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Photo Moments with the 18th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's my Uncle Mickey and Aunt Barbara on a recent visit to So Cal for a Vet's Day event.
My Uncle Mickey Ganitch just turned an astonishing 101 years old, Weds Nov 18th!
A Navy veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor and Disabled American Veteran's "Volunteer of the Year" for helping others, among his lifetime of accolades, up until Covid, he's traveled around the world as well as locally (Bay Area) sharing and educating, with honesty and his downhome sense of humor, his amazing stories of resilience, respect and love for his country! You can Google him!
Uncle Mickey's secret to long life? ..."Keep Breathing!" Gotta love it!
Photo: Michele Lundeen
*Don't have your 2020 magazine? Order one here! Once you receive, have fun, get creative and SNAP A PHOTO of you, your friends, and/or artists, etc. with the BFG magazine and EMAIL your photo, caption (120 words or less), a URL if applicable, and photo credit to your e-Guide editor! We Encourage Individual Subscribers. However, if you know of a location that's open that we might send a box to, please let us know.
The Blues Foundation is the official sponsor of our 2020 Blues Festival Guide!
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CD, Single & DVD Releases
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Brigitte Purdy :: MEMPHIS HOTLINE (single)
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 “Memphis Hotline” is the latest masterpiece from the multi-award winner, singer-songwriter and producer under Grammy consideration, Brigitte Purdy. Equally at ease with spitfire blues and sophisticated soul, the L.A. bred artist has continually climbed her way up the charts with silky, soulful hits such as “Lucille Don’t You Weep,” a tribute to the late B.B King, and her spellbinding “Hoodoo.”
“Brigitte is just so commanding of your attention. Purdy once again displays a mastery of her voice as she runs a gamut of emotions that can purr like a kitten or bring down the heavens with a growl that would have the devil running for cover.” …Peter Merritt, 106.7 Melbourne Australia
“Memphis Hotline” serves up a generous heaping of grit, great and toe tapping feet. Combining the brilliance of Drake Shinning on B3 and Dave Osti on guitars.
“Brigitte is a hidden gem. Her depth of expressivity and emotiveness, together with her rich, compelling and soulful tone, and her flawless technical prowess, make Brigitte Purdy a world-class lead vocalist of legendary potential.” ...Frank Simes, Musical Director for The Who.
“Robust musical arrangements, well-crafted lyrics and most of all, an artist capable of transferring her emotions from her singing voice to her listener.” …Gio Pilato, Blue Bird Reviews, UK
To have the ability to sing is something that many of us are naturally gifted from a very early age. Very few individuals, though, are able to connect such ability to their own emotions and translate them into singing and songwriting. Thanks to her pure and silky singing voice, Brigitte Rio Purdy has been invited to perform on the same stage with artists like Walter Trout, Sugaray Rayford, Tim Bogart, Dionne Warwick, and Dolly Parton among others, plus recorded background vocals for such artists as The Who and Paul Rodgers.
 "Memphis Hotline"
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Pascal Bokar :: AMERICAN TRAILS
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 Through his exciting CD release entitled American Trails, virtuoso guitarist, vocalist Pascal Bokar, Father of the “AfroBlueGrazz” sound, makes a resounding musical statement of the nature of the multi-cultural expressions and legacies of West African heritage and African American traditions through the Blues.
This new sound and blues-based CD connects the American musical traditions of the South with the original 4-string instrument from Mail West Africa, Ngoni or banjo and the West African balafon (ancestor of the xylophone) in a powerful rhythmic and multi-sonic Blues based contemporary gumbo that one has yet to discover.
American Trails deepens Pascal Bokar’s exploration of the Blues in his “AfroBlueGrazz” concept with an opening ear-popping version of blues great Otis Spann’s composition, “The Blues Don’t Like Nobody,” in a duet with vocalist Paula Harris and some blistering scat/guitar singing.
The first track of the album is followed by the sultry ballad “I Wanna See You in My Dreams,” also featuring Paula Harris. The funky, grooving “I Can Tell,” introducing the West African balafon (ancestor of the xylophone) and the banjo, is a hard-pulsing number that is sure to get everybody dancing, reuniting the old sonic landscape of the American South in a contemporary Blues and call and response format.
“Your Smile Inside My Nights” projects Pascal’s mellow baritone vocals in a light, syncopated and dance pulse followed by the hard-hitting Blues instrumental, “Let It Groove, All Night Long.” American Trails closes with “Everytime I See You There" featuring Pascal Bokar's fast and delirious guitar work which sums up this upbeat release that will delight audiences of all ages and tastes.
"The Blues Don't Like Nobody"
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Shaun Murphy Band :: FLAME STILL BURNS
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 The Shaun Murphy Band is comprised of a team of music professionals who have been playing for more decades than they care to count. The line up on this project includes Tom DelRossi (drums), John Marcus (bass), Kenne Kramer (guitar), Tommy Stillwell (guitar and vocals), Eric Robert (B-3), Kevin McKendree (piano), and of course, Shaun Murphy on vocals and tambourine.
Flame Still Burns is the 10th solo CD from Shaun. The disc offers fourteen outstanding tracks from various genres by recognizable names like Leon Russell, Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, Chris Smither, Gregg Allman, Denise LaSalle, Melvin London, Eric Clapton, Willie Dixon, and Charlie Rich. While primarily a Blues album, Shaun absolutely dominates, touching on rock ‘n roll, soul, and even a Country tune.
Full of polish and fire, Shaun’s voice is unforgettable and stronger than ever. Shaun says, “We hope you enjoy Flame Still Burns as much as we enjoyed recording it for you.”
The new release is now available from their website as well as all other popular music outlets.
"Sweet Little Angel"
Booking/Press: TC Davis Email or (615) 495-8244 |
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A&M-Texarkana PLACE guest speaker Adam Gussow Nov 20 in free Zoom lecture
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 Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s Program for Learning And Community Engagement (PLACE) will be featuring blues musician Adam Gussow as a part of its “Southern Experience” themed speaker series on November 20th.
The PLACE event, “Working with Mr. Satan: A Personal Introduction to the Blues,” will take place November 20th from 12pm-1:30pm (CST) on  Zoom. The lecture is free and open to the public, but preregistration is required. To register for this event please visit this site.
Gussow is a professor at the University of Mississippi and will be discussing his journey into blues music with a man named Mr. Satan, a well-known blues guitarist. As a professional blues harmonica player, Gussow has recorded a half dozen albums, played major blues, jazz, and folk festivals, and is featured in the documentary Satan & Adam, currently screening on Netflix.
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Paramount Releasing feature documentary Guitar Man
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Paramount is releasing feature documentary Guitar Man, about bluesman Joe Bonamassa, on Premium VOD and digital on December 8. The docu from filmmakers Philippe Klose and Kevin Shirley follows the rise and hurdles of blues-rocker Bonamassa, who has notched more No. 1 blues albums than anyone else in history in his three-decade career. Guitar Man shows how the two-time Grammy nominee was discovered at childhood and mentored by blues legend B.B. King, opening up for the latter when he was 12. In 2009, Bonamassa fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall and was joined onstage by Eric Clapton, marking a pivotal moment that elevated his music.
Bonamassa recently achieved his 24th No. 1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart last month with Royal Tea. At 43, he has released more than 40 albums including with studio and live recordings, collaborative albums with blues sensation Beth Hart and the adventurous side projects Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party. He has played alongside such artists as Stephen Stills, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Steve Winwood and Buddy Guy among others. Building on their 28-year partnership, Bonamassa and his manager, Roy Weisman, created their own record label, management, marketing and concert-promotion company, J&R Adventures, over a decade ago. He has been cited by Guitar World as “arguably the world’s biggest blues guitarist.”
Since COVID-19 has changed the ways of the world, Bonamassa has been working hard to raise money for musicians affected by the crisis, by creating "Fueling Musicians." This emergency relief program is designed to support musicians by providing immediate cash payments of $1,000 for essential living expenses, as well as pre-paid gas cards of $500 to help them stay afloat and get back on the road again when it is safe. To date, they’ve raised over $365,000 and distributed money to more than 200 artists.
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Poland’s Suwalki Blues Festival 2021, a partner with Notodden, receives grant
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The Suwałki Culture Centre has received a grant from the EEA (European Economic Area) Financial Mechanism program for the implementation of the Suwałki Blues Festival – a factor in the social and economic development of the Suwałki municipality. Their partner is Notodden Blues Festival.
The main objective in this project is to expand the Suwalki Blues Festival with the thanks and cooperation with the Norwegian partner which, in the long term, will turn into social and economic development. They will be able to organize the future 14th edition of Suwałki Blues Festival 2021. It will be a special edition dedicated to Polish and Norwegian cooperation. During the festival, they will organize over 26 blues concerts, Polish Blues Challenge contest, workshops, joint concert, and a Blues Playground for the youngest blues fans. All of this will conclude with a Suwałki Blues Festival CD, which will promote the project.
The organizers of Suwałki Blues Festival, one of the biggest open-air blues festivals in Poland, are convinced that the future edition of the festival will be unique. They invite all blues fans, supporters and friends of the festival to the event in 2021!Congratulations! This is a good example of blues cooperation across borders and that the blues is active and alive in Europe!
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"It is time for the youth to wake up!" says Songhoy Blues
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(BAMAKO, MAILI) - "It Is Time For The Youth To Wake Up!" says Songhoy Blues, The Malian group on using music to illuminate the global conscience. Some bands like to keep politics out of their mouths. Too complicated, they say. Muddies the waters. Detracts from The Art. Narrows their target market.
For Songhoy Blues, there’s never been the option of choice. Political exiles from their homeland in northern Mali, they’re a band forged in defiance and protest - their very existence a ‘fuck you’ to a country that banned music. They began in a rebellion, sparked when the Tourag rebel group MNLA (National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad) overthrew the government and took control of the north of Mali. MNLA, in turn, were overthrown by a jihadist group who banned alcohol, cigarettes, and women talking! Fleeing their homes in the North, the three founding members (Garba, Aliou and Oumar Toure, unrelated in spite of the shared surname) sought refuge in Bamako and rebellion through song. A way to keep the traditions and melodies of their people alive. And so Songhoy Blues was born.
Swept aboard Damon Albarn’s Africa Express, they found a platform to an international audience, the life-affirming exuberance of their live performances a tonic to those lucky enough to bear witness.
Optimisme, their third record, is testament to both their activist grit and faith in joy. It’s potent, ferocious and fizzing with life, desert-blues licks winding serpentine through the amplified bombast of the classic rock they grew up idolizing. (And anyone jaded or disillusioned by the possibilities of guitar music would do well to listen to the magic they wring from theirs). Its release follows another turbulent political year in their country, as the military overthrew the government, arresting the prime minister and President. Even this interview was almost derailed. Read full story/interview…
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Can't Stop The Blues (CSTB)
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This Week on Can't Stop The Blues
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 Follow this link for the shows at Can’t Stop the Blues:
• THURSDAY 11/19: 9pm EST Ghalia Volt - One-Woman Backyard Extravaganza - Throwback Thursdays10pm EST: Ghalia Volt & Friends - Throwback Thursdays
• FRIDAY 11/20: 9pm EST: The Nick Black Band: Live In Memphis
10pm EST: Greaseland Fridays w-Friends Festival - Vol. 3
• SATURDAY 11/21: 9pm EST: Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson - The Wildwood Sessions 10pm EST: Travis Larson - Live From The Treehouse
• SUNDAY 11/22: 9pm EST: A Mitch Woods Thanksgiving - Cookin’ At Greaseland10pm EST: Ron Thompson All-Star Benefit & CD Release Party
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Crossroads Blues Society creates Musician’s Relief Fund
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 (BYRON, IL) - The Rockford Area Musician’s Relief Fund has been established via Go Fund Me through the Crossroads Blues Society to support area musicians with financial needs caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. You can also donate by check to: Crossroads Blues Society, PO Box 840, Byron, IL 61010. To receive a $500 grant, artists who apply must live within 100 miles from Rockford and play on a regular basis within 50 miles (as the crow flies) of Rockford City Hall. An artist may only apply once. As money is collected it will be doled out to applicants on a first come, first served basis. To apply, the artist must also record an original song and provide the recording to Crossroads. In turn, Crossroads will make an on-line compilation of the songs available to donors donating at least $25 to the fund and for a $50 donation we will burn a copy of the songs onto a CD and mail it to the donor. There is no limit to what you can donate.
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Thoughts about venues opening... share yours!
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 Hey Blues Fans!! We see some blues music venues are opening up around the country. Albeit, opening then closing then opening, etc.
 Here's a note from Rosa's Lounge:
"For 36 years Rosa's Lounge has been a Live Blues Music Venue in Chicago.
We have experienced the Open, Closed, Open, Closed schedule of COVID-19. March 14th marketed our last regular full-time schedule with live bands and guests. We opened for 2 weeks in July, only to be closed by the city again. Then we opened for 3 weekends in October. We are closed again. Rosa's Lounge has continued to support the artists and have been Livestreaming non-stop since March on our Facebook Page, YouTube and Roku Channels. Virtual tipping for the artists and the venue are available.
Jennifer Boberg/Promotions, Special Events & PR
Rosa's Lounge - 3420 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60647"
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 and make sure to put "VENUES OPENING" in subject line (so it doesn't get lost in my email). 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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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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 LRBC#35 Southern Caribbean: Oct. 24~31, 2021 From Ft. Lauderdale, Fl To Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba & Half Moon Cay (Bahamas Private Island) On Holland America’s Ms Eurodam. Cabins & Info HERE
 LRBC #36 Eastern Caribbean: Jan. 29~Feb. 5, 2022 From Ft. Lauderdale, Fl To Tortola, St. Thomas & Turks And Caicos On Holland America’s New Flagship Ms Rotterdam. Cabins & Info @ HERE
Visit Reservations Or Call (816) 753-7979 To Reserve Your Cabin!
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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 Chasing The Blues with Fee Waybill
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 SEASON 2/EPISODE 32: Fee Waybill, singer and frontman of The Tubes joins Tom The Suit Forst in this latest podcast. In 1984, a year after the Tubes released one of their most successful albums, Waybill released Read My Lips, his first solo album. In 1996, Waybill released Don't Be Scared By These Hands. Now in 2020, the life long singer-songwriter returns with a new solo album, Fee Waybill Rides Again.
On the podcast Fee takes Tom through the songs on this latest release, their development, and working with producer Richard Marx. He shares insight into his  writing process, and a rare glimpse into a lifetime of music making.
LISTEN
DOWNLOAD
Listen to the Chasing The Blues Podcast on Spreaker, Apple and Spotify
Chasing the Blues is a weekly audio podcast hosted by blues rock guitarist and recording artist Tom The Suit Forst. Now in its second season with over 82 episodes in total, the podcast recently launched a YouTube television show. The next show will feature Samantha Fish discussing the Cigar Box Guitar Festival 2021.
Chasing the Blues Podcast is produced by Factory Underground Studio, and Marketed by Factory Underground Media (Norwalk, CT). The season sponsor of the podcast is Blues Festival Guide Magazine, which Bobby Rush calls the "Roadmap to the Blues."
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Print & Digital Versions Available
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18th 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.
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:
Nov 19 Chris Cain (1955); Nov 20 Duane Allman (1946-1971); Nov 21 Dr. John (1940-2019); Nov 22 Angela Strehli (1945); Nov 23 R.L. Burnside (1926-2005); Nov 24 Donald "Duck" Dunn (1941-2012); Nov 25 Eddie Boyd (1914-1994), Jimmy Johnson (1928); Nov 26 Tina Turner (1939), Bernard Allison (1965); Nov 27 Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970); Nov 29 John Mayall (1933); Nov 30 Robert Nighthawk (1909-1967), Brownie McGhee (1915-1996), Smokin’ Joe Kubek (1956-2015), Shuggie Otis (1953)
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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 13,800+ Blues Freaks at our TWITTER feed @BluesFestGuide
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  Also Follow us on INSTAGRAM with 7,500 BluesersSee 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 Nov 21, 2020
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  #1
ROYAL TEA
Joe Bonamassa
#2 BLUES WITH FRIENDS
Dion
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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 8,000 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:
Please click through the festival links on our site for most current updates
Can't Stop The Blues
Thurs-Sun 9PM EST
Facebook, Universal
Samantha Fish Cigar Box
Guitar Festival
Jan-13-2021 - Jan-16-2021
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Great British Rock
& Blues Festival
Jan-15-2021 - Jan-18-2021
Lincolnshire, Skegness, UK
Clarksdale Film & Music Festival
Jan-29-2021 - Jan-31-2021
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Whitby Rhythm &
Blues Festival
Feb-20-2021
Whitby, North Yorkshire, UK
Southport Blues,
Rhythm & Rock Festival
Feb-21-2021
Southport, United Kingdom
Bluesberry Festival
Mar-06-2021
Covington, Louisiana, USA
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please go to our website
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Cleethorpes Blues,
Rhythm & Rock Festival
Mar-06-2021
Cleethorpes, United Kingdom
Chelsea Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival
Mar-13-2021
Fulham, London, UK
Looe Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
Mar-19-2021 - Mar-21-2021
Looe, United Kingdom
Juke Joint Festival
& Related Events
Apr-15-2021 - Apr-18-2021
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Baton Rouge Blues Festival
Apr-16-2021 - Apr-18-2021
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Temecula Blues Festival
Apr-17-2021
Temecula, California, USA
Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival
Apr-24-2021
Bessemer, Alabama, USA
15th Clarksdale
Caravan Music Fest
May-8-2021
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
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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 
