Handy’s Legacy and the Blues Roots | Huntsville News

Huntsville News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 23, 2026 · 1m

W.C. Handy’s grandson at the festival reveals his grandfather didn’t invent the blues—but he made it mainstream, giving it the respect it deserved. He calls the blues America’s first true original musical genre, still alive in every modern sound. Surprisingly, Handy himself pursued physics, earning a Ph.D., proving music runs deep in the family—even if the path diverges. The festival, wrapping up Sunday, celebrates blues roots with concerts, talks, and community joy in the Shoals, reminding us that even today’s fresh sounds are built on timeless foundations. Listen in comfort:Get a discount…