:
“A truly gifted virtuoso of the resonator guitar who also possesses the most stunning of voices. Herula is a Chicago born Blues artist of the highest order who not only sings, plays slide but also is a more than accomplished composer.” — Peter Merrett, PBS 106.7 FM, Melbourne, Australia
“This album [Bang at the Door] is the best acoustic blues and roots album I’ve heard in at least a year, if not longer. I most highly recommend this CD for all lovers of traditional and acoustic blues. It’s a wonderful mix of Delta and Chicago blues with some great folky overtones. I don’t think I can pick out a favorite cut here because they are all superb. Eleven fine originals and three marvelous covers make for some really interesting and classic performances from top to bottom.” — Steve Jones, Chicago Blues Guide
