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Get your 19th Annual Blues Festival Guide Magazine!
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 We're thrilled to have the talented Kevin Burt on our 19th annual cover thanks to the photography of Marilyn Stringer! Get your order in now to have and to hold and refer to throughout the year! The magazine is also digital on our website.
If you're 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 some of the the cool editorial:
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 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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 Janine Harty, long-standing President of Blues Lovers United of San Diego (BLUSD), knows exactly how to plan her next Blues excursion!
A prominent KSDS Radio DJ since 1988, Janine was the host of the popular late night program "Every Shade of Blue since 2018," however the show is currently on hiatus due to the Pandemic.
Photo: Becky Ryan
Want your picture here with the Guide? Order the 19th annual now!
*ONCE YOU GET YOUR 19TH ANNUAL BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE MAGAZINE, SEND US A PIC WITH IT!
If you're 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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Plan for the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest 2021 Sept 17-18
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 (DAVENPORT, IA) - The Mississippi Valley Blues Fest 2021 will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 17-18, at the historic LeClaire Park in Davenport, Iowa. Sept 17th, Friday Gates: 4pm-11:30pm, Sept 18th, Saturday Gates: 12pm-11:30pm.
For the past 35-plus years, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society has continued to bring both national and regional Blues legends and rising stars to the Blues Fest. Friday’s 2021 lineup includes John Primer, Jontavious Willis, Toronzo Cannon & Band, and Southern Avenue. Saturday’s Lineup includes Stephen Hull Experience, Selwyn Birchwood, Melody Angel, Joanne Shaw Taylor, and Eric Gales.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the MVBS website or at the gate on September 17th and 18th. Attendees 14 years old and younger get in free with ticketed adult!
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Battle, Axe & Tracks Blues & Rock Music Festival hits Northern Nevada Oct 2-3
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 (CARSON CITY, NV) - “Battle, Axe & Tracks” will hit Oct 2-3, 2021 at the Eastgate Depot in Carson City, Nevada. The area’s first multi-day music festival will combine both the V&T Railway setting, activities and 15 musical acts including headliners Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Larkin Poe, North Mississippi Allstars, Samantha Fish and the best emerging and established rock and blues musicians on the scene today.
Find more information on their website and Facebook page.
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Dusk ‘til Dawn on D.C. Minner's 5-acre old family farm
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 (RENTIESVILLE, OK) - We have a great lineup of regional OK artists and Headliners for the 2021 Rentiesville Dusk ‘til Dawn Festival Sept 4-3-5.
Native Night on Friday includes Butch Mudbone in from Memphis, Cecil Gray with Native Blues out of Elgin, Craig Vaughan from Tulsa and Floyd Dry and Potsmoke Blues Band from up US 69. Wanda Watson and Kelvin Drake are on Friday Main Stage, too.
Saturday headliners include The Blues Foundation’s Blues Band of the Year winner Lil' Ed and his Blues Imperials in from Chicago, and Guitar Shorty OBHOF, with his band from the West Coast! Both are Rentiesville favorites that we’re happy to see here about every five years!
Johnie B and Queen Iretta Sanders are in from Mississippi and of course Johnny Rawls - who will play each night. Watermelon Slim plays Clarksdale on Saturday but comes to Rentiesville for a Sunday night show!
All music will be outdoors. We will assist you with special sections. You can choose optional Social Distancing if you like. We will take temperatures at the gate and there will be lots of hand sanitizer readily available.
Cannot wait to see all of you who are up for this and best wishes to everybody one and all.
Let the party begin!
Selby Minner
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21st Annual AMERICANAFEST and Conference Sept 22-25
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 (NASHVILLE, TN) - The Americana Music Association will present the 21st Annual AMERICANAFEST and Conference During September 22-25, which will take over 50 prestigious music venues across Nashville. Hundreds of electrifying nightly showcases include showcases with Sue Foley, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Southern Avenue and over 200 more acts.
The annual event brings together fans and music industry professionals alike, offering four days of celebration through seminars, panels and networking opportunities by day and raw, intimate showcases each night. Experience special events highlighting the culture of a global community and its hallmark Americana Honors & Awards ceremony.
This is a must-attend event for anyone who loves the melting pot of Americana's influences including roots, folk, country, blues and soul-based music.
To buy a pass and for more information, see their website.
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ISC 2021 Submissions Now Open
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The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is the premiere annual song contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to participate.
2021 Blues Judges include: George Thorogood, Don Bryant, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, Sugaray Rayford, Joe Louis Walker, Robert Randolph, and more!
71 winners will share in over $150,000 worth of cash and prizes. In addition to cash and merchandise prizes, winners benefit from a multilateral promotional campaign designed to give international exposure and attention to their songwriting achievements.
Deadline for Submissions is September 22, 2021. Click image for more details.
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Featured Video Announcements
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Make your plans for the 2021 Jus' Blues Music Conference & Music Awards coming right up Aug 28-29
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CLICK IMAGES FOR VIDEO
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Battle Axe & Tracks Music Festival adventures
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CLICK IMAGE FOR VIDEO
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The Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame Museum has Re-Opened
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 (MEMPHIS, TN) - After being closed for 14 months The Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame Museum has re-opened! Current hours have been adjusted to: Mon-Tues: Closed; Weds-Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun: 1pm-5pm.
They do have COVID-safety protocols in place, including requiring masks while inside the building, hand sanitizing stations, air-purifying machines, social-distance markers, and more.
In addition to the new photography exhibit by Jérôme Brunet in the LRBC Gallery, a recent acquisition is Matt "Guitar" Murphy's gold McHugh guitar, gifted by his widow Kathy Hemrick.
The Blues Hall of Fame Museum is proud to once again partner with the National Endowment for the Arts for the 2021 Blue Star Museums program. Admission will be free to our nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from now until Labor Day.
Tickets for general admission can be purchased in-person at the museum's front desk.
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Sacramento Blues Society Presents CD Release Party Aug 21
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 (SACRAMENTO, CA) - The Sacramento Blues Society is celebrating the release of Back in Business!, a new 16-track compilation of original songs from sixteen Sacramento Blues Society member bands! Featured are: Katie Knipp Band, Justin Walters Trio (16-year-old blues guitar phenom! Blues in the Schools Band), Red’s Blues, and the Kyle Rowland Band.
The performance will be outdoors on the great lawn of the Dante Club (2330 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, California) under a huge tent! Seating, dance floor, food menu and full bar. COVID protocols observed. Please bring your vaccine card (photo OK) and mask. Or proof of a negative COVID-19 test issued within 72 hours of this event.
Advance $20, Door $25, High School Students $10, Youth (Under Age 12) Free *Limited number of advance table reservations (seats up to 8 people) available in your advance ticket purchase choice. Group Reservations/questions, please email Liz Walker or SBS event email.
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2 weeks left for Colorado Blues Society Raffle Chances!
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 The Colorado Blues Society Q Blues 2021 Raffle fundraiser is live. Now through Labor Day you can link to the raffle website, see the exciting themed prizes and purchase tickets. You can also text QBLUES2021 to 855-202-2100.
From the collection of 17 raffle prizes, two examples include a Louisiana Grills wood pellet smoker donated by Lulu’s Farm. and a stunning, ceramic guitar art original by Scott Fitzke.
Among other prizes, there are also specially selected books, signed by their acclaimed authors on the history, lives and cooking cultures of blues music and barbeque cuisine.
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CD, Single & DVD Releases
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The Hitman Blues Band :: NOT MY CIRCUS, NOT MY MONKEY
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  " Not My Circus"
Not My Circus, Not My Monkey is the new release from the NY based Modern/Alt Blues group, The Hitman Blues Band. Featuring captivating vocals, blistering solos, and a rhythm section pushing a consistently intense groove, it also boasts captivating lyrics ranging from light hearted to tragic.
The recording starts off with the title track, “Not My Circus,” with a line you’ll probably be using regularly from now on. This is followed by the tongue in cheek “Buy That Man A Drink,” as it’s far from an act of charity. Then comes a complete re-working of Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” including all new lyrics that stay true to the spirit of the original. Keeping with Mr. Johnson, “John The Revelator” is performed in a unique Hitman Blues Band style — imagining that other gods stop by and reveal their own end-of-times scenarios to John.
The heart wrenching original ballad “No Place Like Home” offers somber reflection. Then comes a funky-cool version of Dylan’s “Times They Are A-Changin’” like you’ve never heard it before, still a very poignant statement for our times. The groove infused “You Can’t Say No” is followed by the light hearted come-on of “Walk With You,” which sets up the attempt to explain overpowering love in “You Don’t Understand.” The album takes a turn back to the late 1950’s influenced “Everybody But Me,” a comic take on hipster loneliness. The closing tune, “Go Down Fighting,” is the anthem for every artist who pushes on no matter what.
The Hitman Blues Band plays modern/alt Blues, which can be high energy, slow and soulful, or happy boogie. It’s blues of the 21st century.
Website
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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 #37 West Coast LRBC
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 BOOK YOUR CABIN NOW!
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 Nieuw Amsterdam. Cabins & booking info HERE
SOLD OUT! 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 ms Rotterdam. Bands & Waitlist info HERE.
WE’RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR RETURN TO THE WEST COAST IN 2022! LRBC #37 Sea of Cortez: Oct. 29~Nov. 5, 2022 from San Diego, CA to Cabo San Lucas, La Paz & Loreto on Holland America’s ms Koningsdam. PREBOOK launches THURSDAY, JULY 15th @ 11am CT (9am PT / 10am MT / NOON ET). Visit HERE at that time!
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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Roy Gaines "Blues Man For Life"
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Holidays, Birthdays and... Just In Case
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 Mourning the loss of two fine blues friends who both went home on Aug 11, 2021. (LT) Stalwart guitarist, singer, songwriter Roy Gaines and (RT) soulful pianist, Hammond B3 organist, singer, songwriter, session player Mike Finnigan.
"Hard times ain't nothing that music won't help heal..."
Birthdays upcoming of note:
Aug 19-Earl Gaines (1935-2009); Aug 20-Issac Hayes (1942-2008); Aug 21-Count Basie (1904-1984); Aug 22-John Lee Hooker (1920-2001), Debbie Davies (1952); Aug 24-Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (1905-1974), Wynonie Harris (1915); Aug 26-Jimmy Rushing (1901-1972); Aug 29-Charlie Parker (1920-1955), Dinah Washington (1924-1963); Aug 30-Luther "Snake Boy" Johnson (1934-1976); Aug 31-Joanna Connor (1962), Van Morrison (1945); Aug 24-Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (1905-1974), Wynonie Harris (1915); Aug 26-Jimmy Rushing (1901-1972); Aug 29-Charlie Parker (1920-1955), Dinah Washington (1924-1963); Aug 30-Luther "Snake Boy" Johnson (1934-1976); Aug 31-Joanna Connor (1962), Van Morrison (1945)
 Just in case:
August 26 is National Dog Day... well, we love dogs, man's best friend, faithful companion, etc., and while they truly can be a gift, they haven't always been necessarily complimented in the world of blues lyrics. Sure, we sympathize in "I wouldn't treat a dog the way you treated me," (Bobby Blue Bland), and Duke Robillard's "I'm Gonna Buy Me A Dog (To Take The Place of You," But what about, "you ain't nothing but a hound dog," (Big Mama Thornton) "I ain't gonna be your lowdown dog," (Big Joe Turner), "baby, let me be your salty dog" (Mississippi John Hurt), "I'm just like a mad dog, I snaps at everything I meet" ("Mad Dog Blues" Mary Butler/Walter Vinson), I'm foamin' at the mouth baby can't you see" (Mad Dog" Johnny Winter"), and "I don't want no watch dog, I wanna man right now" (Etta James "Watch Dog").... and yes, the list goes on!
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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
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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 Aug 21, 2021
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 #1
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
featuring TREY ANASTASIO
Layla Revisited (Live At Lockin')
#2
THE BLACK KEYS
Delta Kream
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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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Trois-Rivières en Blues
Aug-19-2021 - Aug-22-2021
Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
Chenango Blues Festival
Aug-20-2021 - Aug-21-2021
Norwich, New York, USA
Big Bull Falls Blues Fest
Aug-20-2021 - Aug-21-2021
Wausau, Wisconsin, USA
Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues
Aug-20-2021 - Aug-21-2021
Madison, Indiana, USA
Lake Geneva Blues Fest
Aug-20-2021 - Aug-21-2021
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA
Edmonton Blues Festival
Aug-20-2021 - Aug-22-2021
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Swing Wespelaar
Aug-21-2021
Wespelaar, Belgium
Trinidaddio Blues Fest
Aug-27-2021 - Aug-28-2021
Trinidaddio, Colorado, USA
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please go to our website
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Open Air Blues in the
Garden Festival
Aug-27-2021 - Aug-29-2021
Dărmănești, Romania
Tawas Blues By The Bay
Aug-27-2021 - Aug-29-2021
East Tawas, Michigan, USA
Rentiesville
Dusk til Dawn Blues Festival
Sep-03-2021 - Sep-05-2021
Rentiesville, Oklahoma, USA
John Coltrane Jazz
and Blues Festival
Sep-04-2021 - Sep-05-2021
High Point, North Carolina, USA
Big Blues Bender
Sep-09-2021 - Sep-12-2021
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Mississippi Valley Blues Festival
Sep-17-2021 - Sep-18-2021
Davenport, Iowa, USA
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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. Michele is a singer, songwriter, performer and bandleader based in the San Diego County, California area (click image).
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Hey blues lovers! Got 
