Tab Benoit performing his newly released album

Tab Benoit, an award-winning Louisiana bayou blues guitarist, will perform Friday starting at 8 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre on Bridge Street in Phoenixville, joined by songwriting partner Anders Osborne. Benoti’s “I Hear Thunder” (Whiskey Bayou Records) will be his first new album in 14 years.

Tab Benoit performing at one of his concerts. (Courtesy of Thunderbird Management/Rueben Williams)

Benoit’s last album, “Medicine,” won three Blues Music Awards. Following this success, Benoit took a 14-year sabbatical from recording. This hiatus deepened the anticipation and appreciation for his return, illustrating his lasting impact on the genre.

“I Hear Thunder” will be available Aug. 30 on Whiskey Bayou Records. Ten tracks that showcase Tab’s original guitar style and the great songwriting of Benoit and Osborne. Benoit does more than just play the blues; he defines its future while paying homage to its rich past.

“I Hear Thunder” is a must for roots music fans. Benoit’s journey began in 1992 with a radio hit from his debut album *Nice and Warm*. Since then, he has received Blues Music Awards and four Grammy nominations.

Beyond the music, Benoit is celebrated for his years of activism, particularly concerning the Louisiana wetlands and coastal erosion. He intertwines his artistic talent with a commitment to environmental advocacy, ensuring his legacy extends beyond the stage into the heart of the land that inspires him.

To complement the release of Benoit’s album, Osborne and Mike Zito will join him onstage on the “I Hear Thunder” national tour winds across the country. Osborne and Zito each will perform their own songs.

The tour promises to be an unforgettable experience, with three powerhouse guitarists and songwriters who aim to reignite the soul of roots music while proving they only got better with time.

This concert is suitable for all ages and the doors will open at 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $39.50 to $59.50.

For more information, visit thecolonialtheatre.com.