From Blues Festival Guide publisher, Kaati:

Attention Blues Festival Promoters: RAISE THE ROOF

Here is a unique opportunity for you to get yourself and your festival attendees involved with the exciting Blues Foundation's RAISE THE ROOF: Campaign for the Blues Hall of Fame

The Blues Hall of Fame pays tribute to the greatest of the genre and educates new people about the genre. The Blues Foundation has been inducting people into the Blues Hall of Fame for years; it was a simple evening with web presence. Nothing permanent. But now we need physical presence.

We are working with the Blues Foundation and a myriad of artists and organizations to spread the word about this noble cause. Because we are right in the middle of preparing for festival season, this is the perfect time for you to get involved as well and it requires just a small amount of effort.

Here is a link with more details about the Blues Hall of Fame campaign. Our goal is to help raise awareness (this is where you come in) in order to raise funds to reach the goal of 3.5 million. We know you are busy with your event but here are some easy, quick and free ways you can get the word out about this worthwhile campaign.

What you can do: Add Blues Hall of Fame logo to your website

- Add BHF banner ad to your website - Include BHF ad in your Program

- MC announcements from stage - Pass out brochure to your attendees

Please make a commitment to this cause and let’s use the momentum of the festival season to create awareness! How does someone donate? Donate online. Call me if you want to share ideas or to get an ad for your website or program.

Best, Kaati / BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE

775 337 8626 or kaati@BluesFestivalGuide.com

At age 73, Al Johnson Jr. finally hopes to move Beyond Carnival with this, his first-ever full-length CD. Johnson is best known for his 1960 single “Carnival Time,” an enduring anthem of Mardi Gras, Voted year after year as everyone's favorite Mardi Gras song. Five generations of New Orleanians have grown up listening to "Carnival Time" on the radio in heavy rotation year after year. Over the decades, he released intermittent recordings, none of which came anywhere close to approaching the popularity of his signature song.

Local label Rabadash Records has finally recorded a full-length CD by Johnson, Beyond Carnival. On it, he lofts his still-supple tenor on such original compositions as “Lower Ninth Ward Blues,” “Mardi Gras Strut” – he isn’t moving entirely “Beyond Carnival” ... and “Lena.” He also covers Eddie Bo’s “Who Shot the La La,” popularized by Oliver Morgan and Dave Bartholomew’s “Jailbird.”

Producer John Autin spent a year talking and planning the new CD with Al. "I think Al's voice is one of a kind and the joy he brings to everything he sings and plays is just incredible" says Autin. "Having a chance to produce a CD on Al is a little like discovering a beautiful uncut diamond or ruby in my own back yard. I think Blues lovers all over the world are going to be just as excited about this CD as I am."

At 73, Al "Carnival Time" Johnson is just getting started. His new CD Beyond Carnival is available at www.rabadash.com now and will be released April 19 for New Orleanians and world wide on May 15.

For booking info contact 504-481-5635 or johnykey@aol.com

  "Lena"

More info...

BARNESVILLE’S 9TH BBQ AND BLUES FESTIVAL APRIL 26-27

DELTA BLUES MUSEUM WILL RECEIVE NATIONAL MEDAL

CLARKSDALE, MS - The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced the Delta Blues Museum as one of ten recipients of this year's National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation's highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community and celebrates institutions that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. The National Medal will be presented to Museum Director Shelley Ritter at a celebration in Washington, D.C., on May 8.

"Not only is the Delta Blues Museum celebrating one of our country's most fundamental genres of music, but they're educating the next blues greats," said Susan Hildreth, director, Institute of Museum and Library Services. "This year's National Medal recipients demonstrate the many ways museums and libraries alike build strong communities."

Established in 1979 by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and re-organized as a stand-alone museum in 1999, the Delta Blues Museum is Mississippi's oldest music museum. A 2013 recipient of the IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Services, the Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to creating a welcoming place where visitors find meaning, value and perspective by exploring the history and heritage of the unique American musical art form of the Blues. The Museum's current DEEPER ROOTS campaign seeks $1.2 million for new and enhanced exhibits for Phase II of its expansion--which includes the new Muddy Waters Addition--enabling the Museum to better preserve and display the history and work of Blues artists from the Mississippi Delta, and advancing the Museum's ability to "tell" stories that inspire and educate future generations about this important American art form. Find out more at http://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/deeperroots.asp.

For more details click here and here…

For more information on events or programs, please call (662) 627-6820, or visit the Museum web site.

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HELP CANDYE KANE GET CD'S TO CANCER SUFFERERS 

Candye Kane with her family at Cedar Sinai Hospital in L.A. before her last surgery

Candye Kane is trying to finance a new CD called, The Power in YOU. She says, “since I got pancreatic cancer in 2007, I’ve met hundreds of people around the world fighting this disease. I have heard countless stories of loss and survival and these stories have moved me profoundly. But the main reason I am still here today, besides my sheer stubbornness, love for life and early detection, is the MUSIC. I truly believe that my songs of power helped save me. I have been writing songs of empowerment since I started writing music decades ago and I am convinced that music has a unique and insidious ability to get deep into our psyches and become part of our thought process.

I started this campaign to try and raise money so I can manufacture these CDS myself and send them free of charge to other super heroes battling cancer and other diseases and life trials. I would love to leave these CDS at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, The Samuel Oschin Cancer Center and other places where I go for treatment. I want cancer fighters and their families to be able to access this music free of charge because I believe it can help them become survivors too!

Please consider donating to my indiegogo campaign. The donations start at just $1.00. Thank you for caring and taking a moment to give the gift of empowering music to someone suffering from a life crisis. PLEASE forward this to anyone you think may be interested – either in helping or receiving the CD. I have only 30 days to go to raise the money I need to manufacture this CD. Can YOU help me?" ~ Candye Kane

Click here to go to the donation page at indiegogo.com

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JOIN US DOWNUNDER TO CELEBRATE BYRON BAY BLUESFEST’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2014!

Now is the perfect time to plan for the 25th annual Bluesfest in 2014, Bluesfest is Australia’s multi-award winning and international renowned blues and roots festival.

Taking place over the Easter Long Weekend at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in Byron Bay on Australia’s east coast, Bluesfest is an amazing opportunity to experience some of the world’s top musical masters in one of the world’s most picturesque settings. Some of the biggest names in music appear on the seven tent stages.

When guests are not enjoying the massive names in music at Bluesfest, Byron Bay is a place of outstanding natural beauty waiting to be explored. Long an escape destination for Australians this small, relaxed, chic seaside town with glorious beaches provides an ideal location to wind down after a long weekend of music festival indulgence!

For more information about packages to the event, contact Down Under Answers. 800-889-1464

*The Blues Festival Guide is going to Byron Bay Blues Fest in 2014… Please come with us! Call Linda/Down Under Answers to find out about special group rates for our blues family.

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LRBC #21 & #22 SOLDOUT! JOIN WAITLIST!!

SOLD OUT ~ JOIN WAITLIST!

LRBC #22 Eastern Caribbean, January 19~26, 2014 

LRBC #22, sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to St. Maarten, St. Thomas/St. John & Turks & Caicos on the Holland America ms Nieuw Amsterdam IV, is SOLDOUT ~ JOIN WAITLIST STARTING APRIL 15

We will begin a waitlist Monday, 4/15/2013 at 11AM CDT! The waitlist will NOT will be live until this time, therefore, you will NOT be able to join the waitlist prior to 4/15.

Here's the link. You will be required to sign into your online account. Details on how to create your account are below.

By joining, you will be placed on the waitlist in order of the date and time that your request was received. If a cabin does become available (most likely Deluxe Verandah Outside ranging from $2450-2600 per person Double Occupancy plus $230 per person port/ship fees and gratuities to be billed onboard) we will notify you of availability. We DO require a Credit Card to be placed on the waitlist. Your card will not be charged until you have secured a cabin.

If you experience problems signing up for the waitlist online, you may also call our office at 816-753-7979. BUT... you will be able to secure a higher spot on the list by using the online system as the phone lines become very busy so it becomes difficult to get through right away. Thank you in advance for your patience!

See www.BluesCruise.com or (816) 753-7979

for reservations & info

You HAVE to experience this at least once in your lifetime! 

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CONNECT WITH NEW BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE QR CODE

This is our new QR code. You will see it on the front cover of the 2013 Blues Festival Guide magazine, on the streets soon!

As usual, your blues friends may want to “borrow” your copy of your Blues Festival Guide magazine that is chock full of great info, but now you can offer to let them scan the code with their smartphone. This will bring them to our Mobile Website with a link to the Digital Version of the magazine, and they can read it there!

How does it work?

Download a free QR bar code scanner App (there are dozens of them), then scan the QR code and you will land on our new landing page for mobile devices.

What will you find there?

~ Link to read the 2013 Blues Festival Guide magazine in Digital Format

~ Link to sign up for and read our free weekly,electronic newsletter called Blues e-Guide (our editor is the Queen of Steam herself, Michele Lundeen!)

~ Link to list of dozens of blues festivals in date order.

~ Link to contact us 

Our new mobile web page is easy to navigate on your smart phone… giving you access to blues festivals at your fingertips.

Attention Blues Fans: Be a Part of Blues History

For the past 15 months, The Blues Foundation has asked blues fans to help Raise the Roof! Many of you have responded generously. As a result, the Campaign for the Blues Hall of Fame has secured pledges and donations of over $1.5 million dollars. By September, the final plans and drawings will be ready and construction can begin. But construction will begin only if those blues fans who have not yet pledged do so in the next six months.

Be a part of blues history. Do what you can. Help us complete this dream now. Let us have a Grand Opening with B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland with cutting the ribbon!

1. Make a multi-year pledge or donation online 

2. Or Mail check to: The Blues Foundation

421 So. Main, Memphis, TN 38104-4464.

3. Or Make a one-time donation by calling 901.527.2583.

For detailed information call or e-mail Jay Sieleman, President & CEO, The Blues Foundation: 901.527.2583 ext. 12 or jay@blues.org

No effort is too small or unappreciated!

If not us, who? If not now, when?

You too can get involved. Email us: Info@BluesFestivalGuide.com

to get logos and links for your website or Facebook

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