Episode 33

The Blues Hotel: Short Cool Ones, Long Roads: Diesel, Women in Blues & the Songs That Shaped Us

In this episode of The Blues Hotel, host Kelvin Huggins sits down with Australian music icon Mark “Diesel” Lizotte for an intimate, wide‑ranging conversation. Diesel retraces his journey from Little Compton, Rhode Island to the Aussie bush and finally Perth, sharing how a house full of jazz, soul, and funk records – and a sudden switch from cello to guitar – set him on his path. He then takes us inside Short Cool Ones, his landmark collaboration with the late Chris Wilson, recalling farmhouse recording sessions, Wilson’s deep, commanding presence, and their shared mission to honour the giants of the blues.

Diesel also unpacks the radical fan-powered design of his By Request tour, where audiences shape the setlist in advance and their stories forge a deeper connection from the moment he steps on stage. From there, we head to a live recording from the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, with the Women in Blues and MBAS All Stars tearing through a rocking “Run, Run, Rudolph” and a fired-up “Shake Your Money Maker,” complete with tributes to Dutch Tilders and Chris Wilson and a reminder to “find your bloody money maker and shake it.”

Rounding out the show, The Blues Hotel digs into two cornerstone songs in blues history. In “Then and Now,” we trace “Piece of My Heart” from Erma Franklin’s quiet storm of endurance, through Janis Joplin’s explosive detonation into the rock canon, to Jimmy Barnes and Tina Harrod’s modern duet of resilience. In “Backstory Blues,” we follow Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “Matchbox Blues” from its 1927 recordings through Lead Belly, Big Bill Broonzy, Carl Perkins, and The Beatles, exploring how a single matchbox became a symbol of poverty, travel, and the miles still ahead.

From backroom legends to modern Australian stages, this episode celebrates the roots of the blues and the living, breathing scene keeping it alive today.


Broadcast & Availability

  1. Podcast Platforms: Stream on all major apps except Spotify, with extended interviews on the Blues Hotel Collective YouTube channel.
  2. Radio Partners:
  3. MITE Radio: Alternate Sundays at 7:00 p.m. AWST
  4. Indigo FM: Alternate Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. AEDT

Hosted by: Kelvin Huggins

Presented by: The Blues Hotel Collective

Next Episode: January 4, 2026

Keep the blues alive.

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.

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About the Podcast

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The Blues Hotel
A journey through blues history, stories, and rising Australian talent.

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About your host

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Kelvin Huggins

The Blues Hotel Collective is an independent blues media platform dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating blues culture. While we are based in Perth, Western Australia, our "hotel" is a metaphorical space—a welcoming hub where artists, fans, and historians can "check in" to connect, share stories, and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of the blues. Our mission is simple: to give the blues a bigger voice – through authentic storytelling, in-depth interviews, and passionate music discovery.

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