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We've added a few more to the list...
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 The holiday's are right around the corner folks!
We're going to keep adding new ideas to the top of this list as we continue:
• Delta Blues Museum gift shop has exclusive, logo-branded items to Crossroads souvenirs. Or you can even buy a custom engraved "Blues Brick!"
• Passes to the 2023 IBC or help with travel and accommodations costs.
• Newly released The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: The Illustrated Story of Sun Records And The 70 Recordings That Changed the World. Released on Nov 22, 2022, the book was written By: Peter Guralnick, Colin Escott, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Amazon has good price.
• Classic Vintage-style Radios. A retro look with Bluetooth and mp3 inputs, etc. (Search on Amazon for "vintage Radios with bluetooth")
• Noise Cancelling Music Ear Plugs (search on Amazon)
• Hey, gift someone a cabin or special package on a Blues cruise... Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Sandy Beaches Cruise, , The Big Easy Cruise (get great ideas in each e-Guide issue)!
• Gift someone Blues concert or Blues festival tickets and/or festival merch (like the Big Blues Bender)
• Donate to a charity in someone's name (Hart Fund...)
• Checkout the MusicMaker Foundation Gift shop or donate
• MojoHand's store includes Posters, fine art, clothing and much more!
• The final volume of the Classic 1920's Blues Artwork Calendar & 25-track CD (also find at the Delta Museum shop)
• Google "blues books" and you'll find hundreds of blues-related books (whether printed, digital or even some audio).
• Gift someone their favorite band's merch (CDs, Digital downloads, clothing, etc.) This in turn gifts the artist by purchasing their items!
• Give the gift of a Blues Society membership and/or their merch. Here's a list of Blues Foundation society affiliates FYI.
• Donate to your favorite Blues related organization in someone's name
• Checkout the Blues Foundation's store for cool merch, books, CDs and membership gifts, etc.
Alrighty then! What would a cool music gift you'd like to give or to receive?
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Photo Moments with the 20th Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Guitarist extraordinaire Eric Gales' album Crown is a 2022 Grammy Nominee for Best Contemporary Blues Album. He's also the 2022 Blues Music Award Winner for “Blues Guitar Player of the Year” and a Nominee for “B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.”
The Memphis, TN native began his career at age 16. Although Gales plays a right-handed guitar "upside-down" (with the bass E string on the bottom), he is not naturally left-handed; he was taught by his brother, who is left-handed, and never second-guessed the untraditional technique.
We caught up with him on the Oct 2022 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise.
Photo: Kaati Gaffney
ORDER your 2022 Magazine *SEND US A PIC WITH ANNUAL BFG MAG! BFG clients, contact your sales rep for one.
Anyone can Order 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 the 20th Anniversary Blues Festival Guide!
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30th Annual MLK Blues Festival Jan 13-16, 2023
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(CHESTER, SC)- The 30th Annual MLK Blues Festival will be held in Chester, South Carolina in celebration, honor and recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday. Gather united to celebrate and advance the causes that Dr. King dedicated his life to – ideals of freedom, equal rights, voting rights, justice, brotherhood, democracy and principles of nonviolence,
A stellar lineup of performers include Bobby Rush (Jan 14), Johnny Rawls (13-14-15), Doris "Lady D" Fields & Mission (Jan 13-14), Gemini Dragon & New Orleans Trauma Unit (Jan 14-15), Jay Rogers, Reggie Buie Trio, Rogue Johnsen, Freddie Vanderford & Carolina Slim, Phillip "Nitro" Bozeman, Veronika Jackson.
These events are free, but festival attendees are asked to please make donations for the nonprofits this year’s MLK Blues Festival is raising donations for. WorkAbility is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by parents of children and adults with special needs, who are committed to increasing opportunities in Chester in the areas of jobs, housing, recreation, transportation, and advocacy. The City of Chester Recreation Department is also looking to provide stipends for under-served youth for cultural enrichment activities.
Accommodations suggestions are the Moon River Blues Bed & Breakfast in historic Chester. This plantation-style home built in 1904 with 10 ft. ceilings, beautiful wood trim and original hardwood floors among other qualities, is a living blues museum unto itself, thanks to innkeeper and festival founder David Claytor. You can also checkout rates at the Holiday Inn (ask for the MLK Jr. Blues Festival rate).
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Music Radar Awards 2022 Top 10 Best Blues/Jazz/Soul guitarists picks
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 Great to hear that the blues is alive and thriving in 2022 – and Music Radar readers clearly felt that way too judging by their Top 10 choices for the players of the year, alongside their picks of the best of soul and jazz guitarists.
Joe Bonamassa was the top winner this year. He's been out on the road (and high seas) not just earning it but paying it back and forwards to unsung blues musicians and new artists. His Keeping The Blues Alive festival showcases the talents of others to really live up to its promise. His Fueling Musicians relief program for helping musicians to get back on the road has continued through 2022 – providing cash payments.
Winners include #2 Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks (Tedeschi Trucks Band), #3 Eric Gales, #4 Buddy Guy, #5 Marcus King, #7 Robin Trower, #8 Samantha Fish and #10 Larkin Poe (aka Rebecca and Megan Lovell), plus #6, jazz guitarist Julian Lage, and #9 Ry Cooder.
Read the article by MusicRadar Guitar Editor Rob Laing.
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The Mystery of the two Sonny Boy Williamsons
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Nowadays it would be called “identity theft”, but when he took the name Sonny Boy Williamson in the early 40s – a moniker already held by a distinguished blues singer and harmonica player who had been born in Tennessee on 30 March 1914 – the man born Aleck Ford, in Glendora, Mississippi, knew exactly what he was doing.
The cynical act of mimicry was designed to further his career, and, decades later, the exploit prompted a funny and moving song on Randy Newman’s excellent album Dark Matter. On “Sonny Boy,” Newman sings from the perspective of the man now known as Sonny Boy Williamson I, about how “This man stole my name/He stole my soul.”
Sonny Boy Williamson II, as he is now titled, is admired by musicians as esteemed as Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, and The Rolling Stones for his songwriting and his ability to conjure a rare and richly innovative tone from his harmonica. But he was one of the biggest rogues in music.
The facts of his life are mired in mystery – his birthdates vary from 1894 to December 5, 1912 – though it is clear that he was savagely treated while growing up on a plantation in Mississippi. His real name is believed to be Aleck or Alex Ford, and he was the illegitimate son of Jim Miller and Millie Ford (he was Millie’s 21st child). Aleck was given the nickname Rice as a boy, supposedly due to his love for milk and rice, and growing up he was known as Rice Miller.
...Read full article by By Martin Chilton here
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Set Sail on the Biggest Blues Rock Party at Sea
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 Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated guitar superstar Joe Bonamassa and Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than a decade,presentKeeping the Blues Alive At Sea Mediterranean III, the third European voyage of Bonamassa’s world-famous floating blues-rock party at sea. Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea Mediterranean III sails August 17-22, 2023 from Athens, Greece to Dubrovnik, Croatia and Santorini, Greece aboard the luxurious Norwegian Jade. Guests can book their cabins now.
This 5-night music festival will feature two unique sets from Bonamassa along with dozens of live performances and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations by a spectacular lineup of hand-picked special guests that include Blackberry Smoke, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Jimmy Vivino, Kirk Fletcher, Ruthie Foster, King King, Vanessa Collier, Henrik Freischlader, Cardinal Black, Bywater Call, Johnny A, Eddie 9V, Dom Martin, The Cinelli Brothers, True Strays, and Alice Armstrong.
In addition to the non-stop music, guests will enjoy an array of unique activities and special programming geared towards the ultimate blues enthusiasts.
Between the non-stop music and onboard events, the ship will dock at stunning ports in two of the most breathtaking cities in the world — Dubrovnik, Croatia, a medieval city adorned with cobblestone lanes that lead to world class restaurants with delicious cuisine, and Santorini, Greece, known for its iconic whitewashed architecture, steep cliffs, and stunning sea views. Shore excursions will be available to purchase until 4-6 weeks prior to sailing.
Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea Mediterranean III will once again benefit the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA), dedicated to providing students and teachers the resources and tools needed to further music education.
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 (LAS VEGAS, NV) - The Big Blues Bender returns to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, September 7-10, 2023!
Get ready for a musical vacation of a lifetime! 40+ artists, 5 stages, 4 days and nights of 'round the clock world class blues music, all within a four-star Las Vegas resort! Gather your crew and join us for a Bender!
The Bender is a hit! Only Signature and Luxe rooms remain.
Our On Sale event saw record amounts of traffic and as a result:
• All suites are sold out
• 4-day "music only" wristbands are sold out
• Big Daddy Baller Upgrades are sold out
Our remaining packages are fantastic rooms, so make your choice and join us for the blues party of the year! September 7-10, 2023. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
Check here for more info on Bender Packages and Add-Ons.
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• Bucks Co. Blues Society Christmas Blues Party Dec 10
• Atlanta Blues Society Holiday Party & Toys For Tots Dec 11
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 (LEVITTOWN, PA) - Bucks County Blues Society is presenting its 26th annual Christmas Blues Party on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 2-6pm. at Terchon VFW, 1315 Hardy St. in Levittown, Pennsylvania.
Celebrating their 50th year as the world’s best bar band, and performing two sets of blues, soul, funk and rockabilly, is Vizztone’s The Nighthawks. The group first performed for BCBS in 1978, and no other band has performed more dates in the 45-year history of BCBS.
Donation is $25 in advance (includes pizza, soft pretzels, roast pork sandwiches and meatball sandwiches). Cash bar only. No BYOB. Must be 21 or older to attend this event. Parking is free but limited. Venue is wheelchair accessible. Doors open at 1:30pm.
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(SANDY SPRINGS, GA) - Atlanta Blues Society (ABS) 2022 Holiday Party and Toys for Tots Drive Sun Dec 11 3pm (EST) at The Benson Center (6500 Vernon Woods Dr., Sandy Springs, Georgia). The ABS is a “Thank You” for being a member of ABS. They will provide a free meal catered by Fat Matt’s for all current members plus a ticket to be entered for a door prize. There will be a no-host bar. Non-members pay $15 to help defray meal cost or they can join at the event, as it's also a Membership Drive.
It is also a Toys for Tots Drive and they ask that you bring one or more unwrapped toys. Performances will be the winners from this year’s Atlanta Blues Challenge — Youth Act: Mongo Pretty; Solo/Duo Act: Drew Ashworth; Band Act: The Trouble Tones.
ABS will be presenting the winners with their prize money and collecting tips. Please bring cash to tip. ABS will match tips collected for each of acts.
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Which Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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- Join Waitlist for #38 Eastern Caribbean!
- #39 Mexican Riviera Sales Launch Dec 9
- Prebook #40 Western Carribbean
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 LRBC #38 Eastern Caribbean
Cabins SOLD OUT &
Wait List is HOT!
Jan. 28 ~ Feb. 4, 2023
Ft. Lauderdale, FL to St. John, St. Maarten & Half Moon Cay (Bahamas Private Island). Sailing on Holland America’s ms Nieuw Statendam.
Band Lineup, Cabin Pricing & More Here! Join the Waitlist by visiting here or call (816) 753-7979
~  LRBC #39 Mexican Riviera
~
Pre-Book Now!
#40 Western Caribbean
Jan 28 ~ Feb 4, 2024
Sailing on Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ms Nieuw Statendam from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Grand Cayman, Roatán, Honduras & Costa Maya, Mexico. By placing a fully-refundable prebook deposit of $500 per cabin, you’ll reserve a space in line to book a cabin once the band announcement is made in early Spring.
(816) 753-7979 to place your deposit!
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LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE
More Than A Cruise… More Than A Festival…
More Than You Can Imagine!
The Best Blues Experience on the Planet!
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Dave Thomas :: ROAD TO THE BLUES
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 Dave Thomas is an internationally recognized blues musician - a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and band leader. He is truly coming into his best years yet after a lifetime devoted to the blues.
Thomas is another admirable guitarist who eschews flash for taste, and his fretwork spruces up the baker’s dozen songs on his new release, Road To The Blues, rather than becomes their only focus. To the contrary, he often generously allows the superlative piano work by James Goodwin to be front and center while he provides a classy backing along with drummer, bassman, percussionist, backing vocalist, arranger. co-producer and co-writer Steve Jinks.
This Road may be emotionally bumpy, but it’s never cluttered. Sprinkled judiciously throughout are organ, horns, and harp, and they are well served by the album’s crisp, clean sound. Attention to percussion always, understandably, takes a back seat to lead instruments or even a rhythm section, but as proven in these tracks, the right piece at the right place can subtly elevate a song significantly.
“This life’s no bed of roses, more like a hard bed of nails/There’s only one highway to choose/I’m on my way to the blues.”
Website
 "Road To The Blues"
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John Nemeth with Dawn Tyler Watson "Big Boss Man"
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Just In Case... plus Holidays & Birthdays
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 • Dec = "Month of Giving"
• Dec 25 Christmas Day
Birthdays upcoming of note:
Dec 8 Gregg Allman (1947-2017); Dec 9 Junior Wells (1934-1998), Dec 10 Guitar Slim (1926-1959); Dec 11 Big Mama Thornton (1926-1984); Dec 12 Joe Williams (1918-1999), Lonesome Sundown (1928-1955); Dec 13 Lurrie Bell (1958 Photo by Marilyn Stringer), Lucky Peterson (1964-2020); Dec 15 Andrew “Big Voice” Odom (1936), Mark Hummel (1955), Nick Moss (1969); Dec 16 Billy Gibbons (1949); Dec 17 James Booker (1939-1983), Paul Butterfield (1942-1987); Dec 18 Pee Wee Crayton (1914-1985), Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (1917-1988), Lonnie Brooks (1933-2017), Arthur "Peg Leg Sam" Jackson (1911-1977), Rod Piazza (1947); Dec 19 Professor Longhair (aka Henry Roeland Byrd) (1918-1980)
 Just in Case: "National Violin Day" is December 13. The first violin documented was said to made in 1555. I don't know if there's a "fiddle" day but I'm going to just say this is one and the same. Notable Blues fiddle players include Papa John Creech, Bo Chatmon, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Big Bill Broozy, T-Bone Walker, Lonnie Johnson (recognized as the first to play an electrically amplified violin), Don "Sugarcane" Harris, Henry "Son" Sims, and currently, and of course the amazing Anne Harris.
In digging around I discovered a pro-violinist named Christian Howes that teaches Blues violin among other styles. I'm sure there are more cool Blues violin/fiddle players out there. Fill me-in if you like.
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Missed your Weekly e-Guide?
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Billboard #1 Blues Albums
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Billboard & iTunes #1 Blues Album - as of Dec 8, 2022
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#1 Billboard
THE DOORS
Paris Blues
#1 iTunes
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHARD
Trouble Is...25
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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 14.3k+ Blues Freaks at our TWITTER feed @BluesFestGuide
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  Also Follow us on INSTAGRAM with 10.4+ BluesersSee awesome, bluesy festival photos
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Then please drop on by and "LIKE" us and get
a daily dose of blues related stuff!
Over 183K blues fans can't be wrong!
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Radio Submit Roots Blues Chart
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20th Annual Blues Festival Guide
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20th Annual Blues Festival Guide Magazine
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 You can not only get a hard copy of the magazine via select festivals, blues societies or by ordering, but our 20th Anniversary digital edition of the Blues Festival Guide is available on our website! Click the image at left to read and enjoy all 84 pages. Turn on the speaker to hear Tulle Brae singing "Seven Bridges."
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls our magazine: "The roadmap to everything blues." Indeed, the articles offer something for everyone, all blues related, of course. This year’s engaging editorial from aficionados in the blues community includes articles from Victor Wainwright, Mitch Woods, Reverend Billy C. Wirtz and Roger Stolle among others.
Our cover by photographer Marilyn Stringer features the talented Tullie Brae and Calvin Johnson at the 2021 North Atlantic Blues Festival!
You can also order your own hard copy here!
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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 highlight your festival on our web and here in the e-Guide Festival Calendar please EMAIL for ad rates
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Due to space constraints
Not all upcoming Blues festivals/events are listed here
For a complete list & links see our comprehensive website.
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NOTE: Highlighted/Linked events
are paid "Featured" ads.
Checkout our website Festival page!
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Tim Fik Birthday Blues Bash
Dec-11-2022
Gainesville, Florida, USA
MLK Blues Festival
Jan-12-2023 – Jan-15-2023
Chester, South Carolina, USA
Go Mexico Rock ‘n Blues
Explosion Festival
Jan-21-2023 – Jan-29-2023
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Clarksdale Film & Music Festival
Jan-27-2023 – Jan-29-2023
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
The February Blues XXIV
Feb-02-2023 – Feb-26-2023
Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada
Cincinnati Winter Blues
Experience IV
Feb-11-2023
Mason, Ohio, USA
Saskatoon Blues Festival
Feb-27-2023 – Mar-05-2023
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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| | For more festivals & events plus links
please go to our website
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2023 Byron Bay Bluesfest
April-6-2023 - April-10-2023
Byron Bay, Australia
Juke Joint Festival
& Related Events
Apr-13-2023 – Apr-16-2023
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Baton Rouge
Blues Festival
April-22-2023 – April-23-2023
Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA
10th Annual Big Island
Jazz & Blues Festival
Jun-01-2023 – Jun-03-2023
Kailua Kona, Hawaii, USA
Billtown Blues Festival
Jun-09-2023 – Jun-10-2023
Hughesville, Pennsylvania, USA
Waterfront Blues Fest
July-1-2023 - July-4-2023
Portland, Oregon USA
Tampa Bay
Blues Festival
July 14-16, 2023
St. Petersburg, Florida USA
North Atlantic Blues Festival
July 15-16, 2023
Rockland, Maine USA
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We continue to stay optimistic!
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We're thinking of you.. here's to good health & good music!
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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 the annual 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 20 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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Fair Use Act statement and disclaimer
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Hey blues lovers! Got 
