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Hello Blues Bands and Solo/Duo Artists
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 Please give yourself a FREE link on our top-ranking website: BLUESFESTIVALGUIDE.COM
Here is the direct link to post your info: (easy and free – takes 2 minutes).
Your info will appear in our LINK DIRECTORY — another way for fans and industry folks to find you!
Plus, with the holidays near, this seems like a win-win for fans and gifts of your merch!
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Photo Moments with the 18th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's a note from a reader and blues music fan that has caught some shows recently along with some good food!!
"Hey Blues Brothers & Sisters... John from Rhode Island. One of our great local music venues, ...Chan's Egg Rolls & Jazz, in Woonsocket, RI, is opened and keeping us safe and socially distanced! I was thrilled to see the great Ana Popovic with my 13 year old granddaughter there a couple of months ago, and just last week saw guitar virtuoso, and a local guy, Young Neal (Vitullo) with Dave Howard on vocals! Shows are a little more expensive due to limited capacity but always well worth it... And the Chinese food is terrific! Thanks John Chan!"
John Reis/Rhode Island
Photo courtesy: John Reis
*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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Big Harp George :: LIVING IN THE CITY
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 Big Harp George has carved out a singular space in the blues world since his award-nominated debut album Chromaticism in 2014. That album highlighted his unusual reliance on the chromatic harmonica, which, in the blues world, has remained mostly a novelty instrument since the time of Little Walter. George, instead, took on the chromatic as his main axe.
In Wash My Horse in Champagne (2016) and Uptown Cool (2018), George began to show his chops as a writer of highly unusual songs, reflecting keen insight into contemporary politics and society and often irreverent wit. Musically, his tunes build on established blues and jazz grooves, but occasionally draw on Brazilian and other international influences as well.
In his just-released fourth album, Living in the City, George, accompanied by his typical cast of Northern California all-stars (including Little Charlie Baty in his final recordings) has produced what critics have called "a masterpiece" of thirteen original new songs.
Hear it from them:
“Living in the City is a lush, complex, and beautifully-produced work of art. If you love blues harp, this album will blow. you. away. Even if you don’t love blues harp, this album will blow you away.” …Richard L. Boyer, Vocal.Media
“Big Harp George serves up one of the most interesting albums you’ll hear this or any year with Living in the City, the fourth release in his catalog … Living in the City delivers a sonic treasure for anyone who appreciates deep thoughts and blues without borders.” …Marty Gunther, Blues Blast Magazine
“Big Harp George has presented us with an absolute gem of an album in LLiving in the City. It’ll certainly make my Top Ten for 2020.” …Bill Mitchell, Blues Bytes
Living in the City is the rare album that may leave you dancing, laughing, and thinking all at the same time. It is dedicated to the late Little Charlie Baty.
Order or download yours now from George’s website, or access it from whatever platform you prefer. You will play it often.
George’s entire library of 55 recorded songs is also available from his website in a totally unique and highly giftable USB drive shaped like a miniature chromatic harmonica!
 "Living In The City"
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Cathy Grier & The Troublemakers :: I'M ALL BURN
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 Cathy Grier returns with a bunch of Troublemakers and a new album, I'm All Burn. The title track from Cathy Grier & The Troublemakers' new album, kicks off a 16-song sonic watercolor painted across almost every facet of the Blues landscape. Her innate sense of casual precision, borne from just over four decades as a working musician, places each carefully crafted song in just the right spot to maintain a groove that achieves the remarkable feat of being simultaneously easygoing and intense. It may seem effortless, but everything on the album is fine-tuned. "I'm old school as far as producing," she comments, "very hands on and involved."
I'm All Burn is her 14th album; it fits perfectly in with her musical canon, but also serves as a perfect introduction for those new to her world. Tapping into the deep well of musical talent in her new-ish home state of Wisconsin (she moved from NYC to Sturgeon Bay in 2016), she's assembled an all-star cast of Troublemakers to bring these songs to technicolor fruition. "Pretty much anyone who plays with me is a Troublemaker," she laughs, "but the people on this record are some of the most amazing musicians I've ever had the good fortune to work with."
Her songwriting prowess and production skills are on full display as the record subtly shifts across a range of moods and styles from sultry to funky, from the Bayou to Chicago (with a Memphis detour), and her gritty, soulful vocals bring the most out of every lyric. Call her a lightning rod, call her a magnet, but the Blues are unmistakably attracted to Cathy Grier.
"I'm All Burn"
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Love You Madly – A Stream for Santa Cruz Fire Relief Dec 5
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 (SANTA CRUZ, CA) - Love You Madly – A Stream For Santa Cruz Fire Relief, December 5, 2020 is a streaming event for Santa Cruz’s recovery from the CZU Lightning Complex Fires. Fans can tune in at 7pm PT/10pm ET to enjoy the livestream at Nugs.TV or the Love You Madly website for a 2-1/2 hour stream of music and personal messages from musical luminaries including Steve Earle, Boz Scaggs & Bonnie Raitt, The California Honeydrops, Los Lobos, Colin Hay, Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani and dozens more. Also included will be original artwork, moving photography, and examples of how funds have already been put into action to help families. Those inspired to donate to the fund before the stream can do so here.
Original Love You Madly original artwork is also available on a t-shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie here. 100% of proceeds will be directed to the Fire Response Fund.
An online auction will launch soon, letting fans bid on guitars autographed by Sammy Hagar (Gibson Les Paul Studio Tribute), Joe Satriani (Ibanez JS140), plus a custom-built Santa Cruz Guitar Company acoustic featuring inlays designed by local firefighter.
Santa Cruz County has been deeply impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, a historic wildfire resulting in the evacuation of 77,000 people, covering over 80,000 acres, and destroying over 900 structures.
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Bluesy Holiday Gift ideas... lift up your spirits
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Wondering how to lift up yours and others spirits this holiday season? Well, we know music is a healer so go ahead and bring it on! You could give the gift of a Blues Society and/or Blues Foundation membership. We mentioned last week that the Blues Foundation’s Online Store also has new art plus many other gifts in their online store for blues lovers. Make sure to explore your favorite Blues Society’s online merch, too. The Music Maker’s Relief Foundation has a Holiday Gift Guide here.
Purchase CDs of your favorite artists, who will be grateful, as most are currently unemployed. Look under our Blues Festival Guide "Blues link Directory" for many artists websites. Check our Blues festival listings too, as several are offering some great gift ideas plus you can start making your festival wish list for 2021 (or purchase tickets as gifts), since several have updated their dates. A few examples offering goodies in their "stores" are the North Atlantic Blues Festival, Heritage Music Fest, Big Blues Bender, Baton Rouge Blues Festival and many more.
Don’t forget the blues museum sites like Delta Blues Museum, or Lucille's Gift Shop at B.B. King Museum. And so many other sites like Mojo Hand and Cathead... man, we could just go on and on.
Have fun with your bluesy self!
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Legendary Sugar Pie DeSanto to be honored Dec 10
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By Thurman Watts/OaklandSide
Photo: Pete Rosos
Oakland-based rhythm and blues singer Sugar Pie DeSanto has been selected to receive the prestigious Arhoolie Award for 2020. The award honors extraordinary individuals and organizations who preserve, practice, and support traditional art forms. DeSanto and three other awardees will be honored during a live-streamed ceremony on December 10, 2020.
When Arhoolie Foundation board member Larry Batiste gave her the news of the hefty award, Ms. DeSanto was characteristically nonplussed. “See, I didn’t come here yesterday. I’ve been acknowledged, voted on, rooted for, and talked about all my life. Been there, done that. So I didn’t fall out with excitement. But it’s a nice thing. I’m enthused and feel lucky to be chosen.”
The Arhoolie Foundation Awards show will be live-streamed on Thursday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m. PST with performances by Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, Charlie Musselwhite, Los Texmaniacs, La Marisol with Max Baca, Beausoleil Trio, Ruthie Foster, and more.
The fiery octogenarian (DeSanto turned 85 this year) was born in Brooklyn, raised in San Francisco, and made her musical career touring America and Europe in the 1950s and 1960s, dazzling audiences with acrobatic dance moves. Physically diminutive at 4 feet 11 inches, DeSanto is a self-confessed “stage arsonist” who takes pride in her showmanship. “Honey, I’ll burn the stage down!” she said in a recent interview. …read full story
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Eric Clapton, Van Morrison team up for anti-lockdown song
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 By Shubham Dasgupta -
NewsBytes
The coronavirus pandemic has uprooted what lifestyle has stood for, and a huge chunk belongs to the entertainment domain.
Music is an inseparable part of it and musicians across all pay scales and influences have been badly hurt as pubs, concert halls, auditoriums remain shut.
This has prompted guitar virtuoso Eric Clapton and Brown Eyed Girl hitmaker Van Morrison to stand up for them.
The duo will release a blues song titled Stand and Deliver that helps Morrison's Save Live Music campaign earn non-profit revenue.
The song is written by Morrison and performed by Clapton.Stand and Deliver will be available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Deezer, and Spotify for streaming and download from December 4. ...read full story
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B.B. King’s Estate Responds to Drake and Lil Wayne’s "B.B. King Freestyle"
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 By Ellise Shafer -Variety
Over the weekend, Drake and Lil Wayne broke the internet with their first collaboration since 2017, “B.B. King Freestyle.” The song is off Wayne’s new “No Ceilings 3” mixtape, which is hosted by DJ Khaled, and has already garnered over 1.5 million views on YouTube.
Vassal Benford — the chairman of B.B. King’s estate, who is executive-producing King’s official biopic with the bluesman’s family — gives “a big thumbs up,” and wants to invite Drake, Wayne and Khaled to work with the estate on a hip-hop album to be released by Universal Music Group alongside the biopic.
“When I heard ‘B.B. King Freestyle,’ I was shocked, as this is exactly what we wanted,” Benford says. “We are in talks to do a new hip-hop album with our team and Universal Music Group, to usher in the new millennium with B.B. King and top A-list hip-hop artists.”
...read full story
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LRBC "Driftin' & Driftin'" Happy Hour Episode 9 with Vanessa Collier & Rev. Billy C. Wirtz Live on Thurs Dec 3rd
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Legendary Happy Hour is back with 2020 BMA "Horn Player of The Year" and multiple BMA Nominee Vanessa Collier for Episode 9 of Driftin' & Driftin'! Tune in Thursday, Dec. 3rd @ 5PM CST.
LRBC's Driftin' & Driftin' is a close up with our Blues stars. On each episode, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz talks musician to musician with our favorite Cruise artists! Don't miss it! Visit Facebook LIVE or the LRBC Facebook page.
Facebook Event Page
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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 12/3
9pm EST: Avey Grouws CSTB Debut - Throwback Thursdays
10pm EST: Gary Hoey w/special guest Louie The Looper - Throwback Thursdays
• FRIDAY 12/4 9pm EST: Hurricane Ruth Live at Camping With The Blues
10pm EST: Lara Price Band- Making Lemonade
• SATURDAY 12/5
9pm EST: Ruthie Foster Presented By Levitt Shell
• SUNDAY 12/6
9pm EST: Harpdog Brown & Friends- Really Live From Canada
10pm EST: John Nemeth & The Blue Dreamers- Live From Memphis
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Central Iowa Blues Society features monthly video series
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 Follow Central Iowa Blues Society (CIBS) on Facebook for some fun and interesting content. CIBS Education Chair, Steve Vasquez, features a monthly series he calls “Where In The World: A Blues Ambassador’s Travels,” with videos, stories, interviews and the like about Blues Educators in other parts of the world.
Steve also puts on his chef hat and goes LIVE with “Out Of The Blues Kitchen.”
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Keb' Mo' "Merry Merry Christmas"
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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 notes from music fans this week:
"The Blue Note Grill in Durham, North Carolina... The area’s best-loved venue for the blues, booze and food (especially wings and barbecue!), host to well-known national and international artists, local and regional favorites, and a popular weekly and monthly blues jam and an open mic. The owners have skillfully adapted to changing requirements, with great takeout food, outdoor concerts and jams, and indoor music, bar and dining with limited seating. I recently performed in an outdoor concert and a blues jam, to smaller than usual but enthusiastic masked, socially distanced audiences, including dancers on the patio! It felt safe and joyful!"
...Mark Heffington
 "Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA Wednesday November 25, 2020 "Live At The Fillmore" 2 shows: 5pm and 9pm. I attended the late show. Venue was only allowed to sell 20% of the total number of seats, so 60 tickets were sold for each show. The bar was closed due to Governor Wolf shutting down liquor sales at 5pm that day. Had to wear mask during entire show. Was able to bring in a bottle of water. It was great to hear live music again at a fantastic venue!"
...Bob Davidoski, Philadelphia PA
"I am not going to any inside venue until the pandemic is over. To do otherwise would be foolish, especially now that the surge is everywhere. My favorite blues hall will probably never reopen: The Turning Point in Piermont, NYC."
...David Menken, Westchester County, NY
We're interested in your thoughts:
- Have you attended or performed any live shows since the pandemic and where?
- If so, how was the vibe (i.e. joyous, awkward, attendance, etc.)
- If not, when will you feel comfortable attending?
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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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:
Dec 4 Larry Davis (1936); Dec 5 Alec "Rice" Miller aka Sonny Boy Williamson II (1912-1965), Kim Simmonds (1947), "Little Richard" Penniman (1932-2020); Dec 6 Sean Carney; Dec 8 Gregg Allman (1947-2017); Dec 9 Junior Wells (1934-1998), Dec 10 Guitar Slim (1926-1959); Dec 11 Big Mama Thornton (1926-1984); Dec 12 Joe Williams (1918-1999), Lonesome Sundown (1928-1955); Dec 13 Lurrie Bell (1958), Lucky Peterson (1964-2020); 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)
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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
___________________________________________
  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 Dec 5, 2020
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 #1
FROM AN OLD GUITAR:
RARE AND UNRELEASED RECORDINGS
Dave Alvin
#2
ROYAL TEA
Joe Bonamassa
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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
Cleethorpes Blues,
Rhythm & Rock Festival
Mar-06-2021
Cleethorpes, United Kingdom
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please go to our website
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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
Leeds Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
May-09-2021
Leeds, United Kingdom
Kimbrough Cotton Patch Soul Blues Festival
May-14-2021 - May-16-2021
Holly Springs, 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 
