Blair Crimmins: The March of the Hookers
Some sounds in music are just too timeless to fade out in favor of the mainstream. It takes a true visionary to fight back against an industry driven by a desire for fame and fortune and create space for something authentic and truly unique. And that is exactly what Blair Crimmins has sought to create with his band, Blair Crimmins and the Hookers.
With a sound that pulls straight from the Roaring ‘20s, a stubborn dedication to authenticity, and a flair for performance that turns every show into a spectacle, Crimmins isn’t just keeping ragtime jazz alive—he’s making it impossible to ignore.
In this episode of Southern Character, we sit down with the Atlanta-born frontman of Blair Crimmins and the Hookers, a band that blends Dixieland swing with a modern edge, proving that good music never goes out of style.
Figuring Things Out
For years, Crimmins chased the rock-and-roll dream, fronting bands, playing the game, and trying to break into an industry that seemed determined to shape him into something he wasn’t. He felt a disillusionment and frustration with the industry and craved something more original. But it didn’t quite start out that way.
As a kid, he was drawn to the classic 1980s MTV music scene and picked up the saxophone, eventually buying a guitar with his meager allowance money and making every excuse to incorporate the guitar into his school projects and the like just based on how fun it was to play. He played in a freestyle rap-rock group called Flyin’ High until he left for college at the Berkeley College of Music in Boston, returning to Atlanta to work at a family member’s new music production company and forming a rock group called Bishop Don in 2003.
Eventually Blair found himself deep in the Atlanta rock scene, playing local clubs like Star Bar and The Earl until around 2009, when a pivotal accident—a head injury that temporarily stole his sense of smell—set him on an unexpected path of reinvention.
Reviving a Timeless Sound in Atlanta’s Music Scene
After taking some time to reflect and relocating to Cabbagetown - a pocket of Atlanta that celebrates its industrial heritage through 19th century architecture and an artsy spirit - he had a personal renaissance. He stumbled across an old Louis Armstrong record, and suddenly, everything made sense. This music wasn’t just entertainment—it was storytelling, history, and culture rolled into one. More importantly, it was fun for him again.
While jazz is as classic as it gets, breaking into the industry with a full seven-piece jazz band playing Dixieland and ragtime wasn’t exactly an easy sell. Audiences weren’t sure what to make of a band that sounded like they’d stepped out of a Prohibition-era speakeasy.
Without the usual connections to the jazz scene, he started where he could—playing in Atlanta’s rock venues, turning small gigs into high-energy performances that left audiences dancing, whether they expected to or not.
The Hookers’ High-Energy Live Shows: What to Expect
The sounds of New Orleans jazz, ragtime, and swing are baked into the foundation of American music, especially in rock. The horns, the piano, the banjo—it’s the kind of music that has always been meant for live performance, movement, and joy. And that’s what a Hookers show is - joyful dancing and a high-energy blend of the new with classic.
Over the years, Blair Crimmins and the Hookers have built a loyal following, not just in Atlanta, but across the country. Their music has taken them to major festivals, iconic venues, and stages from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest, proving that the best music doesn’t need to fit a mold—it just needs to make people feel something.
Music, Love, and Creativity: The Blair and Davi Story
Blair met his wife, Davi Crimmins, during the band’s weekly residency at Star Bar, where he was determined to make every performance unique—whether that meant adding puppets, cabaret acts, or even circus performers. That spirit of creativity led him to work with Dames of Flame, a local Atlanta performance group, and their accompanying band, King Size.
Blair went to see them play at the Highland Ballroom in Atlanta, where they were playing with The Pelvis Breastlies - an all-female Elvis Presley cover band, and there was Davi, dressed in prison stripes, a small hat, and giant false eyelashes.
He knew one of the band members from 99X, a local alt rock radio station, and she introduced them. Davi, who many will also recognize from her time on The Bert Show on Q100 for four years and her comedy podcast Davi the Scapegoat, has been a vibrant part of his world ever since. Their story is proof that music doesn’t just bring people to the dance floor—it can bring them together for life.
What’s Next for Blair Crimmins?
After six albums, hundreds of shows, and more than a decade on the road, Crimmins isn’t slowing down. He’s still playing 60+ shows a year, balancing a growing demand in Florida, Pennsylvania, and beyond, and adapting his performances to every stage—from seven-piece ensembles to intimate trio sets.
Whether it’s a festival stage, a jazz club, or a rock venue, one thing remains the same: his stubborn, unwavering commitment to his vision.
Love discovering unique artists? Join our exclusive conversation with Blair Crimmins on Southern Character to hear about his journey from rock to ragtime jazz. Then, catch one of his high-energy live shows and experience the music for yourself!