Well-known blues singer to help ring in 2026 at Chicago New Year's Eve event

Tuesday, December 23, 2025
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Shemekia Copeland is an acclaimed blues artist, well-known for her standout performances in Chicago.

She'll be in the area next week to help ring in the new year at the city's riverfront celebration.



Copeland said Chicago is the home of her heart.

"I tell you what, when I was a young 20-something, I moved to Chicago because I was born and raised in New York," Copeland said. "That city, everyone there, they just accepted me with open arms in a way that I never expected before in my life, you know what I mean?"



When people think of the blues, they think of Chicago, and now they think of Copeland.

"I'm a proud blues singer, and I have been my whole life. And Chicago is the ultimate blues city," Copeland said. "I really, really want to say something and use my voice in a positive way and 'Blame it on Eve' was just that for me. It was all about women's rights for me when I made this record. And so that record, and it did really well, three Grammy nominations."

Copeland has a lot of influences in her sound.

"There's no limit for me. I would. I love to challenge myself in every type of way. And I dabble in all roots music because I feel like we're all cousins," she said. "Happy new year, it's going to be a wonderful one in Chicago, cannot wait."
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.