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THIS IS IT!! Don't miss your chance to get Listed in the 2021 Blues Festival Guide Annual Magazine
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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. Find Media Kit here with details.
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 in digital format.
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Photo Moments with the 18th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here are music fans Jeannette Anderson from Tucson, AZ and Jannette Soriano Kutchins of San Diego County. Jeannette, an avid music fan and swing dancer enthusiast who relocated to AZ two years ago, was visiting over Mother's Day weekend. Jannette is an integral part of the local dance community and both were so excited to run into each other while being able to enjoy live music at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, CA.
Photo courtesy Michele Lundeen
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 official sponsor of our 2020 Blues Festival Guide!
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Blues legend Bobby Rush to be 'Dr. Rush' with honorary degree from Rhodes College May 15
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 John Beifuss/Memphis Commercial Appeal
Musician Bobby Rush soon will be able to add the title "Dr. Rush" to a list of informal accolades that includes "King of the Chitlin' Circuit" and "International Dean of the Blues."
The ever-upbeat Mid-South blues legend who has contributed such observations as "I'm not henpecked, I've just been pecked by the right hen," "What's good for the goose is good for the gander, too" and "She must have a booga bear up under there" to the cultural discourse will be this year's recipient of the Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Rhodes College, the school announced Thursday.
"I'm on cloud nine, man," said Rush, 87, in a phone interview from his home in Jackson, Mississippi. "This means everything to me."
Known for his bone-deep authenticity, his outrageous stage show and a string of recordings that began in 1971 with "Chicken Heads" and continued over the decades with such memorable titles as "I Ain't Studdin' You," "Bowlegged Woman, Knock-Kneed Man" and "Booga Bear," Rush will receive the degree May 15 during the college's commencement ceremony at the Liberty Bowl.
The honorary degree puts a celebratory exclamation point on a rough year that found the tireless concert road warrior not only cooped at home due to the novel coronavirus but battling COVID-19 at an early stage in the pandemic.
"Feb. 28, I was the first man I know of in Mississippi who came down with it, but God embraced me and put his hands around me and brought me out of it," Rush said. "This was one of the worst years I ever had since I was chopping cotton in a cotton field." ...Find full story here
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Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame Induction Event May 29th with music & BBQ
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 (RENTIESVILLE, OK) - Come join us at the OK Blues Hall of Fame in Rentiesville, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 29th from 2 pm on for the OBHOF Inductions to honor more of Oklahoma's Best! The Inductions and festivities will be held outdoors with ongoing music and a BBQ. There will be optional social distancing (two seating areas side by side in front of all stages), downwind will be masks and chairs separated into small groups several feet apart, next to them, but upwind, will be standard rows of seats, sanitation stations, and more. Depending on CDC guidelines, we may take temperatures at the gate.
Inductees include: Arrealus ‘Boo’ Burton, Williams, Barbara Burton , Charles Brian Mckinney, Bronko Carr, Cowboy Harley Hamm, Dave Carr Jr., Dycie Funches Larry Funches, Edgar J. Scott, Ed Warren, Jermaine Mondaine, Joe Modican, Kenny Diggs, Kevin Phariss, Lee Norfleet, Morris “Po’ Mack” Mccraven Jr., Otis Watkins, Rusty Traywick, plus KBAs Victoria Ellington, John Peters, Wiley Jones, Sam Harper, and Bruce Fisher.
Also, mark your calendars for the Rentiesville Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival Sept 3-5, which will be held outdoors.
The Blues Club at 103020 D.C. Minner St Checotah OK, 74426, is home of the Rentiesville Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival, DC Minner Rentiesville Museum, OBHOF Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame, and F.O.R. Blues Society. Find lots of info at the DC Minner website.
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Mifflinburg Spring Flight Festival & Blues Party May 22
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(MIFFLINBURG, PA) - Saturday, May 22nd the Mifflinburg Spring Flight Festival & Blues Party and promises to be a day of great blues music, wine, craft brews, distilled spirits, artisans & crafts, food, family activities, bingo the Buggy Museum and more from 11am- 9pm! Join us at the Mifflinburg VFW Carnival Grounds (10770 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg, PA).
Everyone is invited to our all-day Blues Festival featuring Sunbury band Blue River Soul, the Gabe Stillman Band from Williamsport, the Alexis P Suter Band out of Brooklyn, and Ray Fuller & the Bluesrockers from Ohio!
Tasting will finish at 5 p.m. but the fun will continue on through the evening! Alcohol can still be purchased by the bottle or glass until the evening is over.
Tickets are $40 and include six hours of tasting, a souvenir Pilsner or wine glass, a drawstring bag, bottle opener, premium seating for music and more goodies. Hurry and purchase your ticket before the event and also receive a $10 Oktoberfest coupon to be used on your admission in October!
Admission to the carnival grounds is free! MHRA will ask for a donation for the blues festival on the day of the party unless you have purchased tasting wristbands. There will be a tent for inclement weather and everyone is encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and stay the day. This event is held rain or shine.
Please follow CDC guidelines for everyone's safety the day of the event.
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Farewell to Delmark Records founder Bob Koester
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 By Maureen O'Donnell
Bob Koester, longtime owner of Chicago’s legendary Jazz Record Mart and founder of the Delmark Records label, died Wednesday [May 12] at 88.
He had had a stroke and was in hospice care, according to his son, also named Bob.
The store he ran for decades at various downtown Chicago locations drew legions of jazz and blues fans from around the world.
Bruce Iglauer, founder of Chicago’s Alligator Records, called Mr. Koester “a hero not only to blues and jazz but to Chicago music.”
Mr. Koester was one of the first to capture the sounds of the city’s South Side and West Side blues clubs, according to Iglauer, who once worked for him. Iglauer said he gave artists free rein in the studio.
That approach resulted in classics including “Hoodoo Man Blues” by Junior Wells.
Mr. Koester lifted some forgotten artists from the 1930s out of obscurity, getting them to record for the first time since they’d made it big in the era of 78 rpm records. He also was one of the first to record the country-flavored blues of Big Joe Williams and Speckled Red.
In an online tribute, longtime WXRT DJ Terri Hemmert called Mr. Koester “a force of nature,” the Jazz Record Mart “one of the coolest record stores in the world” and said she’d buy a record just because it was on his label.
“If it was on Delmark, I wanted to hear it,” Hemmert said.
Mr. Koester called the Jazz Record Mart the “World’s Largest Jazz and Blues Specialty Store.” He first opened the store on Wabash Avenue near Roosevelt University.
He met Sue, his wife of more than 50 years, at his next address, 7 W. Grand Ave. She was working nearby at the American Medical Association and came in to buy a record. ...Read full obit
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Independent Artists, Producers and Venues Streaming with HowLive.TV
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 HowLive, leading live event streaming platform, has announced “Producer,” a new product that enables artists, producers and venues to stream using the HowLive built in features to sell tickets, bundles, merch, accept donations, sponsor placement and open up new revenue channels.
Artists and venues are now the center of the virtual music experience and have full control with the HowLive platform. Deliver with confidence a front row seat with amazing 1080 video, hi fidelity and scalability to millions of viewers globally.
“Artists and venues use their existing camera gear or a variety of all-in-one solutions from HowLive” said, Gino Padua, CEO. “Rich features, our flexible pricing model, and production support keeps the process simple, removes risks and lowers costs compared to other approaches.”
As venues begin opening with limited capacity, HowLive streaming solutions can be implemented quickly to generate incremental revenue and remove geographic boundaries for live performance events.
HowLive has streamed 500+ live events across all musical genres and now is serving up live Blues weekly at HowLive.TV. Check out live events from artists such as Fantastic Negrito, Alvon Johnson, Keb’ Mo’, Tommy Castro, Chris Cain, Terrie Odabi and many more.
Head on over to Howlive.tv to check out upcoming events. To learn more about how to live stream your next event contact Howlive.
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CD, Single & DVD Releases
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Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations
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 Dustin Arbuckle and The Damnations are not a band you can easily associate with one specific genre, and that’s how they planned it. My Getaway, their first full-length studio album, has one foot soaking in the blues, one foot dripping wet with Americana, and a third foot with its toes split between folk and vintage rock. “With this band, and this record, we’re really trying to paint a big canvas,” says singer/harmonica player Dustin Arbuckle, who previously spent 15 years as part of the gritty roots rock and blues act, Moreland & Arbuckle.
“When we started playing together, we all wanted the band to be a space where we could play anything we wanted to, and that’s created this cross-genre electric Americana vibe. One of the biggest compliments we tend to get from people, be it other musicians or promoters or fans, is that our style is truly Americana, because we bring together so many different aspects of American music to make something unique.”
The 11 tracks on My Getaway span a range of styles and moods from a Hill Country stomp through cranked up Fender Twins, to Nick Cave riffing on Led Zeppelin III or the Laurel Canyon sound filtered through a southern swamp. “We’ve each brought our own distinct and different influences to the table, and because of the way we’ve used that to cultivate our sound, this record really reinforces what the driving idea behind the band has been since we started. It all comes together in a really cohesive way and feels like us.”
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Eddie 9-Volt :: LITTLE BLACK FLIES
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 All his life, Eddie 9-volt has acted on instinct. Aged just 15, this old-soul artist turned away from the path of college and jobs to burst all guns blazing onto the blues club circuit of his native Atlanta, Georgia. Flash forward to 2019, and for his debut album, Left My Soul In Memphis, the prodigious multi-instrumentalist simply powered up the amps in his mobile trailer and with his brother/co-writer/producer, Lane Kelly, laid down one of the year’s breakout releases, acclaimed as “fresh and life-affirming” by Rock & Blues Muse. “ Memphis was a total side project,” shrugs Eddie, “that ended up taking off.”
Now, released in 2021 on Ruf Records, Little Black Flies is the 24-year-old’s most impulsive move to date. Tracked live in Atlanta’s Echo Deco Studios through November 2020, once again with Lane turning the knobs, plus a who’s who of the state’s best musicians (including guitar icon Cody Matlock), it’s an album that Eddie planned to feel like it’s unfolding right in front of you – right down to the clink of bottles and loose studio banter. “I’ve seen a trend in modern recording,” he says. “There’s no soul. I took inspiration from Albert Collins, Otis Rush, Mike Bloomfield. All those great records were done live with their buddies and no overdubs. I wanted the playing to be spot-on – but even if we made a mistake, we kept going.” Little Black Flies represents a passing of the baton to a bandleader that many credit for reinvigorating the South’s proud roots scene.
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Journey Through The Blues June 5
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The John Lee Hooker Foundation has formed a Blues Partnership with the Sacramento Blues Society and will hold their first fundraiser Saturday, June 5. The inaugural all-star live stream event, "Journey Through the Blues," will happen 5-7pm.
The event will feature some of the legendary John Lee Hooker’s most famous blues “sons” including Charlie Musselwhite, Rick Estrin, Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro, Mark Hummel, daughter and Executive Director of the JLH Foundation, Zakiya Hooker. Northern California-based blues luminaries also include, Terri Odabi, Tia Carroll, Kyle Rowland, Michael Osborn, Steve Erhmann, The Bobby Young Project, Johnny Burgin, June Core, Robert Welsh, Rusty Zinn, Willy Jordan, AJ Crawdaddy and more with
Special Thanks to Christopher “Kid” Anderson at Greaseland, and Eric Bianchi with Bianchi Sound.
Tickets range $15-$25 and can be found at EventBrite.
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Sneak peek at the upcoming 2021 Blues Festival Guide
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Things are looking up in 2021! We can’t wait to get back to the live music scene, and we know you feel the same. The Blues Festival Guide team has been putting together the 2021 issue to bring you the latest happenings on the festival circuit and in our blues community. Click image above to order!!
Here’s a sneak peek into the cool editorial we're working on as well!
Keeping the Blues Alive During a Pandemic By Irene Johnson
As we are all too aware, the Covid-19 pandemic halted live events and severely hindered the making of music. In this feature, the Blues Festival Guide explores the innovative solutions musicians have come up with to reach their fans, maintain their careers and keep the blues alive.
What’s Cookin’ with Larry Garner
You may be familiar with Baton Rouge bluesman Larry Garner’s songwriting and sound, but what about his cooking? Find out how he soothed his craving for chargrilled oysters during the pandemic – without the grill. Garner’s “Oven Oysters” will have you crankin’ some blues as you lay on the hot sauce.
The Lore of the Train By Michele Lundeen
What's the blues connection? The lore and fascination with trains has been with us for nearly 200 years. Trains and their winding tracks harken back to another time, reminding us of life’s trials, survival, wanderlust, love, humor or even urgency and have been inspiration for many blues songs. Explore the connection!
Blues Against Hunger Society
The Blues Against Hunger Society is dedicated to ending hunger while supporting, promoting and preserving the blues. Its food drive events – which include tours, festivals, seasonal musicals and community Jamborees – have fed thousands in the last decade throughout Baja California, So California and AZ.
Living Legend: Miss Lavelle White By Pam Cosel
Miss Lavelle White is a living legend of the blues. The Texas-based singer-songwriter’s career dates back to the 1950s, and she still captivates audiences on stage at the age of 91. Learn more in this feature how Miss Lavelle has impacted the blues over the last 70 years.
The Blues Foundation Welcomes New Leadership
Patricia Wilson Aden became the new President and CEO of The Blues Foundation in October 2020. The Blues Festival Guide was able to catch up with Patty about her first few months at The Blues Foundation, meeting the challenges of the pandemic and what’s on the horizon looking forward.
Ladies Sing & Play the Blues By Reverend Billy C. Wirtz
The Reverend is back to share his blues wisdom – this time, about some of the great ladies of the blues. Join him in worship of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Big Maybelle Smith, Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, Memphis Minnie, Camille Howard, Julia Lee, Ella Mae Morse, and the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
...And more!
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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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Chasing The Blues Podcast is Back!
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Tom the Suit Forst is Chasing The Blues!
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 We're back for our 3rd season! We've produced over 100+ shows to date with more to come! Look for upcoming show announcements and special giveaways! This will be an amazing year for festivals and we will be talking to many of the top acts as well as with the people behind the scenes who bring you the music.
Join the over 10,000 fans who get the inside story and the behind-the-scenes information that make the Blues come alive.
Go to the Chasing The Blues Podcast website, Spotify or Apple.
Hosted by Tom the suit Forst and sponsored by The Blues Festival Guide.
Tom the suit Forst is a Connecticut and New York Blues Hall Of Fame recording artist and podcaster.
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Fats Waller & Ada Brown
"That Ain't Right" - "Stormy Weather"
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Holidays, Birthdays and... Just In Case
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 "Hard times ain't nothing that music won't help heal..."
Birthdays upcoming of note:
May 13 Stevie Wonder (1950), Ana Popovic (1976); May 14-Grady Gaines (1934-2021); May 15-Johnny Williams (1906-2006), L.C. "Good Rockin" Robinson (1915-1976), Larry Johnson (1938); May 17-Taj Mahal (1942); May 18-Little Son Joe Lawlars (1900-1961), Big Joe Turner (1911-1985); May 19-Jimmy Thackery (1953); May 20-Joe Cocker (1944-2014); May 21-Fats Waller (1904-1943), Dave Specter (1963), Billy Wright (1932-1991), Ronald Isley (1941); May 24- Bob Dylan (1941); May 25-Miles Davis (1926); May 26-Mamie Smith (1883–1946), Levon Helm (1940-2012); May 27-Junior Parker (1932-1971); May 28 T-Bone Walker (1910-1975), Gladys Knight (1944), Kaati (our BFG Owner/Publisher), Papa John Creech (1917-1989); John Fogarty (1945)Jun 3-Jimmy Rogers (1924-1997), Memphis Minnie (1897-1973), Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999), Heather Penrod-Rudd (BFG Sales Rep & Distribution Mgr) - Jun 4-Tinsley Ellis (1957)
 Just in Case:
May 15 is World Whiskey Day! Whiskey is a historical classic that’s been distilled with care for over 500 years. The beverage of kings and peasants alike for generations. Certainly there's been blues songs inspired by and written about whiskey. Well, right off, there's Muddy Waters' "Whiskey Blues."
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Missed your copy of the Weekly e-Guide? Find back issues in
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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 13,900+ Blues Freaks at our TWITTER feed @BluesFestGuide
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  Also Follow us on INSTAGRAM with 8,900+ 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 May 15, 2021
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 #1
MICK FLEETWOOD & FRIENDS
Mick Fleetwood & Friends Celebrate The Music Of Peter Green And The Early Years Of Fleetwood Mac
#2
GARY MOORE
How Blue Can You Get
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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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Our platforms are a portal for live stream and 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 our social media platforms ( Facebook with 195,000 followers, and Instagram @bluesfestguide with 8,900+ followers). This service is provided for free to the artist as well as the viewer.
Even though most music festivals and clubs are still on lockdown across the globe, there is new music and live concerts via live stream, both 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
Greater Prescott Valley
Blues Festival
May-22-2021
Prescott Valley, Arizona, USA
Mifflinburg Spring Flight
& Blues Party
May-22-2021, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Greater Prescott Valley
Blues Festival
May-22-2021
Prescott Valley, Arizona, USA
3rd Red's Old-Timers Blues Fest
May-29-2021
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Exit 56 Blues Fest
May-29-2021
Brownsville, Tennessee, USA
BSO Riverfront Blues Festival
May-30-2021
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Greeley Blues Jam
Jun-04-2021 - Jun-05-2021
Greeley, Colorado, USA
Black Hills Blues Stomp
and Swamp Romp
Jun-04-2021 - Jun-06-2021
Sturgis, South Dakota, USA
Havre de Grace Jazz & Blues Fest
Jun-04-2021 - Jun-05-2021
Havre de Grace , Maryland, USA
17th Annual Wine, Blues, Beer
and Hot Air Balloon Festival
Jun-05-2021
Springfield, Nebraska, USA
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please go to our website
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Virtual 42nd
Blues Music Awards
Jun-6-2021
Memphis, Tennessee USA
31st Billtown Blues Festival
Jun-11-2021 - Jun-13-2021, Hughesville, Pennsylvania, USA
Downtown Blues
Jun-12-2021
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Sierre Blues Festival
Jun-12-2021
Sierre, Switzerland
Bentonia Blues Fest
Jun-14-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Bentonia, Mississippi, USA
Alpine Country
Blues Festival
Jun-18-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Alpine, Arizona, USA
Cleethorpes Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
Jun-19-2021
Cleethorpes, United Kingdom
20th Greenwood Blues Cruise
Jul-08-2021 - Jul-10-2021, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
Briggs Farm Blues Festival
Jul-08-2021 - Jul-10-2021
Nescopeck, Pennsylvania, 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 (pictured) via EMAIL.
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Hey blues lovers! Got 
