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Introducing our 19th Annual Blues Festival Guide Magazine!
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 Yay! We're excited to get back to the live music scene, and we know you feel the same. Plus... 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 some of 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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 Here's a group of super fun ladies that were out celebrating one of their birthdays. They had just finished partying, at Iva Lee's in San Juan Capistrano where Michele Lundeen & Blues Streak were shaking it up.
From left to right are Andrea Lundeen (no relation to the band but a fun coincidence), Divya Singh, birthday girl Eva Hoffman, and Lauren Sesson.
Photo: Michele Lundeen
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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Montana's Magic City Blues Aug 5-7
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(BILLINGS, MT) - This summer, on August 5, 6 & 7, downtown Billings will host the premier music festival in Montana - Magic City Blues. Two blocks of Montana Avenue will shut down and transform into an intimate, urban setting that rivals those in Seattle, Denver or New York City.
“We’ve had people come from as far away as Australia” says Pam Goodridge, producer. “It’s amazing how the word gets out if you deliver a quality experience to people.”
Magic City Blues has attracted thousands and thousands of music fans from all across the country to Billings - Montana's largest city.
“It’s hard to beat sitting outside on a warm Montana evening sipping a frosty cold beverage and listening to the best music in the world!” says Goodridge.
Magic City Blues, an urban music festival in a rural state, is a signature event for the City of Billings and the State of Montana. We are proud of our natural Montana hospitality, unique setting, fabulous lineups, and the appeal of The Last Best Place. 12 bands on 2 stages. Our 2021 Artist Line-up: Keb' Mo', G. Love & The Juice, Larkin Poe, Samantha Fish, Anthony Gomes, Mike Farris, Kevin Burt, John Roberts Y Pan Blanco, Daniel Kosel & Madrona Road, Jessica Eve, Free Spirit Soul, Willy G.
For tickets, call 406-534-0400 purchase on our website.
Like us on Facebook.
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The Birthplace of American Music Festival June 19-21
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 (CLARKSDALE, MS) - Music has the power to unify people and cross borders. The Birthplace of American Music Festival, aka BAM Fest, is a music and food festival in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi June 19-21 composed of local artists, musicians, and a collective of downtown juke joints and Blues clubs. This festival is created to pay homage to the roots of American music, the Blues, and pay tribute to genres that grew from it.
The BAM Fest will take place in over 10 different venues in the Downtown Clarksdale area with multiple live performances in all the area juke joints, blues clubs, event centers and staging areas for this festival. Some of the best Food in the Mississippi Delta will also be available.
Live performers will also grace the MLK stage area making the BAM Fest one of the 1st festival hosted on this stage. This Street food festival will have not only Live music but also live broadcast on local radio stations and can be streamed worldwide.
An important fact that ties blues music to black communities is that it has visible roots in Africa. It was a way early slaves could express themselves and communicate when being forcibly relocated and when there were restrictions on what cultural activities they could pursue. In a time where their world was being turned upside down, music served as an escape and form of communication and expression for early black communities. The ability of music to act as a binding factor provides the culture with a strong sense of connectivity.
This festival, in it's full capacity, will also provide resources and initiatives to help better the community. This will be history in the making. Come be a part of it.
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Canton Blues Fest returns July 9-10
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 (CANTON, OH) - The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce announced that the 20th Annual Canton Blues Fest will return Friday, July 9, and Saturday, July 10, to downtown Canton. This live music event will be held at Centennial Plaza (300 Market Ave. N, Canton, Ohio).
Guests will enjoy a jam-packed lineup of 15 regional Blues acts, including headliners Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers on Friday and The Sonny Moorman Group on Saturday. This year's all-local lineup represents a small way to support regional artists who suffered due to the pandemic's effect on the live music community, while also showcasing the outstanding Blues talent here in Ohio.
Live music will run Friday from 4pm-11pm and Saturday from Noon-11pm. Find the full lineup and headliner biographies on the festival website.
Reserved seating is available for both nights and can be pre-purchased at online (bottom of page) or by calling 330-456-7253. No personal lawn/camping chairs (see website) and no outside food/drink are permitted in Centennial Plaza. Guests are permitted to bring their own blankets. A variety of food and beverage options will be available at the event as well as at nearby downtown restaurants.
Due to the lifting of all state of Ohio health orders as of June 2, no COVID-19 restrictions are in place at this time.
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Minnesota Blues & Soul Legends Weekend July 23-25
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 (BURNSVILLE, MN) - What is The Relief Sessions Summer Concert Series? - In 2020, it was a "Drive-In" Concert Experience… now, in 2021, an "Outdoor Concert Experience!" In all, The Relief Sessions Summer Concert Series will present over 80 incredible Minnesota bands of all genres for your enjoyment at 251 Civic Center Parkway. Burnsville, Minnesota! July 23-25 features blues, funk, and soul legends. For tickets for the individual shows go to the website or TicketWorks.
July 23 includes a show with rootsy singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter Joyann Parker. A Tribute to Big Walter Smith & The Groove Merchants also happens that evening. Big Walter Smith is Minnesota's most honored and recognized bluesman. Forming the Groove Merchants in 1985, Smith has been a mainstay of the Twin Cities music scene ever since. Walter delivers his soul flavored vocals with a deep-felt passion and love for the blues and has one of the most appealing voices found on any stage in Minnesota. The Groove Merchants feature brassy, big band R&B with some swing and a little funk.
July 24 includes shows by regional soul and funk favorites, a salute to Prince, and Big John Dickerson, who’s no stranger to blues and soul music. Dickerson's current backing band, Blue Chamber, have long been the house band at Famous Dave's BBQ and Blues in uptown Minneapolis. Dickerson began his career in Detroit as a session drummer for Motown Records.
July 25 includes a SRV Tribute, soul and blues Hall of Famers, and the Scottie Miller Band who can cover a gamut of barrelhouse piano blues, rock, funk, soul, Americana, singer-songwriter, etc. Scottie is also the touring keyboardist for three-time Grammy nominated singer Ruthie Foster since 2008 whom he met while on tour with Bo Diddley.
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Calling All Active-Duty Military:
Visit Delta Blues Museum for FREE!
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 (CLARKSDALE, MS) - If you're traveling through the Mississippi Delta this summer, you and your family can visit the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale for free through the Blue Star Museums program.
Participating museums nationwide are opening their doors for free to currently-serving military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families this summer through September 6, 2021.
Since its creation, the Delta Blues Museum has preserved, interpreted and encouraged a deep interest in the story of the blues. As the Delta Blues Museum celebrates its 42nd anniversary throughout 2021, you will discover the latest new exhibits and more exciting events to partake covering the Museum's years of exploring the new and preserving the Blues of the past. We're excited to be here for you to visit us and explore the Blues!
For ticketing details, please contact the Museum at 662-627-6820 or go online.
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Cedric Burnside named NEA Heritage Fellow
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 North Mississippi Hill Country blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Cedric Burnside has been selected as one of nine recipients of the 2021 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellowship. The Heritage Fellowship is the nation's highest honor in the folk and tradition arts.
Growing up in North Mississippi’s Marshall and Benton counties, Burnside is the grandson of Hill Country blues legend R.L. Burnside. Cedric was playing with his grandfather early in life and at age 13 was traveling with R.L and his band, playing drums. Cedric began traveling around the North American continent to represent the unique genre of blues music that was Hill Country blues.
Burnside today is expanding the next generation of the North Mississippi sound as he carries on the legacy of North Mississippi Hill Country blues. He has put together nine albums, individual and collaborative. Burnside has been awarded several Blues Music Awards for his work as a drummer. He earned a Grammy nomination for the 2015 album project Descendants of Hill Country and another for his solo recording, 2018’s Benton County Relic.
The majority of this article from Bob Bakken/De Soto County News
Photo: Cedric Burnside by Abraham Rowe Photography
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2021 Juno Award Blues Winner
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 (ONTARIO, CANADA) - The 2021 Juno Awards celebrated their 50th anniversary June 6 virtually. In celebration of Canada’s rich and diverse music history, the 50th Anniversary of the JUNO Awards took place at several of the most iconic musical landmarks from across the country.
In the Blues category, the Blues Album of the Year went to Church House Blues by Crystal Shawanda. Nominees included Hell Bent With Grace, Angel Forrest, Spirits in the Water, Dione Taylor, Solar Powered Too, Rick Fines, and The Reckless One, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar. Crystal was also a Nominee in the Indigenous Artist of The Year category.
Crystal Shawanda is an Indigenous musician, who grew up on the Wikwemikong reserve on an island in Ontario, Canada. Her parents taught her to sing and play guitar and encouraged her to play country songs, but she grew up in a home filled with the music her oldest brother loved most: the blues.
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CD, Single & DVD Releases
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Dexter Allen :: KEEP MOVING ON
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"Keep Moving On"
Website
Mississippi soul and bluesman Dexter Allen is back, with a new album, Keep Moving On, out on Endless Blues Record. Before his touring was put on hold, Dexter performed his original blues jams everywhere from Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival to the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. But you can’t keep a good bluesman down, and Dexter’s Keep Moving On is a testament to that.
Keep Moving On showcases Dexter’s authentic blues chops. Born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi (home of Robert Johnson), Dexter got his musical start at 12 playing bass with his parents' gospel band. He then toured the world as lead guitarist for Grammy® -winning legend and friend Bobby Rush. Dexter has since stepped out into his own spotlight, building an international following with audience engagement, soulful vocals and passionate, driving guitar inspired by influences like Buddy Guy and Clapton.
The title track, “Keep Moving On,” speaks of everyday struggles and triumphs everyone goes through, and gives hope that things are going to get better if you just keep moving on.
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West Coast Blues Society's "Southern Fried Blues" Aug 8
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 (VALLEJO, CA) - The West Coast Blues Society, and Vino Godfather Winery present Southern Fried Blues, Sunday, August 8th at Vino Godfather Winery (500 Walnut Ave., Vallejo, California), on Mare Island from 12noon-6pm. Featuring Terrible Tom Bowden, Fillmore Slim, Alvon Johnson, Karl Bracy, Oakland Blues Divas, Philadelphia Chuck Wallace, Blind Lemon Peel, Silver Fox, Minor Williams, Jock Shock, Michael Skinner & Final Touch, Bluesman Michael ‘Spiderman’ Robinson and West Coast Caravan of Allstars and other great acts. Catering by Chef Dunn $25 in adv, $30 at gate. Tickets: Eventbrite.com or call WCBS 510-472-8800. See website for more information.
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Altered Five Blues Band "Eighth Wonder"
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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..."
June 19 - Junteenth
June 20 - Father's Day
June 21 - World Day of Music
Birthdays upcoming of note:
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); July 1-Willie Dixon (1915), James Cotton (1935-2017), Syl Johnson (1939); July 3-"Mississippi" John Hurt (1893-1966); July 4-Champion Jack Dupree (1910-1992); July 5-Smiley Lewis (1913-1966); July 7-Pinetop Perkins (1913-2011); July 8-Louis Jordan (1908-1975), Johnnie Johnson (1924-2005), Larry Garner (1952), July 9-Jack White (1975)
Just in case:
 June 20 is "Ugliest Dog Day" and celebrates the pooches out there with a face only a mother could love. Well, we know there's been several Blues-type songs written about "dogs" good, bad and ugly... "Salty Dog Blues" Mississippi Hurt, "Lonesome Dog" Lightnin' Hopkins, "I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)" Bobby "Blue" Bland, "Walkin' The Dog" Rufus Thomas, "How Come My Dog Don't Bark When You Come Around?" Dr. John, "Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog" Johnny Cash, and even "I Need A Dog" Michele Lundeen (!), What are some of your faves?
(Mojo Hound (who is actually not ugly) is Copyright of MojoHand. Do not reproduce. But checkout his website for all sorts of super cool bluesy stuff to purchase!)
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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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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 19, 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
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
Blues On The Fox
Jun-18-2021 - Jun-19-2021
Aurora, Illinois, USA
BAM Fest 2021 (Birthplace of American Music Festival)
Jun-19-2021 - Jun-20-2021
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Cleethorpes Blues,
Rhythm & Rock Festival
Jun-19-2021
Cleethorpes, United Kingdom
Broad Street Blues & 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
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please go to our website
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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
Grassroots Blues Festival
Jul-09-2021 - Jul-10-2021
Duck Hill, Mississippi, USA
Canton Blues Festival
Jul-09-2021 - Jul-10-2021
Canton, Ohio, USA
North Atlantic Blues Festival
Jul-10-2021 - Jul-11-2021
Rockland, Maine, USA
Winthrop Rhythm
& Blues Festival
Jul-16-2021 - Jul-18-2021
Winthrop, Washington, USA
Cincy Blues Fest
Jul-17-2021
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Blues & Soul Legends
"The Relief Sessions"
Jul-23-2021 - Jul-25-2021
Burnsville, Minnesota, USA
Notodden Blues Festival
Aug-05-2021 - Aug-08-2021
Notodden, Norway
25th Annual Mammoth Festival
of Beers & Bluesapalooza
Aug-05-2021 - Aug-08-2021
Mammoth Lakes, California, USA
Magic City Blues
Aug-06-2021 - Aug-07-2021
Billings, Montana, USA
New Blues Festival
Aug-06-2021 - Aug-07-2021
Long Beach, California, 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 
