|
|
|
|
|
Hello Blues Bands and Solo/Duo Artists
|
 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!
|
|
|
Photo Moments with the 18th Annual BFG Magazine!
|
 Here's a cheerful, fun photo and positive note from singer, songwriter, performer, recording artist Brigitte Purdy.
"Lifting us all up during these times..."
Peace and possibilities,
Brigitte
Photo courtesy: Brigitte Purdy
*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!
|
|
|
Just when we need him the most, Kerry is back!
|
 Kerry Kearney is back with Tales From The Psychedelta on Highlander Records. This complete Kearney package of guitar, voice and emotion shepherd’s listeners through the blues paces - eliciting reflection, hope, resolution and joy. Kerry’s latest Psychedelta exploration will melt your speakers and your heart, delivering you from the fog and confusion of our new normal.
Response to Tales From The Psychedelta
“A killer slide player that has all the moves right in his heart and soul delivers loads of blistering soul on this extravaganza.” - Chris Spector, midwestrecord.com
“For those who do not yet know Kerry Kearney or do not know what PSYCHEDELTA is, this is an exceptional and surprising opportunity.” - Eric Schuurmans, Rootstime.be
“I’m digging this album 110%. The album takes me through the Blues with a couple of heartfelt Delta Blues styles including slide along with Kerry Kearney’s rippin’ Blues Rock energy” - Groovy Hoovy, DJ - Blues Music Fan Radio
Kerry Kearney, a slide guitar master, plays and works his instrument to limits that amaze even the most seasoned musician or cultured music fan. The sounds Kerry creates from his vintage, stock and custom-made guitars are as unique as his songwriting and original melodies. Kerry was voted “Best Guitarist of 1999” by the Long Island Voice and “Bluesman of the Year 2004” by the Long Island Blues Society.
Purchase Tales From The Psychedelta here.
|
|
|
Arhoolie Records Celebrates 60th Anniversary Dec 10 with Virtual Concert & more
|
 Smithsonian Folkways and the Arhoolie Foundation will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the influential Arhoolie Records and the 25th anniversary of the Arhoolie Foundation. The celebration includes new digital offerings, a new dedicated Bandcamp page for the label, and a free virtual concert on Thursday, December 10, at 5pm PST/8pm EST featuring Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Ry Cooder, Charlie Musselwhite, Del McCoury, Los Texmaniacs, Savoy Family Band, La Marisoul, Cedric Watson, The Campbell Brothers, and more.
Founded in 1960 by Chris Strachwitz, and acquired by Smithsonian Folkways in 2016, Arhoolie has become synonymous with 20th-century blues, zydeco, Tejano, and many other American popular folk styles of the 20th century, influencing multiple generations of musicians across numerous genres. The label released historic albums by Big Mama Thornton, Clifton Chenier, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, and Mississippi Fred McDowell, among countless other revered singers and musicians.
The 3rd annual Arhoolie Awards, honoring musicians, organizations, and individuals who carry on and uplift roots and regional musical styles, will be presented to R&B singer Sugar Pie DeSanto, Cajun fiddler Courtney Granger, New Orleans education nonprofit The Roots of Music, and the legendary Flaco Jiménez receiving the Chris Strachwitz Legacy Award. The musicians will be performing songs from throughout the Arhoolie catalog and speaking about the label’s effect on their music. Donations will be accepted and will benefit the Arhoolie Foundation’s ongoing work.
|
|
12 Days of Christmas Blues…
Best Blues Songs About the Holiday*
|
*Editor’s Note: This article was written and compiled a few years back and there have been a few more holiday blues goodies released by artists since then, but hope this reminds you and maybe gives you ideas about some of those favorite bluesy holiday tunes. The writer included links of a few ones he felt he needed to pass up (not sure I agree with leaving out the swing and soul one but I admit I am not a hip-hop fan although the Run DMC video anyway, was pretty funny). I know we all have a list of holiday faves. If you'd like to add to this writer’s list, go ahead and email it to me by Dec 16th and I’ll include a holiday blues songs addendum next week!
 By Jered Morin
Tired of the same ol’, same ol’ Christmas songs? Are you feeling down from all the usual schmaltzy schlock? Ready for a kick in the (musical) pants? Here are the Top 12 Blues songs about Christmas, from vintage classics to modern renditions.
There were hundreds of songs to comb through. So the criteria to make this list was it had to: be about Christmas (obviously), but also make creative use of the holiday elements — think genre busters, twisted lyrics, and exceptional musicality.
Also, with so many tunes to choose from, I had to cut ones that were maybe a touch too Swing-y, or too Soul-y, way too Hip and/or Hop, and even a few that were beyond description. It was a difficult choice. But here they are, the 12 bestest Blues songs about Christmas to add to your holiday rotation:
...Find the writer’s list of holiday songs he digs by Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Canned Heat, William Bell and many more
|
|
 By Moira McCormick - For the Sun-Times
Photo: Lynn Orman Weiss
For Joseph ‘Mojo’ Morganfield, making music like his famous dad is a very good’ thing.
The most recent of Muddy Waters’ offspring to pursue his own career in music, Morganfield has released a new single, “It’s Good to Be King,” on Chicago’s longstanding independent Delmark label. [Editor’s Note: Mojo Morganfield released the EP “Mojo Risin’” in 2018]
Joseph “Mojo” Morganfield grew up with a musical legend for a father: the late Chicago blues deity and rock progenitor Muddy Waters. “He was just ‘Dad’ at home,” recalls Morganfield, who declares his upbringing in suburban Westmont — replete with school, chores, basketball practice, et al. — as “a good childhood, in a normal household.”
He does acknowledge, though, that normal households typically don’t see the likes of Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones dropping by to pay a visit.
“Eric came over quite a bit, whenever he was in the States,” Morganfield said of the British guitar god, noting that Clapton served as best man in Waters’ 1979 wedding. (As for fellow Brits the Stones, Mick Jagger and company not only drew inspiration from Muddy’s music, they famously appropriated their band name from Muddy’s 1950 hit, “Rollin’ Stone.”)
And when it wasn’t superstar rockers coming to call, it was elite players from Chicago’s fertile blues scene. Home was simply awash in live music — and spicy conversation, Morganfield remembers — over his father’s Deep South cooking. “We’d have fish fries, and musicians would be here. They’d pull guitars out and go till 3, 4 in the morning, drinkin’ and talkin’ [stuff].
“I got an earful at that age, believe me,” he added with a laugh.
“Mojo” Morganfield, 56, is the youngest son of Waters, who was born McKinley Morganfield in 1915. …Read full story about Mojo Morganfield
|
|
Rock My World Canada - Canadian Blues Reference & Collectors Guide
|
 Author Mike Carr has released the second installment in his ongoing series, Rock My World Canada: Canadian Blues Reference & Collectors Guide, and it’s now available. This issue contains 215 full color pages, over 700 artists, and nearly 2800 album covers. It promises coverage of the likes of Canadian blues artists such as Kevin Mark, Jack DeKeyzer, Monkeyjunk, Ann Vriend, and more. It also includes lists of blues festivals, societies, record labels, and an autograph page.
“It’s all about the music,” says author Mike Carr. “I started this project as my personal commitment to help support Canadian musicians. No matter what genre you favor, we have a vast amount of talent in this country. The goal is for readers to discover something new.
Just like a song can trigger certain memories, I found album covers could do the same. I remember when I was younger, I could hardly contain my excitement when, after purchasing a new album, I could admire the artwork, review the liner notes, and check out the band credits. In this digital age, though, it appears album covers have become a lost art. It’s like going to a record store, without going to a record store!”
|
|
Find some Bluesy Holiday Gift ideas...
|
 If you missed our Bluesy Holiday Gift Guide in the Dec 3rd e-Guide, you can find it here* if you'd like some suggestions about cool gifts for those blues lovers in your circle... or even yourself! (*scroll down to the Dec 3rd News Flash section)
The article is packed with several links that take you directly to the source suggestions. If you have more great ideas, feel free to share under our Bluesy Holiday Gift Guide post on Facebook!
Get your mojo workin'!
Have fun and happy shopping!
|
|
Can't Stop The Blues (CSTB)
|
|
|
This Week on Can't Stop The Blues
|
 Follow this link for the shows at Can’t Stop the Blues:
• THURSDAY 12/10
9pm EST: Kingfish Close-Up - Christone Kingfish Ingram Encore
10pm EST: Christone, Cedric and Alvin - Memphis Country Blues Festival Encore
• Friday 12/11
9pm EST: Beautiful Bobby Blackmon - Wrapped Up In My Blues III
10pm EST: Robbin Kapsalis and Vintage #18 - The Getdown
• SATURDAY 12/12
9pm EST: Aki Kumar Presented by Golden Gate Blues Society
10pm EST: Veronica Lewis Live
• SUNDAY, 12/13
9pm EST: Prakash Slim - Blues From Nepal
10pm EST: Head Honchos at Six Strings Music Fest
|
|
|
Deanna Bogart & Tommy Castro - "White Christmas"
(plus some hilarious outtakes)
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
|
CD, Single & DVD Releases
|
|
|
Big Harp George :: LIVING IN THE CITY
|
|
 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"
|
|
|
Thoughts about venues opening... share yours!
|
 Hey Blues Fans!! We see some blues music venues are opening up around the country. Albeit, opening then closing then opening, etc.
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
|
|
Which Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Hits Your Groove?
|
|
|
Our Artists & Headliners Stay & Play, They Don’t Hit & Run!!
|
 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!
______________________________
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! -
|
|
|
Print & Digital Versions Available
|
|
|
18th Blues Festival Guide Magazine Print & Digital Editions
|
 (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
|
|
|
December Birthdays upcoming of note:
 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); 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 (1935-1984); 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)
______________________________
Missed your copy of the Weekly e-Guide?
|
|
|
BFG Twitter-Instagram-Facebook
|
|
|
Join Blues Freaks at our Tweeter feed & on Instagram
|
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!
|
|
|
Get your Face in our Book
|
|
Then please drop on by and"LIKE" us to get a daily dose of blues related stuff! ...
|
|
Radio Submit Roots Blues Airplay Chart (click chart for more)
|
|
|
|
Billboard Blues Album This week
|
|
|
Billboard's Top 2 Blues Albums - Week of Dec 12, 2020
|
 #1
STRAIGHT TO YOU: LIVE
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
#2
ROYAL TEA
Joe Bonamassa
|
|
|
We've Got You Covered with Live Streams & Online Concerts
|
|
|
Blues Festival Guide Magazine Media Platforms Feature Live Streams, Online Concerts & more
|
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
|
|
|
To view entire calendar of festivals & Live Streams, click here!
|
|
ATTENTION:
FESTIVAL PROMOTERS
|
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.
|
| | |
|
|
|
NOTE: Highlighted/Linked events are paid "Featured" ads. For complete list & links go to our website Festival page!
______________________
|
*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
|
| | For festival-event links
please go to our website
_______________________
|
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
|
|
|
|
Please stay safe and optimistic!
|
|
|
We are thinking of you and wishing you good health!
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hey blues lovers! Got 
