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Photo Moments with the 18th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's Becky Stowe checking out her Blues Festival Guide magazine. Becky is the Director of Forest Programs for the Mississippi Chapter of the Nature Conservancy in Lucedale, Mississippi.
Photo: Tom Andrews
Want your picture here with the Guide.... bring it on!
*SEND US YOUR PIC WITH THE BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE MAGAZINE! Are you are a BFG client? Reach out to your sales person so they can send you one!
Anyone can also 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 photo, caption (120 words or less), URL if applicable, and photo credit to e-Guide editor!
The Blues Foundation is the official sponsor of our 2020 Blues Festival Guide!
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Can't Stop The Blues (CSTB)
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Tune in for the FINAL Week of Can't Stop The Blues!
Mar 2020 - Mar 2021
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 Can’t Stop the Blues is a not-for-profit, volunteer run, virtual platform for the blues, founded in mid-March of 2020 as a response to the Covid pandemic.
After a full year of hard work full of glorious music and memories, this week is CSTB's finale! We speak for thousands when we say how grateful we are for their passion and diligence to have created and continued this musical mission during a truly unsettling time in our entire world.
They have brought not only musical joy to musicians and fans alike, but an intimate experience for us to indulge in as human beings that live for music and it's truly healing power. They have brought money to the bands and music to the fans. 100% of all tips go directly to the artists’ own accounts. Thus far they have helped over 200+ artists. Please enjoy this final week and donate if you can.
Thank you to all the founders and volunteers at Can't Stop The Blues! Blues Festival Guide is proud to have been a part of your amazing journey! Respect!
Coming up this final week only on Can’t Stop the Blues:
• THURSDAY 3/25:
9pm EST: Can’t Stop The Mad Dog Blues
10pm EST: Kathy Murray & The Kilowatts - Blues from Austin TX
• FRIDAY 3/26:
9pm EST: Lara Price & Girls Got The Blues - First & Last
10pm EST: Greaseland All-Stars with Lisa
• SATURDAY 3/27:
9pm EST: Bees Deluxe - Can't Stop The Bees
10pm EST: Peter & The Wolves - Boppin’ The Blues Can
• SUNDAY 3/28:
9pm EST: Breezy Rodio - The Last Bluesy Episode
10pm EST: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats - Grand Finale
Follow this link for the shows at Can’t Stop the Blues and YouTube
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CD, Single & DVD Releases
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Lady A :: MY NAME IS ALL I GOT
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 Washington Blues Society 2020 Best in Blues Performer of the Year, singer, songwriter, storyteller, producer Lady A is known as the “Hardest Workin' Woman in Blues, Soul, Funk & Gospel.”
Lady A's new single, “My Name Is All I Got,” lends itself to the memories and moans from ancestral cotton fields, to church hymns and Dr. Watts call and response... reminding the listener that "they trying to take my name..." and, if we continue to be silent, the outcome will always be the same.
“I Am...because of those who came before me.” Lady A #TheRealLadyA
Along with her longtime band of John Oliver III (drums, music arranger, background vocals), Roz Royster McCommon (background vocals), Herman Brown (guitar), and John Studamire (bass), the fire has been lit for the cause and pour music back into the soul.
“It’s a reminder, especially to any who’d still romanticize the lush plantations and genteel charade of the Antebellum South, that we have not come far enough from the dark history that made that world possible. “My Name Is All I Got” is the powerful affirmation of a survivor, a fighter, a warrior for these times.”
…Peter Dammann, Artistic Director – Waterfront Blues Festival
Booking Now for 2021-22
Email Kimberly Horton
Heathrow Muzik Box
(601) 506-7637
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Uncork The Blues: Mindi Abair's CD Release is a Toast to Spring
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 By Lynn Orman Weiss
Combining blues and booze is like spring and flowers – they bring happiness and joy to the soul. During the pandemic, Can't Stop The Blues Livestream brought together a beautiful community by producing concerts featuring artists from around the world with audiences watching worldwide. The broadcasts into our homes, along with pre-show and post-show "meet & greets" in real time, has kept blues lovers sane.
Tuesday night's show, Mindi Abair's Wine + Music Sessions is addictive – it's one of the CSTB’s that’s hard to miss – or if you miss any of it you want to go back and watch it again. The best part is uncorking a bottle of wine and chillaxing on Mindi's Hollywood backporch with her A-list guests. Guests have included, Rick Estrin, Rick Braun, Melanie Taylor (Aerosmith), Peter White, Casey Abrams, Patrick Bradley and most recently, rockantaur Bill Champlin.
"Good Day For The Blues" is the mantra for Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers and they’ll have a good day April 9th when they do their first livestream, full-band concert at 5pm PDT on Alert The Globe to celebrate her new release, The Best of Mindi Abair. Mindi will be playing her biggest hits including the debut of her brand new single, "April," all part of the 19-song collection.
Adding a sweet note to Mindi's performances is the PSA, "Drinking with Eric," an intermission about the wine and her charitable endeavor. MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need including financial, medical and personal emergencies. Her special wine offer this week in support of MusiCares was sold out in 24 hours!
Mindi is a two-time Grammy nominee and serves as a trustee for the L.A. chapter. In 2018, Mindi and the Boneshakers won 8 independent Blues Music Awards for “Pretty Good For A Girl” featuring Joe Bonamassa. In 2019 she was nominated for "Best Instrumentalist: Horn" for the Blues Music Awards.
Mindi Abair is featured in the Women of the Blues: A Coast To Coast Collection.
Photograph by Janet Mami Takayama
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Taj Mahal with Fantastic Negrito Livestream Tickets Here!
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 The Blues Festival Guide has partnered with the legendary, award winning Taj Mahal for a series of livestream series from the UC Theatre in Berkeley, California
On March 27th Taj presents a live performance with GRAMMY winning Fantastic Negrito! Shows are 6pm PT/8pm CT/9pm ET!
Individual and Group tickets are available NOW right here!
The performance is powered by the Mandolin streaming platform. Tickets grant you 48-hour access to the stream in case you can’t join the performance live. Livestream tickets: USD $25 includes 1 entry into livestream concert. Group Ticket USD $32 (intended for group viewing within 1 household).
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BBQ & Blues with Tebo on HOWLive TV Mar 27th
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Click image to enlarge and for details...
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applications in April
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The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) issued a statement Mar 19 regarding the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), which was signed into law December 27, 2020. The Small Business Association (SBA) announced it is slated to open up SVOG applications April 8, 2021.
“We realize this is an enormous undertaking for the SBA and we appreciate everything the agency is doing to ensure this program is administered as Congress intended as expeditiously as possible. The opening can’t come soon enough. The fate of our industry’s survival is dependent on it. To say we have been anxiously awaiting the day when we can apply for this emergency relief is an understatement.”
Formed at the onset of the COVID-19 shutdown, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), now represents more than 3,000 venues, promoters, and festivals in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. NIVA, a 501(c)6, created and led the #SaveOurStages campaign, resulting in landmark legislation establishing the “Shuttered Venue Operators" Grant program to be administered by the Small Business Administration. NIVA's mission is to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live venues, promoters and festivals throughout the United States.
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Get Listed in the 2021 Blues Festival Guide Annual
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"The Blues Festival Guide is the road map to everything blues!” – Bobby Rush
Get your band, record label, festival, event or blues related business listed in the 2021 Blues Festival Guide magazine.
Enjoy festival information (both physical and virtual), blues history and lifestyle, industry highlights and editorial content to keep you connected to the blues. Include our annual Blues Festival Guide print magazine in your marketing budget. Click here for Media Kit.
This award-winning publication is free to the Blues community (distributed throughout U.S and Canada), and features entertaining and educational editorial by top Blues aficionados. Thousands of Blues fans will also read it in digital format.
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LRBC "Driftin' & Driftin'" Happy Hour Episode 17 with Danielle Nicole & Rev. Billy C. Wirtz Live on Thurs Mar 25
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Join us for Driftin' & Driftin' with Danielle Nicole & Rev. Billy C. Wirtz! Thursday, March 25 at 5pm CST on LRBC Facebook Live and the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise (LRBC) Youtube channel.
"That girl gets down to the nitty gritty." ... Koko Taylor
Singer, songwriter, bassist, Danielle Nicole Schnebelen began music from the moment she was born. Musical influences from generations on both sides of her parent's families ensured that a love of playing music would continue to be passed among her and her siblings. As a founding member of the "Heavy Blues" sibling band Trampled Under Foot, she and her brothers took top honors at the International Blues Challenge. Nicole's "distinctive, inventive bass work" resulted in her not only becoming the first woman to ever be nominated in the Blues Music Award's category of Instrumentalist-Bass, but also the first woman to receive the honor. Accolades including a 2019 Grammy Nomination for Contemporary Blues Album; 2 Blues Music Awards for Contemporary Female Artist and her second Instrumentalist-Bass, and 3 Independent Blue Music Awards.
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New England's Premier slideman Charlie Keating Band with the Rhythm Regulators
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 Charlie Keating Band with the Rhythm Regulators are celebrating 14 years together featuring New England's premier slide guitar player Charlie Keating playing that “Boston Boogie.” The band delivers a unique combination of blues and boogie.
“Charlie could be compared to Clapton and Buddy Guy… yes he's that good" - Craig Venske/Concert Photos Magazine
Members are Charlie Keating on guitar and vocals with the Rhythm Regulators Lenny Turnquist on bass and Tim Sweeney on drums. Charlie has a brilliant slide guitar style that channels Johnny Winter, Duane Allman and Elmore James. Many have compared his playing to early Stevie Ray Vaughan due to his ability to combine lead and rhythm guitar simultaneously. The band is well-known for its big sound and driving rhythm section and are equally comfortable playing unique versions of covers or originals.
"Keating is a wild man on the guitar and his mighty rhythm section know how to keep him afloat and anchored at once" - Bill Copeland/Bill Copeland News
Their most recent single, “The End Of Us" written by Keating/Turnquist, is a slow soulful ballad shifting gears from their usual rocking blues-infused sound, and showcases their versatility.
Charlie is a gifted, prolific songwriter and a member of SESAC. The band's CD, Slide On Over, has gotten consistent international airplay. The Charlie Keating Band represented the Massachusetts Blues Society at the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. They’ve opened for Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard and Toni Lynn Washington.
“This is a boogie band... and these cats can play” - Aj Watchtell/The Noise
Charlie Keating Band with the Rhythm Regulators are accepting bookings for festivals and clubs for 2021 and beyond. Contact via website or email.
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1st Thursday CTBS Blues Jam Starting April 1st (no joke)
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 (MARLBOROUGH, CT) The Connecticut Blues Society (CTBS) is collaborating with the Carter Family Farm to present Music Projects starting with Jams on the first Thursday of each month starting in April 2021 at The Chicken Shack. The CTBS ALL-STARS (River City Slim, Joey Primo, and Phil Caron) will feature a guest headliner on guitar and vocals. Coming April 1st is Petey Hop, May 6th is Tas Cru, and June 3rd is Chris Vitarello.
The Chicken Shack is a rustic barn setting, with tables indoors and huge side doors that open to a field for outdoor seating, so there are plenty of options for social distancing. Musicians bring your instruments - amps, drums, keyboards and PA are provided. Come out to play with some of the best Blues musicians in CT. The Chicken Shack also has great, reasonably priced food and there's also a full bar! Music starts at 6pm and there's no cover! The Farm at Carter Hill is located at 86 East Hampton Road (Route 66) in Marlborough.
The Connecticut Blues Society also has a new President. After 13 years, Ed Stack has stepped down, and River City Slim, aka Peter Rost, is now President. Under Stack's leadership, the CTBS has grown and thrived! See the article at Middletown Press.
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What's Happening Out There?
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Thoughts about venues opening or not... share yours!
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 Hey Blues Fans!! Some blues music venues are opening up around the country. Albeit, opening then closing. What are your thoughts and/or experiences?
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 this 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!
Click image for enlarged view
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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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Heather Gillis Band "Gonna Be A Storm"
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Holidays, Birthdays and... Just In Case
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 March is Women's History Month
"Hard times ain't nothing that music [and a sense of humor] won't help heal..."
Birthdays upcoming of note:
Mar 25-Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)
Mar 26-Rufus Thomas (1917-2001), Curley Weaver aka "Slim Gordon" (1906-1962); Mar 27-Leroy Carr (1905-1935), Robert "Junior" Lockwood (1915-2006), Sarah Vaughan (1924), Herman "Little Junior" Parker (1932), Johnny Clyde Copeland (1937-1997); Mar 28-"Cripple" Clarence Lofton (1887-1957); Mar 29- Willie Clayton (1955), Sue Foley (1968), Camille Howard (1914-1993); Mar 30-John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson (1914-1948), Eric Clapton (1945); Mar 31-Big Maceo Merriweather (1905-1953), Lowell Fulson (1921-1999), Lizzie Miles (1895);
April 1 Lucille Bogan (1897–1948), Alberta Hunter (1895–1984), Joseph Amos Milburn, Jr. (1927–1980); April 2 Marvin Gaye (1939–1984); April 3 Mitch Woods (1951); April 4 Muddy Waters aka McKinley Morganfield (1913–1983); April 5 Larry McCray (1960); April 6 Big Walter Horton (1918–1981) Warren Haynes (1960); April 7 Billie Holiday (1915-1959), Bo Collins (1932)
 Just in Case: March 29th is "National Mom & Pop Small Business Day" so head to your favorite small business to say "thank you!" You know there are mom & pop clubs and restaurants around the globe! Tiny tip of the iceberg... in Illinois there's Rick and Kathy Scott's Pop's Place in Decatur, Rosa's Lounge in Chicago, Gregg and Destinee Ware's One-2-One Bar in Austin, Texas and on and on and on and on!! What's your favorite mom & pop place that features blues music?
Drop me an email with "Mom & Pop" in the subject line
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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 8,000+ 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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Print & Digital Versions Available
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Blues Festival Guide Magazine Print & Digital Editions
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 (ARCATA, CA) — As well as our weekly Blues Festival e-Guide weekly newsletter, RBA Publishing offers the annual Blues Festival Guide magazine in both print and digital formats.
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls our magazine: The Roadmap to Everything Blues. Indeed, our annual offers something for everyone, all blues related, of course, and our engaging editorial comes from aficionados in the blues community.
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, visit our website and find our digital version in the upper left-hand corner. You can also order back issues if we have in stock.
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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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 Mar 27, 2021
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  #1
JIMMY "DUCK" HOLMES
Cypress Grove
#2
JOE BONAMASSA
Royal Tea
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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 current updates
Wednesday Dose of Blues
Weds- Mar-31-April-7-2021
Howlive, USA
Can't Stop The Blues
This Thurs-Sun 9PM EST
Facebook, Universal
The Magical Power of Music
Apr-01-2021
HOWLive TV, USA
Wednesday Dose of Blues
Weds- April-7-2021
Howlive, USA
Blues on Reid
Apr-10-2021
Port St. Joe, Florida, USA
Juke Joint Festival
& Related Events
Apr-15-2021 - Apr-18-2021
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Manor House of Blues
Apr-16-2021
Mason, Ohio, USA
Bob Sykes BBQ
& Blues Festival
Apr-24-2021
Bessemer, Alabama, USA
15th Clarksdale Caravan
Music Fest
May-8-2021
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Lincoln Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
May-08-2021
Lincoln, United Kingdom
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please go to our website
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Leeds Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
May-09-2021
Leeds, United Kingdom
Whitby Rhythm & Blues Festival
May-22-2021,
Whitby, North Yorkshire, UK
Southport Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
May-23-2021
Southport, United Kingdom
3rd Annual Red's
Old-Timers Blues Fest
May-29-2021
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Black Hills Blues Stomp and Swamp Romp
Jun-04-2021 - Jun-06-2021,
Sturgis, South Dakota, USA
Flagstaff Blues and Brews
Jun-11-2021 - Jun-12-2021
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Sierre Blues Festival
Jun-12-2021
Sierre, Switzerland
Alpine Country Blues Festival
Jun-18-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Alpine, Arizona, USA
Northwoods Blues Festival
Jun-18-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA
Blues On The Fox
Jun-18-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Aurora, Illinois, USA
Cleethorpes Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
Jun-19-2021
Cleethorpes, 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 (pictured) via EMAIL.
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Hey blues lovers! Got 
