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We're excited to announce that our 2018 Blues Festival Guide magazine is here!
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 The 2018 Blues Festival Guide magazine, our sweet 16th annual, is hot of the press and ready for shipping. After much consideration of all the terrific photos submitted, congratulations go to this year's cover photographer Marilyn Stringer for her colorful and dynamic shot of guitarist Laura Chavez and singer Nikki Hill, captured at the 2017 San Diego Blues Festival.
Our annual is sponsored this year by the Blues Foundation. It's chock full of info on where to find hundreds of festivals, artists, music and more, plus cool and informative editorial by such writers as Don Wilcock, Jim O'Neal, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, Jim Pugh, and Albert Cummings.
You can order your very own copy now via this link.
Thanks to all our sponsors, contributors, advertisers and fans. You enable us to deliver this comprehensive guide of the blues to 100,000 eager readers.
Enjoy!
Your BFG Staff
Kaati, Cheryl, Michele, Irene, Heather, Tom & Goran
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 DO YOURSELF A FAVOR... click links in our CD & News section, etc.
Make sure to click the links at the end of the CD/DVD and News Flash section teasers so you can discover them in entirety on our website news section and so you don't miss out on cool details, photos, schedules, artist or festival links, etc.
Thanks for diggin' the blues... we aim to please. ...Team BFG
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Share Photo Moments with the 15th Annual BFG Magazine
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 We caught up with soul blues singer, guitarist, arranger, songwriter and record producer Johnny Rawls at the July 2017 Hayward Russell City Blues Festival. The festival is presented by the Bay Area Blues Society and City of Hayward, CA.
Photo: Tom Yearnshaw
*NOTE! Our 2018 is starting to ship!!!Each year our annual edition arrives at festivals, blues societies and a few distributors or you can order one, too! Get yours and snap photos of you, your friends, and/or artists, etc. with our 16th annual Guide! *Then EMAIL us your photo plus caption & credit.
*Want more info or your own hard copy? Go to this page now! The Big Blues Bender was official 2017 sponsor of our Blues Festival Guide annual magazine and this year were proud to announce that it is sponsored by the Blues Foundation! ... |
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 Detroit vocalist/guitarist David Gerald, one of the Midwest's most popular live performers, released his long awaited new album, N2U, April 20, 2018.
Gerald's dynamic, blues-infused rock and soul hybrid has been captivating audiences across the country for over a decade. Gerald's stirring live performances have brought widespread acclaim in the Blues and Rock communities.
Music video premiers of two of the album's ten tracks of blues-infused rock ‘n soul created a groundswell of excitement in anticipation of the release.
Gerald grew up to the sounds of the blues, R&B and rock in his hometown of Detroit. He started playing guitar at 14, influenced by Prince, Michael Jackson and '80s rock guitarists; as he began to explore the music of blues guitar heavyweights like Albert King, ZZ Hill, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, his sound evolved and expanded to where it is today. His 2009 debut CD, Hell And Back, continues to receive consistent airplay.
...Find more about this artist and release
Website
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Hot Air, Hot Blues, Cool Brews in Monroe, Wisconsin
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 (MONROE, WI) - The Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival is back! Get ready for two days of color in the sky, fire on the ground, and a smokin’ hot lineup on the stage. Mark your calendar for June 15-16, 2018 at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe, Wisconsin.
Color in the SkyHot air balloons go up on Friday and Saturday around 6 pm and Saturday morning at 6 am. Flight patterns follow the prevailing winds over Southern Wisconsin’s Green County countryside – where the rolling hills are home to more cows than people! When the propane runs low, pilots keep an eye out for open fields to land; providing a spectacle for the onlookers and photographers. For lift-off rom the festival grounds, you’ve got a strategic view to enjoy the music while keeping an eye to the sky.
Fire on the Ground Always a favorite crowd pleaser – “balloon glows” at dusk on Friday and Saturday night. The pilots tether their balloons and fire up the propane. Hot colors run hotter, the dark sky is brighter, and the stage starts smoking.
Smokin’ Hot Blues Lineup...
...Find more about the Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival
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May 26-May 27 it's the 29th Annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival
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 (SIMI VALLEY, CA) — Dave Mason, Eddie Money, Devon Allman Project with Duane Betts, Chambers Brothers, Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band and this year’s GRAMMY winner Lost Bayou Ramblers, highlight the 29th Annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival. Southern California’s biggest Blues, Cajun, Zydeco, and Roots Music Festival features two stages of music, dozens of food booths, craft vendors and a daily Mardi Gras Parade.
The 29th annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival will once again fill your Memorial Day weekend with two days of great music and great fun.
Taking place Saturday May 26 and Sunday May 27 at Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park (5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, California), this popular festival features two stages delivering non-stop performances showcasing an array of acclaimed Cajun, Blues and other roots-based music acts.
...Find more about the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival
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Doheny Blues Festival Releases Parking Info, Shuttle/Trolley Updates & More!
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 (DANA POINT, CA) - This year, Dana Point’s Doheny Blues Festival will have more options than ever to get to Sea Terrace Park on May 19 & 20. In conjunction with the City of Dana Point, street parking surrounding Sea Terrace Park will be open, and luxury shuttles will run to locations throughout town. Plus, trolleys from Laguna Beach will drop off at the main entrance, ride share options are ramping up with Lyft/Uber, free bike valet, and much more.
The 21st Annual festival will be reimagined at its new home, with more intimate stage areas, elevated food and beverage offerings, spacious VIP & GOLD amenities, shade structures, consistent festival guidelines, and beach chairs are always welcomed!
No matter your method of travel, Doheny Blues has you covered. Find out all the details by clicking here.
SATURDAY, MAY 19 • George Thorogood & The Destroyers • Blues Traveler • Jimmie Vaughan • Anders Osborne • Eric Gales • Larkin Poe...
...Find schedule and more about the Doheny Blues Festival
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Robert Cray to Headline the Russian River Blues Festival - June 10
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 (GUERNEVILLE, CA) - Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2018 and has announced three incredible music festivals throughout the summer – including new dates for the annual Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival!
The celebration kicks off on Saturday, June 9 with the Johnson’s Beach Feel-Good Beach Party, led by multi-platinum artist the Goo Goo Dolls, chart-topping performer Shaggy, Bay Area favorites The California Honeydrops, and local artists Royal Jelly Jive, David Luning and Kingsborough!
The celebration continues on Sunday, June 10 with the Russian River Blues Festival, powered by blues legend Robert Cray and his band. Robert Cray has been bridging the lines between blues, soul and R&B for the past four decades, with five GRAMMY wins and over 20 acclaimed albums. Also appearing at the Blues Festival on June 10 will be Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Eric Burdon & The Animals, blues legend Taj Mahal Trio, the Elvin Bishop Big Fun Trio, Chris Cain, and newcomer Kara Grainger.
Find more about the Russian River Blues Festival...
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Washington Blues Society 2018 Best of the Blues Awards Winners
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 (EVERETT, WA) - On April 15th the Washington Blues Society, in partnership with the Anacortes Brewery, announced the winners of the annual Best of the Blues Awards at the Northwest Music Hall in Everett. The awards ceremony honored musicians, artists, events and venues nominated by blues society members in 32 award categories. The show featured dynamic performances from nominees for “Best Band,” along with special guests.
Congratulations to all!
Full List of the 2018 Best of the Blues Awards Winners:
MARK DUFRESNE MALE VOCALIST AWARD - Chris Eger
BLUES FEMALE VOCALIST - Stacy Jones
ELECTRIC BLUES GUITAR CD - Woodbury
SLIDE BLUES GUITAR - Sean Denton
BLUES BASS - Tom Jones
CHRIS LEIGHTON BLUES DRUMMER AWARD - Rick J Bowen
BLUES HORN - Mike Marinig
PAUL GREEN BLUES HARMONICA AWARD (tie)- Stacy Jones, Joel Astley
BLUES PIANO/KEYBOARD - Michael Baxter
ACOUSTIC BLUES GUITAR(tie) - Brett Benton, John Maxwell
BLUES INSTRUMENTALIST – OTHER - Mike Marinig
NEW BLUES BAND - Madison Avenue Blues Revue
BLUES BAND - Stacy Jones Band
...Find complete list of Washington Blues Society's Best of The Blues winners
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Which Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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- The West Coast Returns! #31 West Coast Oct. 2018 is Sold Out! Join Waitlist!
- #32 Eastern Caribbean Feb. 2019 is Sold Out!
Join Wait List!
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 LRBC #31 Sea of Cortez Oct. 2018 will sail on Holland America's ms Eurodam from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, La Paz & Loreto. The cruise is sold out… Join the Wait List via website reservations or call (816) 753-7979. For artist lineup & info, visit here.
LRBC #32 Feb. 2019 Eastern Caribbean will sail on Holland America's ms Nieuw Statendam from Ft. Lauderdale to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Bahamas Private Island. The cruise is sold out… Join the Wait List via the website or call (816) 753-7979. For artist lineup & info, visit here.
- LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE - 313 Lawrence St., Kansas City, MO (816) 753-7979 | BluesCruise.com
More Than A Cruise… More Than A Festival... More Than You Can Imagine!
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- Ventura County Blues Society Blues Fest April 28
- Central Virginia Blues Society Picnic & Elections May 6
- Washington Blues Society Blues Bash May 8th
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 Ventura County Blues Festival Sat April 28
(CAMARILLO), CA) - The Ventura County Blues Festival gates will open at 10am and music starts at 11am. Earl Thomas and John Nemeth will headline and the festival wraps with the annual Ventura County Blues Society (VCBS) blues jam, featuring an all-star cast that will include Johnny Rivers, Coco Montoya, Dallas Hodge and more. The jam will be dedicated to the memory of drummer and actor Mickey Jones who passed away in February.
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CVBS Annual Picnic & Elections May 6
(AFTOM, VA) - The Central Virginia Blues Society annual meeting and picnic is always a fun affair with lots of camaraderie and good food, along with tasty beverages. It will be held from 1-5 pm on Sunday, May 6, at the Rockfish Valley Community Center (190 Rockfish School Lane, Afton, VA). Under the bylaws, we will also be electing several officers at our annual meeting. If you have an interest in or questions about any officer position, please send an email.
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Washington Blues Society Blues Bash May 8th
(SNOHOMISH, WA) - The Washington Blues Society Blues Bash will be held May 8th from 7:30-9:30pm at the Collector’s Choice Restaurant (215 Cypress Ave, Snohomish, WA) featuring Eric Rice Trio, and Billy Stoops & The Dirt Angels. The show is free and for 21+. Public welcome.
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EMAIL your Blues Society news to us!
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Otis Rush Live in San Francisco
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Special BFG Announcements
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Join Blues Freaks at our Tweeter feed & on Instagram
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Hey, come on over and Join over 12,500+ Blues Freaks at our TWITTER feed @BluesFestGuide
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  Also Follow us on INSTAGRAM See awesome, bluesy festival photos
from our team and fellow blues lovers!
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Then please drop on by and"LIKE" us to get a daily dose of blues related stuff! ...
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Thoughts & upcoming Birthdays
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Birthdays upcoming of note:
April 26-Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (1886), Johnny" Shines (1915), J. B. Hutto (1926), Mike Finnegan (1945); April 27-Ann Peebles (1947), April 29-Big Jay McNeely (1927), Otis Rush (1935), Frankie Lee (1941), April 30-Rev. Gary Davis (1896), Mabel Scott (1915), Frankie Lee Sims (1917), Jimmie Lee Robinson (1931); May 1-Big Maybelle Smith (1924), Little Walter Jacobs (1930), Ada Brown (1890); May 3-Homesick James (1914), James Brown (1933); May 5-Blind Willie McTell (1901), Johnnie Taylor (1934)
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Roots Blues Airplay Charts (click chart for samples & updates)
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To view our entire calendar of more than 500 festivals, click here!
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ATTENTION:
FESTIVAL PROMOTERS
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LIST YOUR FESTIVAL ON OUR
WEBSITE FOR FREE HERE
To ensure that your festival also appears here in the e-Guide Festival Calender EMAIL |
Not all upcoming blues festivals are listed here at certain times of the year due to space constraints. Unless highlighted, festivals are no longer inked due to increasing spam
For a complete list and links see our comprehensive website.
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NOTE: Highlighted/Linked Fests here
are paid "Featured" ads
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Key City Rhythm & Blues Festival
Apr-27-2018 - Apr-28-2018
Abilene, Texas, USA
Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival
Apr-28-2018
Bessemer, Alabama, USA
13th Annual
Ventura County Blues Festival
Apr-28-2018
Camarillo, California, USA
KNON Fort Worth Blues Fest, 9th Annual
Apr-29-2018
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Big Llou's Juke Joynt Hall of Fame
May-09-2018
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Gator By The Bay
May-10-2018 - May-13-2018
San Diego, California, USA
Kwadendamme Bluesfestival
May-11-2018 - May-13-2018
Kwadendamme, Netherlands
Pinetop Boogie
and Crawfish Boil
May-12-2018
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
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please go to our website
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Hill Country Harmonica Festival
May-17-2018 - May-20-2018
Waterford , Mississippi, USA
Doheny Blues Festival
May-19-2018 - May-20-2018
Dana Point, California, USA
NCFBS Women in Blues Showcase
May-20-2018
Gainesville, Florida, USA
Simi Valley Cajun &
Blues Music Festival
May-26-2018 - May-27-2018
Simi Valley, California, USA
Smokin' in Steele
BBQ & Blues Fest
Jun-01-2018 - Jun-02-2018
Owatonna, Minnesota, USA
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RBA Publishing/Blues Festival Guide
P.O. Box 920, Arcata, CA 95518
Call 707-630-3304
RBA Publishing is the parent company of the Blues Festival Guide and Reggae Festival Guide. We are woman owned and operated.
We produce the annual Blues Festival Guide magazine, affiliated with the top-ranking website, and this weekly blues newsletter: The Blues Festival E-Guide, with approximately 30,000 weekly subscribers.
We look forward to your suggestions, critiques and questions. Reach our E-Guide editor, Michele Lundeen via EMAIL.
Contact our home office to find out how to advertise in this e-weekly newsletter. Call 707-630-3304.
Information both editorial and advertising in the Blues Festival E-Guide is believed to be correct but not guaranteed. Double check info carefully before you attend any event or send money for anything. We do not write the news... we just report it. ...
For Gmail users: By default, emails may get into the Promotions tab in Gmail. Please check your Promotions tab for the download links and follow these instructions to make sure other important
RBA Publishing info is delivered to your main inbox: In your Promotions tab, drag any
RBA Publishing/Reggae Festival Guide/Blues Festival Guide email and drop it over to the Primary tab
2. Choose "Yes" to confirm that you never want to miss our news.
For Yahoo!, Hotmail and AOL users:
to ensure continuous delivery of our important content.
That’s it! Now you can stay up-to-date.
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Hey blues lovers! Got 
