Noel Hayes has been a blues patron since he first heard Charlie Musselwhite live in 1977. As a result of his extensive blues knowledge, in 1985 Hayes was asked to play music from his collection on listener-supported KPOO radio and talk about the artists. He has hosted his own live-streamed show on Wednesday mornings since 2000. Working tirelessly to bring blues to the Bay Area and beyond, Hayes has brought many musicians to San Francisco, inviting them to stay at his home to ease their financial burden, getting them gigs, and helping to back several recordings. Hayes has interviewed Floyd Dixon, Gatemouth Brown, Honeyboy Edwards, Ruth Brown, Howard Tate, Johnny Copeland, Elvin Bishop, Joe Louis Walker, Mighty Sam McClain, Denise LaSalle, and many other musicians. He has also emceed several IBC events for the Golden Gate Blues Society, and was the Bay Area Blues Society’s Blues DJ of the Year in 2008.
