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Celebrating our 2022 Blues Festival Guide
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 It’s our 20th Anniversary edition of the Blues Festival Guide, and we’ve loved being a part of your blues community!
We're thrilled to showoff our 2022 cover by photographer Marilyn Stringer featuring the talented Tullie Brae and Calvin Johnson at the 2021 North Atlantic Blues Festival!
We've wrapped the 2022 issue and it ships soon! The magazine features the latest happenings in the industry, glimpses of blues history and, of course, blues festivals to plan your calendar! Here's an editorial sneak peek!
Living Legend: Billy Branch By Bill Dahl - Once the new kid on the Chicago blues block, Billy Branch is now revered as the city’s premier harmonica master.
Fueling Musicians Program - Put together by Joe Bonamassa during the pandemic, the program is designed to support and assist musicians
WLAC: Blues, Baby Chicks and Stim-U-Aid By Reverend Billy C. Wirtz - The Reverend schools us on WLAC – the “clear channel” radio station that was legendary in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s for spreading the blues far and wide across the U.S. (and beyond!) on its nighttime programming.
That Chicago Blues Sound By Wayne Baker Brooks - The Chicago blues catapulted the blues genre into the mainstream in 1948 when Muddy Waters amplified his sound, but the foundation for this revolution was built decades earlier by established artists…
20 Years of Blues By Kaati Gaffney, Publisher - The Blues Festival Guide is celebrating its 20th anniversary issue! Learn more about our journey from the gals who started it all, and enjoy reminiscing on our past issues.
What’s Cookin’ - Blueswoman Shaun Murphy shares her authentic Italian family recipe for Pasta all’Amatriciana plus tips and tricks
Hooked on Blues Docs - During the pandemic, Tom Andrews of the Blues Festival Guide team had the opportunity to dig in and enjoy some recent blues documentaries. Check out his recommendations and enjoy!
Trumpet Records Courtesy of the Delta Blues Museum - From 1950 to 1955, the music of Trumpet Records sounded from coast to coast and their recordings are a testament to Mississippi’s musical gift to the world.
And more!...
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Photo Moments with the 19th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's award winning red-hot guitar slinger, singer, songwriter Coco Montoya. This former member of Albert Collins band (where he played drums before Albert mentored him on the guitar) and former lead guitarist in John Mayall band launched his solo career in 1993. Soulful vocals and stinging guitar continues to keep Montoya in the upper echelon of blues players.
Photo: Marilyn Stringer
Want a pic here with the Guide? Order the 20th annual now!
*GET THE ANNUAL BFG MAG & SEND US A PIC WITH IT!
If you're a BFG client reach out to your sales person and get yours!
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 2022 Blues Festival Guide!
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Flagstaff Blues & Brews Festival 2022
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Billtown Blues Association to hold 32nd Annual Billtown Blues Festival
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 (HUGHESVILLE, PA) - This iconic event kicks off Friday evening June 10th at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds featuring the Uptown Music Collective’s Blues Performance group. Raedwald-Howland-Bolton will provide an acoustic set. Next will be a rousing eclectic set by local artist Ann Kerstetter. Closing on Friday will be the ever-popular Billy Price.
Saturday, June 11th will feature the Becky Blue Band followed by Audition Concert winners Chris LaRose and the Hex Highway Blues Band & Neil Tapp. EG Kight, known for her powerful vocals and clever lyrical writing will grace the stage with her trio. Following is Greg Piccolo with Heavy Juice; considered one of the finest tenor sax players world-wide. Texas-based Sue Foley is supporting her awarded release “Pinky’s Blues” follows. Legend Lurrie Bell holds the special “statesman of the blues” place in this year’s festival. Closing on Saturday from Boston are the ever-popular GA-20.
Sunday starts at 11am with the traditional Billtown Gospel Blues Revue, a collaboration of UMC students, alumni and staff. Chris Purcell and then Georgian Veronika Jackson, delivers her special blend of gospel, folk and blues. Back from the BBA’s Fall Into the Blues concert are Slim and the Perkolators. Also from Georgia is up and comer Eddie 9V. Closing the 32nd annual event are the ever-popular Cash Box Kings.
The 3-day event will host private on-site camping, provide an array of food and craft vendors, offer free parking, and complimentary access for kids under 16.
All festival information is available on the website. Find us on Facebook too!
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Legendary Blues Collaboration at Gator By the Bay
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 by Wendy Lemlin
(SAN DIEGO, CA) - The tradition of Blues excellence at Gator By the Bay festival, happening May 5-8 at Spanish Landing Park, continues this year, including a very special performance, May 8, with a collaboration between legendary Chicago Blues icon John Primer and the Rob Stone Blues Band.
Two-time Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist John Primer helped build the sound and style of Chicago blues as we know it today. Born in Mississippi, Primer moved to Chicago in 1963 and fell for the music of both the city's west and south sides. Ten years later, he was leading the house band at the world-famous Theresa’s Lounge and would play with such blues originators as Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Smokey Smothers, Lonnie Brooks and many others. A former bandleader and guitarist for Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Magic Slim & The Teardrops, he’s recorded more than 87 albums, written and produced 55 plus songs on 6 plus record labels including his own, Blues House Productions. John Primer has toured the world and amassed a slew of awards including Living Legend honors, a Blues Music Award for “Best Traditional Blues Artist,” Lifetime Achievement Awards and countless other accolades.
Deeply rooted in traditional blues, yet delivering high-energy performances with a contemporary impact, harp-playing vocalist Rob Stone’s wide-bodied harmonica attack and cool, streetwise vocals display an unshakable Chicago Blues foundation, and his penchant for house-rocking tempos make his concerts an exhilarating experience. A Boston native now based in L.A., Stone cut his musical teeth in the gritty clubs of Chicago, learning from the masters, and combines tough Chicago blues tradition with a swinging West Coast rhythmic drive.
Notes Gator By the Bay organizer Peter Oliver, “The energy output of Rob Stone’s harp playing pared with John Primer’s amazing guitar slinging should be off the charts! It will be the perfect finale of the absolutely impressive Blues lineup we are presenting this year!”
For all Gator By the Bay info and tickets, check the website.
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Cathy Grier remains true to her music
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 Soulful and electrifying, Grier hails from New York by way of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
Guitarist, songwriter Cathy Grier, formed The Troublemakers in 2017 with a stellar lineup of top Wisconsin Blues players. Their 2020 album "I'm All Burn," hit the Blues charts worldwide, and was in the top 100 for 2021 of RMR Contemporary Blues Charts. The title track was named Coolest Blues Song of 2021, Big City Rhythm and Blues magazine.
Cathy has remained true to her music, and to critical social causes since 1978. She subtly shifts from sultry to funky, from the Delta to Memphis and Chicago. Cathy’s life story can be felt in every heartfelt note accentuated by tasty blues guitar stylings, electric and 4-string Cigar Box. Her gritty, soulful vocals underscore the poignancy of her lyrics.
In Grier’s dynamic stage presence, blues is a fundamental cornerstone of everything she does. Cathy’s career highlights range from an MTV video in the 80’s, opening up for legendary artists Laura Nyro, The Band, and Joan Armatrading. She has written hit songs in France, produced artists in multiple languages, toured extensively, supported important causes and even honed her craft in New York City as a busker.
Cathy Grier + The Troublemakers will be representing Paramount Music Association, and the State of Wisconsin at the 2022 International Blues Challenge Memphis, TN May 6-9. And will also perform during the Women In Blues Showcase May 9th at Alfred’s On Beale Street. Cathy is looking forward to returning to Beale Street (IBC Soloist in 2018), and looks forward to meeting you.
Contact Cathy Grier at 917-374-8870 and Email.
Media Kit | YouTube | Facebook
Photo Credits Top-Bottom: Jennifer Stulo, Bruce Rose, Rob Schaffer
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Memphis will be Jumpin' big time next week!
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 (MEMPHIS, TN) - Well, the joints will be jumpin' by next week with the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, the Blues Music Awards (BMA), the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards and Luncheon, and the International Blues Challenge (IBC) which will all be happening one after the other.
A very special Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to honor those who have made the Blues timeless through performance, documentation, and recording, will happen May 4th at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education (So. Main St.). There will be a cocktail reception at 5:30pm and the ceremony will commence at 6:30pm.
The 43rd BMA's, aka the Grammy's of the Blues, will happen Thurs May 5th at the Renasant Convention Center located in Downtown Memphis. This is a gala affair that includes dinner and you must be a Blues Foundation member to attend.
Then the IBC's kickoff May 6th-9th all along Beale Street. The overall schedule of events is pretty spectacular and non-stop, from master classes (like pal Bob Corritore's harmonica one), to showcases, to exhibits, to documentaries, to a silent auction, to pro-jams, to the Keeping The Blues Alive Awards Luncheon, to the IBC challenge itself! Pace yourself and it goes without saying that you will have a full-tilt, bluesy, memorable experience.
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The Blues Was Always In New Orleans
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 Downhome blues thrives in the crescent city and Music Maker artists plan performances during JazzFest
By Nick Loss-Eaton
(NEW ORLEANS, LA) - New Orleans may bring to mind jazz, brass band, and funk music, but less visible is a true downhome blues scene. With New Orleans as a common root of all this music and Music Maker’s mission to tend those roots, it’s a natural place for our work. Artists like Guitar Slim Jr., Little Freddie King, and Guitar Lightnin' Lee (pictured here in photo by Tim Duffy) keep the blues alive in The Big Easy.
Guitar Gabriel and Taj Mahal have both spoken about the blues originating there and then moving up the river. A recent book by bluesman Chris Thomas King also makes the same assertion, with the citations to provide a convincing argument. Lonnie Johnson, born in 1899, was a widely influential New Orleans blues player listened to in Mississippi, Memphis, St. Louis, and beyond.
Fans have several chances to see Music Maker’s New Orleans artists perform in town during JazzFest:
April 28 – Little Freddie King – DBA
April 29 – Little Freddie King – JazzFest, Blues Tent, 12:30pm
May 4 – Ernie Vincent – Sweet Lorraine’s
May 5 – Little Freddie King (solo) and Alabama Slim – at A Gallery For Fine Photography at 1pm at the opening of the exhibition Tim Duffy: Music Makers.
Find music samples from Music Maker New Orlean's artists here.
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John Nemeth Announces Tour Cancellation
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 A Note from John Nemeth:
"Hello friends!
The Blue Dreamers and I just finished up two great tours on the West Coast and the Northeast. Thanks to everyone for coming out to the shows. We had a great time catching up with old friends and making new ones. Big shout out to the venues for the great hospitality!
Unfortunately I have to cancel our upcoming tour dates. Bad news first. I have a benign, fast-growing tumor in my lower jaw. The good news - I have a great surgeon. He’ll be able to remove the tumor while preserving the integrity of my jaw, allowing me to keep doing what I love, which is making and playing music for all of you.
We faced another challenge earlier this week, when our insurance company officially denied payment for my surgery. In searching for the best treatment option with the highest success rate, we had to go out of our insurance network. We’ve had many people reach out to us asking how they can help and we are beyond grateful for the support from our family and community. Several friends suggested we set up a GoFundMe to assist with my medical bills. We know these are hard times for so many and honestly it makes us uncomfortable sharing our need.
In true Taylor-Nemeth fashion, it only felt right to kick off the GoFundMe with a party! The Blue Dreamers have generously donated their time to make that happen by playing one more acoustic porch session before my surgery. We’ll have special guests sitting in as well.
We’ll be going LIVE on Facebook and Instagram, Sunday, May 1st, 2-4pm CDT.
Cheers,
John, Jaki, Ava, Otis and Sukiboo"
Editor's note:
John's surgery is May 23rd in Houston. We wish him tremendous success!
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Which Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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Bluesin’ is back baby! We're excited to Return to the West Coast in 2022! Cabins on Sale Now!
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 LRBC #37 SEA OF CORTEZ - ON SALE NOW!
Oct. 29 ~ Nov. 5, 2022
Sailing on Holland America’s ms Koningsdam from San Diego, CA to Cabo San Lucas, La Paz & Loreto.
LRBC #38 EASTERN CARIBBEAN - Bands Announced!
Jan. 28 ~ Feb, 4, 2023
or Call (816) 753-7979 to Reserve
The Best Blues Experience on the Planet!
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LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE
More Than A Cruise… More Than A Festival…
More Than You Can Imagine!
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Washington Blues Society Celebrated 2022 "BB Awards"
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 (SHORELINE, WA) - Sunday, April 24th, the Washington Blues Society recognized blues music achievement in-person at Aurora Borealis in Shoreline, Washington at its annual Best of the Blues (“BB Awards”) show. Blues society members nominated BB Award recipients in 30+ categories with the Stacy Jones Band leading the field with 10 nominations and eight awards.
Each year, the Washington Blues Society also remembers blues community members who have passed on since the last awards show, and the 2022 In Memoriam featured an all-star line-up of blues musicians who played Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and the Beatles’ “In My Life” as photos of recently departed blues artists scrolled on the venue’s screens. The audience was clearly moved remembering Charlie Watts, Sam Lay and several others, and many blues fans wept when Lissa Ramaglia smiled down from the screen. She posthumously received BB Awards in the Blues Bass and Lifetime Achievement Award categories.
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Holidays, Birthdays and... Just In Case
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 APRIL
• International Guitar Month
• National Humor Month
Birthdays upcoming of note:
April 29-Big Jay McNeely (1927-2018), Otis Rush (1935), Frankie Lee (1941), April 30-Rev. Gary Davis (1896-1972), Mabel Scott (1915-2000), Frankie Lee Sims (1917-1970), Jimmie Lee Robinson (1931-2002); May 1-Big Maybelle Smith (1924-1972), Little Walter Jacobs (1930-1968), Ada Brown (1890-1950), Carlton Armstrong; May 3 Homesick James (1914), James Brown (1933 ); May 5 Blind Willie McTell (1901), Johnnie Taylor (1934-2000); May 8 Joe Bonamassa (1977), Robert Johnson (1911-1938); May 9 Bob Margolin (1949), A.C. Reed (1926–2004)
 Just in case:
April 29 is "International Dance Day." Dancing is universal — woven into virtually every society all over the world. Blues dancin', boogie woogie, swing are just a few dances associated with blues music... I wanna say dirty dancing' but I mean it in the nicest way! Nothin' like gettin' down and dirty on the dancefloor. Express yourself. And there are so many ways on the dancefloor.
You know you can't help yourself when the music moves you! Just let yourself go and have fun!
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Radio Submit Roots Blues Chart
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Billboard & iTunes #1 Blues Albums
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Billboard/iTunes #1 Blues Albums - as of April 28, 2022
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 #1 Billboard
EDGAR WINTER
Brother Johnny
#1 iTunes
BONNIE RAITT
Just Like That
(Note: iTunes rankings change very often.
This is #1 as of e-Guide publishing time)
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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.
Checkout website Festival page!
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Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival
Apr-30-2022
Bessemer, Alabama, USA
Blues Hall of Fame Inductions
May-4-2022
Memphis, Tennessee USA
Gator By The Bay
May-5-2022 - May-8-2022
San Diego, California USA
43rd Blues Music Awards
May-5-2022
Memphis, Tennessee USA
International Blues Challenge
May-6-2022 - May-9-2022
Memphis, Tennessee USA
Clarksdale Caravan Music Festival
May-07-2022
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Pinetop Perkins Boogie & Jam
May-7-2022
Clarksdale, Mississippi USA
Kwadendamme Bluesfestival
May-12-2022 – May-15-2022
Kwadendamme, Netherlands
Women In Blues
May-13-2022 – May-14-2022
Helena, Arkansas and
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Simply Texas Blues Festival
May-14-2022
San Angelo, Texas, USA
5th Annual Baton Rouge
Soul Food Festival
May-14-2022 – May-15-2022
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Blues on Broadbeach
May-19-2022 – May-22-2022
Broadbeach, Australia
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please go to our website
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Carolina Blues Festival
May-21-2022
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
Silver City Blues Festival
May-27-2022
Silver City, New Mexico, USA
Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival
May-21-2022 – May-22-2022
Annapolis, Maryland, USA
Ground Zero Blues Club
21st Anniversary
May-27-2022 – May-28-2022
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Goat Fest IX
May-27-2022 – May-28-2022
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Red’s Old Timers Music Festival
May-28-2022
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Holland Intl' Blues Festival
Jun-09-2022 – Jun-11-2022
Holland, Netherlands
Flagstaff Blues and Brews
Jun-10-2022 - Jun-11-2022
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
32nd Annual
Billtown Blues Festival
Jun-10-2022 - Jun-12-2022
Billtown, Pennsylvania, USA
Utah Blues Festival
Jun-10-2022 – Jun-11-2022
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
New York State Blues Festival
Jun-16-2022 – Jun-18-2022
Syracuse, New York, USA
Northwoods Blues Festival
Jun-17-2022 - Jun-18-2022
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA
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Continue to stay optimistic! We've got this!
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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
We welcome e-Guide suggestions and questions. You can reach our E-Guide editor, Michele Lundeen (pictured here) via EMAIL.
Michele is also a singer, songwriter, performer and bandleader based in the San Diego County, California area and nicknamed the "Queen of Steam" for her high energy and passionate style.
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 find out 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.
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Hey blues lovers! Got 
