Acclaimed producer/blues musician Colin Linden has said that Paul Reddick is one the most original and inventive singer-songwriters in blues today. His work has been influenced by such poets as William Blake, Kenneth Rexroth, William Carlos Williams as well as the music of Sleepy John Estes, Fred McDowell and the Alan Lomax field recordings. His lyrics have a closeup, whisper in your ear. He is a strong, soulful vocalist whose focus and intensity connect him to the listener with genuine intimacy. His harmonica playing is a blend of complex rhythmic patterns, soaring solo lines, and great dynamic range. Paul Reddick consistently gets the critics raving—and permanently touches anyone who listens to his music. SugarBird will once again prove that Paul is pushing the boundaries of the blues.

Kate Meehan is one of the most powerful blues singers on the Australian scene. She has recorded three albums of classic and original blues, and has earned acclaim and awards for the quality of her singing and song writing. Recently she has turned to the great American songbook revisiting songs discovered in her childhood but now more thoroughly explored with the accompaniment of Skip Landy’s piano. Skip Landy has been playing piano in bands since the 1970s. His main influences come from the great New Orleans rhythm and blues piano players and this can now be heard in the style that he and Kate have fused into their current repertoire as a premier blues duo. Collectively they mix up boogies and second line shuffles as well as providing pin dropping moments with exquisite ballads. With this new release, Kate & Skip show that whether as a duo or with a full band backing them, they are a force to be reckoned with on the Austrailian blues scene.

For more: CLICK

Hailing from a small New England town, Matthew Stubbs is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the premier Blues guitarists. Whether performing with his own band or as a sideman to some of the best singers in the business, the 25 year old always delivers a mesmerizing performance. Currently, Matthew Stubbs is performing with The Legendary Charlie Musselwhite Band. Before joining The Charlie Musselwhite Band Stubbs did time with R&B Sensation John Nemeth and also spent a year and a half touring North America with diva Janiva Magness. Matthew Stubbs can also be found doing select tours/shows with Lynwood Slim,Junior Watson, Sax Gordon, Brian Templeton and many other top acts. Stubbs has earned himself a reputation for his ability to write tremendously catchy instrumentals. He even went so far as to form a band just to focus strictly on writing instrumentals. The songs are a cocktail of Memphis Soul, Blues, R&B, Surf, Rock n’ Roll and Groove, all perfectly mixed together. His real knack is being able to blend all of these styles without overwhelming the listener. Matt’s new CD, “Soul Bender” features 11 soulful all-original instrumentals. Blues guitarist Rick Holmstrom sums it up best: "The thing I like best about Matt Stubbs playing is that he leaves space. There are plenty of young blues guitarists who can play a whole lot of guitar, and Matt can hang with 'em all, but there are very few who understand that it's important to let it breathe. I dig the economy and simplicity of Matt's playing. He's got an old soul.

http://www.matthewstubbs.net/home.html

Telarc International, a leader in blues recording since the early 1990s, has signed vocalist Shemekia Copeland, who has been a dominant force on the blues scene for more than a decade. Copeland’s Telarc debut, Never Going Back, is due at retail on February 24, 2009.

Heralded by Billboard as “a vocalist who knows few stylistic limitations,” Copeland has built a rock-solid reputation as a fiery, emotional blues diva in the tradition of past luminaries like Etta James and Koko Taylor. At the same time, she represents a new generation of singers and musicians who continue to propel this innately American music founded in the early 1900s into a new century.

“I’m so excited to be working with Telarc,” says Copeland. “I’ve had success in my career, and I’m happy with that, but I want to continue to grow. I’m extremely proud to say I’m a blues singer, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only thing I’m capable of singing, or that’s the only style of music I’m capable of making. This partnership with Telarc is my opportunity to do something new and different.”

Born in Harlem, New York, in 1979, Copeland began singing as a child, and eventually sang onstage with her father, Texas blues guitarist Johnny Copeland. She launched her recording career in 1997 at age 18, and in the years since, she has scored a GRAMMY nomination as well as five W.C. Handy Awards (now known as the Blues Music Awards). Her resume also includes work with musical titans like Dr. John and Steve Cropper and film giants like Martin Scorsese and Wim Wenders.

“It’s such a pleasure to have Shemekia Copeland join the Telarc roster of blue’s artists,” says Bob Woods, President of Telarc. “In short order, this young woman has established herself as the heir to the legacy of artists like Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Etta James – while at the same time making it clear she’s ready to move this classical American music into a new generation. Her debut recording with us shows real creativity, flexibility and that gutsy kind of singing that grabs you by the ears. You just can’t help but want to listen.”

http://www.shemekiacopeland.com/

BLUES MUSIC BLAST AWARDS CEREMONY
BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS 754 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL
Sunday November 2nd, 2008 7:00pm to 12:00 midnight (Doors open at 6:00pm)

The Blues Blast Music Award Ceremonies to be held at  Buddy Guy’s Legends will include confirmed appearances by nominees Magic Slim & the Teardrops, Lurrie Bell, Nick Moss, John Nemeth, The Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, Eden Brent, Sugar Ray Norcia, Teeny Tucker, Tim "Too Slim" Langford (from Too Slim and the Taildraggers), and Gina Sicilia. There may be a few surprise appearances by other nominees.

The 2008 Blues Blast Music Awards are brought to you by Blues Blast Magazine from IllinoisBlues.com. In July, the Blues Blast Magazine staff, music writers, managers, musicians and other industry professionals nominated the Best Blues of 2008 in the following eight categories:

Best Contemporary Blues Recording, Best Traditional Blues Recording, Best Blues Song,Best Blues Band, Best Male Blues Artist, Best Female Blues Artist, Best New Artist Debut Recording,as well as The Sean Costello Rising Star Award.

For the complete list of nominies: CLICK

 IllinoisBlues.com  has secured a group rate for rooms for the Blues Blast Music Awards  at the Travelodge Hotel Downtown at 65 E. Harrison St just one block from Buddy Guy's. Rooms are available from Friday October 31st to Sunday November 2nd at these discount rates so you can plan a whole weekend of live music in the Blues Capital of the World, Chicago!

ROOM RATES
2 Full Size Beds $139.00 plus tax
1 Full Size Bed $125.00 plus tax
1 King Size Bed $139.00 plus tax

To secure these rates you must contact Darren Anderson, Group Coordinator of the Travelodge at 312 376-1481 and mention the IllinoisBlues.com rate. These rates are only available by contacting Darren. His hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 to 4:30.

This event promises to be a great show with music by some of the best established and new contemporary Blues artists. The show will likely sell out so get your tickets as soon as possible. 

Visit Blues Blast Magazine  www.IllinoisBlues.com 

 

Emma Downs/ Ft.Wayne Journal Gazette

T-Model Ford is a bluesman – a Mississippi native, pushing 90 years old (according to some sources) – known for playing raw and rhythmic Delta blues on the streets of Greenville, Miss.

He sits when he plays; guitar in hand, grinding out two-chord vamps about heartbreak and ruin. According to legend, he’s been shot, stabbed and poisoned during his lifetime. And his ankles still bear scars, ragged mementos from his time working on a chain gang.

He’s little known outside of blues circles. But on a Tuesday night at The Brass Rail in May, he played for a sold-out crowd of people – most of them one-third his age; most decked out in T-shirts and tattoos.

“T-Model showed up and had two things with him,” says John Commorato, owner of The Brass Rail. “A guitar case and his own half-pint of Jack Daniels. And this was about 5 p.m.”

Ford performed for nearly three hours to a packed house. (“We were turning people away at the door,” Commorato says.) Eventually – thanks to a broken air conditioner and a second half pint of whiskey – Ford passed out and hit the floor.

“But by the time the EMS got there, he was back up, tuning his guitar,” Commorato says. “There was no air conditioning. It was hotter than hell. But he didn’t want to stop playing, and nobody was leaving.”

In other words, a typical Hillgrass Bluebilly show. Freewheeling, raucous, howlin’ musical chaos for less than $10.

The T-Model Ford show was one of the first for Hillgrass Bluebilly Entertainment Fort Wayne, a local franchise of a national promotions company based in Austin, Texas. Owned by Brenn Beck (drummer for local blues duo Left Lane Cruiser) and local promoter Jeff Anderson, the local franchise has brought blues and roots acts such as the Legendary Shack Shakers, the Black Diamond Heavies and Joe Buck to Fort Wayne this year.

“We’re trying to turn this city into a place bands want to play,” Anderson says. “Throwing up the Hillgrass Bluebilly flag lets us do that even better.”

Currently, there are four Hillgrass Bluebilly chapters in the United States – Fort Wayne, Austin, Phoenix and Alexandria, La. – and about 50 bands on the company’s roster, all of which perform American roots music.

“The goal is to have a chapter in every time zone and every state in the country,” Anderson says.

TO READ MORE: CLICK

In a bid to help novice downloaders jump-start their digital-music collections, Universal Music Group is offering "curated" playlists to Dell PC buyers.

Starting at $25, selected bundles 50 or 100 DRM-free songs can be added while building a custom PC on Dell's Web site. The songs will come preloaded on the computer, ready to play as soon as it's booted up.

The music option is available only on the Inspiron 1525, Studio 15, and XPS 1535 laptops and Inspiron 530, 530s, Studio Desktop, and XPS 420 desktops. The XPS One and Dell Mini 9 netbook are excluded from the offering.

The songs, all by Universal artists, are then playable on any device. You can see what bundles are available on Dell.com/musicandmovies. Track bundles include thematic playlists such as "Rock Titans," "The Classics," "Blues Masters," and so on. The lists will be "refreshed" on a regular basis in the future, and available for purchase on Dell's site.

Dell already does this with downloaded movies, but it's the first time a major label has struck a similar distribution deal with a PC company. Universal's tracks are already offered through a similar service on phones with Nokia and its Comes with Music program.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd to headline festival Nov. 7-9 featuring more than 30 blues acts and a $10,000 scholarship drawing

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – With current economic issues leaving many people singing the blues, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is pleased to announce that the second annual South Florida International Blues Festival being held on NSU's main campus Nov. 7-9 is now free of charge for all three days. Grammy-nominated blues artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd will headline the festival, featuring more than 30 acts on NSU's main campus in Davie in front of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center at 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd.

"We recognize that many people are struggling in the current economy and want to assure the community is served in tough times as well as good times," said Randy Pohlman, Ph.D., dean of NSU's H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship. "The festival will offer a great chance for people to have an escape from financial worry and enjoy some terrific national and local blues acts."

The festival will run:

Friday, Nov. 7, from 5-11 p.m.

Highlights include: The Delta Guitar Slingers featuring Michael Burks, Sherman Robertson and Carl Weathersby.

Saturday, Nov. 8, from noon-11 p.m.

Highlights include: Southern rocker Anthony Gomes and headliner Shepherd, who has had four albums reach No. 1 on the Billboard blues chart.

Sunday, Nov. 9, from noon-6 p.m. 

Highlights include: Janiva Magness, a two-time winner of the Blues Music Award for Contemporary Female Artist of the Year and a nominee for the 2008 Blues Music Award for the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award.

The blues festival will feature two main stages outdoors on the library grounds plus performances at the Flight Deck on the first floor of NSU's University Center, located next to the library. A complete schedule of events, artist performance times and event information is available by clicking here.

On Friday, middle and high school students are eligible to win a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Students can register for the scholarship drawing by clicking here and must be present on Nov. 7 to win. A Paul Reed Smith Mira guitar will also be given away on Friday night. Registration for the free drawing is available by clicking here or onsite at the blues festival. Registrants to the drawing must be present to win.

A canned food drive to benefit the Cooperative Feeding Program is being held all three days of the festival. Cans of food can be donated in exchange for tokens good for $1 off food and beverage purchases at the festival. A maximum of three cans per person per day may be exchanged for tokens, but there is no limit on how many cans can be donated.

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic fully accredited institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 26,000 students and is the sixth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The university awards associate's, bachelor's, master's, specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences. For more information visit www.nova.edu.

Mick Fleetwood has more than earned his place in musical history.

The driving force behind Fleetwood Mac, the Cornwall born-drummer lived through the excesses of the 1970s, battled drug addiction, survived bankruptcy and having to up sticks to America, and he remains the only original member of the band which has released 50 albums to date.

However, after playing pretty much every stadium going, next week Fleetwood's large 6ft 6ins frame will be occupying a much smaller stage, when he brings his blues band to the Holmfirth Picturedrome,Holmfirth,UK.

"I'm a blues man at heart and playing these intimate gigs is a real joy," says the 61-year-old.

"Everything from the Beatles to the current crop of guitar bands have their roots in blues and it was a big part of the Fleetwood Mac legacy.

"There's something about that sound which gets people's feet tapping, it's a real emotional connection. On a tour like this there's not the huge circus which accompanies a Fleetwood Mac gig. It's just four guys in a band playing for other die-hard blues fans."

During his 40 odd years in the business, Fleetwood has had the opportunity to play with the likes of Eric Clapton and BB King, but he gives the impression that as long as he had his drum sticks and an audience he'd be happy.

"When I started out, people played music for the sheer love of it," he says.

"Of course we all wanted to get signed, but that was always seen as a bonus. Now bands have too high expectations and the music industry is a much bigger machine. People are dropped if they don't make it after the first couple of years and to me that doesn't seem right. Bands need time to mature, to experiment, but today they aren't given the time to develop.

"For me and many of the other bands around in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was never about the money or the lifestyle, it was about getting out there and playing to audiences."

While drumming may have been his true love, he did indulge in the lifestyle which came with fame, squandering thousands on drink and drugs. He admits he never bothered about his finances and, despite earning millions, in the mid-1980s, Fleetwood was declared bankrupt.

"I screwed some things up back then," says.

"I am honest about that side of my life.

"I spent a lot of money on drugs, I went bankrupt and personally things weren't going well. I don't mind talking about it, it's not something I want to cover up, but I do get fed up when that's all people want to talk about. Throughout my life, good times and bad, the one thing which has always been constant is music.

"A lot of other things were affected, but whatever else happened during my journey through life, the music has kept on going."

Now living in Hawaii with his second wife, Lynn, and twin six-year-old daughters Ruby and Tessa, life is certainly much calmer than it was back in Fleetwood Mac's heyday.

"I am the happiest I have ever been or at least the most content," says Fleetwood.

"I'm more aware of the need to be involved in my daughters' lives and I'm much more involved with the family than I was before.

"We are all in control of our own destiny, but when you're in the music business, sometimes it's hard not to believe your own hype."

Vocal/harp sensation John Nemeth will be appearing on the nationally syndicated radio program, "A Prairie Home Companion," at 5 PM CST on Saturday, October 25th, in a live broadcast from the Chapman Theater in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Nemeth, who's fast become one of the most-talked about newcomers on the scene, will be appearing at the invitation of legendary blues guitarist and frequent collaborator, Elvin Bishop.  Earlier this week, Bishop joined Nemeth in the recording studio to contribute his distinctive guitar stylings to a couple of tracks on Nemeth's new CD, which is due for release early next year.

"A Prairie Home Companion," hosted by Garrison Keillor, is heard weekly by nearly 5 million listeners on 580 Public Radio stations. To find a station near you, click HERE.

They probably won't buy his CDs, have his poster tacked to an office cubicle bulletin board or even ask for his autograph.

Heck, to a bunch of elementary- and middle-school kids, Tommy Castro probably looks more like their grandpa than the Bay Area blues star that years of doing clubs, theaters and fairs will get you.

It doesn't matter to the 52-year-old guitarist and vocalist. He's here to help - and Davidson Middle School and Coleman Elementary in San Rafael are atypical Marin County schools.

"They are both very diverse in their student body," Castro said. "The average family income is fairly low compared to other schools in the county."

Sure, Castro's kids go to the above schools. However, "because of budget cuts, all California schools are in need of everything," he said.

So Castro and his band, plus special guest Dave Jenkins, put on the "Rock Your Soul Benefit Concert" Saturday at the Corte Madera Rec Center.

It doesn't take electrodes to his brain to jolt Castro's memories of Grant Elementary and Woodrow Wilson Junior High School growing up in San Jose.

"I hate to think what I might be doing if I hadn't become a musician," he said.

And now he sees what cuts - music, arts and everything else - does to education.

"Teachers have been cut along with other staff. There's not enough money for books and school supplies, unless we have several fund-raising events throughout the year," Castro said. "There are music programs, but they're mostly supported by fund-raising and a handful of benefactors. The Coleman PTA has raised the entire salary for its music teacher."

Castro watches closely. He sees what music in the schools can do.

"There is nothing like a group of first- and second-graders singing Earth, Wind & Fire tunes or multicultural holiday songs," Castro said, "not to mention 'Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.' The kind of thing you expect to happen in every elementary school."

Since it is election time, Castro whimsically pondered immediate changes if he became president.

"I would make sure there was plenty of money for the arts," he said. "These are classes that kids enjoy most. It makes them enjoy going to school. It makes them happy and makes it easier to handle the rest of the curriculum. If you want less kids dropping out, then make it more fun to go to school. It's a no-brainer."

In addition to the music at the school benefit, auction items include guitars and other items signed by Carlos Santana, Elvin Bishop, Sammy Hagar, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffet, Huey Lewis and others.

"We have to hustle every year to supply these simple basic bits of American culture for our kids," Castro said.Ê

Some day, Castro said, "maybe we'll put our children's education a little higher on the list of priorities above bombs and tax breaks for the oil companies. In the mean time, I'm happy to do what I can."

IF YOU GO

What: "Rock Your Soul" with the Tommy Castro Band and Dave Jenkins

When: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25

Where: Corte Madera Rec Center, 498 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera

Tickets: Show only $25; show/dinner $45

Info: 297-5517

Tahoe City, CA - Alpine Meadows Ski Resort will host the Friends for Fro Benefit Sunday, October 19, from 4:30pm to 9:30pm at the base lodge.  100% of the proceeds will be donated to Robert “Fro Frolich to provide financial assistance during his battle against cancer. 

Through his writing, award-winning author Robert “Fro” Frohlich has touched countless of people who love the Tahoe and Truckee area and the Sierra Nevada.  Now in return, the local community is reaching out to support him during this great time of need.  Frohlich recently underwent major cancer surgery; and readying himself for chemotherapy treatment. In order to assist him with his medical expenses and care, the Friends For Fro Benefit is planned to garner as much financial assistance for him as possible. 

“Who doesn’t know Fro,” says Bill Jensen, publisher of the Squaw Valley Times and one of the benefit organizers. “Fro is a literary icon that has spent his life devoted to the mountains, writing about them and those who have lived, worked, and played here. He’s recognized and respected at every level-- from ski bums to ski resort CEOs; but most importantly, Fro is our friend.  He has given so much to the community and individuals; and his benefit is a way to help him in his time of need,” he added. 

SAVE THE DATE:
The Friends for Fro Benefit is scheduled for Sunday, October 19 from 4:30pm to 9:30pm at the Alpine Meadows Base Lodge.  Entry fee to the event will be $60 per person or $100 per couple.  100% of entry fees, silent auction sums, and donations will benefit Fro.  The event will be “Fro-Style”, which means casual mountain fun for all.  Guests will be treated to exquisite cuisine presented by Tahoe’s finest restaurants, including Christy Hill, Wolfdales, Grahams, River Ranch, River Grill, Treats by Melanie Jackson, Tahoe House, Moody’s Bistro, Mamasake, Jakes on the Lake, and Sunnyside.  The Friends for Fro Benefit includes the resurrection of “In the Mood,” a winter slide show created by Fro and photographers Keoki Flagg and Hank de’Vre – a legendary feast for outdoor adventurers’ eyes and souls.  Renegade Productions has pulled out all the stops for this event, scheduling performances by Tahoe/Truckee’s musical all-stars; and a silent auction and raffle not-to-be-missed will present the best prizes and gifts including vacations, California Gold Pass, and fantastic items provided by local favorites.  Well-known local athletes and Olympians will play host as celebrity bartenders.

Help can be given many ways.  The Friends for Fro Benefit is an easy way to help; however, there are other avenues to provide assistance as well:

1. Donate a silent auction item to be included at the Friends For Fro Benefit.  Call the event contacts for mailing/delivery information.
2. Donate a monetary gift.  Located in Tahoe City, the El Dorado Savings Bank is host to The Fro Benefit Account.  Checks can be made payable to The Fro Benefit Account; or donations can route money directly from a donor’s bank.  The Routing number is: 321170978 for Account Number 163031263.

Please join us to celebrate Fro’s progress toward good health. For more information about the Friends for Fro Benefit, please contact Bill Jensen, Keoki Flagg, or Rachael Woods.  Support and donations continue to pour in daily, so be sure to visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/fro for daily updates about the Friends For Fro Benefit. Thank you for your support; and we hope to see you Sunday, October 19. 

                                                                 


The Blues Festival Guide is "THE guide to the world of the Blues". As a supplement to the annual print edition, the Blues Festival Guide also has a major presence and influence online via its website and newsletter also known as the "E-guide"; read weekly by 16,500+ blues fans, talent buyers, radio programmers and record label executives.

The annual “Blues Artist on the Rise” competition, now in its third year, gives blues artists a chance to be evaluated against other up-and-coming blues artists. 12 semi-finalists will be selected to receive FREE advertising/promotion “showcases” in the E-guide. Each showcase will include the artist’s bio, at least one photo, and a song performed by the artist.

At the end of the submission period overall winners will be named in the categories of Solo/Duo and Band. Those overall winners will be heavily publicized in the E-guide as officially winning “The 2009 Blues Artist On the Rise” competition. PLUS each category winner will receive free banner ad space on the Blues Festival Guide website for 6 months as well as free banner ad space on the E-guide for 6 months. Each category winner's prize package is valued at $1,000.

The “2008 Blues Artists on the Rise” winners were Laurie Morvan Band in the Band category, and Sonny Moorman in the Solo/duo category.

If you think you are a Blues artist “on-the-rise”, promotional coverage in the E-guide, and 6 months of free advertising could be a priceless boost to your career.

Blues artists are evaluated based on:
1. The content and completeness of their Sonicbids EPK (i.e. songs, photos, gig schedules, bios etc.)
2. The content and completeness of their own websites (similar criteria)
3. Originality
4. Talent
5. Production Quality
6. Overall Impression

A Semi-finalist (one of 12) will be announced weekly and will receive their advertising/promotion “showcase” in the E-Guide starting early in the submission period. Overall category winners will be announced in January 2009.

Entering artists will need to stipulate if they are entering as a Solo/duo or a Band. If you choose to be considered in both categories you will need to enter twice. To enter the contest you must have an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) through Sonic Bids. Click Here to enter: SONIC BIDS

ATHENS, GA – Acclaimed blues guitarist Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin and hot New Orleans horn-band Bonerama will co-headline a full day of music at the first annual Bud, Bourbon & Blues Fest to be held on Saturday, November 15, at The Melting Point, 295 E. Dougherty Street, in Athens, Georgia. Sponsored by The Foundry Park Inn & Spa and Budweiser, the non-stop blues event features two stages: the main club indoor stage; and a special outdoor patio stage set-up for acoustic acts. Beside the headliners, the festival will spotlight many local and regional blues artists, including Diane Durrett, Rick Fowler, Blues Affliction, Mad Whiskey Grin, Marion Montgomery, The Cazanovas, Big C & AJ (featuring Clarence Cameron), The Healers, and Paul Lombard. For the grand finale, Bob Margolin will lead a special all-star blues jam.  

Throughout the day, the festival will offer Budweiser and bourbon specials, as well as barbeque food concessions outside on the patio. Doors open at 1:00 PM on November 15 for the festival, which is for those 18 years and over, with advance tickets on sale now for $15 at www.meltingpointathens.com; and tickets available at the door for $20. The ticket line number is (706) 254-6909. In the June 2007 issue of Paste Magazine, The Melting Point was featured as one of “The 40 Best Music Venues in America.” 

The Foundry Park Inn & Spa is also offering a special “blues show” package that includes two tickets to the festival and a room for $119, plus tax. Call the Foundry Park Inn & Spa at (706) 549-7020 to get this special package.

River City Blues Society presents........

The Fall Festival Fundraiser featuring the Kilborn Alley Blues Band and Russell Miller & 6V6.

This Sunday October 26th, 2008 from 6:00PM to 10:00PM at Goodfellas Pub & Pizza 1414 N 8th Street. Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 478-1090.

Admission is just $5. This show is a fundraiser for the February 2009 Winter Blues Festival.

Kilborn Alley has been nominated for the Blues Foundations Blues Music Awards in both 2007 and 2008 for each of their last two CD releases. They are also nominated by IllinoisBlues.com’s 2008 Blues Blast Music Awards for Best Contemporary Blues Band.

In addition to the great music of Kilborn Alley and Central Illinois own Russell Miller and 6V6, the event will feature raffles, a silent auction and door prizes.

RCBS is also holding a membership meeting the same night starting at 4:30PM.

Anyone who shows up to the membership meeting at 4:30PM will get into the Kilborn show for FREE.

The event and the meeting are open to the general public.

For more information check out www.rivercityblues.com or call 309 267-4425.

Thanks for your support of the River City Blues Society!