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Introducing our 19th Annual Blues Festival Guide Magazine!
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 Things are looking up in 2021! We're excited to get back to the live music scene, and we know you feel the same. The Blues Festival Guide has been printed and will ship soon!!
We're so thrilled to have the amazingly talented Kevin Burt gracing our 19th annual cover featuring the amazing photography of Marilyn Stringer!
Our magazine will be shipping soon so get your orders in now! If you are a festival, venue, blues society, etc., please contact our distribution manager or your sales rep.
Along with our festival, artist and blues related features, here’s the cool editorial featured in our 19th annual!
Keeping the Blues Alive During a Pandemic By Irene Johnson
What’s Cookin’ with Larry Garner
The Lore of the Train By Michele Lundeen
Blues Against Hunger Society ...feeding thousands in the last decade while supporting, promoting and preserving the blues
Living Legend: Miss Lavelle White By Pam Cosel
The Blues Foundation Welcomes New Leadership... an interview with the new CEO and President
Ladies Sing & Play the Blues By Reverend Billy C. Wirtz
Thanks for digging and supporting the blues!
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Last Photo Moments with the 18th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 We ran into Gabriel Shepard who is the recording engineer at 25th Street Recording in Oakland, California. Gabriel's recent projects have included recording Taj Mahal's vocals on pre-recorded tracks his latest work, and recording the late Wee Willie Walker’s final project, Not in my Lifetime, which was released April 23, 2021.
Photo courtesy Michele Lundeen
Want your picture here with the Guide or one you took... Well, time to order the 19th annual which are hot off the press as I type I believe!
*ONCE YOU GET YOUR 9TH ANNUAL BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE MAGAZINE, SEND US A PIC WITH IT! 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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CD, Single & DVD Releases
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Bob Malone :: GOOD PEOPLE
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 Few creatives have had as much of a rounded experience in the music world as Bob Malone, who has distinguished himself as an instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, live performer, and elite session musician for more than two decades. Malone is now showing off his talents as a solo artist on his latest set Good People, out on May 21.
Described by Malone as a project to explore “the loss, burnout, alienation, existential dread and fleeting moments of hopefulness I happened to be going through - in spite of the carefully curated self I presented to the world on social media. Nothing new, of course, but in 2020 those feelings suddenly became more universal than they’d ever been in my lifetime.”
Good People grabs onto Malone’s “keyboard wizardry” on the piano and serves up a variety of bluesy rock – ranging from contemplative ballads to sweeping jams, all carried along by smoky vocals and Malone’s unmatched ability to wrest every drop of emotion out of the keys possible.
Malone has toured the world as a solo artist for over two decades in addition to his work on the keyboards with Fogerty and others such as Bob Seger and Avril Lavigne. He’s featured on the 2017 Ringo Starr record Give More Love, and his recording of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was the theme in the Illumination/ Universal movie trailers for The Grinch. Malone is additionally a tireless live player, working with four bands of stellar players from all over the globe.
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Tia Carroll :: YOU GOTTA HAVE IT
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 Introducing Bay Area blues chanteuse, Tia Carroll and her long awaited album, You Gotta Have It.
Kicking off with help from retro-soul legend Charlie Hunter, is a passionate rendering of Anthony Hamilton's, "Ain't Nobody Worryin'." “Our Last Time” is a killer Jim Pugh tune that he and Robert Cray recorded during their years playing together and features a wild soaring Magic Sam-like groove from guitarist extraordinaire Kid Andersen. “Don’t Put Your Hands On Me” is an outstanding R&B romp written by the always witty Rick Estrin for one of Tia’s heroes, Koko Taylor. Tia’s inspirational message song, “Move On,” features our Brazilian blues friend, guitar star Igor Prado on stunning lead. Let’s all heed Tia’s advice as she declares, “I gotta message for y’all… get up when you fall and MOVE ON!”
Tia's voice and songs, so clearly captured here in her maiden Little Village release, will surely lead to new-found recognition and fans everywhere. YOU GOTTA HAVE IT!
"Ain't Nobody Worryin'"
Website
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Make plans to join us for this year’s Billtown Blues Festival
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(HUGHESVILLE, PA) - Pennsylvania’s “Big” little festival, the Billtown Blues Festival is back for the 31st year on June 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2021 at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville, Pennsylvania. Three days of great blues, food, and on-site camping.
Friday music is from 3-10:30pm, Saturday 12pm-10:30pm, and Sunday 11am-5:30pm. This year’s lineup includes Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Kat Riggins, Noah Wotherspoon, Billy C Wirtz, Andy T ft. Alabama Mike, Trudy Lynn, Clarence Spady, Jason Ricci, JP Soars, and Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88's...and many more!
Tickets and camping packages are on sale now. Get tickets and details at website.
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Stax Music Academy & Ty Boyland Consulting present “Youth Music Biz Conference” May 20 – 22
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(MEMPHIS, TN) - The Stax Music Academy has joined forces with Ty Boyland Consulting, Memphis Music Initiative (MMI) and other organizations to present a Youth Music Biz Conference. The conference is a free, three-day virtual event that brings together music students, teachers, and professionals throughout the region for a complete youth workforce and skills development program. Sponsors for the event are ArtsMemphis and First Horizon Foundation, who have partnered with Stax Music Academy through their ArtsFirst program to encourage area students to pursue music education and to present a united message on its offerings and benefits. The conference is open to all middle and high school students and some will win door prizes during the events.
The Youth Music Biz Conference will be held Thursday, May 20 through Saturday, May 22. Thursday will feature an MMI Summer Arts Program Showcase pre-party on their YouTube channel at 7pm CST highlighting virtual showcase highlighting upcoming summer camps, arts programming, and more.
On Friday and Saturday, the Youth Music Biz Conference will feature a series of workshops with panelists providing insight into how to pursue careers in music, how to set yourself up for success on a career path, and tips on education and work experience to get ahead. Students have an opportunity to interact with the professionals and ask questions about their own experience.
Find the schedule here. Participants must register at this link to join.
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Thurs May 20 LRBC "Driftin' & Driftin'" Happy Hour Episode 21 with LRBC CEO Roger Naber & Rev. Billy C. Wirtz Live
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Join us for Driftin' & Driftin' Episode #21 with Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise CEO Roger Naber and Rev. Billy C. Wirtz! Thursday, May 20, 2021, 3pm (PDT), 5pm (CDT), 6pm (EDT) on Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise (LRBC) Facebook Live and the LRBC Youtube channel.
Tune in for the latest on the Nov. 6-13, 2021 LRBC Southern Caribbean Cruise (new dates, new ship, artist announcements) and learn more about the founder of the LRBC… first shows and memories, Grand Emporium days, the origins of the Blues Cruise and more!
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June 5th B.B. King Museum Expansion Grand Opening, Live Music Celebration & Tours
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(INDIANOLA, MS) – On June 5th you’re invited to join us for the opening of our new addition and exhibits at the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center (400 2nd Street) that celebrate the last decade of B.B.’s life. This will be a meaningful time as we also unveil the completed Memorial Garden and a life-size bronze of our own King of the Blues.
We would be honored to have you celebrate with us at the Museum and enjoy live music as we “Let the Good Times Roll.” Special guests include Derek and Susan Trucks, Bobby Rush, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Music by Mr. Sipp “Mississippi Blues Child,” Keith Robinson, T.C. Coleman, Lil’ Ray Neal Band, Jake & The Pearl Street Jumpers, and the B.B. King Museum AllStars.
• Expansion & Memorial Garden Ribbon Cutting — 2 PM
• Live Music — 3 PM until 9:30 PM
• Museum Tours — 3 PM until 6 PM (timeslot registration required for tours)
Reserve your free museum tour tickets now.
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Web link update for OK Hall of Fame and Dusk To Dawn info
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 A reader alerted us that she has an issue with the DC Minner website opening up to a nefarious link. If you had any issues as well try this link: DC Minner website.
The website has info about Blues Club at 103020 D.C. Minner St Checotah OK, 74426, home of the Rentiesville Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival, DC Minner Rentiesville Museum, OBHOF Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame, and the F.O.R. Blues Society.
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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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The Hudson Valley Blues Society Blues Challenge June 26
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The Hudson Valley Blues Society is hosting the Inaugural HVBS Solo/Duo and Band Blues Challenge. The Blues Challenge will take place Saturday, June 26, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Meadow Blues Coffee, 8 Greycourt Ave, Chester, NY 10918. (rain date Sunday, June 27). This is an outdoor event. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.
Each act will perform a 20-minute judged and timed set. The HVBS Blues Challenge winners will be sponsored by HVBS to participate in the 37th International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, January 2022.
Due to current COVID restrictions, we are offering pre-admission tickets. Space is limited and will only be increased as NY guidelines are updated. Please note if we hit our capacity, we will be forced to turn people away. Sign-up early here.
Solo/Duo and Bands have until June 18th to register for competition.
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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!!
Announcing #35 New Date Nov 6-13, 2021 + band updates!
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 NEW DATE! LRBC#35 Southern Caribbean: Nov 6~13, 2021 From Ft. Lauderdale, Fl To Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba and Half Moon Cay (Bahamas Private Island) on Holland America’s Ms Eurodam. Cabins & Info HERE
LRBC #36 Eastern Caribbean: Jan. 29~Feb. 5, 2022 From Ft. Lauderdale, Fl To Tortola, St. Thomas & Turks and Caicos on Holland America’s New Flagship Ms Rotterdam. Cabins & Info HERE
Visit Reservations Or Call (816) 753-7979 To Reserve Your Cabin!
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LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE 313 Lawrence St., Kansas City, MO | (816) 753-7979 | BluesCruise.com
- More Than A Cruise… More Than A Festival… More Than You Can Imagine! -
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Chasing The Blues Podcast 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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Holidays, Birthdays and... Just In Case
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 May 24 Victoria Day & National Patriot's Day (Canada)
May 31 Memorial Day (USA)
"Hard times ain't nothing that music won't help heal..."
Birthdays upcoming of note:
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 22 is "Buy A Musical Instrument Day"... this obviously needs no explanation but whether you chose a harmonica or a drum kit or a music store of a thrift store, go ahead and get down with your bad self!
May 24 is "National Brother's Day"... I feel so blessed and fulfilled to have many music brothers.
May 25 is "National Sing-Out Day"... so if you don't have a gig that Tuesday, might as well find a jam (yay, they are starting to happen again) or let the neighbors in on some of your favorites.
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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 22, 2021
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 #1
VAN MORRISON
latest Record Project Volume 1
#2
MICK FLEETWOOD
& FRIENDS
Mick Fleetwood & Friends Celebrate The Music Of Peter Green And The Early Years Of Fleetwood Mac
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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
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
Virtual 42nd Blues Music Awards
Jun-6-2021
Memphis, Tennessee USA
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please go to our website
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31st Annual
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 
