Music isn’t meant to be seen, it’s meant to be felt—and on this night in Sandy Springs, Tab Benoit and Samantha Fish made sure every note hit exactly where it should.
You could certainly feel his ’72 Telecaster, plugged straight into his amp, scream, cry, laugh, and love from the first note. It’s the same guitar he’s played since 1992. He had a backup just in case, but this one never left his hands. Even tuning felt like part of the show, each adjustment blending seamlessly into the moment.
The entire performance was driven by feel. No setlist, no rules, just what felt right. He even promised not to go home and practice, that we could all figure it out together. And that’s exactly what happened. The way he plays is encompassing, and being in the room felt therapeutic.
I was by no means alone in that feeling. Moving around the room, it was impossible not to notice how captivated everyone was. People were singing, dancing, clapping along—genuinely enjoying each song as it came. He has a way of making a room feel alive.
It was also impressive to witness such a feel-driven show while Corey Duplechin on bass and Chip Vayenas on drums didn’t miss a single beat. They were completely locked in. It was hard to believe that wall of sound was coming from just three musicians.
The encore delivered a standout moment when Samantha Fish joined for “I Hear Thunder,” the title track from Tab’s 2024 album I Hear Thunder. Tab mentioned that Samantha has been sitting in with them since she was old enough to get into bars—maybe longer. Watching them trade solos felt effortless and organic, like two artists passing ideas back and forth in a small Louisiana bar.
I highly recommend catching a show, and there are plenty of opportunities as he will be touring most of the year. You won’t be disappointed. And be sure to pick up a copy of I Hear Thunder—there’s something special about having that physical vinyl in hand.
Samantha Fish delivered a high-energy set that was just as memorable. I was blown away by the authenticity of her performance. It’s not every day you see someone pull out a slide and make a cigar box guitar truly sing the blues, especially in 2026, but she did it with power and confidence.
Her guitar lineup alone was a show within the show. She came out blazing on a white Gibson SG, took us on a journey with a Supro Belmont, played old-school slide on a Delaney 512, and lit up the room with a Gibson Custom Shop sparkle 335. That 335 was my personal favorite – it looked incredible under the lights and sounded even better.
Her playing is on another level, and it’s clear she’s carrying the torch forward in a meaningful way. It also makes perfect sense why she and Tab share the stage so well. Both artists have the rare ability to stop a room with a single, well-placed note.
Grab her latest album Paper Doll while we wait for the June 12 release of the live version, and check out her tour for the weeks ahead.
Overall, seeing both of these artists in one night felt like a gift to the blues community. Passion, heart, real amps, and real connection – everything that makes this music matter.
