Blues music and romance share an intimate relationship that has resonated through generations, making the genre the ultimate soundtrack for love’s complicated journey. From smoky nightclubs to quiet ...

One of the biggest misconceptions about blues music is that the genre is all about doom and gloom. Naturally, many blues songs feature lyrics about being down in the dumps, love lost, and heartbreak.

As the National Museum of African American Music opens its doors, journalists from the USA TODAY Network explore the stories, places and people who helped make music what it is today in our expansive ...