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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 19th Blues Festival Guide is here!!
We're so thrilled to have the amazingly talented Kevin Burt gracing our 19th annual cover featuring the amazing photography of Marilyn Stringer!
Our magazines are shipping so get your orders in to have and to hold and refer too throughout the year!
If you are a festival, venue, blues society, etc., please contact our distribution manager or your sales rep.
The magazine is now digital as well on our website.
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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Photo Moment with the New 19th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's Charlie Keating of the Charlie Keating Band with The Rhythm Regulators showing off his brand new Blues Festival Guide magazine!
Charlie Keating Band with the Rhythm Regulators are celebrating their 14th year 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.
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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June is Black Music Appreciation Month
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The United States has been celebrating African-American Music Appreciation Month in June since 1979. The month of June is set aside to appreciate the contributions of African-American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters in American culture. The month honors the history and rich African traditions that gave birth to different styles of music such as blues, rhythm and blues, rap, hip-hop, jazz, barbershop, and swing. It is also the month to celebrate creative inspiration and appreciate the impact that African-American music has had on generations of performers and music lovers! From tales of slavery and racism and fighting for their basic human rights to finding their heritage and values in their lyrics, Black music covers a vast range of topics that have great significance for this community. Over the years, we have seen Black musicians reach great heights, not only on official music record charts but also at entertainment award ceremonies.
While President Jimmy Carter designated June as Black Music Month in 1979, it wasn’t until 2000 when the presidential proclamation for the month was signed. President Barack Obama, in 2009, went on to rename the month from Black Music Month to its current name, African-American Music Appreciation Month.
On June 1, President Joe Biden signed a Proclamation on Black Music Appreciation Month, 2021 stating, “Throughout our history, there has been no richer influence on the American songbook than Black music and culture. From early spirituals born out of the unconscionable hardships of slavery; to the creation of folk and gospel; to the evolution of rhythm and blues and jazz; to the ascendance of rock and roll, rap, and hip-hop — Black music has shaped our society, entertained and inspired us, and helped write and tell the story of our Nation...
... I call upon public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and appreciation of Black music.: …Read the entire official 2021 proclamation
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1st Annual Blues Fest in da Valley June 23-27
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 (SYRACUSE, NY) - 1st Annual Blues Fest in da Valley will happen at The Night Drop (363 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, New York), Wednesday Jun 23-Sun June 27 from 7pm-10pm UTC.
The fest will kick off with Mark Nanni Wednesday June 23rd at 7pm. Thursday June 24th is three-time Grammy nominee Frank Stepanek. Great Aunt Hortense takes the stage Friday June 25th, and local legend Phil Petroff Blues Band plays Saturday June 26th. The fest will wrap with The Sunday Night Blues Jam, hosted in June by Stacey Terpstra & Soul Intention.
Join us for this historic event as we bring the blues back to the club scene in Syracuse during the NYS Blues Fest!
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Sugaray Rayford to replace Shemekia Copeland Three Rivers Arts Festival June 11
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 (PITTSBURGH, PA) - Shemekia Copeland will not be performing at the Three Rivers Arts Festival on June 11 “due to unforeseen circumstances,” according to her publicist.
The reigning Blues Music Award winner for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year will be replaced Sugaray Rayford, a blues/soul singer from San Diego who has won two Blues Music Awards and was recently named the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. "Colossus of an entertainer with a voice so big it could knock a house down, yet at times, so tender it could move you to tears”
The free concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Point State Park (601 Commonwealth Place) on the Main Stage.
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Columbia Pike Blues Weekend June 18-20
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 (ARLINGTON, VA) - Mark Your Calendar for three days of Blues for the Columbia Pike Blues Weekend! This year we’re bringing the Pike multiple ways to celebrate the blues. With three nights of streamed concerts “Live from the Rug Shop”, a downloadable playlist to enjoy at home, and an afternoon of in-person performances!
Saturday’s live, in-person performances will take place at the Fillmore Shopping Center parking lot at 2705 Columbia Pike. Appearing will be Robin Kapsalis/Vintage 18 (1pm EST), Cheick Hamala Diabate (2:30pm EST), and Carly Harvey (4pm EST). There are several car-free options for getting to the festival and ample parking is available at the CVS or in nearby garages.
Streaming live from Manoukian Brothers Oriental Rugs every evening at 7:30 pm (EST) is Stacy Brooks June 18, Deletta Gillespie June 19, and Sol Roots June 20. Streaming events are free. Check back soon on the website for links to tune-in!
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Blues Hall of Fame now Open!
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A note from the Blues Foundation:
Our doors are open! After being closed for 14 months, we have RE-OPENED The Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame Museum! We have COVID-safety protocols in place, including requiring masks while inside the building, hand sanitizing stations, air-purifying machines, social-distance markers, and more.
The Class of 2020-21 inductee exhibit cases now feature never-before-seen items from Billy Branch, Bettye LaVette, and Syl Johnson, along with one-of-a-kind memorabilia favorites like Pee Wee Crayton's 1954 Fender Stratocaster. Plus, a debut exhibition is on display in the upstairs Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Gallery, featuring Into The Light: The Music Photography of Jérôme Brunet.
Current hours: Mon-Tues Closed, Weds-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 1pm-5pm
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CD, Single & DVD Releases
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Audrey Madison Turner :: SMOKE STACK LIGHTNING
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"Smoke Stack Lightning'"
Website
WABG Radio's James "Poe" quoted: "From the very first time I heard Audrey Madison Turner's voice I knew this is the quintessential soul sound – rich, strong, and soulful." A singer, songwriter, vocal extraordinaire... when you hear that voice, you know it's Audrey Turner. Her post single "Smoke Stack Lightning," from her album I'm Here, is a pastiche of ancient blues lines and train references that are timeless and evocative. Audrey's live performance is simply stunning. She paints a picture while singing that even a blind man can vividly see – captivating the ears and hearts of her audience. Recent smashes include "Ball and Chain," "The Sky Is Crying," "Strange Fruit," "I Smell Trouble," and more. Audrey's Grammy-bound voice will leave you wanting more as she personifies the root and soul of music.
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Bob Malone :: GOOD PEOPLE
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  "Oh Well"
YouTube
Spotify
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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"Ain't Nobody Worryin'"
Website
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!
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Robert Finley "Souled Out On You"
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Reno Blues Society 1st event of 2021
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(RENO, NV) - The Reno Blues Society's (RBS) first event of the year will happen on Saturday, July 3rd at Living the Good Life (1480 N. Carson St.) in Carson City, Nevada, with popular Tahoe band Mudd Bonz performing from 6:30-9:30pm. The event is FREE but they ask that you renew your RBS membership, or become a member (just $20 a year). This restaurant and bar has great food and a full bar with a stage and a small dance floor. They also have a large parking lot. Reservations may be made by calling 841-4663.
The RBS monthly social this month is Thursday, June 17 at Silver Peak on 1st and Sierra, 5-ish on their patio. First one there, grab a table for us. We move this around to bars/restaurants in the area and the full schedule is on our website, and each event is posted on our Facebook page well in advance.
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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
SOLDOUT!
Join Waitlist!
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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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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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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 "Hard times ain't nothing that music won't help heal..."
Birthdays upcoming of note:
Jun 3-Jimmy Rogers (1924-1997), Memphis Minnie (1897-1973), Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999), Heather Penrod-Rudd (dear friend and BFG Sales Rep & Distribution Mgr); Jun 4-Tinsley Ellis (1957); Jun 8-James Harman (1946-2021), Derek Trucks (1979); Jun 9-Jackie Wilson (1934–1984); Jun 10-Howlin' Wolf aka Chester Arthur Burnett (1910-1976); Jun 12-Kenny Wayne Shepherd (1977); Jun 13-James Carr (1942-2001); Jun 17- Matt Hill (1985); Jun 18-Sara Martin (1884-1955); Jun 19-Jerry McCain (1930-2012), Big Bill Morganfield (1956); Jun 20-Lazy Lester (1933-2019); Jun 21-Skip James (1902-1969)
 Just in case: June 3 is "National Moonshine Day!" The term making moonshine was because those who made it usually had to work in the dark to help them hide from authorities. Moonlight was their only guide.
Ma Rainey even sang of her "Moonshine Blues" in 1924:
My head goes round and around, babe, since my baby left town
I don't know if the river's running up or down
But that one thing certain is, mama's going to leave town
You'll find me reeling and a-rocking, howling like a hound
Catch the first train that's running Southbound...
 June 5th is "World Environment Day"
...a day that urges all of us to protect our natural surroundings. This day is both a global celebration and a platform for public outreach.
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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 June 5, 2021
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 #1
THE BLACK KEYS
Delta Kream
 #2ROBERT FINLEY
Sharecropper's Son
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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
RESCHEDULED TO SEPT 4
3rd Red's Old-Timers Blues Fest
Clarksdale, Mississippi, 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
31st Billtown Blues Festival
Jun-11-2021 - Jun-13-2021, Hughesville, Pennsylvania, USA
Downtown Blues
Jun-12-2021
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Stomp The Blues Out of Homelessness
Jun-12-2021
Springfield, Missouri, USA
Sierre Blues Festival
Jun-12-2021
Sierre, Switzerland
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please go to our website
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Bentonia Blues Fest
Jun-14-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Bentonia, Mississippi, USA
W.C. Handy Blues
& Barbecue Festival
Jun-16-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Henderson, Kentucky, USA
Alpine Country
Blues Festival
Jun-18-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Alpine, Arizona, USA
Riverfront Blues Festival
Jun-18-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Fort Smith, Arkansas, 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
20th Annual 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 
