​Israeli Blues musician Micky Shaviv is one of Israel's most talented Blues singer/song writers. Micky will be representing Israel in this year's International Blues Challenge in Memphis January 27-February 3rd.  We spoke to Micky before his departure to the U.S. and learn more about his love of Blues and his plans for Memphis.

1) How did you get into Blues music?

MS: I was six years old and living in Tel Aviv when my father brought home two records, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, and a record player. Both these records had recently been recorded and were from Memphis. I was probably the only kid in the city that had records like that.  Everybody liked the song and the people who sang the songs, but I was always listening to the people playing the music... the people behind the singers.

Before any other music there was the Blues. Blues came before Jazz, Rockabilly and Rock & Roll. It's genuine ethnic American music. It's folk music in a way. I like folk music because it has the most sincere power to connect.  Two hundred years from now Blues will be regarded as classical music. It never changes. It's primal.

I've been a Blues guy my whole life.  When I was young I was too happy to play the Blues. Now, I've lived enough to have had enough life experiences to really be able to play the music.  It's the only music I can play and not be embarrassed. I'm 60 years old and I'm just a kid playing the music. Many blues musicians are in their 80's. 

2) You and your wife are both musicians in Israel. What is it like living as a musician in Israel?

MS: We're lucky because a lot of songs we wrote are played on the radio, but Israel is a very small place and there is a lot of preoccupation with security.  There are a few musicians who are able to live comfortably by just being musicians, but many find ways to supplement their incomes by teaching.  Many local musicians look outside the country - to Europe and the United States to make money. But, even the musicians who live abroad always talk about wanting to come back to Israel.

3) I heard you raised funds to pay for your trip to Memphis using rather unorthodox means. Explain.

MS: This opportunity to come to Memphis happened so fast I wasn't able to prepare for it financially.  In Israel there is a thing called "Headstart" where you can go online and ask for people to fund your project. I filmed myself and told my story and offered people credit on my next album or a private performance for their donation. This really can only work if you're well known.  Within ten days I had twice the amount of money I needed to get to Memphis.  I had to post a new message telling people I reached my goal and not to donate any further.   I sold seven shows. I don't know who are the people who got the shows - it could be one guy and his girl wanting a private performance or a party of 50 people.