| June 8, 2007 |
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Vol 2 Issue 20
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FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF 2007 FESTIVALS
Visit www.BluesFestivalGuide.com for a complete list of 2007 Blues Festivals.
We list on our E-Guide as many festivals as space allows . But with the summer festival season in full swing, our allotted space barely covers one weekend.
See ya at a festival!
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HARPER : : Day by Day
Part harmonica wizard and part rhythmic explorer, Harper is a fiery artist who blurs the lines between rock, blues, soul, and world music. His new release, Day By Day, is a worthy follow-up to his groundbreaking U.S. debut, Down To The Rhythm. It displays his trademark virtuoso harp performances, distinctive instrumentation, deeply soulful grooves, and instantly memorable songs, and provides a prime example of why his unique roots music style occupies a category of its own. Harper has been described as a singer with the deep soul of Motown, a harmonica player who can graft Sonny Boy II and Little Walter with John Popper, a songwriter who tells his own compelling stories in an unhurried, J.J. Cale-like manner, and a musical visionary who is unafraid to mix the didgeridoo, an important part of the indigenous culture of his Australian homeland, with infectious modern percussive rhythms.
Click Here to purchase from Blind Pig Records
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HAMILTON LOOMIS : : Ain't Just Temporary
Hamilton Loomis is one of the young artists at the forefront of bringing blues into the 21st century and redefining it for a contemporary audience. Ain't Just Temporary is a tasty second helping of Hamilton's patented "blues outside the box," and features a killer duet with his friend and mentor Bo Diddley, who contributes his unmistakable voice and funky tremolo guitar to "You Got To Wait," a tune he and Hamilton co-wrote for the album. On his new release, Loomis masterfully blends his myriad influences (blues, Motown, Texas swing, soul), at once forging ahead into new musical territories while maintaining a strong connection to the blues legends (such as Diddley, Johnny Copeland, Gatemouth Brown, and Albert Collins) that took him under their wings at an early age.
Click Here to purchase from Blind Pig Records
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DAVE HOLE : : Rough Diamond
Dave Hole, another Australian artist, is well known for his guitar mastery. Since his recording debut fifteen years ago, Dave's records and live performances have drawn raves from countless international publications, and garnered legions of fans. "Nothing interferes with Hole's searing guitar when he is in full flight," said Rolling Stone magazine, while Guitar World added, "Hole produces solo upon blistering solo that is exhilaratingly relentless." His newest recording, Rough Diamond, amply reaffirms his title as the reigning master of the slide guitar. His fret-melting guitar riffs are infused with the same spirit as those of such blues and rock slide legends as Duane Allman, Johnny Winter, and Elmore James.
Click Here to purchase from Blind Pig Records
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Enter this contest and win!
 Yes it's back! The 3rd annual "Win a Festival Cruise" SweepstakesGRAND PRIZE
 8-Day 7-Night Luxury Mexican Riviera Cruise for two, with 5-star accommodations on Sandy Beaches Cruise #14 with 3-time blues Grammy Winner, Delbert McClinton on-board Holland America's MS Oosterdam. Sailing from San Diego in January 2008. 1 winner - $4,990 value.
SECOND PLACE PRIZE
 Reverend Manta Ray Guitar In a beautiful tobacco sunburst with a flamed maple top (case included) 1 winner - $949 value. THIRD PLACE PRIZES (2 WINNERS) Shopping spree for 5 CDs of your choice From bandVillage.com "Your Source for Independent Music". FOURTH PLACE PRIZES (30 WINNERS) The break-through Blues CD from Roxanne Potvin "The Way it Feels" TO ENTER VISIT www.BluesFestivalGuide.com1 entry person contest ends September 5, 2007 you will be asked to complete a short confidential survey must be 21 years of age Good Luck!
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OKLAHOMA BLUES HALL OF FAME INDUCTS HONOREES
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DC and Selby Minner and the Friends of Rentiesville Blues Inc. hosted the 2007 Inductions into the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame Saturday May 26th. This was the first time the awards have been given at an event seperate from their annual Dusk til Dawn Blues Festival, and it was a rousing success! There were preformances and jams by inductees Miss Blues, Watermelon Slim, Tony Mathews, DC and Selby Minner. Also youngster (age 12) Blue Fire Foley performed, as well as Sunset and Sunshine. A full slate kept the time worn juke joint DC inherited from his family rocking until close to daylight!
Media awards were given to writer and managing editor Jack Fowler of the McIntosh County Democrat (the Checotah paper) and the Muskogee Phoenix. The Phoenix has created and inserted the Dusk til Dawn Blues Festival program into their general circulation since the festival's infancy in 1993. The editor of the Weekender, Leif Wright, received the award for the Phoenix.
Baskets and trophies went to the inductees. Their photos are now on the Hall of Fame wall in the Blues Club. Selby Minner said "At some point we hope to build a concert hall upstairs which will be the true Hall of Fame, complete with exhibits of our inductees. We work to honor musicians and others with a lifetime in this music and Oklahoma roots. We are starting with inscribed bricks people can order which will creat a walk of fame in form the corner. The corner of DC Minner Street and John Hope Franklin Blvd."
Minner is an Oklahoma blues legend who started his career as a bassist working in the bands of Chuck Berry, Bo Didley, OV Wright and Freddie King....He started singing and writing songs and switched to lead guitar in the early 70's. DC grouped with his wife/bassist/vocalist Selby Minner in California in 1976. After 12 years living on the road performing the couple settled back in Rentiesville and has been on the OK State Art's Council Touring Arts and Artist in Residence rosters since the early 90's.
Having been included in 5 halls of fame around the state himself, Minner is proud to share the spotlight and honor other worthy players - while they are alive, if possible. The Friends of Rentiesville Blues Inc has been created to keep the Festival and Hall of Fame moving forward well into the future.
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NATIONAL CIGAR BOX GUITAR TRAVELLING MUSEUM
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The National Cigar Box Guitar Museum will be on display this Saturday, June 9th at the Cigar Box Guitar Extravaganza concert held at the Flying Monkey Arts Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The travelling exhibit of over 70 historic instruments made from cigar boxes is the private collection of performer, Shane Speal of York, PA. Attendees of the concert will be able to see primitive American instruments such as antique cigar box violins dating back to the 1880's, primitive cigar box guitars built by children 100 years ago and a performance cigar box banjo from 1910. In addition, many more antique instruments and contemporary cigar box instruments will be on display.
The Cigar Box Guitar Extravaganza Concert Features 11 national acts performing on cigar box guitars, including museum curator, Shane Speal.
They're the pariah of the blues community, the lost souls of folk, the modern incarnations of jug band past...and they will all be performing at the Cigar Box Guitar Extravaganza on Saturday, June 9th starting at 12 noon at the Flying Monkey Performing Arts Center.
Also performing at this year's festival: Microwave Dave (Huntsville, Alabama), Ben Prestage (South Florida), Johnny Lowebow (Memphis, Tennessee), Gerry Thompson (Barrington, New Jersey), Timothy Renner (Glenville, Pennsylvania), David Williams (Tylersport, Pennsylvania), Bluesboy JAG (Little Rock, Arkansas), Leaving Miss Blue (Chattanooga, Tennessee), Low Country Messiahs (Lowell, Massachusetts), Doctor Oakroot (Boston, Massachusetts), and Buckeye (Birmingham, Alabama).
In addition, the day's events will also include seminars on how to build your own cigar box guitar (you'll leave with your own instrument) and advanced cigar box guitar playing techniques.
Click here for more information
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Private Blues Club to open in Cason Old Field, NC
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NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION
OPENING FALL OF 2007
CASONS OLDFIELD
CIVIC CENTER
CASONS OLD FIELD, NORTH CAROLINA
PH 704-695-3114
E-MAIL
casonsoldfieldcc@hotmail.com
A BLUES EMPORIUM
PRIVATE BLUES CLUB
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2 NEW BLUES BOOKING AGENCIES
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There are a couple new booking agencies on the blues scene handling national (USA) bookings for some very popular up-and-coming blues artists.
The Lever Agency, based in Battle Creek, Michigan and run by owner/agent Tom Pennock has amassed an amazing stable of artists including: The Joe Galea Band, Ralph Bassinger, Brian Curran, Those Delta Rhythm Kings,Whiteboy Slim, Big Mike & The Booty Papas, The Billy Gibson Band,The Patrick Vining Band, Harpdog Brown & The Bloodhounds, Cole Prior Stevens and his latest band called Mojo Bey,Jimmy D. Lane, Kelly's Lot, and EB Davis & The Superband.
Tom Pennock can be reached at (269)317-3656, or by emailing tom@theleveragency.com
Meanwhile, located in Orange, Connecticut Jo-Ann Freda has opened the Jo-Ann Freda Agency. She's booking for such award-winning blues artists as Sean Carney, Mighty Lester, Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, Aynsley Lister, and Ian Parker.
Jo-Ann can be reached at (203) 298-9331, or by emailing joannfreda@optonline.net
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Artists and New Orleans Club Raise Funds to benefit the green rebuilding of schools and homes during the 2007 Jazz & Heritage Festival
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T-Bone Burnett, Fats Domino, Counting Crows, Huey Long, John Mayer, Steely Dan, Taj Mahal, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Norah Jones, ZZ Top, Roy Head, Ramblin Jack Elliot, John Legend, Rod Stewart, Lucinda Williams, Roy Rogers, and Ottmar Liebert, are among the artists that autographed instruments donated by the Gibson Foundation, the philanthropic division of Gibson Guitar. They also signed posters and autographed memorabilia, plus donated CDs and special VIP concert tickets that also include after-show meet and greets with the artists.
The guitars, posters and memorabilia can be viewed on the Mezzanine at the InterContinental Hotel on St. Charles in New Orleans where they are displayed and BALDWIN has donated a baby grand green “green” piano which is on display in the lobby of the International House Hotel on Camp Street.
Over Jazz-Fest weekend, Fats Domino visited the International House hotel in New Orleans, La. where one of the the first ‘green’ baby grand pianos,donated by Baldwin, was played on (Ain’t That A Shame!) - and signed by Mr. Domino for the Global Green USA’s/ActiveMusic’s partnership to push the initiative forward to help re-build New Orleans as ‘green’ and sustainable as possible.
The auction at CharityFolks.com now features this rare and signed ‘green’ baby grand as well as many guitars and VIP packages donated by artists who performed at this years New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
For most items, on-line bidding ends June 15, 2007. For more information Click Here
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WEDDING PICTURES
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Last weekend Joe Whitmer from the Blues Foundation office and his lovely bride Sara were married.
Blues Foundation Director Jay Sieleman officiated, reading scripture from The Blues Bible.
Thanks to professional photographer Jennifer Ocken for capturing these great memories.
And congratulations to the happy couple.
Click here to read all about the whole sorted and sacred affair.
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Delta group gives $256,000 to build B.B. King museum
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INDIANOLA — The Delta Regional Authority will provide $256,500 toward construction of the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi.
The grant was announced Thursday by Rep. Bennie Thompson of the 2nd District and Sens. Thad Cochran and Trent Lott.
The DRA, created by Congress in 2000, funds economic development programs in Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri and Tennessee.
Organizers of the B.B. King Museum plan a 15,000-square-foot facility at the site of an old brick cotton gin.
The Economic Development Administration will be providing an additional $1 million in funding to be used for this project, Thompson, Lott and Cochran said in a statement.
The state of Mississippi has provided $2 million for the project.
Lott said the Delta "has more than rich soil, but a rich history that has contributed culturally to our nation and to the entire world, particularly with regard to music."
Lott said the museum "will help preserve and foster Mississippi's blues legacy for generations to come."
With his trademark guitar that he named "Lucille," King is one of the nation's most influential blues musicians. His long list of hits includes "The Thrill is Gone", "Every Day I Have the Blues" and "You Upset Me Baby".
For more information on the museum Click Here
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The Recording Academy has annouced the creation of a NEW Zydeco/Cajun Grammy Category
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The Recording Academy, has annouced that in the Folk Field, the new Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album category has been added to embrace this evolving genre.
Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as The Recording Academy, is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers.
This brings the total number of GRAMMY categories to 110.
The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards,will air live on CBS from Los Angeles' STAPLES Center on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008.
Editor's Note: This could be a really good thing for Tab Benoit. But I'm sure if you asked Tab he just may say the Zydeco/Cajun Category should have been a subcategory of "Blues" not "Folk". Especially since this Cajun man received in 2007 the Blues Music Award (BMA) for Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.
Later this month, Telarc records will release Tab Benoit and Louisiana Leroux's new CD "Power of the Pontchartrain." Produced by veteran producer David Z (Prince, Kenny Wayne Shepard).
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BLIND PIG SIGNS NAPPY BROWN plus NEW RELEASE COMING FROM JOE BONAMASSA
Blind Pig Records has announced the signing of veteran blues and R&B singer Nappy Brown. Recording sessions for a new CD were recently held in Kernersville, North Carolina, not too far from Brown's hometown of Charlotte.
Brown started as a gospel singer but crossed the secular line in the mid-50s to record a string of hits for Savoy Records, including his signature tune, "Don't Be Angry," and "The Right Time," a song later associated with Ray Charles.
Blind Pig plans to release the as-yet-untitled CD in the fall of 2007.
Blues-rock guitar virtuoso, vocalist and songwriter Joe Bonamassa is set to release his seventh solo album, "Sloe Gin", on August 21.
Bonamassa's fourth release on his own J&R Adventures imprint, the disc re-teams him with producer Kevin Shirley (Joe Satriani, Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin), who produced 2006's "You & Me", which debuted at #1 on Billboard's Blues chart in June of last year, and a full year later continues to chart well.
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IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival
The Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS) has announced an all-star lineup of 28 blues legends and up-and-comers for the festival on June 29, 30 and July 1. The event, produced by the blues society and presented by IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, draws nearly 20,000 to the banks of the blues-inspiring Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa’s LeClaire Park for three days of music, food and fun. According to the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, the festival’s economic benefit to the area is $2.5 million.
Click Here for the Line-up
For twenty-three years, volunteers of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society have been organizing and presenting the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. The three-day festival is held each year over the 4th of July weekend in picturesque LeClaire Park on the banks of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa. Through the care and attention paid in selecting performers to represent a variety of blues styles and the down-home non-commercial atmosphere of the fest, over the years the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival has become recognized as one of the finest blues fests in the country.
RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Detroit diva Alberta Adams, R&B shouter Nappy Brown and the MVBS’ own resident jazz scholar Jimmie Jones. The Mississippi Valley Blues Society annually presents this award to recognize artists “who have devoted their lives to bringing ‘river blues,’ music that runs deep with soul, to anyone they meet on life’s highway. The artists may not have been recorded as ‘stars,’ but they are the true legends of the blues and the art form’s living history.” The mission of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society is to educate the public about the native artform of blues-related music and to keep the blues alive.
The festival includes a free photo exhibit of blues artists and past festivals at Union Station across the street from the festival. There will also be free music workshops for adults and BlueSKool for children to get hands-on instruction from blues artists.
Tickets will be sold at the gate and in advance for $15 per day for one-day passes, and $35 for a three-day pass that must be purchased before June 30. Advance tickets may be purchased at all IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union branches, at the River Center/Adler Theatre box office in Davenport, or through Ticketmaster. Advance one-day passes are $12 per day for MVBS and IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union members. Children ages 14 and under will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
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News from West Virginia and Florida
The West Virginia Blues Society is holding it's Annual Fundraiser / Pigroast Blues Bash this coming June 23, 2007 to be held at The Pour House Sports Bar & Grill located in Charleston, W.V. This event will help support our Blues in the Schools program. Tickets can be bought in advance for $ 10 on our website at, www.wvbluessociety.org or at the door for $ 12. We will be hosting Regional as well as local Blues Bands as well as Belly Dancers and a Condey Act. Event is from 2 p.m. till 2 a.m. We will be having 50-50 raffles, drawings and doorprizes. For more info call, 304-389-1439.
The E.A.R.T.H. Awareness Blues Society annouces that the Stephen Miller Memorial Biker & Blues Bash will be held at Space Coast Harley Davidson / Buell, Executive Circle just off Palm Bay Road, exit 176 & I-95 in Palm Bay, Fl. There is a $10 donation at the gate to enjoy 12 hours of non stop music. What an incredible day of blues music, paying tribute to Stephen Miller, our beloved “Grandpa Blues”. The lineup includes, The Blues Awards, 2006 Best Contemporary Female Blues Vocalist nominee, Barbara Blue. Barbara is the reigning Queen of Beale Street and will be making a special Florida appearance, 35 Year Rocking Blues Touring Band “The Night Hawks”, Jason Ricci and New Blood will rock the house with Jason’s amazing harmonica talents, along with south Florida’s Albert Castiglia, Tampa Bay blues guitar slinger, The Damon Fowler Group, Ben Prestage & Bruce Johnson featuring Joel Silver, the “ Box Drummer”,The Smokin Torpedoes, Art Harris & The Z Tones, Steve Thorpe Blues Orchestra, The Usual Suspects, Zion Blackhand & The Nite Owls, and more. BLUES & Fun All Day!
BLUES weekend travel pkg is available for Oct. 11,12,13,14, 2007
The Package includes:
Hotel Room for 3 Nights ( Double Occupancy) at the Crown Plaza, Indialantic, 2 VIP Party Tickets, $.50 off 1st Drink in Each Bar Coupon - Card for Blues Bars, 2 BLUES BASH Tickets, 2 Gospel Brunches & 2 Wino’s Jam Tickets
Price - $359.00 – Double Occupancy - $179.99 per Person
Harley Davidson 3 Day Weekend Rental – Option add $300 ( $659.00)
VIP Backstage Experience - Option add $300
Contact Sue Luley at (321) 784-0830
E-mail: earthfestival@bellsouth.net
E.A.R.T.H. Awareness of Brevard, Inc.
1729 Cogswell Street, Rockledge, FL. 32955
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For years, the Blues Festival Guide Magazine received numerous requests for updates on festivals via email, and on January 10, 2006, the Marketing Director of the Blues Festival Guide magazine, Nancy Edwards partnered with the magazine (RBA Publishing) and published the first emailed issue of the E-Guide E-Newsletter.
The E-Guide is a wonderful resource for everyone interested in Blues! You can expect to see the E-Guide in your inbox weekly. Please email the editor with any questions at
nancy@bluesfestivalEguide.com
To reach thousands of blues enthusiasts, click here to learn how to advertise in this Blues Festival E-Guide E-Newsletter.
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