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CD, Single & DVD Releases
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Mark May Band :: DEEP DARK DEMON
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 Mark May Band releases Deep Dark Demon on Gulf Coast Records, featuring the single "Barbecue and Blues," celebrating the blues, brews and barbecue that is a common theme of music festivals and blues fans from all over the world. Mark’s last release, the highly acclaimed album Blues Heaven, hit #6 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart and remained there for 5 weeks.
To describe some artist’s music with one word would be easy but to do that with Mark May’s music would be impossible. But there’s one thing for sure, it’s all dripping with his rich love for the blues. His astonishing live shows featuring dynamic twin leads and dual harmony guitar work are the perfect complement to Mark’s smooth vocals. For over 20 years, Mark May has made a name for himself in the Texas blues scene and has been perfecting his craft performing at blues clubs, bars, and festivals.
The Mark May Band has performed at numerous festivals across the country including Telluride Blues and Brews, Mississippi Valley Blues Fest, King Biscuit, Tremblant International Blues Festival, Dallas International Guitar Show, Chenango Blues Festival, and many more. Mark May also had the opportunity to be the opening act for The Allman Brothers Band on their 1997/98 Amphitheater tour and went on to join up with ABB guitarist Dickey Betts and his band Great Southern for several tours and an album. He has also been featured in Blues Review, Guitar Player, Guitar World, Vintage Guitar, Tone Quest and other major publications. You can purchase Mark's new album at his website.
 "Barbecue and Blues'"
Website
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Duffy Bishop :: I’M GONNA DO WHAT I WANT!
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 Duffy Bishop is a force of nature and an unforgettable performer. For those of you who know Duffy, this latest album, I’m Gonna Do What I Want!, speaks to who she is: groundbreaking, a take no prisoners performer, and a passionate multi-genre singer who defies any one label. The album swings, shuffles and rocks its way through some great originals (and a few choice covers) with a band that plays with the immediacy and passion of a hot live performance.
Duffy Bishop is in the Hall of Fame of the Cascade Blues Association, Washington Blues Society, and The Oregon Music Hall of Fame.
"I'm Gonna Do What I Want"
Website
Booking: Road Dawg Touring, Doug Tackett, Email (303) 670-9950
Chris Carlson, Email, 503-750-0392
Management: 2 Jeffs On Music, Jeff Ross, Email
Press : 2 Jeffs On Music, Jeff Heiman, Email
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Kivett Bednar :: "Beggin' Ya Please"
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 "Beggin' Ya Please" is the new single from Kivett Bednar. The song brings forth images of a cold, bright day at the coast. The first thing that strikes you is the sadness and urgency of the vocal performance. One comes away with the impression that they’ve witnessed genuine catharsis expressed as art.
Growing up in Austin, Kivett’s music tends toward roots and Americana. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Kivett embarked on a production career that would see him work with such Austin legends as The Hudsons and Guy Forsyth. More recently Kivett produced the albums Better Than I Was and Wrong Kind Of Love for Portland’s own Rae Gordon, who has been a staple at the Waterfront Blues Festival’s main stage for years. Kivett’s own band, The Pining Hearts, won Best Indie Band and Best Local Artist on Willamette Week’s Best of Portland list 2017.
“Beggin’ Ya Please” marks the first release of Kivett Bednar’s as an independent artist. And it is to be followed by a full album release scheduled for later this Fall. You can find more music by Kivett Bednar on Spotify and the Apple Music Store, or through his website.
"Beggin Ya Please"
Website
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Here's some thoughts about venues opening... share yours!
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 Hey Blues Fans!! We see some music venues are opening up around the country. Albeit, opening then closing then opening, etc.
We're interested in your thoughts:
- Have you attended any shows and where?
- If so, how was the vibe (i.e. joyous, awkward, crowded, etc.)
- If not, when will you feel comfortable attending?
- If you're a musician, have you performed live for an audience recently?
- If so, how was the vibe and attendance?
Email me 100 words MAX with "VENUES OPENING" in subject line. Tell us where in the world you're located. Feel free to send me a pic of your favorite blues music experience if you like, too.
Wishing you all good health and peace,
Michele
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Photo Moments with the 18th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's guitarist, songwriter, singer, and recording artist Tommy "Blue Sky" McCoy
hanging out in front of his vintage 14' Shasta camper in St. Petersburg, Florida enjoying his Blues Festival Guide.
Among his many music accolades, McCoy also is the founder and inventor of Microphome, a pro audio cleaner and deodorizer for mics. etc. He also wrote the screenplay for the upcoming blues film, A Reason For The Blue Sky.
Go ahead and get creative and take a picture with your magazine and email it to us (see below)! Don't you have your new magazine? You can order one here!
*NOTE! Our 2020 annual was sent to select festivals, blues societies and a few distributors plus we also Encourage Individual Subscribers because of the unusual conditions of the Pandemic.
Once you get yours, have fun and SNAP A PHOTO of you, your friends, and/or artists, etc. with the BFG magazine and EMAIL your photo, caption (100 words or less), a URL if applicable, and photo credit to your e-Guide editor!
**Want more info or your own hard copy? Go to this page!
The Blues Foundation is the official sponsor of our 2020 Blues Festival Guide!
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Magic Slim feat. Keb' Mo'
"Mother In Law Blues" & "The Blues Is Alright"
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16-Hour Livestream tells History of Black Live Music in America July 25
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For more than 30 years, the Jazz Foundation of America has worked to keep jazz, blues and R&B alive by providing assistance to musicians in need. The non-profit provides everything from housing assistance to teaching jobs to hundreds of musicians and has helped artists with basic living expenses during the COVID-19 crisis.
To raise funds for the foundation, drummer Steve Jordan and promoter Peter Shapiro are staging "Red, White, Black & Blues," a 16-hour journey through black American live music. Beginning on Saturday, July 25th at 9 a.m., Shapiro’s Fans.com will stream classic performances by Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Beyoncé, Bill Withers, Billie Holiday, Chance the Rapper, Little Richard, Kendrick Lamar, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and more, telling the story of black music through classic archival performances.
“Jazz, blues and gospel are African-American art forms,” says Steve Jordan, the drummer and artistic director of the Jazz Foundation of America. “They are the basis of rock & roll. They are also the bedrock of American pop culture. American pop culture has turned out to be our greatest export. The universal language of music is undeniable, unmistakable and unstoppable.”
The event will also feature clips from Missy Elliot, Muddy Waters, Notorious B.I.G., Otis Redding, OutKast, Patti LaBelle, Run D.M.C., Sade and more, and will not be in chronological order. Peter Shapiro, the veteran music promoter and founder of Dayglo, is executive producing the event, streaming it on his website, Fans.com. …Find full story by Patrick Doyle/Rolling Stone
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25th Annual Fargo Blues Festival Explodes Aug 7-8
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 (FARGO, ND) - The 25th annual Fargo Blues Festival will be held Friday Aug 7 and Saturday Aug 8 at Newman Outdoor Field. This 2-day, 12-band blues explosion will feature world class bands, great food, and plenty of ice-cold brews. Held on the grass of a 1st class baseball stadium. Camping is within walking distance. They have conferred with the North Dakota Health Department and will follow their recommendations. Hand sanitizer will be provided and they expect social distancing. Masks will be available at the merchandising tent. Thank you for your cooperation and stay safe!
Friday, August 7th 2020: Anthony Gomes, Nick Moss Band, Larry McCray, Shawn Holt & The Teardrops, Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames, 3rd Street Blues Band
Saturday, August 8th 2020: Albert Cummings, Albert Castiglia, Shannon Curfman, Johnny Rawls, Scottie Miller Band, Heart & Soul
The Blues Fest has received national exposure and has been recognized as one of the best blues fests in the country. Dan Aykroyd (aka Elwood Blues) has twice given it a thumbs up on his nationally syndicated House of Blues Radio hour.
More info at their Website or Facebook page.
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Muddy Waters' House Receives Renovations Grant
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By Aaron Gettinger/Hyde Park Herald
 (CHICAGO, IL) -The National Trust for Historic Preservation has given the Muddy Waters Mojo Museum a $50,000 grant to begin renovations on legendary bluesman's long-derelict former home in North Kenwood.
Muddy Waters, a six-time Grammy-winner and inductee into both the Blues Foundation and Rock and Roll halls of fame, bought the 1889-built house at 4339 S. Lake Park Ave. in 1954 and lived there for 20 years, using it as a rehearsal studio and temporary housing for a number of musicians.
By 2013, however, Waters had been dead for 30 years, and the Department of Buildings had found the house to be unsafe, with windows, doors, stairway and porch in need of repair, according to the Tribune. It was threatened with demolition.
But the Mojo Museum was one of 532 proposals the National Trust's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund considered for $1.6 million in grant money this year. After seven months of review, it got the money; Chandra Cooper, Waters' great-granddaughter, envisions a community cultural center and neighborhood museum focusing on its namesake and the blues.
"We want to be able to support older artists as well and as a small venue, where people can go in the basement and do a little recording, because while it wasn't a recording studio downstairs — it was a rehearsal studio — we'd like to incorporate that into the overall experience," she said. Further plans include a community garden that could host small performances as well.
...Find full story
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A record-breaking year for Blues & BBQ for Habitat for Humanity Denver
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Casey Van Divier/Arvada Press
 (DENVER, CO) - Despite the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a venue change and smaller in-person audience this year, on July 18 and 19, the Blues & BBQ Festival for Better Housing raised around $50,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. That number represents a sizable portion of the total that the event has raised over the past 23 years, totaling more than $400,000.
“We wanted to do anything we could to keep the festival rolling,” said Arvadan Ranger Miller, who organizes the event.
Twenty-three years ago, the event began after Miller volunteered to build a home with Habitat for Humanity, a 501(c)(3) that builds and sells homes to residents in need of affordable housing. Feeling a strong connection to the cause, Miller held a silent auction during a gig for his band, raising around $350 for the organization.
From there, the festival grew. Blues & BBQ became an Arvada tradition held in the streets of Olde Town before its continued growth sparked a change in location to Citizens Park in Edgewater.
Ranger said he was determined to keep the event going this year, even as the pandemic posed some challenges to organizing the annual festival.
After researching possible locations, the Millers were able to hold the event at The Venue on Cortez Street in Denver. To keep guests safe, patrons wore masks when entering and moving around the space and seating was limited to 75 people. …Find full story here
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Which Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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Our Artists & Headliners Stay & Play, They Don’t Hit & Run!!
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 100+ scheduled shows on 6 stages. Multiple shows by each artist, pro jams, land events, autograph sessions, artist workshops & more…
*RESCHEDULED TO 2021
LRBC #35 Southern Caribbean: Oct. 24~31, 2021 #35. Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba & Half Moon Cay (Bahamas Private Island) on Holland America’s ms Eurodam.
Find bands, cabin availability & more here.
Open Cabin Sales launched JULY 15 @ 11am CDT. Visit Online Reservations or call (816) 753-7979 at that time.
 *RESCHEDULED TO 2022
Jan. 29~Feb. 5, 2022 LRBC #36 Eastern Caribbean
Same Itinerary & aboard Holland America's NEW SHIP, the ms Ryndam! Sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale to Tortola, St. Thomas and Turks & Caicos!
Find bands, cabin availability & more here
Open Cabin Sales start AUGUST 18 @ 11am CDT. Visit Online Reservations or call (816) 753-7979 at that time.
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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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Chasing The Blues Podcast
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Tom "The Suit" Forst Presents
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SEASON 2 / EPISODE 15:
On Episode 15 of Chasing the Blues Season 2, Tom chats with a veteran of the Chicago blues and jazz scene Larry Kimpel, who also performs under the artist name Bear Williams.
Bear took on this name as part of a personal musical journey returning to his blues roots. He has performed throughout his career with a "Who's Who" list of musical artists from Steve Perry of Journey to George Duke, Jonathan Butler, Tom Scott, Boney James, Al Jarreau and many others. As Bear William, he stepped out front writing, singing, and  recording his original music, after returning to his native Chicago from Los Angeles where he worked for many years. Bear talks about his days coming up in the Chicago scene, performing in the studios for Chess and Brunswick Records. He discusses his career as a touring bassist, and rediscovering his passion for the blues that lead him back to where it all began.
LISTEN
DOWNLOAD
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Chasing the Blues Podcast has weekly episodes sharing interesting stories of the original bluesmen, the pioneers of the art form, as told through personal interviews with players from around the world: some famous in their own right, recording and touring artists, veteran sidemen, and rising new talent.
Chasing the Blues is proudly sponsored by Blues Festival Guide, which Bobby Rush calls the "road map to the blues." Chasing the Blues is also sponsored and produced by Factory Underground Studio in Norwalk, CT.
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Print & Digital Versions Available
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18th Annual Blues Festival Guide Magazine (Print & Digital Editions)
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 (ARCATA, CA) — RBA Publishing offers the 18th annual Blues Festival Guide magazine in both print and digital formats as well as our weekly Blues Festival e-Guide newsletter.
“With so many festivals postponing or canceling, it was uncertain if we would publish it this year, but the readers kept asking,” says publisher, Kaati Gaffney. “We received countless personal calls and emails from advertisers and readers alike and have been bombarded with magazine orders. It seems the more we all sat at home during this pandemic, the more we thought about music and its ability to generate well-being and connection...”
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls our magazine: The Roadmap to Everything Blues. Indeed, the articles offer something for everyone, all blues related, of course. This year’s engaging editorial is once again from aficionados in the blues community.
- Living Legend: Charlie Musselwhite By Eric Steiner
- Blues Movies Reel Away the Blues By Roger Stolle
- The Healing Blues By Anita Schlank, Ph.D.
- What’s Cookin’ with Victor Wainwright
- The Jus’ Blues Music Foundation
- Jammin’ On the High C’s On Board the LRBC By Mitch Woods
- A King and A Duke By Reverend Billy C. Wirtz
- Festivals Receive KBA
- Blues: An African Sonic Response By Pascal Bokar Thiam, Ed.D.
To order a hard copy mailed to your home, send $9 to RBA Publishing Inc. P.O. Box 920, Arcata, CA 95518. To read the 64-page magazine online for free, visit our website,
Blues Festival Guide is a division of RBA Publishing, Inc, which specializes in blues publishing, publicity and marketing.
...Click here to read cool mini descriptions of these fine articles
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 Birthdays upcoming of note:
July 23 Tony Joe White (July 23, 1943); July 26 Popsy Dixon (1942), Mick Jagger (1943); July 28 Roy Rogers (1950), Mike Bloomfield (1943-1981), Junior Kimbrough (1930-1998); July 30 Buddy Guy (1936), Big Jack Johnson (1940-2011), Otis Taylor (1948), Michael Burks (1957-2012); July 31 Roy Milton (1907-1983), Ahmet Ertegun (Atlantic Records founder) (1923-2006); Aug 2-Big Walter Price (1917-2012), Mark Naftalin (1944); Aug 3- Mercy Dee Walton (1915 –1962); Aug 4-Louis Armstrong (1901-1971); 6- Willie Lee Brown (1900–1952); Aug 7-Magic Slim Morris Holt (1937-2013); Aug 8-Joe Tex (1933-1982), Jimmy Witherspoon (1920–1997)
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Missed your copy of the Weekly e-Guide?
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BFG Twitter-Instagram-Facebook
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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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  Also Follow us on INSTAGRAM See awesome, bluesy festival photos
from our team and fellow blues lovers!
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Get your Face in our Book
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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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Radio Submit Roots Blues Airplay Chart (click chart for more)
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Billboard Blues Album This week
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Billboard's Top 2 Blues Albums - Week of July 25, 2020
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  #1
BLUES WITH FRIENDS
Dion
#2
SELF MADE MAN
Larkin Poe
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We've Got You Covered with Live Streams & Online Concerts
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Blues Festival Guide Magazine Media Platforms Feature Live Streams, Online Concerts & more
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The Blues Festival Guide platforms are fast becoming the main portal for blues live stream and blues online concert events.
As fast as an online event is announced, the Blues Festival Guide team makes the announcement and link go live in a special section on the top-ranking Blues Festival Guide Website, as well as on their social media platforms ( Facebook with 195,000 Followers, and Instagram @bluesfestguide with 6,000 Followers). This service is provided for free to the artist as well as the viewer.
Even though music festivals and clubs are on lockdown across the globe, there are loads of brand-new music and live concerts via live stream, both small and large, local and international, that can be watched from the safety of your couch on your own TV, computer or phone.
With almost 20 years of experience delivering blues music and blues music news around the world, Publisher Kaati Gaffney says, “We are experienced digital marketers specializing in live music events. During this time of pandemic, while festivals and events are virtual, it is our pleasure to provide this service.” ...Find more about BFG or to contact us to share your events
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To view entire calendar of festivals & Live Streams, 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 are paid "Featured" ads. For complete list & links go to our website Festival page!
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*CORONAVIRUS UPSETS:
Postponed means rescheduled or 2020 is still pending. Cancelled means some have picked dates for 2021. Please check the festival links on our site for most current updates
Fargo Blues Festival
Aug-07-2020 - Aug-08-2020
Fargo, North Dakota, USA
RESCHEDULED to AUG 13-15, 2021
20th Heritage Music BluesFest
Aug-07-2020 - Aug-09-2020
Wheeling, West Virginia, USA
Crosby Zydeco Festival
Aug-15-2020 - Aug-16-2020
Crosby, Texas, USA
Interstate Blues Fest
Aug-28-2020 - Aug-29-2020
Hagerstown, Maryland, USA
VIRTUAL
Rentiesville Dusk til Dawn Blues Festival at Your House
Sep-04-2020 - Sep-06-2020
Rentiesville, Oklahoma, USA
VIRTUAL Tim Horton's Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival-
Sep-10-2020 - Sep-13-2020, Mississagua, Ontario, Canada
Leeds Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
Sep-12-2020
Leeds, United Kingdom
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please go to our website
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Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival
Sep-12-2020
Bessemer, Alabama, USA
CANCELLED
GCBA Lone Star Blues and Heritage Festival
Sep-18-2020 - Sep-20-2020
Tomball, Texas, USA
Laconia Blues Festival
Sep-19-2020
Laconia, New Hampshire, USA
Annual Greenwood
Blues Cruise
Sept-24-2020 - Sept-27-2020, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
Kimbrough Cotton Patch
Soul Blues Festival
Sep-25-2020 - Sep-27-2020
Holly Springs, New York, USA
Bluesberry Festival
Oct-03-2020
Covington, Louisiana, USA
Jimiway Blues Festival
Oct-16-2020 - Oct-17-2020
Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland
Temecula Blues Festival
Oct-17-2020
Temecula, California, USA
Chelsea Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival
Oct-31-2020
London, United Kingdom
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Please stay safe and optimistic!
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We are thinking of you and wishing you good health!
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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 18 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 do CD/DVD reviews nor 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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Hey blues lovers! Got 
