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Lightnin' Guy
Foto: FaceMePLS, Zoetermeer Blues 2011 (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Modern

Lightnin' Guy

Also known as: Guy Verlinde

Born: 22 March 1976• Belgium• Active: 2000–
BluesBlues RockRoots BluesAmericana / Blues

A Belgian blues guitarist, harmonica player and singer, the first Belgian blues artist signed to Dixiefrog Records, now leading Artisans of Solace.

Instruments
Vocals, Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmonica
Labels
Dixiefrog Records
from
Belgia
Born
22 March 1976
Lightnin' Guy -- real name Guy Verlinde, born 22 March 1976 -- is one of the most travelled figures in Belgian blues, known both under that stage name and his own (Source: Discogs; nl.wikipedia.org). He formed his first band, Smokin' Chillums, at just 17, and after it disbanded in 2000 played in Backbone and Mo' Rice before founding Lightnin' Guy & The Mighty Gators in 2008 (Source: nl.wikipedia.org). In 2015 he began performing more consistently as Guy Verlinde, while continuing to lead several parallel projects -- Guy Verlinde & The Mighty Gators, Guy Verlinde And The Houserockers, the Guy Verlinde Trio, and, since 2021, Guy Verlinde & The Artisans Of Solace, which blends blues with roots and Americana (Source: nl.wikipedia.org; Discogs). He won the Belgian Blues Challenge in 2011 and represented Belgium at the European Blues Challenge in Berlin in 2012, the same year he became the first Belgian blues artist signed to the French label Dixiefrog Records (Source: nl.wikipedia.org). He has since been honoured with Belgian Blues Awards for Best Solo/Duo (2024 and 2026) and, with Artisans of Solace, Best Band (2025) (Source: nl.wikipedia.org). Over more than twenty countries of touring he has shared stages with B.B. King, Tony Joe White, Canned Heat, Santana and John Fogerty, among others (Source: nl.wikipedia.org). Alongside performing, he develops educational blues programmes for schools across Flanders and Wallonia addressing history, poetry and social themes, and marked his 50th birthday in March 2026 with the retrospective boxset "50 Years / 50 Songs" (Source: nl.wikipedia.org; Discogs).

Musical Influence

As the first Belgian blues artist signed to Dixiefrog Records and a two-time Belgian Blues Awards winner, Guy Verlinde has helped raise the international profile of Belgian blues while also passing the tradition on through his school programmes across Flanders and Wallonia (Source: nl.wikipedia.org).

Formative experiences

  • •1993: Formed his first band, Smokin' Chillums, at age 17 (Source: nl.wikipedia.org).
  • •2008: Founded Lightnin' Guy & The Mighty Gators (Source: nl.wikipedia.org).
  • •2011: Won the Belgian Blues Challenge (Source: nl.wikipedia.org).
  • •2012: Represented Belgium at the European Blues Challenge in Berlin, and became the first Belgian blues artist signed to Dixiefrog Records (Source: nl.wikipedia.org).
  • •2015: Began performing consistently under his own name (Source: nl.wikipedia.org).
  • •2021: Formed Guy Verlinde & The Artisans Of Solace (Source: nl.wikipedia.org).
  • •2026: Released the retrospective boxset "50 Years / 50 Songs" on his 50th birthday (Source: Discogs).

Collaborators

B.B. King

Shared stages with, across more than 20 countries of touring.

Tony Joe White

Shared stages with.

Canned Heat

Shared stages with.

Santana

Shared stages with.

John Fogerty

Shared stages with.

Tom Eylenbosch

Collaborated on the album "Promised Land Blues" (2024).

Watch & Listen

Henter videoer fra YouTube…

Discography

YearTitleProducerStudioLabelChartSalesMusiciansYouTubeNotes
2016Rooted In The Blues——————Solo album (Source: Discogs).
2017How How HowGuy Verlinde—————Guy Verlinde And The Houserockers (Source: Discogs).
2018XGuy Verlinde—————Guy Verlinde & The Mighty Gators (Source: Discogs).
2019All Is Forgiven——————Solo album (Source: Discogs).
2021Standing In The Light Of A Brand New Day——————Solo album (Source: Discogs).
2022Live At MinardGuy Verlinde—————Guy Verlinde & The Artisans Of Solace, live album (Source: Discogs).
2024Promised Land Blues——————Collaboration with Tom Eylenbosch (Source: Discogs).
2026Best Of Guy Verlinde (50 Years / 50 Songs)——————4xCD retrospective boxset released on his 50th birthday (Source: Discogs).

Awards & Recognition

2011
Belgian Blues Challenge
Winner
2024
Belgian Blues Awards
Best Solo/Duo
2025
Belgian Blues Awards
Best Band (with Artisans of Solace)
2026
Belgian Blues Awards
Best Solo/Duo

External links

Official website

Booking / Contact

Booking agency
Not publicly available
Agent/management
Not publicly available
Booking email
Not publicly available
Booking phone
Not publicly available

Ingen direkte offentlig booking-kontakt bekreftet; se offisiell nettside.

Source

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Sources

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