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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 Moments with the New 19th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Coined "America's Most Wanted Blues Band," here's Billy Jones & Delta Blues Outlaws, showing off their new BFG's! The band combines blues, funk and Southern soul with taste and class resulting in a refreshing urban sound.
Rt: Billy Jones (guitar/vocals), Top Lt. Corey Bray (keyboards/vocals),
Ctr Lt: Ricco "Pocket" Smith (drums), Bottom Lt: Rev. "Do Dirty" Kendrick (bass).
Look for the Billy Jones & The Delta Blues Outlaws ad on page 43 in the brand new Blues Festival Guide!
Photos courtesy Billy Jones
Want your picture here with the Guide? Order the 19th annual now!
*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 to you!
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 2021 Blues Festival Guide!
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2021 Blues Music Award Winners
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(MEMPHIS, TN) – The irrepressible spirit of the blues was on full display during The Blues Foundation’s 42nd Blues Music Awards (BMAs) when winners across twenty-five (25) categories were announced. Broadcasted virtually due to COVID precautions, host Big Llou kept the show moving with his trademark spirited banter. Highlights included heartfelt video statements from many of the winners plus viewers were treated to outstanding performances by Bobby Rush and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and past BMA winners John Németh & the Blue Dreamers, Shaun Murphy, Don Bryant, Watermelon Slim, and Southern Avenue.
2021 Winners:
• B.B. King Entertainer of the Year: Shemekia Copeland
• Band of the Year: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
• Album of the Year: 100 Years of Blues - Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite
• Song of the Year: “All Out of Tears” written by Walter Trout, Marie Trout, and Teeny Tucker
• Traditional Blues Album: 100 Years of Blues -Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite
• Contemporary Blues Album: Uncivil War - Shemekia Copeland
• Blues Rock Album: Mike Zito and Friends – Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry - Mike Zito
• Acoustic Blues Album: Rawer Than Raw - Bobby Rush
• Soul Blues Album: That’s What I Heard - Robert Cray Band
• Best Emerging Artist Album: Harlem - King Solomon Hicks
• Acoustic Blues Artist: Keb’ Mo’
• Blues Rock Artist: Mike Zito
• Contemporary Blues Female Artist: Shemekia Copeland
• Contemporary Blues Male Artist: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
• Traditional Blues Female Artist: Rory Block
• Traditional Blues Male Artist: John Primer
• Soul Blues Female Artist: Bettye LaVette
• Soul Blues Male Artist: Curtis Salgado
• Instrumentalist – Vocals: Ruthie Foster
• Instrumentalist – Guitar: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
• Instrumentalist – Bass: Danielle Nicole
• Instrumentalist – Drums: Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
• Instrumentalist – Harmonica: Kim Wilson
• Instrumentalist – Piano: Anthony Geraci
• Instrumentalist – Horn: Jimmy Carpenter
Awarded by The Blues Foundation’s members, the BMAs are widely recognized as the highest honor given to blues musicians. The 42nd Blues Music Awards coincides with the 42nd annual celebration of Black Music Month which recognizes the immeasurable influence of Black artists and their music on America’s musical traditions
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“Downtown Blues” is happening in Flagstaff June 12
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 (FLAGSTAFF, AZ) - Brought to you by the Flagstaff Brews & Blues, “Downtown Blues” will happen this Saturday, June 12 The Orpheum Theater (15 W. Aspen Ave.) in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona. Performing from 3pm-10pm are Hans Olson, The Tommy Dukes Band, Chuck Hall Band, Arizona Hired Guns, with Harlis Sweetwater headlining.
The Harlis Sweetwater Band is a national touring, gritty blues soul heavy rock group from southern California. Guitarist, singer, songwriter, frontman Harlis has been called “the best vocalist in any genre,” by the OC Register. He’s shared stages with everyone from Jimmie Vaughan, ZZ Top, Los Lobos, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Everlast, and Brian Setzer to R&B/Blues legends Etta James, James Cotton, and Wilson Pickett to name a few.
The Flagstaff-based Arizona Hired Guns are an Allman Brother Tribute and Southern rock band. This 5-piece project includes two guitars (one slide player), Hammond B3 organ, bass and drums.
Originating from Louisiana, growing up in Texas and refining his guitar skills in Detroit prepared the award-winning Chuck Hall for his long career as a blues musician. The Chuck Hall Band delivers greasy blues, refined talent, raw passion, showmanship and some salty humor.
Tommy Dukes has been keeping the real blues, soul and R&B alive in AZ for decades. Born in Mississippi, reared in Arizona, and playing blues since he was in his teens, Dukes was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 1997.
Powerful singer, guitarist and harmonica bluesman, Hans Olson, plays an amplified acoustic guitar and is known as one of the best "harp-in-a-rack" players in the world. Olson released over 17 albums of original material. Many of his songs have been included on soundtracks for TV shows and movies.
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Chicago Mayor to declare June 18, 2021
"Alligator Records Day"
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 (CHICAGO, IL) - An official proclamation will honor legendary blues and roots rock label Alligator Records on the day their Alligator Records – 50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin' Music will be released.
On Friday, June 18, Mayor Lori Lightfoot will declare "Alligator Records Day" throughout the City of Chicago. This same day, the label will release Alligator Records – 50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin' Music, both as a 58-song three-CD set (over 230 minutes) and a 24-song gatefold two-LP set (over 100 minutes of music), each clearly laying out label founder and president Bruce Iglauer’s wide-ranging, forward-looking vision. Alligator, like the blues itself, continues to break new ground while staying true to its roots.
Alligator Records -- 50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin’ Music features songs from legendary artists like Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Son Seals, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Professor Longhair, Lonnie Brooks, Luther Allison and Michael “Iron Man” Burks, interspersed with cuts from current blues and roots icons Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Guitar Shorty, Billy Boy Arnold and Mavis Staples. Songs from today’s world-renowned stars like Shemekia Copeland, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Marcia Ball, Billy Branch, JJ Grey & Mofro, Tinsley Ellis, Joe Louis Walker, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Curtis Salgado and Roomful Of Blues flow together seamlessly with music from newer voices, including Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Nick Moss, Toronzo Cannon and Selwyn Birchwood.
Fifty years ago, 23-year-old blues fan Bruce Iglauer spent his meager savings to record an LP by his favorite Chicago blues band, Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, and founded Alligator Records to release it.
Today, Alligator boasts a catalog of over 350 titles, many of which are renowned, award-winning, time-tested classics of the genre. Alligator Records – 50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin’ Music highlights Alligator's extraordinary past, headline-generating present, and a future dedicated to nurturing new generations of blues artists and fans.
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30th Annual Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Festival June 18-19
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 (FORT SMITH, AR) – The Riverfront Blues Society’s 30th Annual Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Festival will be held June 18-19 at Harry E. Kelley River Park (121 Riverfront Drive) in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The lineup for Friday June 18 is Oreo Blue, Buddy Shute & The Motivators, and Brick Fields Blues Therapy.
Saturday June 19, it’s Prince Albert & The Royal Knights, Pat Moss Band, and the Mark Albertson Trio. Music will start 7pm each night.
There will be no admission charges for 2021. Due to the continuing restrictions, seating will be limited and confined to the amphitheater portion of the Riverfront Park. The Riverfront Blues Festival, LTD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with a mission to preserve and promote the blues.
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CD, Single & DVD Releases
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David Rotundo Band :: SO MUCH TROUBLE
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"I Must Be Crazy"
Website
Getting the chance to work with a hero and a mentor is certainly the dream of most artists. For Toronto singer, songwriter and harmonic virtuous cycle, David Rotundo, connecting with Lee Oskar was kismet. The pair performed together in 2019 at the annual Blues Festival in Puerto Escondido, and “Blues On The Beach” in Huatulco, Mexico and David signed as a featured artist with Lee Oskar harmonicas later that year. These like-minded souls have now joined forces with Oskar producing Rotundo’s latest album, So Much Trouble.
“I’m so excited to have produced David’s collection of music and thrilled to have David and his music as one of the first projects produced and released under my new record label,” says Oscar. The 12 new tracks feature an allstar cast of musicians from Canada and the Pacific Northwest performing a breadth of material from juke joint blues, hard driving soul, and introspective anthems, with Rotundo’s gravelly tenor an emotive Blues harp at the center of each arrangement. Under Oskar’s sage direction, the sessions captured each track in live, off-the-floor single takes to maximize use of the energy an interaction from the players.
So Much Trouble is the epitome of achievement like-minded creatives can accomplish, and a milestone in careers of both Rotundo as an emerging recording artist, and Oskar as the producer who shared a common dream.
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Skylar Rogers :: FIREBREATHER
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"Hard Headed Woman"
Website
Chicago born vocalist Skylar Rogers followed the successful blueprint created nearly a century ago by Ma Rainey, the original queen of the blues, by gathering together great original material and a team of top-notch players as her backing band, as she barnstormed around the country spreading her vision of the blues. In the two years since her debut EP, Roger has aptly dubbed her ensemble of musicians, “The Blue Diamonds,” and given the sound she creates with them, “Soul Rockin’ Blues.”
Her full-length album, Firebreather, features 10 original songs that reflect her life growing up in some of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods and the influence of music that flows across the region from St. Louis to Memphis over to Nashville and back up to the Windy City. Recorded at Sawhorse Studios in St. Louis’ south city Dutchtown neighborhood, known for retro indie rock production from Jason McIntyre, the sessions made good use of the muscular, dual guitar attack from Stephen J Hill and Marty Gibson and the tight rhythm section of Jerry Ewing on bass and drummer “Disco Fuzz” Bradley Arl. The dexterous musicianship of keyboardist Pete Zimmer allows Rogers to stretch out and utilize her extensive, dynamic range and full-throated contralto.
Firebreather released internationally to high acclaim and reached #2 on the Roots Music Report for Contemporary Blues Album.
Skylar Rogers learned at an early age that music brought people together and grew up listening to music her mother (a singer herself) was listening or singing to. This upbringing laid the groundwork, giving Skylar the drive and passion to explore a career in music. Her sound has been influenced by Tina Turner, Etta James, Billy Joel, and Koko Taylor. Throw in a bit of AC/DC and multiple Motown artists and you have the unique, strong, passionate and energetic Skylar Rogers.
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River City Blues Society Sunday June 27
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 (PEORIA, IL) - Sunday, Jun 27th 2pm-6pm, the River City Blues Society presents Sunday afternoon music. Join us outdoors on the shady back lawn at Timberlake Country Club (5501 W. Farmington Rd. Peoria, Illinois) and enjoy music by the Robin Crowe Band and The Flying D'Rito Brothers.
You can bring lawn chairs. Drinks and pork chop sandwiches with sides will be available for sale. Both bands will play and the afternoon will end with them sharing the stage for a jam session.
Admission is $10, children under 12 free.
Consider supporting the River City Blues Society with a $20 annual membership and then this show will be no charge.
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"If You Want My Love" feat. Solomon Hicks
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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..."
June19 - Junteenth
June 20 - Father's Day
June 21 - World Day of Music
Birthdays upcoming of note:
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); Jun 23-Helen Humes (1913-1981); Jun 24-Jeff Beck (1944), Tad Robinson (1956); Jun 25-Clifton Chenier (1925-1987), Eddie Floyd (1935), Roger Naber (LRBC CEO); June 26-Big Bill Broonzy (1903-1958); Jun 28-David "Honeyboy" Edwards (1915-2011), Armenter "Bo Carter" Chatmon (1892–1964)
 Just in case:
June 15 is "Smile Power Day."
Hummm... do you think this date is a coincidence?! We know a smile makes the world a happy place... It's a powerful thing and best of all, it's contagious. At least we've been seeing plenty of smiling eyes anyway this past year+! I'm sure we'll see lot more Californians at least smiling come June 15.
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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 12, 2021
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 #1
THE BLACK KEYS
Delta Kream
 #2VAN MORRISON
Latest Record Project
Volume 1
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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
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
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
Fort Smith Riverfront
Blues Festival
Jun-18-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA
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please go to our website
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Blues On The Fox
Jun-18-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Aurora, Illinois, USA
Cleethorpes Blues,
Rhythm & Rock Festival
Jun-19-2021
Cleethorpes, United Kingdom
Broad Street Blues
and BBQ Festival
Jun-25-2021 - Jun-27-2021
Griffith, Indiana, USA
4th Annual
Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival
Jun-26-2021 - Jun-27-2021
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Torrita Blues Festival
Jul-02-2021 - Jul-03-2021
Torrita di Siena , Italy
Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival
Jul-04-2021
Topeka, Kansas, USA
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
Vallemaggia Magic Blues
Jul-09-2021 - Aug-05-2021
Vallemaggia / Ticino, Switzerland
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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 
