Donna Herula
Cold Feet

By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © September 2026

Cold Feet is the fourth release from singer, guitarist, songwriter and Chicago Blues Hall of Fame member Donna Herula, and the second that I have had the pleasure of working with. By the way, that last one - which was titled Bang At The Door - hit number one on the 2021 Acoustic Blues Album Chart and in 2022 was named Best Acoustic Blues Album by the Independent Blues Awards. Oh yeah, that same organization named Donna Herula the Best Traditional Blues Artist as well. Way to go, girl!

Of her expansion into the electric arena Donna says "I am particularly proud of how I stretched myself artistically and vocally. I wrote songs in genres beyond acoustic blues, utilizing electric and acoustic styles while blending soul, pop, gospel, folk and Chicago blues influences". Of the disc's ten tracks, eight are originals.

On Cold Feet, Donna - on electric, acoustic, slide and resonator guitars and lead vocals - is joined by Tony Wittrock on acoustic and electric guitars; Marc Edelstein on upright and electric bass; and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on drums. Special guests include: Jon Shain, the album's producer, on acoustic and electric guitars; Alton Smith on organ and Wurlitzer; Anne Harris on violin; John Jochem on harmonica; Steve Eisen on saxophone; Rick Barnes on percussion; and Candy LaFlora, Kary Ream and Rebecca Toon on backup vocals.

What better way is there for someone who has recently had huge success in the acoustic blues arena to kick off her new album than with an acoustic number? None! That is why Donna chose an absolutely beautiful acoustic instrumental titled "On My Way Home" as the disc's opening track. Along with Tony Wittrock on acoustic guitar harmony; Jon Shain on acoustic guitar strumming; and Rick Barnes on shaker, it features Donna putting on a mesmerizing performance on a National Tricone slide guitar.

On the title track, it doesn't take more than the opening lines of "Church Bells ringing, people waiting in the pews. Should be walking down the aisle, but now I feel confused" to see where this is going. Yep, Donna's got a bad case of "Cold Feet". Spotting the exit sign, she decides to use it and as the saying goes - after she shouts out "I'm keeping the ring", of course - the rest is history. Oddly enough, had the wedding taken place, this is the type of rhythm fueled rocker that would have had all her guests on the dance floor.

This one is titled "Honey Darlin' Baby Please", and when those words are followed by "don't say goodbye" - in the very sincere and soulful tone in which Donna sings them - they become an emotional plea for forgiveness. Sounding like it could be a hit on the country blues charts, it features Donna and Tony (the song's co-writers) putting on a killer slide and electric guitar performance. This may possibly be the disc's best track, and it's certainly its best sung one.

If statements like: "Move to the left"; "Move to the right"; "You passed the exit"; "You better change your lane"; "You should'a signaled sooner"; "Make a U turn"; "Don't cross the yellow line"; sound familiar to you, then you have driven with a "Backseat Driver" in your vehicle. Inspired by a road trip with her band, this humorous, up tempo, dance floor filling track features a hard driving rhythm from Marc on the upright bass and Kenny on the drums; hopping harmonica leads by John; and more great tandem guitar runs by Donna and Tony.

"Float To Heaven" is another absolutely beautiful acoustic track. As a matter of fact, Donna says the song "Is a John Prine style storytelling song that I'm really proud of"...and rightfully so. It's a melancholic number that tells the tale of a man who has never been able to shake the guilt of thinking he was the cause of his best friend's death. Ultimately, the mental pain becomes just too much to deal with so thinking that "In heaven, the sun will shine on my face and the angels will forgive all my mistakes..." he decides to take his boat down to the river and float to heaven. Very appropriately, Anne Harris puts on a very heavenly performance on the violin.

The disc closes with a song that if you dare to cover, you'd better make damn well sure you're up to the task, and on "Dust My Broom" (E. James, R. Johnson) Donna indeed is. On what may be the ultimate slide guitar song, Donna totally nails it. Other tracks on Cold Feet, a release that will very likely put some more notches on Donna's awards belt, include: "Cypress Grove Blues" (N. James); "What You Gonna Do?"; "Wish I Could See You Again"; and "Things Can Change".

To find out more about Donna Herula just go to her website - www.donnaherula.com. Wherever you go and whomever you talk with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.