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Photo Moments with the 17th Annual BFG Magazine!!
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 I had the distinct pleasure to meet, perform with, and watch and hear Keeshea Pratt in person at Proud Mary's Southern Bar & Grille fresh from us both being on the 2019 October Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. Keeshea truly does possess an impressive musical range and undeniable charisma. What a treat, and she literally "stole the show." The Keeshea Pratt Band took 1st Place 2018 International Blues Challenge after being the Houston Blues Challenge Winner in 2017.
Photo: Michele Lundeen
*NOTE! Each Spring our annual edition arrives at festivals, blues societies and a few distributors! Get yours and snap photos of you, your friends, and/or artists, etc. with our 17th annual and EMAIL your photo
plus caption & photo credit to us!
**Want more info or your own hard copy? Go to this page!
We're proud that the Blues Foundation is official sponsor of our 2019 Blues Festival Guide annual magazine. |
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Featured Video of the Week
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John Popper & Eric Clapton "Christmas Without You"
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Got your 2019 Blues Festival Guide Magazine?
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 Hi folks... We're proud of our 2019 edition of the annual Blues Festival Guide magazine that features the amazing Robert Finley on the cover. You may be able to still find it at select festivals and/or via your Blues Society. Plus we have it in digital form on our website.
Click cover image here to check it out!
To order one to have delivered to your mailbox and hold in your hands please click this link.
ENJOY!
Team BFG,
Kaati, Cheryl, Irene, Michele, Heather, Tom, & Goran
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Griff Hamlin :: I'LL DRINK TO THAT
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After months of anticipation, Blues Guitar Unleashed founder Griff Hamlin released the debut album, I’ll Drink To That, from his new group, Griff Hamlin and the Single Barrel Blues Band. Featuring 10 original songs, Griff’s fiery guitar work, and powerful horn arrangements by Nashville veteran, Tim Akers, the record navigates effortlessly through traditional slow blues and modern blues/rock.
Having been away from regular touring and recording for the last several years, Griff has, nonetheless, been building a loyal following via his Blues Guitar Unleashed instructional website. And with over 30,000 Facebook Followers and over 75,000 YouTube followers, it’s no surprise that I’ll Drink To That hit #1 on the iTunes Blues Chart within hours of its release, and debuted at #9 on the Billboard Top Blues Albums Chart the following week.
Great songs, powerful delivery, and world-class musicians come together to make I’ll Drink To That a record that will establish Griff Hamlin and the Single Barrel Blues Band for many years to come. ...Find more about this artist and release
 "Louisiana Holiday"
Website
Facebook
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An Important Book about The Healing Power of The Blues
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 Blues Therapy, written by Anita Schlank, Ph.D. and musician Tab Benoit, is a book about the blues and mental illness and features three sections.
In the first section, "The Psychologist's Perspective," Anita Schlank tries to dispel myths about mental illness and mental health treatment, discuss the therapeutic effects of music (particularly the blues and the blues community), and discusses aspects of a musician's lifestyle that can exacerbate mental health problems. In the second section, "The Musician's Perspective," Tab Benoit discusses these same issues from the perspective of a musician.
In the final section, "The Interviews," 14 amazing blues musicians, Annika Chambers, Ronnie Earl, Mark Earley, Amanda Fish, Eric Gales, Beth Hart, Janiva Magness, Nick Moss, Anders Osborne, Phil Pemberton, Billy Price, Dawn Tyler Watson, "Monster" Mike Welch, and the Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, share their compelling personal experiences with mental health problems and/or addictions, including the ways in which the blues has been healing for them. Bluesman Mike Zito also wrote the foreword for the book. These incredibly talented musicians are taking steps to help eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and mental health treatment.
All proceeds from the sale of this book benefit the Blues Foundation’s HART Fund, which pays for medical and mental health as well as substance abuse treatment for blues musicians in financial need. ...Find more about the author, the book and how to purchase Blues Therapy |
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Beat the Winter Blues at the Jamaica Winterfest, Jan 23-30, 2020
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 (MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA) – What better way to beat the “Winter Blues” than with some amazing music on a tropical isle!
Join Peter and Michelle Swanek for some wintertime warmth at their annual, all-inclusive week at the beautiful SeaGarden Beach Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, for a fun-filled week featuring fantastic, all-star musicians, jams, clinics and simply a darn good time!
The Swanek’s own and operate Peter’s Players, a 100-seat concert venue and guest house in Muskoka north of Toronto that continually lives up to their stated mission, “Great Shows Always!”
Get ready for…
* Five nights of entertainment featuring, Matt Anderson, Anna Popovic, Peter Rivera, Paul Nelson’s All-Star Band and Steve Mariner.
* Clinics and jams with the artists
* All-inclusive stay at the SeaGarden Beach Resort in Montego Bay, just minutes from the airport
* All the shows are on site at the resort
* Hassle free booking with support every step of the way
This package also includes ground transfer to and from hotel, all meals and drinks along with the top-notch accommodations, and fantastic music.
Last year was their first Caribbean venture and they are now committed to doing this every year. This is a relaxed, intimate and very social vacation concept that puts great people and great music together. ...Find more about basking in the blues in Jamaica
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Bettye LaVette, Syl Johnson among inductees for the Blues Music Hall of Fame
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 Bob Mehr/Commercial Appeal
(MEMPHIS, TN) - Dynamic R&B diva Bettye LaVette, soulful singer, songwriter, producer Syl Johnson and harmonica man Billy Branch are among the latest performers set to be inducted into the [Blues Foundation’s] Blues Music Hall of Fame.
The 41st annual class of inductees was confirmed by the Memphis-based Blues Foundation, and also includes Muddy Waters and Big Mama Thornton sideman George “Harmonica” Smith, as well as pioneering 1920s blues artists Victoria Spivey and Bertha “Chippie” Hill.
Held as part of the annual [Blues Foundation’s] Blues Music Awards Week, the Blues Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place May 6 at the Halloran Centre. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $75 and go on sale Jan. 7, 2020.
Additionally, the Blues Hall of Fame will honor important achievements in several categories beyond performers, recognizing Non-Performing Individuals, Classics of Blues Literature, Classics of Blues Recording (Song) and Classics of Blues Recording (Album).
Groundbreaking country and blues producer Ralph Peer will be honored for his contributions to the genre. The biography Earl Hooker, Blues Master, by French writer/producer/translator, and American roots music authority Sebastian Danchin, will be honored as well.
The 1991 release from blues master Howlin’ Wolf, The Chess Box, will be recognized as... ...Find more details about all the nominees and tickets
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Laurence Jones aims to get more people into the blues
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 Yorkshire Post
Voted top European blues artist, and Best Young Blues Guitarist in the British Blues Awards, Laurence Jones has a mission to bring his favourite music to a younger audience.
Terry Caster caught up with the Midlands-based bluesman for a chat as he heads towards the end of a three-month tour encompassing Sweden, Germany, France and Holland, as well as the UK. Following a high-flying Planet Rockstock gig in South Wales, he was looking forward to returning to Leeds, where he is playing on election night.
How’s the tour been going Laurence, how do you find the difference between the continent and the UK gigs?
"It’s been good. It’s been a long tour, the longest I have done. We’re more popular and more mainstream out there – we’re on the radio a lot more on equivalent stations to Radio 2 being played. So we get big crowds out there, more than the UK. But that doesn’t mean it is better! Coming back to play where I started there are really enthusiastic audiences – in the ten years I have been a professional musician I have seen a change and there’s more younger people getting into this kind of music.
That’s great, because one of my aims when I started out was to get more people – more young people in particular – into the blues.” ...
Read interview in entirety here
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Which Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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More Than A Cruise… More Than A Festival… More Than You Can Imagine!
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 LRBC #34 Western Caribbean: Jan 19-26, 2020
SOLD OUT! Join Waitlist here!
OPEN CABIN SALES launch Dec. 26 @ 11am CST.
Taj Mahal & Phantom Blues Band, Keb’ Mo’, Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio, Charlie Musselwhite, Ruthie Foster, Tab Benoit, Walter Trout, Tommy Castro & the Painkillers, Kenny Neal Band w/ Tyree Neal, G. Love & Special Sauce, Danielle Nicole, Shemekia Copeland, Johnny Rawls, Rev. Peytons’ Big Damn Band, Vanessa Collier, Marquise Knox, Shakura S’Aida, RUF Records Blues Caravan, Jonathon Long, Doug MacLeod, Mitch Woods Club 88, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, Kelley Hunt, Daryl Davis, Eden Brent & many more!
LRBC #36 Eastern Caribbean: Jan 31-Feb 7, 2021PREBOOK NOW with your $500 per cabin deposit.
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LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE 313 Lawrence St., Kansas City, MO (816) 753-7979 | BluesCruise.com |
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 Birthdays upcoming of note:
Dec 12 Joe Williams (1918-1999), Lonesome Sundown (1928-1955), Deacon Jones (1943); Dec 13 Lurrie Bell (1958), Lucky Peterson (1964); Dec 15 Andrew “Big Voice” Odom (1936), Mark Hummel (1955), Nick Moss (1969); Dec 17 James Booker (1939-1983), Paul Butterfield (1942-1987); Dec 18 Pee Wee Crayton (1914-1985), Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (1917-1988), Lonnie Brooks (1933-2017), Arthur "Peg Leg Sam" Jackson (1911-1977), Rod Piazza (1947); Dec 19 Professor Longhair (aka Henry Roeland Byrd) (1918-1980); Dec 20 Walter "Wolfman" Washington (1943), Mitch Kashmar (1960), Tom Hambridge; Dec 21 Peetie Wheatstraw (1902-1941), Carla Thomas (1942); Dec 22 Lil Green (1919-1954), Liz Mandeville; Dec 23 Little Esther Phillips (1935); Dec 24 Lee Dorsey (1924-1986); Dec 25 Joe Louis Walker (1949); Dec 27 Tracy Nelson (1944); Dec 28 Roebuck "Pops" Staples (1914-2000), Johnny Otis (1921-2012); Dec 29 Matt "Guitar" Murphy (1929-2018), Terry Hanck; Dec 30 Bo Diddley (1928-2008); Dec 31 Odetta (1930-2008)
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Missed your copy of the Weekly e-Guide?
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Join Blues Freaks at our Tweeter feed & on Instagram
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Hey, come on over and Join over 13,000+ Blues Freaks at our TWITTER feed @BluesFestGuide
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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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Roots Blues Airplay Chart (click chart for samples & updates)
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Billboard Blues Album This week
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Billboard's Top 2 Sales - Week of Dec 14, 2019
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 #1 THE MOJO! KING RARITIES & OBSCURITIES
Freddy King(Highest Ranking Debut)
#2 MOONLIGHT, MISTLETOE & YOU
Keb' Mo'
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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/events 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 events here
are paid "Featured" ads
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Samantha Fish Cigar Box
Guitar Festival
Jan-15-2020 - Jan-18-2020
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Thredbo Blues Festival
Jan-17-2020 - Jan-19-2020
Thredbo, Australia
10th Annual
Pigz in Z'Hills BBQ & Blues Fest
Jan-18-2020
Zephyrhills, Florida, USA
Jamaica Winterfest
Jan-23-2020 - Jan-30-2020
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Costa Rica Blues Festival
Feb-14-2020 - Feb-16-2020
El Coco, Costa Rica
Chelsea Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
Mar-28-2020, London
United Kingdom
Tampa Bay Blues Festival
Apr-03-2020 - Apr-05-2020
St Petersburg, Florida, USA
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please go to our website
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Juke Joint Festival
& Related Events
Apr-16-2020 - Apr-19-2020
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
16th Annual Blues By the Sea
Apr-19-2020
Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA
Lincoln Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
May-09-2020
Lincoln, United Kingdom
Kimbrough Cotton Patch Soul Blues Festival
May-15-2020 - May-17-2020
Holly Springs, New York, USA
Chesapeake Bay
Blues Festival
May-16-2020 - May-17-2020
Annapolis, Maryland, USA
Sierre Blues Festival
Jun-11-2020 - Jun-13-2020
Sierre, Switzerland
Billtown Blues Festival
Jun-12-2020 - Jun-14-2020
Hughesville, Pennsylvania, USA
Greeley Blues Jam
Jun-12-2020 - Jun-13-2020
Greeley, Colorado, USA
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RBA Publishing/Blues Festival Guide
P.O. Box 920, Arcata, CA 95518
Call 707-630-3304
RBA Publishing, Inc. in business since 1993, is a boutique blues-specific PR and marketing firm based on the West Coast. We help musicians, festivals, labels and music-related brands. Our digital campaigns target fans, industry and influencers. We are masterful at email marketing, social media, fan acquisition and long-term marketing plans. Our media services are supported by people who understand and love the blues genre. Publishers of annual the Blues Festival Guide magazine, our top-ranking website, and e-Guide newsletter with approx 30,000 weekly subscribers, we have been blues industry leaders for over 17 years. Please contact us at 707-630 3304 or EMAIL to findout how we can help you!
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 share and report it.
We also welcome your e-Guide suggestions, critiques and questions. You can reach our E-Guide editor, Michele Lundeen via EMAIL.
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That’s it! Now you can stay up-to-date.
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Hey blues lovers! Got 
