Doug Mcloud

Doug MacLeod is known for his superb songwriting, guitar wizardry, warm soulful vocals, wit, and unforgettable live performances. At the heart of a Doug MacLeod performance is his knack for storytelling, bringing characters from the faceless to the legendary to strikingly real life.

Doug is a multiple Blues Music Award winner, including the 2024 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Album Of The Year Raw Blues 1 and the 2023 the Blues Music Award for Acoustic Artist Of The Year. In 2025 he received two Blues Music Award nominations for Acoustic Artist Of the Year and Acoustic Album Of the Year Raw Blues 2. In 2022 A SOUL TO CLAIM produced by Jim Gaines was released. It was named a Downbeat Magazine ‘Album Of The Year’ for 2022.

Doug is an international touring artist who writes and sings original songs that are based on his own life and experiences. He learned from the old masters and carries forward a valuable tradition. As a youth, Doug overcame abuse and a crippling stutter by turning to music. After picking up a guitar, and singing - he found his voice.

MacLeod's playing landed him sideman gigs with George 'Harmonica' Smith, Big Joe Turner, Pee Wee Crayton, Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson, Lowell Fulson, and Big Mama Thornton. Over 40 years, 29 studio albums, several live records, compilations, two blues guitar instructional DVDs, and a live performance DVD, MacLeod has consistently earned raves. His songs have been covered by many artists including Albert King, Albert Collins, Joe Louis Walker and Eva Cassidy. MacLeod's songs have been featured in many TV movies and the hit show In the Heat of the Night. August Wilson requested his soulful slide guitar playing in the Los Angeles opening of "Gem of the Ocean”.

From 1999 to 2004 Doug hosted Nothin' But The Blues, a very popular weekend blues show on Los Angeles' KLON-KKJZ. He has also been the voice for The Blues Showcase on Continental Airlines. For ten years he penned "Doug's Back Porch," a regular feature column in Blues Revue Magazine in which he shared his humorous and insightful stories with thousands of readers. He is one of the four featured artists in the movie “Resonate: A Guitar Story”, the feature documentary on the making of National Guitars.

Like the old masters who taught him, MacLeod's music expresses life and times through an intangible, elusive quality that may simply be a keen sense of what matters most. Doug’s music, stories, and philosophy provide a healing that has helped others overcome the hardships of their lives.

Doug says the most important lessons he learned as a young musician came from Ernest Banks a one-eyed country bluesman from Toano, VA. "Never play a note you don't believe” and "Never write or sing about what you don't know about.”

As Blues Hall Of Fame artist Pee Wee Crayton's widow Esther once told Doug, "You have a message and you'll send that message mainly to the people who don't go to church." Amen

Testimonials:

Like all great blues men, MacLeod lives his music,

and the songs are not just on the tips of his fingers

and tongue, they are one with his being.”

- Blues Music Magazine

"One of the great blues artists... Period!"

- Jorma Kaukonen.

"Doug MacLeod is one of the last and most iconic

songwriters in blues that the contemporary scene

can still offer.”

- Macallé Blues

Presented by BSPAC & Mitzi Matijevich as an Option B Production

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BSPAC Opening Night - Burnham Sings Bublé

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Turn Up the Sound Fundraiser 2025

May 14, 2025

Something special happened at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center this season—and you could hear the difference. Thanks to the success of Turn UP the Sound , a two-night fundraiser co-hosted with the Borrego Springs Film Institute (BSFI), BSPAC has officially installed a state-of-the-art sound system that will transform every concert, live performance, and film screening for years to come. A major highlight of the event was the return of acclaimed filmmaker Pat Battistini , who presented a slate of his award-winning short films, including Ms. Rossi, Ms. Rossi Takes the Cake, and Mrs. Rossi Meets the Mob. Audiences were treated to behind-the-scenes stories, laughter, and insight during Battistini’s Q&A sessions. His presence brought excitement and a personal connection that truly energized the crowd and reminded us why great storytelling—and sound—matter. What Was Installed This wasn’t just a speaker upgrade. The new system includes: 2 main speakers for full-stage sound 2 subwoofers to bring depth and clarity to music and effects 2 delay speakers to ensure consistent sound throughout the theater 4 front-fill speakers to reach the first few rows with precision 4 under-booth delay speakers to complete the immersive experience All-new amplifiers and audio processing hardware A custom-built amp rack and full system tuning to dial in the perfect acoustics Whether you’re attending a musical performance, a community theater production, or a film festival screening, you’ll now enjoy a clear, rich audio experience in every seat. Why It Matters For a small community like Borrego Springs, BSPAC serves as more than just a stage—it’s where we gather, celebrate, and connect. With this audio upgrade, the center ensures that everyone, including guests using hearing assistance devices , can enjoy performances at the highest quality. It’s a major step forward in making performing arts accessible and unforgettable in the desert.

Bringing Performing Arts to the Desert Since 1990