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June 25, 2010 www.bluesfestivalguide.com Volume # 5 Issue #26

Special Announcements
CD or DVD Releases
News Flash
Record Label News
Roots Blues Airplay Charts
Blues Festivals
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MITCH WOODS : : GUMBO BLUES

Mitch Woods is easily one of the finest boogie pianists on the planet... On Gumbo Blue he devotes the entire CD to New Orleans' Smiley Lewis. Mitch's muscular vocal cords make the songs very much his own. "If this music doesn't move you Jack, you dead! - (Rick Coleman, from the liner notes)

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LEO KEY : : UNLOCKED

Leo has an intense track record of activity for the past two and a half decades throughout the U.S. and Japan. Based in Los Angeles for over 22 years, has aided him in developing an “up close and personal” view of the industry in all aspects. This journey started in Birmingham, Alabama, where he grew up surrounded by all forms of Gospel, Blues, R & B, Country, and Rock music. Leo has performed with many groups and artists. He is an accomplished guitarist with an amazing track record of experience for studio and live stage productions. This fiery guitarist/vocalist leaves no stones unturned with his amazing musical arrangements, and fantastic vocal range that will simply astound you.

He furthered his music career by attending M.I. Music Institute, Hollywood CA, Porter Music Studios, Birmingham AL., and Los Angeles City College where he studied guitar, harmony and theory, writing and arrangement, music production, audio engineering, and several courses in drama. Member: N.A.R.A.S. (The Recording Academy) A.F.M. Local 47 B.M.I.( Broadcast Music Inc.)

Leo is a sought after session guitarist who has worked with Motown Records, MCA Records, Death Row Records, Ray Chew of "Saturday Night at the Apollo", "Chuck Rainey", "George Clinton", "The Patrice Rushen Band", Cedric Martin of “Confunkshun”, Thomas McClary of "The Commodores", Louis Johnson of "The Brothers Johnson", and many more.

His debut CD titled Leo Key Unlocked captures the essence of his musical roots.

www.myspace.com/leokey17

CHRIS JAMES PATRICK RYNN : : GONNA BOOGIE ANYWAY

Hot on the heels of their Blues Music Award-nominated Earwig debut, Stop And Think About It, San Diego-based vocalist/guitarist Chris James and bassist Patrick Rynn return with Gonna Boogie Anyway. Chris and Patrick’s roots are firmly planted in traditional blues; they’re expert at raw-edged Chicago and Delta styles as well as swinging jump blues. Gonna Boogie Anyway features several unplugged selections-a first for the duo-showcasing their unerring grasp of the idiom alongside hard-driving band-backed tracks.

Original material dominates, though Chris and Patrick revive classics by Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, and Robert Lockwood, Jr. Their studio cohorts include piano legends Henry Gray (50s sideman to Bo Diddley and Howlin’ Wolf), ex-Freddie King keyboard accompanist David Maxwell and drummers Sam Lay and Willie Hayes; Bob Corritore and Earwig label mate Rob Stone share harmonica duties. Deep, satisfying blues with a high-energy swagger!

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'Blues Brothers' Praised by Catholic Church

Jake and Elwood Blues - "On a mission from God"

The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, reports John Landis' cult classic “The Blues Brothers,” is now a "Catholic classic," and recommended viewing for Catholics everywhere.

The Blues Brothers, released 30 years ago this weekend, stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues, the Blues Brothers. In the movie the brothers are on "a mission from God" to save the Catholic orphanage in which they grew up.

Saving the orphanage involves putting the band back together, playing a big show with many great acts like Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and James Brown.

In the movie, when not playing music, the brothers are trying to avoid a country and western band, a group of "Illinois Nazis" led by Henry Gibson, most of the law enforcement organizations of the state of Illinois, and a mysterious woman who apparently has a grudge against Jake Blues (played by Carrier Fisher).

The film is based on a skit from “Saturday Night Live.” The band made its debut as the musical guest on the April 22, 1978, episode of Saturday Night Live. The Blues Brothers went on to release a "Briefcase Full of Blues" in 1978. The "Blues Brothers" movie was released in 1980.

"The Blues Brothers" now joins "The Passion of Christ" and "The Ten Commandments," as being a movie with the Catholic seal of approval.

IH MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BLUES FESTIVAL

Are you attending the 26^th annual IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival over the Fourth of July weekend? Tomorrow’s the last day to get your advance three-day festival pass for $25 through TicketMaster.

The festival features 28 acts performing on two stages and runs July 2 – 4, at LeClaire Parka blues-inspiring, grassy park on the banks of the Mississippi Riverin Davenport, Iowa. And when you look at the depth and breadth of this year’s lineup, this festival is sure to be the best bang for your blues buck!

On “RiverRoad” Sunday, Hubert Sumlin, Howlin’ Wolf’s guitar player and one of the best guitarists of all time according to Rolling Stone Magazine, is honored with the Mississippi Valley Blues Society RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Award. Sumlin performs with The Nighthawks directly after the award ceremony.

The other big highlight of Sunday’s lineup is The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue with Tommy Castro (winner of four 2010 Blues Music Awards), Debbie Davies, Magic Dick and Sista Monica.

Other artists on Sunday’s bill, include: Kim Massie; David Boykin Expanse; Reba Russell Band; Dave Riley and Bob Corritore; Shawn Kellerman; The Jimmys; and Bill Sims Jr. and Mark LaVoie.

The festival kicks off with “Blues in the Blood” Fridayall eight acts performing that day include descendants of blues legends, such as Bernard Allison and Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials. “Red, White and Blues” Saturday offers something for every musical taste and free admission that day. Two 2010 Blues Grammyâ nominees, Ruthie Foster and Billy Branch, bring the best in contemporary and traditional blues to the festival on Saturday.

            Additionally, the festival has free adult music workshops, BlueSKool for kids and a photo exhibit.

For more information about the festival, artists, ticket locations, transportation and lodging, please visit www.mvbs.org/ or call 563-32-BLUES.

REDWOOD CITY BLUES FESTIVAL

Friday night, July 23th, 2010 - 6pm-11pm

6:00pm Café R & B
8:00pm Little Fox Reopening with
The Madison Blues Band

Saturday, July 24th, 2010 - 11am-8pm

11:00am United by Music featuring
Candye Kane & Friends, with special guest appearance by Janiva Magness
12:00pm Dave Crimmen
1:00pm Amy Lou’s Blues
2:00pm Dave Hydie
3:00pm Brother Cat
4:00pm Frankie Lee
4:30pm Freddie Hughes and Kickin' the Mule
6:00pm Johnny Talbot

Admission is FREE

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Childrenâ€™s Camp Features Blues Concerts

HATTIESBURG, MS (THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI) – KidsROCK Blues Camp will present Lunchtime Blues, a five-concert series, from noon -1 p.m. June 28 - July 2 on The University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg campus.

Campers ages 9-15 will learn, prepare and perform blues songs on stage with performers. The public is invited to bring a brown-bag lunch to enjoy during the free concerts. Lunchtime Blues is a presentation of KidsROCK Blues camp, a senior capstone project created through the Southern Miss Interdisciplinary Studies Program, with support from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Hattiesburg Civic Arts Council, the U.S. Forest Service and WUSM-FM 88.5.

"Playing music for a small group in the community has always been a part of Mississippi's blues tradition," said Lhay Thriffiley, director of KidsROCK. "Kids will meet the performers early in the day, get to know them and then watch their performances up close."

Lunchtime Blues will kick off Monday, June 28 when guitarist Dave Allen, bassist Tate Thriffiley and drummer Jimmy Mordica of The Blues Rangers take the stage. The Blues Rangers, who work for the De Soto National Forest, will share their outreach program that merges Mississippi blues with national environmental concerns. Their lyrics shine a spotlight on issues like loss of green space and being "firewise."
The three-piece band has two albums of original blues music that have been distributed nationally. They have also performed at venues all over the nation, including an outdoor stage in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado and at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.

Local favorites Natalie Kirk & Co. will come to the stage Tuesday, June 29. Kirk will be performing her version of "Blues in the Schools," a educational program she and her mother, an arts educator, developed to inspire middle school students. Kirk, a native of Brandon, Miss., is a 2008 alumna of the Southern Miss Entertainment Industry Program. Her signature style is a soulful blend of blues, rock and roll and folk music, which has taken her from Hattiesburg to performances and collaborations in Paris and London.
The Thomas Jackson Orchestra will perform Wednesday, June 30. Jackson, a Tupelo, Miss., native, grew up inspired by Elvis songs and comic books, according to his website. Jackson's unique style of writing, recording and performing portrays songs about romance and broken hearts. His three-piece "orchestra" will showcase confessional originals as well as Jackson's electric approach to traditional blues.
Suzy Elkins and David Sumrall will chase away the blues with "We're Gonna Pitch a Wang Dang Doodle," a collection of upbeat blues songs on Thursday, July 1. Elkins, a prolific writer with folk roots and Sumrall, her long-time musical ally, have been sharing smart acoustic rock and blues with audiences all over the South since the 1990s.
Dr. E and the Kings of Voodoo will close out the week Friday, July 2 with a rousing five-piece band performance. A native New Yorker, David Echevarria, or "Dr. E" as he is known by his students, can be found between performances at his day job as a research neuroscientist at Southern Miss.
Prior to his Friday performance, Dr. E will give a private presentation to camp attendees on overcoming stage fright or public performance anxiety, another of his research specialties. Known for their feel-good, interactive style, Dr. E and the Kings of Voodoo will perform classic blues standards and originals in the final concert of the weeklong series.
Lunchtime Blues will be held at 3601 Pearl Street at The Peck House Asbury Annex, home of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Refreshments will be available at the concerts for a small donation, and free public parking will be provided in the adjacent lot on the corner of Montague and 36^th Avenue.
For more information on the free Lunchtime Blues concert series or registering for KidsROCK Blues camp, e-mail mailto:ids@usm.eduor call 601.266.5087.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Inks Deal With Roadrunner / Loud & Proud Records

Roadrunner/ Loud & Proud Records is pleased to announce the signing of four-time Grammy nominated, American blues/rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd to a worldwide, multi-album deal. He is currently working on his Roadrunner/Loud & Proud debut projects, which include his first live album and a new studio album.

“Kenny Wayne is a special artist” stated Loud & Proud President Tom Lipsky. “He is passionate about his songwriting, his musicianship and he values the relationship that he has with his fans.”

Shepherd himself said, “I am both excited and proud to be a part of the Roadrunner/Loud & Proud family. We have some very exciting music coming for our fans, and I couldn’t think of a better home for my music. I’ve been playing it ‘loud and proud’ for years.”

Widely regarded as a guitar hero before that term exploded into pop culture with the video game, the self-taught Shepherd learned to play at the tender age of seven-years-old, learning Muddy Waters licks while listening to his father’s record collection. At 13, he was invited onstage and performed with New Orleans bluesman Bryan Lee. Signed to Giant Records at 16, Shepherd recorded his first album while a senior in high school.

In 1997, Kenny was ranked third in Guitar World’s list of favorite blues artists behind legends B.B. King and Eric Clapton. He has enjoyed two platinum and one gold albums, six Top 10 singles and his album Trouble Is… holds the distinction of being the longest running album on the Billboard Blues Charts. It held strong at #1 for 20 weeks including 15 weeks consecutively. The hit single “Blue on Black” was also a record-breaker, #1 for 17 consecutive weeks at rock radio.

Shepherd’s decorated career includes four Grammy nominations, two Billboard Music Awards, two Orville Gibson Awards, the Blues Foundation’s “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award and a Blues Music Award. In September 2008 Fender released the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Signature Series Stratocaster, designed exclusively by Shepherd. The inimitable James Brown referred to him as “one of the wonders of the world.”

His most recent release, 2007’s #1 selling Blues Album 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads, documents Shepherd as he travels the country to jam with and interview the last of the authentic blues musicians. This full length CD/DVD documentary was nominated for two Grammys, aired on PBS television nationwide and has been certified RIAA Gold as a Long Form Video.

Blues Rule in Hill Country

For the past five years, a desolate field in Potts Camp has been the location of one the rawest and purest blues festivals in the South - the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic.

Packed with 22 performers over two days, the festival begins Friday.

And once again, the spirit of the world-famous Hill Country Blues will come alive with performers such as DuWayne Burnside, Kenny Brown, Robert Belfour, Jimbo Mathus, North Mississippi Allstars, Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm, T Model Ford and Rising Star Fife and Drum Band.

All of the performers have some kind of connection to the legendary Hill Country musical roots, and many have a family tie to legendary Hill Country musicians R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough and Otha Turner.

Festival director and co-founder Sarah Davis started the picnic with her husband, bluesman and festival performer Kenny Brown.

"Since Kenny plays all over the world, we never get to see the performers that live close to home, so we came up with the idea of having a festival here that was totally devoted to North Mississippi Hill Country Blues," Davis said.

It has since turned into a Southern tradition for some, and a musical pilgrimage for others.

"We have over 30 people from Norway coming. We have people from 31 different states and seven different countries," Davis said.

The Hill Country music made famous by musicians such as R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough and Otha Turner is now carried on by their children and grandchildren.

"The thing that makes it special to me is that it's more of a family reunion than a festival," Davis said. "All the families are there; the musicians all know each other and spend the weekend together. There are set times but somebody will always wind up playing with one another, and the fans have now become family also."

Festival performer and fellow Mississippi bluesman Jimbo Mathus agrees.

"It's really like a reunion, like those picnics were supposed to be in the Hill Country," Mathus said. "It really brings all of us musicians together and even people in the audience. I see people at the picnic that I see all over the country, so it really has a reunion feel. Just bring plenty of ice."

The location in itself is an experience; the sweltering heat in the middle of nowhere depicts a true representation of Mississippi blues.

A small stream runs to the left side of the stage, where there is a shaded area for the audience, and with on-site camping available for today through Saturday night, the picnic can double as a mini vacation.

"It really keeps alive the spirit of the Hill Country blues that was really personified by guys like R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough and Otha Turner," said Blue Mountain guitarist and festival performer Cary Hudson. "It's reminiscent of the picnics Otha Turner would have. With their kids playing there, it really keeps alive the spirit of the juke joint and it gives those families a place to come together and honor their ancestors."

Tickets are $25 per day, and camping is $25. For details, visit www.hillcountrypicnic.wordpress.com/ .

Time Life's Pure Rhythm and Blues

Time Life proudly presents Pure Rhythm & Blues, the definitive collection of R&B classics from the ’50s and early ’60s.

You won’t find a more complete collection devoted to legendary R&B hitmakers. Includes artists like Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, The Platters, Fats Domino, James Brown and many more.

And no classic R&B collection would be complete without hits from blues greats like B.B. King and Muddy Waters Pure Rhythm & Blues has it all!

You’ll get 120 hits on 8 CDs, and as a BONUS, we’ll include a 2-CD compilation of 30 tracks featuring R&B pioneers such as Ruth Brown, Louis Jordan and many more. That’s a total of 150 hits on 10 CDs.

This collection is a must-have for any classic R&B fan!

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Alfred Music Releases Sue Foley: Guitar Woman DVD

Alfred Music Publishing, the leader in educational music publishing since 1922 and the exclusive print publisher of thousands of popular artists, is excited to announce the release of Sue Foley: Guitar Woman, the latest DVD from Alfred's Artist Series.

Join award-winning guitarist Sue Foley as she shares her influences and teaches the techniques behind her unique blues sound. Sue Foley: Guitar Woman explores the history of women in blues music, told through Sue's live performances and candid stories. Discover Texas blues, Piedmont blues, Hill Country blues, and even flamenco guitar, and find out about great female artists like Memphis Minnie, Jessie Mae Hemphill, and many others.

Learn how to play six of Sue's songs, including "Goin' Down The Road Again," "Two Trains," "Doggie Treats," "Let Me Drive," "New Used Car," and "Mediterranean Breakfast." Whether you want to play the blues or enjoy learning about the journey of the female guitarist in blues history, you'll get it all in this video.

Sue Foley: Guitar Woman is now available on DVD for $19.99. Visit Alfred’s YouTube page for a sneak peek of this must-have DVD. Pick up your copy at a local music retail store, or buy it today at Alfred.com .

TREMBLANT INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL

17TH EDITION WITH MORE THAN 160 FREE SHOWS

Among the blues musicians who will grace the Tremblant stages, there will be a significant concentration of artists from Louisiana, including event spokesman Zachary Richard. This edition will also mark the return of Matt Andersen, who was last year’s committee favourite. Visitors and blues fans can look forward to Janiva Magness, Bernard Adamus, Tommy Castro, Matt Schofield and Bobby Bazini, plus notable Quebec blues icons such as Carl Tremblay, Jim Zeller, Jimmy James, Paul Deslauriers and Dawn Tyler Watson to fire up the ambience.

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Singin' the Blues with Alligator Records

Bruce Iglauer, founder of Alligator Records, in his office. (Josh Rogosin/Marketplace)

Tess Vigeland sits down with Bruce Iglauer, founder of Alligator Records, and talks about blues music that talks about unemployment.

And finally as we wrap up our week in Chicago, we couldn't leave without a nod to one of this city's greatest cultural contributions: The blues, and what that music might say about our subject of job loss. So we made a pilgrimage to Alligator Records, an independent recording label that's released more than 250 blues and blues/rock albums, from such legends as Koko Taylor, Robert Cray and Buddy Guy. We caught up with the label's founder in the midst of a busy week.

Vigeland: Bruce Iglauer, so nice to be chat with you. Thanks for inviting us into your office here.

Iglauer: I'm glad to have you. Thanks.

Vigeland: Now, we asked you to send us some blues songs in preparation for this conversation. And I'd like to start with a Chicago native, John Brim and his song "Tough Times."

John Brim, singing:I'm broke and disgustin' and in misery. Can't find a part-time job, nothing in my house to eat. Tough times...

Vigeland: So there you go, right there. You don't have a job. It was pretty common to be out of work in the 40s, 50s and 60s, especially if you were a black man in America. This song is a reflection of that?

Iglauer: This was actually recorded in 1953, which was one of the many recessions we had during the 1950s. And yeah, a lot of black people in Chicago, and of course, elsewhere, were working hard labor jobs, some of them for cash, which would mean no benefits, no unemployment. So when the economy got tight, jobs got lost and people were scared.

Vigeland: And that's something fairly easy to make music out of, isn't it? Misery?

Iglauer: You know, the blues isn't all about misery. The blues is really designed to help you get through your misery. They say in Chicago, you listen to the blues to get rid of the blues.

Vigeland: Now there were obviously a lot of prominent women blues singers and musicians. I think this is one that a lot of folks have heard of, Bessie Smith recorded this song, "Nobody knows you when you're down and out" in the 1920s.

Bessie Smith, singing:In my pocket, not one penny. And my friends, I haven't any...

Vigeland: So she's talking there about "in my pocket, one penny." That's tough.

Iglauer: You know, a lot of blues artists really still live kind of day-to-day and week-to-week. You know, playing for cash, living in rental places, because they can't get credit to buy a house. Being a blues artist is a hard life, but it's also something you do to avoid being unemployed. Unemployment in the black community is a huge problem, obviously much bigger than in the white community, and it continues.

Vigeland: Was it something that musicians talked about outside of the music that they were making?

Iglauer: In the black community, amongst the musicians and amongst the fans, unemployment was so common that it wasn't always talked about. But you know, everybody had a hustle, everybody had a way of putting cash in their pocket. In fact, there's another song that we picked for this show from the early 50s, T-Bone Walker's "The Hustle is on," which is exactly about that subject.

Vigeland: Let's take a listen to that.

T-Bone Walker, singing:Yes, time is hard, baby. And hustlin' is really on. Prices are high, darlin', all the good jobs are gone.

Vigeland: Well, that's an awfully upbeat job loss song, unemployment song.

Iglauer: Well, you're going to have to dance your unemployment away.

Vigeland: I want to ask you how this is playing out now. Obviously, blues artists must be watching and experiencing what's going on in our economy right now. What are they singing about?

Iglauer: When President Obama was elected to office, there was a great deal of excitement. But when the economy kept turning sour, there've been artists who have been complaining very clearly about that subject and feeling like many of us that maybe some of the government help should be going not just to banks, but to the average working man or working woman. So, Guitar Shorty recently cut a song on exactly that subject.

Guitar Shorty, singing: Please, Mr. President, lay some stimulus on me, 'cause I'm just a workin' man trying to feed my family.

Vigeland: Wow, yeah, he's really asking for his own financial bail out there and speaking to the president from right here in this city.

Iglauer: Yeah, and I think he's feeling the president oughta be listening.

Vigeland: Bruce Iglauer is the president and founder of Alligator Records, the for 40-year-old, Chicago-based independent blues record label. It's been awfully fun having a chat with you. Thanks so much.

Iglauer: Thank you. Thanks for inviting me.

SARASOTA BLUES FESTIVAL

The 20th ANNUAL
Sarasota Bluesfest
COME “FOOL AROUND & FALL IN LOVE” with

ELVIN BISHOP

SATURDAY * NOVEMBER 6TH

ED SMITH STADIUM

TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
THE TOMMY CASTRO BAND
MORELAND & ARBUCKLE
ALLSTARS * JAKE HALDENWANG

Gates: 11AM * Food, Beer & Wine, Refreshments * Crafts * Rain or Shine
Blankets & Lawn Chairs Welcome * No Coolers, Pets, Glass, Video Cameras, Refunds

Tickets On Sale July 31st:
www.sarasotabluesfest.com/ * Five O’Clock Club (941 366-5555)
Rossiter's & Manatee River Harley-Davidson (941 951-6103), (941 745-2429)
$22 Advance * $27 Day of Show * FREE PARKING * ALL KIDS FREE WITH ADULT

Partial Proceeds to Benefit All Faiths Food Bank

PINETOP PERKINS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL YOUTH WORKSHOP SERIES AND CONCERT

PINETOP PERKINS TO MAKE SPECIAL APPEARANCE

ANN RABSON, EDEN BRENT & BOB MARGOLIN
TO PARTICIPATE

The Pinetop Perkins Foundation is pleased to announce the first Annual Youth Workshop Series: Piano Master Class to be held August 3, 2010 - Aug 4, 2010 at the historic Shack Up Inn and Hopson Plantation in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The event includes a reception at the Delta Blues Museum on August 4th, and Boogie Woogie Piano concert at Ground Zero Blues Club on Thursday, August 5th.

A member of the Muddy Waters band from 1969 to 1980, Pinetop Perkins is a two time Grammy award winner and one of the last great Mississippi bluesmen still performing. Born in 1913, he began playing blues in Mississippi around 1927 and is widely regarded as one of the best blues pianists. Formed in 2009, the Pinetop Perkins Foundation is a tax exempt non-profit organization whose mission is to provide encouragement and support for youth and young people at the beginning of their musical career; and help provide care and safety for elderly musicians at the twilight of their career. Fulfilling the first part of their mission, the Foundation plans to offer an annual Youth Workshop Series to bring world-renowned blues artists for instruction and mentoring to young musicians.
This first year the focus is on the Piano. And for that the Foundation has selected two award-winning recording artists to lead the workshops; Eden Brent and Ann Rabson. Winner of three Blues Music Awards, including the Pinetop Perkins piano award in 2010, Eden Brent is a native of the Mississippi Delta, who achieved her Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas. Winner of the International Blues Challenge(IBC) in 2006, Brent's 17-year apprenticeship with the late piano master Abie "Boogaloo" Ames has release two critically acclaimed CDs. Critics have called her style "Bessie Smith meets Diana Krall meets Janis Joplin" Ann Rabson has been performing the blues professionally since 1962. In addition to appearing on ten Saffire albums and as a side musician on many other recordings, Ann has released three solo albums to enthusiastic critical acclaim one of which, "Music Makin' Mama," was nominated for two Blues Music Awards. Ann has been nominated for Traditional Female Blues Artist of the Year seven times and her composition "Elevator Man" was nominated for Song of the Year.
This historical event is sponsored in part by the Rock River Foundation, founded by Morgan Freeman, in the form of scholarships for Mississippi youth participants.

On Wednesday, August 4th The Delta Blues Museum hosts a special reception for Pinetop Perkins, and all workshop participants from 5-7pm. Capping the event, on Thursday, August 5th, will be a Boogie Woogie Piano Jam at Ground Zero Blues Clubfeaturing a special appearance by Pinetop Perkins, along with former Muddy Waters bandmate Bob Margolin, Ann Rabson and Eden Brent.

For more information on the Pinetop Perkins Foundation and the workshops, please visit their website at www.pinetopperkinsfoundation.org or contact Pat Morgan, the Foundation's president at momorgan2@yahoo.com.

Big Bull Falls Blues Fest

The Big Bull Falls Blues Fest is held on Fern Island Park in Wausau, which creates an intimate and unique atmosphere for blues fans to enjoy national and local blues artists. Mingle with other blues fans in the beer garden and enjoy festival style foods.

NEW FOR 2010!! Thursday, August 19 is Sound Check Night - "Battle of the Bands". We are looking for the next up & coming Blues Band in the Midwest.

Wausau Area Events and the Big Bull Falls Blues Fest committee are sponsoring an annual Battle of the Bands. We are looking for the newest and upcoming Blues Band! The winner will perform a 90 minute set in the opening Friday evening slot at the 20th Anniversary of the Big Bull Falls Blues Fest in 2011, and be paid $500.00 at that time. The deadline for entering is June 15th, 2010. The contest is open to blues artists from the Midwest. See Eligibility Criteria below for additional details. Sponsor: Wausau Area Events, 316 Scott Street, Wausau WI 54403 Competition Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010 Competition Time: 5:00-10:00pm Venue: Fern Island Park, Wausau, WI How to Enter: To be eligible, you will need to submit the following information: 1) At least 3 sample tunes on CD or link to website for listening capability 2) Short band bio (200 words or less) 3) Digital color or black/white photo 4) Link to your website, if available 5) Your band’s upcoming schedule for additional promotion Email items to karir@wausauareaevents.org and mail everything by the deadline. If mailing a CD, send to the address below: Wausau Area Events, Inc. 316 Scott Street Wausau WI 54403

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NEWS FROM BLIND PIG
Vocalist and harmonica player John Németh will be a featured guest on National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition" program on Saturday, June 26th. Host Scott Simon will interview the Blind Pig artist and discuss and spin tunes from John's latest album, Name The Day!
The dynamic singing sensation is reinvigorating vintage American rhythm and blues with his uncanny ability to skillfully blend retro and modern blues and soul into compelling music that is simultaneously old and new.
In the process, he's drawing high praise from renowned music critics such as Lee Hildebrand, features writer for the San Francisco Chronicle and Living Blues, who called Németh "the most accomplished male vocalist of his generation traveling the blues highway today." The Jazz-Blues Report said he "might be the best white R&B singer on the planet."   And the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette concurred, "he sings as well as any blue-eyed soul man on the planet right now." Other critics say he recalls great R&B singers such as Otis Redding, Sam Cook, Jackie Wilson, and Solomon Burke.
A complete list of NPR radio stations and broadcast times can be found HERE .

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Click on festival name to click through to festival website.
VISIT THE BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE WEBSITE FOR ALL THE FESTIVALS
Over 500 festivals are listed on the website www.BluesFestivalGuide.com Barrier Beach Blues and Arts Festival
Thursday-Saturday,
June 24-26, 2010

Long Beach, New York, U.S.
www.aip-arts.org

Great Eldorado BBQ Blues & Blues
Friday-Saturday,
June 25-26, 2010

Reno, NV, U.S.
www.eldoradoreno.com
North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic
Friday-Saturday,
June 25-26, 2010

Potts Camp, Mississippi, U.S.
www.nmshillcountrypicnic.com

Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Festival
Friday-Saturday,
June 25-26, 2010

Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
www.riverfrontbluesfest.org
Alpena Blues Festival
Friday-Saturday,
June 25-26, 2010

Alpena, Michigan, U.S.
www.alpenablues.com
Red Hot And Blues
Friday-Saturday,
June 25-26, 2010

Lancaster, South Carolina, U.S.
www.thehotboxsc.com Monterey Bay Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday,
June 25-27, 2010

Monterey, California, U.S.
www.montereyblues.com

Rapperswil-Jona
Friday-Sunday,
June 25-27, 2010

SG, Switzerland
www.bluesnjazz.ch
Blues from the Top 2010
Friday-Sunday,
June 25-27, 2010
Winter Park, Colorado, U.S.
http://grandblues.org

Bear Creek Blues Festival
Saturday,
June 26, 2010

Slater, Missouri, U.S.
www.bearcreekblues.com Blues & Booze In The Bury
Saturday,
June 26, 2010

Odiham, Hampshire,
United Kingdom
http://www.bobalong.co.uk/news.html

Kinsmen's Stratford Blues and Rib Festival
Saturday,
June 26, 2010
Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Website
Long Beach Bayou & Mardi Gras Festival
Saturday-Sunday,
June 26-27, 2010

Long Beach, CA, U.S.
Website

Darwin Blues Festival
Sunday,
June 27, 2010

Darwin, Australia, U.S.
Website
Vallemaggia Magic Blues
Wednesday-Friday,
June 30-31, 2010

Vallemaggia, Ticino,
Switzerland
www.magicblues.ch

Sawdust Days
Wednesday-Sunday,
June 30-4, 2010

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S.
Website Skanevik Bluesfestival
Thursday-Saturday,
July 1-3, 2010

Skanevik, Norway, U.S.
www.skaanevik-blues.com

20th Annual High Sierra Music Festival
Thursday-Sunday,
July 1-4, 2010

Quincy, California, U.S.
www.highsierramusic.com BB King Homecoming: "Blues, Bikes & BBQ"
Friday-Saturday,
July 2-3, 2010

Indianola, Mississippi, U.S.
www.indianolams.org

Mississippi Valley Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday,
July 2-4, 2010

Davenport, Iowa, U.S.
http://mvbs.org Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival
Friday-Monday,
July 2-4, 2010

Portland, Oregon, U.S.
www.waterfrontbluesfest.com

The Great Blue Heron Festival
Friday-Sunday,
July 2-4, 2010

Sherman, NY, U.S.
www.greatblueheron.com
Delta Music Experience Series
Friday-Monday,
July 2-5, 2010
Pacific Northwest, OR, U.S.
www.deltamusicexperience.com/

Sand Lake Blues Fest
Saturday,
July 3, 2010

National City, MI, U.S.
www.sandlakebluesfest.com
Red, White & Blues Festival
Sunday,
July 4, 2010

Pleasanton, California, U.S.
www.bayareabluessociety.net

Cisco Blues Fest
Wednesday-Sunday,
July 7-18, 2010

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.ottawabluesfest.ca/en/ Home Grown Blues Series
Thursday,
July 8, 2010

Oakland, CA, U.S.
Website

RBA Publishing Inc is based in Reno, NV with a satellite office in Beverly Hills, Florida. We produce the annual Blues Festival Guide magazine (now in its 7th year), the top-ranking website: www.BluesFestivalGuide.com, and this weekly blues newsletter: The Blues Festival E-Guide with approximately 20,000 weekly subscribers. We look forward to your suggestions, critiques, questions, etc.

Reach the E-Guide editor, Gordon Bulcock, gordon@bluesfestivalguide.com

or contact our home office at 775-337-8626, eguide@bluesfestivalguide.com

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Information - both editorial and advertising - in the Blues Festival E-Guide - is believed to be correct but not guaranteed - so check it carefully before you attend any event or send money for anything. We do not write the news... just report it.

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