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Liz Mandeville was destined to be an entertainer. Her father taught her to paint and sing. Her mother carried Liz to countless plays and concerts, insisting her daughter get music and dance lessons. The family stereo was turned up and tuned in to a variety from Stravinsky to Ledbelly to Hank Williams. Liz soaked it all in, getting her first guitar at 16 and was playing professionally shortly thereafter.
Her most recent CD, Clarksdale, found her traveling south from her Chicago home.
"I had my original love of blues re-ignited," she said. "when I took a post-surgery step back from my own trail long enough to breathe in the deep Southern influence of Clarksdale and its environs."
To get her delta mojo on she stayed at the Ratliff family's Riversiade Hotel. It's famous for providing lodging for such blues artists as Sonny Boy Williamson II, Ike Turner, and Robert Nighthawk. It was previously the G.T. Thomas Hospital in which Bessie Smith died in 1937.
Clarksdale is a great CD, filled with blues harp, steele guitars, grand piano, tenor sax and Liz's sultry growl. Her good friend Willie "Big Eyes" Smith stayed around long enough to lay down some great drum work. Willie died last September.
"But in the true spirit of the blues," Liz said. "I carried on."
She covers all the bases -- "No Fear/Everything Is Going to Be Alright," an acappella gospel wonder, "Sweet Potato Pie,"'a sultry come on and my personal favorite "4:20 Blues," a rant about what the government does and doesn't do.
Acoustic blues just doesn't get any better.
-Jim Clark, publisher, Lee County Courier, Tupelo, MS
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Jeff Pitchell was first recognized as the ''Best Guitarist in Connecticut'' at the tender age of 15, and he never looked back. Lately Jeff has been working with more heavy hitters... playing sold-out shows alongside Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame nominee J. Geils (of the J. Geils Band), and penning songs along with Grammy-winning co-writers Gary Nicholson (Delbert McClinton) and Jeff Silbar (Wind Beneath My Wings) for an upcoming film at the personal request of two-time Emmy winner and Oscar Nominee James Woods entitled American Girl. Jeff's new CD, American Girl features songs written for the movie, four songs featuring and produced by special guest guitarist J. Geils (including two J. Geils Band classics), other Jeff Pitchell originals and some straight-up Blues and Rock 'n' Roll.
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TALL CITY BLUES FEST, Midland, Texas |
Tall City Blues Fest, nestled in downtown Midland, TX, will host more than 23 different performers this year! "Located in the heart of West Texas, halfway between Dallas and El Paso on the I-20 corridor, Midland was a perfect void begging for a blues festival", said Lisa Grissom, Producer of this year's Festival.
In it's 2nd year, this Festival showcases award-winning blues acts accompanied by emerging talent across four stages (3 Outdoor + 1 Indoor). The Festival also offers educational clinics, a Zydeco street dance, a Gospel Brunch & Blues Jam, family activity areas, juke joints, midnight jam sessions, interactive hospitality stations, art & memorabilia auctions and food vendors.
This year's headliners are Tommy Castro (Saturday Night) andJames 'Boogaloo' Bolden Blues Band (Friday Night). Tommy Castro is a multi-time Blues Music Awards winner and James Bolden, having been B.B. King's Band Leader for 32 years, is also an award-winning performer. Bolden & his band have been voted Best Blues Band by Downbeat Magazine, received a W.C. Handy Award for Best Blues Band of the Year and performed at the White House for five Presidents with B.B King & the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
In addition to the music, this year's Festival will also offernine different educational clinics, including harmonica 101 & advanced, harmonica for kids, blues bass 101, country blues finger-picking, bottleneck slide, acoustic blues, songwriting and cigar box guitar building. In addition to the clinics, Apple (in conjunction with Best Buy) will be conducting Garage Bandand iPhoto demonstrations and the Festival will also hostThe Real Blues Tour, a multi-media, travelguide performance that showcases the history of blues beginning in the early 1900's.
Tall City Blues Festival is an indoor/outdoor, family-friendly music festival. Our mission is to create an experience like none other that brings award-winning blues & roots music to West Texas and makes people feel enlightened, joy-filled & loved.SAVE THE DATES: July 26-29, 2012!
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MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BLUES FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LINEUP |
The 28th annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is set for June 29 through July 1 along the Mississippi River in LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa. Featuring 24 acts on two stages, the lineup balances legends with newcomers and a variety of blues styles. The weekend also offers BlueSKool for the kids, free workshops for adults, and a free photo exhibit. One of the longest-running major blues festivals in the nation, the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is produced by the all-volunteer Mississippi Valley Blues Society.
Many of the artists are the recipients of the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Awards or have been nominated for the award, including Kenny Neal from Louisiana, California guitarist Coco Montoya (who apprenticed with the legendary Albert Collins), Mississippi soul icon Bobby Rush (who will do both an acoustic set and one with his band and dancers), Soul-blues Renaissance man Johnny Rawls from Mississippi, Preston Shannon from Memphis, Sugar Ray Norcia (formerly of Roomful of Blues) on harmonica with his band the Bluetones, and Mississippi Delta outsider artist Super Chikan. Rounding out the headliners are Kelley Hunt and The Brooks Family Blues Dynasty with Lonnie Brooks and Ronnie and Wayne Baker Brooks. Other notable acts include Lady Bianca, Guitar Shorty, and Moreland and Arbuckle.
The young family trio of Trampled Under Foot has been nominated for many BMAs and is a former winner of the International Blues Challenge held yearly in Memphis. Liz Mandeville and Donna Herula represented Chicago in the 2012 International Blues Challenge; Liz will also do a workshop on women in the blues, and Donna will do one on slide steel guitar. Other performers conducting workshops include Doug MacLeod and Paul Geremia. Lonnie Brooks and Bobby Rush will be the recipients of the RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Award.
www.mvbs.org
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Canada’s Favorite Blues Fest - Thunder Bay Blues Festival |
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A taste of Southern rock on the shores of Lake Superior awaits in Thunder Bay this summer at the 2012 edition of The Thunder Bay Blues Festival from July 6 to 8.
The list of bands set to play the 11th annual Bluesfest is expected to draw large crowds to Thunder Bay’s waterfront at the newly developed Prince Arthur’s Landing. Festival goers can expect one of the most exciting musical offerings to date.
“The 2012 Grammy Award-Winning Tedeschi Trucks Band will headline Saturday July 7. This 11-piece band is currently one of the hottest bands in blues music, and are the winners of the 2012 Grammy for Best Blues Album.
The Friday July 6, headliner is the ferociously powerful Jonny Lang. At just over 30 years of age, Lang has established himself as a Blues veteran who has performed with most of Blues music’s legends, while also headlining Festivals and his own world tours.
The Sunday, July 8 headliner adds southern rock flair with .38 Special. This band has slew of radio friendly hits that have spanned more than 30 years.
There is also incredible talent deep within line-up that is sure to have strong appeal across several generations... Canadian favourite, Sass Jordan, performs on Friday evening, as does legendary blues guitarist Joe Louis Walker.
Saturday features a new super group named Royal Southern Brotherhood, featuring Mike Zito, Devon Allman and Cyril Neville. Legendary slide guitarist, Sonny Landreth performs on Sunday, as does Kid Rock’s lead guitarist & singer – Shannon Curfman.
Other notable acts include Scrapomatic, Popa Chubby, Honey Island Swamp Band, Matt “Mojo” Teder, Tyler Bryant, Kelley Hunt, Sugar Blue, JP Soars and Blues Festival veteran, Big Walter Smith.
Complete biographies and photos of the artists can be found at Festival’s website at www.tbayblues.ca.
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CELEBRATING 7 YEARS OF GREAT BLUES ON THE RIVER! |
Coloma Blues Live! June 9th
Join us on June 9th for our seventh year of presenting the finest in Blues on the river in the friendly community of Coloma, 1hr East of Sacramento in the Mother Lode of Gold Country.
Gracing this year’s stage is El Dorado County’s home-grown national sensation Jackie Greene, the amazing guitar slinger..Laurie Morvan, the San Francisco Bay Area Blues Band of the Year…the California Honeydrops, slide guitar prodigy…David Jacobs-Strain with guest Joe Craven, and the big band sound of the Sacramento Blues Revue.
Henningsen-Lotus Park is the venue, and the perfect place to get your blues groove on. Grab your low back chair, swim trunks, hat and dancing shoes! Music goes from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. Gates open at 10:00am. Enjoy freshly prepared food, craft beers and local wine. El Dorado Arts Council presents this annual party, and proceeds of the fest benefit EDAC’s mission of nurturing “More Arts in More Places”. Save $5 on-line through June 8th! Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.colomablueslive.com or at the EDAC office on Main Street in Placerville. For more information: (530) 295-3496
www.colomablueslive.com
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Blues guitarist Buddy Guy Interview by Tavis Smiley |
The six-time Grammy-winning musician shares why it took so long for him to record his own music and his mission to keep jazz clubs alive; he also details his memoir When I Left Home.
His performance this year at the White House wasn't Buddy Guy's first time there. He visited the Oval Office in 2003, when he received the National Medal of Arts—a far cry from picking cotton at age 9 in his native Louisiana. Considered among the best blues guitarists alive, Guy paid his dues for decades, starting as a sideman in Baton Rouge and toiling in Chicago clubs, before earning worldwide recognition, six Grammys and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His hard-edged blues style has influenced numerous artists, and, after 50-plus years, he doesn't appear to be slowing down.
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Man Arrested for Merchandise Tampering at Area Walmart |
(farcethemusic.com) Local country fan Reginald Spears was arrested over the weekend for merchandise tampering at the new Super Walmart out on the bypass. The details of his infractions are unique, to say the least.
Third-shift electronics cashier Lena Johnston first noticed Spears rifling through the country CD section and filling a grocery cart with at least 100 discs before leaving the department. She thought he was just a rabid music fan until he returned 15 minutes later with the same cart and began slipping CDs back onto the shelves while looking around suspiciously.
Johnston walked over to Spears and asked if he’d decided not to make the massive music purchase. Spears responded “Yeah, yeah uh, yes ma’am” and began sweating profusely. He became spooked shortly afterwards and haphazardly threw the remainder of his CDs on the shelf before walking away. Johnston investigated the country section and noticed that it was full of unwrapped, well-worn CDs that Spears had apparently brought from his home. Spears was apprehended by security, mostly without incident, before leaving the store.
“I looked on the shelf and where Rascal Flatts was supposed to be, that scruffy looking man had put Flatt & Scrugs or something like that… and where Taylor Swift had been, he’d replaced it with Tanya Tucker. I guess he’d stole all them new CDs and tried to replace ‘em with his old junk,” said a perplexed Johnston.
Fresh out on bail, Mr. Spears had a far different story. “I didn’t shoplift nothin’. I told the cops they could find all that country pop bullsh*t in the Rubbermaid garbage cans in home wares… where that crap belongs,” said Spears. “I was just trying to give the people around here some damn culture, so I brought my whole collection up here to give away for free. Of course, I’ve got it all ripped on my laptop. My alphabetizing skills might be lacking, but I ain’t stupid.”
“Can you believe they didn’t have a Jerry Reed CD in the whole god***n store?” he continued. “Well, for 15 shining minutes last Friday night, they did.”
The shoplifting charges against Spears were dropped but he still faces misdemeanor charges of mischief and merchandise tampering. For his part, Reginald is considering legal action against the store.
Spears explained: “They threw all my CDs in the dumpster and broke ‘em, them motherf***ers! I’m suing their asses for destruction of property and mental anguish. I was just trying to help this town out… I’m a by-God patriot!”
Walmart officials had no comment on the situation.
Editors note: I am not trying to give anyone any ideas, but I think he was on to something.........and BTW, this is a joke!
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Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
(I met her on the) Blues Cruise - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
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BLUES-ROCK SINGER CEE CEE JAMES SET TO RELEASE NEW CD, BLOOD RED BLUES, PRODUCED BY GRAMMY-WINNER JIM GAINES, ON JULY 17
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ST. LOUIS, MO – Blues-rock singer Cee Cee James announces a July 17 release date for her new album, Blood Red Blues, produced by Grammy-winner Jim Gaines, on July 17. Blood Red Blues will be released on her own imprint, FWG Records, with international distribution by Burnside Distribution.
Blood Red Blues is the fourth CD from the St. Louis-based singer, whose powerfully soulful vocals have already created a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike all over the world. Producer/engineer/mixer Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana, Luther Allison), who tracked the sessions at his Bessie Blue Studio in West Tennessee, perfectly captures all the exciting elements of Cee Cee’s vocal style on the new album, creating a sound that is both vulnerable and passionate, igniting the songs with a burning, sensual yearning that drives home the dozen all-original songs.
Backing Cee Cee on Blood Red Blues are Rob “Slideboy” Andrews on rhythm and slide guitar, Rocky Athas on lead guitar, Chris Leighton on drums, Dan Mohler on bass and Susan Jillian on keyboards, along with vocal backing from Stanley Crouse, Vicki Atkins, Danunielle “Pie” Hill and Kimberlie Helton.
After working with James, Jim Gaines called her “one of the greatest blues-rock singers out there today. She’s someone I call an ‘old soul.’ Cee Cee’s songs are wonderful stories of her life experiences, and backed by Rob’s strong Delta roots/blues slide and rhythm guitar playing, they make a great team. Her style reminds me of our classic early female blues and rock singers. She’s very passionate about giving a great performance.”
Cee Cee’s blistering vocals tell the truth of the powerful messages in her songs, born and bred from a lifetime of heartache and loss, but delivered with a message of hope, understanding and the healing power of love. The hallmark off her career has been her intense live performances, as anyone who’s seen her can attest. Blood Red Blues distills that energy and transmits it through the recording process into something that is valid and compelling.
Cee Cee James just returned from a tour of Europe that included shows in the recently earthquake-ravaged areas of Italy, and will return to that continent in October with a Scandinavian tour. She’s also been tapped to star in a supporting role in the upcoming film, We Be Kings, which also features such other blues stars as Magic Slim and Grana Louise, and features Slim’s band, The Teardrops.
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Music Under The Stars  Sacramento, California June 30, 2012 : Join the Sacramento Blues Society on Saturday, June 30, 2012 for an ALL AGES "Music Under The Stars" show. We will be presenting "Queen of Boogie Woogie" Wendy DeWitt along with Big Earl & The Cryin' Shame
- Saturday, June 30, 2012
- 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Outdoor Courtyard
- Po Boyz Sports Bar & Grill
- 9580 Oak Avenue Parkway
- Folsom, CA 95630
- (916) 987-2886
- $15 - General Admission
- $10 Blues Society Members
Wendy DeWitt
From Seattle to Paris Wendy spreads the gospel of Chicago based blues piano and boogie woogie. She's well steeped in the stylings of Otis Spann, Memphis Slim, Sunnyland Slim and Albert Ammons - the greats of boogie and blues, and honed her skills working with contemporary artists Steve Freund, Otis Rush and the late Hank Ballard whose love of the blues showed in all of his rock classics.
Wendy has appeared with Charlie Musselwhite, Otis Rush, and Etta James and has been featured at Berkeley's historic venue, Freight and Salvage. She performed at the Cincinnati Blues Fest at the internationally acclaimed Arches Piano stage, headed to Boston with Hank Ballard and the Midnighters for a performance at the Boston Symphony Hall and played before a sold out audience at the San Diego Museum of Art with Hadda Brooks in what proved to be one of Hadda's last shows. Wendy has performed at many major festivals including Peer in Belgium, San Francisco Blues Fest, and Monterey Blues, and Jazz Fests.
Solo or with her band Wendy puts on a high energy show. Material is either written by Wendy or reinvented in her style and delivered with passion. Wendy is afraid of no guitar player and has opened solo for Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers and Deborah Coleman.
Along with her busy performing schedule Wendy is the producer of the Queens of Boogie Woogie shows around California and the Blues Piano Orgy productions in the San Francisco Bay Area. Songs from Wendy's six albums are heard on radio around the world and she has been a frequent guest on the nationally syndicated West Coast Live.
For more information, please go to our web site or call Liz Walker (916) 712-7277
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Website: http://www.sacblues.com/
Ventura County Blues Society
Fresh off the glow of its highly-successful 7th Annual Simi Valley Blues Festival, the Ventura County Blues Society (VCBS) announces its "Sunday Matinee Concert Series." Upcoming shows feature two of the most popular names in today's contemporary American Blues scene, Chris Cain and Jimmy Thackery, headlining one of Southern California's best-kept secrets, the intimate and acoustically-perfect High Street Arts Center. The Arts Center is at 45 East High Street, Moorpark. Doors 12 noon; show starts 1 p.m. Tickets $20. (VCBS members), $25. (General Public). Purchase tickets online at www.venturacountybluessociety.org. Great music plus tasty barbeque, beer, wine, cocktails, snacks, soft drinks and water available at the shows, plus a raffle between bands. These shows will sell out.
Renowned guitarist Chris Cain takes the stage on Sunday, July 8. Through his guitar mastery and remarkable songwriting, Northern California-based Cain has established himself as a musical force to be reckoned with. San Jose Mercury News reviewer John Orr writes, "more than anyone else, anywhere, Chris Cain represents the future of the Blues." Cain's 1987 debut recording "Late Night City Blues" received four prestigious W.C. Handy Blues Awards nominations, including 'Guitarist of the Year." Cain's ever-busy schedule keeps him and his top-rate band on the road performing at some of the best blues festivals and events around. Opening for Cain: Tommy Marsh and Bad Dog, fronted by VCBS-sponsored Wednesday night Jam leader, guitarist-vocalist Tommy Marsh; and L.A. area favorites (and recent International Blues Challenge competitors) Kelly's Lot, featuring dynamic vocalist, Kelly Zirbes.
Veteran bluesman Jimmy Thackery is truly the definition of a 'road warrior,' performing nearly three-hundred nights a year and acting as a true inspiration to today's musicians half his age. Thackery has thrilled audiences worldwide fronting his own band since departing the popular Nighthawks (whom he recorded over twenty albums with) in 1987. Whether Jimmy Thackery headlines a festival in South Dakota or jams for hours in one of numerous blues bars that dot the musical landscape, he'll always unleash an intense volley of rockin' blues guitar guaranteed to leave crowds emotionally spent. His double-edged guitar dynamics allow him to fire off tracer missiles, bend a note so it will fit under a limbo bar, run off dive bomber riffs, and find space within the trembling of one stinging note. "I put all my senses on hold and find the zone and follow what's inside," Thackery says. "There's an electricity from your mind to your heart to your fingers. You just try and remember to breathe." Warming up Thackery is popular Ventura County blues-rock guitar maestro Alastair Greene, who, in addition to enjoying a decade-plus solid solo career with his Alastair Greene Band, is also the touring guitarist for the prog-rock greats, the Alan Parsons Live Project; and the Mikey Mo Band, fresh off their standout performance at the Simi Valley Blues Festival this April and featuring one of SoCal's up-and-comers, Mikey Mo, on lead guitar and vocals.
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This Week's Show : Donald "Duck" Dunn |
Donald "Duck" Dunn passed away suddenly on May 13th, while on tour in Tokyo. He was one of the mainstays that helped shape the sound of Memphis soul music. Elwood looks back at his music and life. He grounded the sound of Booker T. and the MGs, the MarKeys, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Albert
King, the Blues Brothers, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Freddie King, and more. You will hear from them. And, from the Bluesmobile archives, you will hear from Duck Dunn himself, along with a reminiscence from his colleague and lifelong friend, guitar great Steve Cropper. Plus, new music from the
Grammy winning roots band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Win A Trip to See SANTANA
At The House of Blues Las Vegas!
Presented By:
One lucky prize winner (and a friend) wins a trip to see
SANTANA
House of Blues Las Vegas!
This trip includes two (2) round-trip airfare tickets to Las Vegas
3 nights’ hotel accommodations in Las Vegas
2 tickets to the House of Blues - a special evening with:
SANTANA: Greatest Hits Live Concert
Dinner for two at the Foundation Room (House of Blues' private five star dining)
$250 American Express gift card!!
Contest runs for a limited time only:
June 1 through June 22
Enter Here
TheBluesMobile.Com!
For a list of stations where you can find Bluesmobile Radio
Click Here
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Roots Blues Airplay Charts
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To view our entire calendar of more than 500 festivals, click here! |
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E-Guide
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Thursday-Monday,
June 7th-18th 2012
Barrie, Ontario, Canada |
| | Thursday-Sunday,
June 7th-10th 2012
Preston, Connecticut, USA |
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Thursday-Sunday,
June 7th-10th 2012 |
| | Thursday-Sunday,
June 8th-10th 2012
Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA |
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Friday,
June 8th 2012
Laurel, Mississippi, USA |
| | Friday,
June 8th-9th, 2012
Gladstone, Missouri, USA |
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Friday-Saturday,
June 8th-9th 2012
Red River, New Mexico, USA |
| | Friday-Saturday,
June 8th-9th 2012
Canton, Ohio, USA |
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Friday-Sunday,
June 8th-10th 2012
Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| | Friday-Sunday,
June 8th-10th 2012
Falls Church, Virginia, USA |
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Friday-Saturday,
June 8th-9th 2012
Hudson, N. Carolina, USA |
| | Friday-Saturday,
June 8th-9th 2012
Cocoa, Florida, USA |
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Saturday,
June 9th 2012
San Marcos, California, USA |
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Saturday,
June 9th 2012
Paw Paw, W. Virginia, USA |
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Saturday,
June 9th 2012
Sylvania, Ohio, USA |
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Saturday,
June 9th 2012
Coloma, California, USA |
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Saturday,
June 9th 2012
Greeley, Colorado, USA |
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June 9th 2012
Media, Pennsylvania, USA |
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Saturday,
June 9th 2012
Helena, Arkansas |
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Saturday,
June 9th 2012
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
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Saturday,
June 10th 2012
Hughesville, Pennsylvania, USA |
| | Saturday-Sunday,
June 9th-10th 2012
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, UA |
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Saturday-Sunday,
June 9th-10th 2012
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| | Friday-Sunday,
June 8th-17th 2012
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA |
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RBA Publishing Inc is based in Reno, NV with a satellite office in Beverly Hills, Florida. We are woman owned and operated.
We produce the annual Blues Festival Guide magazine (now approaching our 10th year), the top-ranking website:
www.BluesFestivalGuide.com,
and this weekly blues newsletter: The Blues Festival E-Guide with approximately 28,000 weekly subscribers.
We look forward to your suggestions, critiques and questions!
Reach the E-Guide editor, Gordon Bulcock, editor@bluesfestivaleguide.com
Contact our home office to find out how to advertise on this newsletter 775-337-8626.
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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