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Photo Moments with the 21st Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's Bluesman about town, Paul Benjamin, captured at the recent Blues Blues Awards in Memphis. A blues force to be reckoned with, among other accolades and projects, he is the co-founder and producer of the North Atlantic Blues Festival and former President and Chairman of the Board of the Blues Foundation.
The North Atlantic Blues Festival began in 1994 and the 2023 edition will be happening July 15-16 in Rockland, Maine.
Photo: Gordon Bulcock
It's time to ORDER your 2023 Annual Magazine *ONCE YOU GET IT, SEND US A PIC WITH IT! BFG clients, contact your sales rep for your own copy!
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 (100 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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21st Blues Festival Guide digital version has launched!
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Celebrate New Orleans on the Big Easy Cruise 2023
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 Enjoy a New Orleans music festival at sea onboard the inaugural Big Easy Cruise Nov 4-11, 2023. This 7-day event brings together the music, food, culture and spirit of this extraordinary city. Book your spot and get ready to let the good times roll!
You'll experience round-the-clock concerts and entertainment, interactive events with the artists, New Orleans themed special events, exciting ports of call, 7 nights of luxury on the highly-rated Nieuw Amsterdam, and sail with other music fans like yourself.
The lineup Includes Little Feat, Tab Benoit, Irma Thomas, Samantha Fish, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Leo Nocentelli from The Meters, Anders Osborne, Mike Zito, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Tuba Skinny, John Boutté, Johnny Sansone, Jimmy Hall, Cha Wa, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters, Honey Island Swamp Band, John “Papa” Gros, Jimmy Carpenter, Bender Brass Band, Chef Kevin Belton, Frenchy, Galactic and more.
Enjoy Celebrity-Hosted Activities! So much more than just a concert, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the artists onboard at events including: Cooking demonstrations, Artist-hosted wine tasting, Panel discussions, Artist Q&A Sessions, And more!
For further information and exclusive offers, visit the website and join the email list, follow Big Easy Cruise on Facebook or email. Book now, pay later. Financing options available. Cabins are selling quickly and Blues Guide fans can book with promo code BLUESGUIDE to save on cabin prices.
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2023 Chicago Blues Festival to also be Live Streamed
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  (CHICAGO, IL) - The City of Chicago will host the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival Thursday, June 8 through Sunday, June 11 at Millennium Park. With a diverse lineup celebrating the blues’ past, present and future, the Chicago Blues Festival shares the great Chicago-born music tradition while shining a spotlight on the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip hop and more.
Acts on the Pritzker Stage include Los Lobos, Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush, Mud Morganfield, John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band, Sugaray Rayford, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Delmark Records 70th Anniversary Celebration, Women in Blues, Tribute to Albert King and more!
For the out-of-towners that will not be able to attend the festival, concerts at Pritzker Stage and Rosa's Lounge will be livestreamed!
Pritzker Stage YouTube channel
Rosa's Lounge YouTube channel
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Reopening Bradfordville Blues Club at the Legion July 7th
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 (TALLAHASSEE, FL) - The renowned historic and unique Bradfordville Blues Club, part of the Mississippi to Florida Blues Trail, was forced to close its doors April 1 due to an expired lease at their longtime location of 21 years.
On July 7, Tallahassee area blues fans are thrilled to announce that Charles Cros Mack will perform for the reopening of the Bradfordville Blues Club at their temporary location — the Bradfordville Blues Club at the American Legion Post 13 at 229 Lake Ella Dr., Tallahassee, Florida. Showtime is 8pm.
A group of longtime music lovers headed up by Dan Mac MacDonald and Dianne Robinson, decided to take matters into their own hands and they need your support and commitment to keeping the Blues alive in the area. “The most important thing is to keep the history and traditions of live blues music from the Bradfordville Blues Club alive until such time as we find a permanent home,” declared MacDonald, who is acting as the prime mover.
“We have great bookings through the winter and I think into the new year. There’s a lot more to it than I thought,” he adds, referring to the lights, sound, scheduling, booking and all of the other arrangements one finds as the production manager of big-time acts.
As the president of the new “BBC at the Legion,” with Robinson as vice president, MacDonald says that “very, very soon,” they will obtain an LLC designation (Limited Liability Company) under the name, “Mac Daddy, Blues Production,” as the group works toward booking the country’s “best blues performers.”
For now there is at least forward momentum and the hopes that within 18-24 months a permanent BBC location will come to fruition.
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Otis Taylor expelled from school in 1966 for his Afro just got his diploma
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 Just a few weeks before Otis Taylor was scheduled to graduate from high school, he was given an ultimatum: Cut your hair, or you’ll be kicked out of school.
He chose the latter.
It was 1966, and as a student at Manual High School in Denver, Taylor — who went on to become an acclaimed blues musician — was instructed by school administrators to keep his hair short and tight to his head. At the time, high schools across the country banned male students of all backgrounds from having long or big hair, with some of the disputes reaching the federal courts.
Black students such as Taylor, who wore an Afro style that was not cropped close to their heads, were told to clip their hair to look “clean on the sides," Taylor said, adding that the hair was required to be “almost to the skin.”
Taylor decided to rebel.
“I was expelled for not conforming,” said Taylor, now 74. “I did what I wanted to do."
Taylor recalled having good grades and otherwise not getting into trouble. Still, because of his hairstyle — which he described as being a “short Afro” that was only slightly longer than the mandatory short length — he was kicked out of school.
Nearly six decades later, Denver’s public school district overturned its punitive decision to expel Taylor, and the district granted him the diploma he had earned.
“I wanted to make sure we rectified a mistake from the past and commit to doing better,” said Auon’tai Anderson, vice president of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. Anderson presented Taylor’s honorary diploma to him in a ceremony on May 15 at the Denver school board office. “We will own our past mistakes.”
…Read full story here by Sydney Page/The Washington Post
(Graduate photo by Evan Semón Photography)
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The blues returns to Mississippi's Parchman Prison Farm
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(PARCHMAN, MS) — Nine big men sit attentively at their desks inside the Mississippi State Penitentiary –the once infamous prison labor colony known as Parchman Farm. They're wearing green-and-white striped pants, and shirts with "MDOC convict" stenciled on the back, for Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Their crimes range from drug possession to armed robbery to homicide. But inside this austere classroom, they're all college students.
The course is The Blues Tradition in American Literature.
They're exploring how the themes of blues lyrics—bad luck and trouble, sexual escapades, and euphoric freedom—get expressed in literary forms. They're listening to blues songs by Big Joe Williams, Ma Rainey, Little Walter, Hound Dog Taylor, and Bessie Smith. They're reading poetry from Langston Hughes and a play by August Wilson.
For these inmate students, the course syllabus may be new but the feeling of the blues is all too familiar.
...Read full story by John Burnett/NPR
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RBS Co-Sponsors Bluesday Tuesday June 20-Aug 29
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 (RENO, NV) - The Reno Blues Society (RBS) will have a booth at the 26th Annual BBQ, Brews and Blues in downtown Reno, NV June 16-17. Appearing will be Shane Dwight, Maxx Cabello Jr., The Outlaw Mariachi, Jason King Band, Buddy Emmer Blues, Briefcase Blues Brothers and Bad Moon Rising.
RBS is also is a major sponsor of Bluesday Tuesdays at Palisades Tahoe, June 20-Aug 29 from 6-8:30pm (except the July 4 show is a doubleheader with shows at 3pm and 6pm so folks can get to the fireworks).
The Bluesday lineup includes The Blues Monsters June 20, Rodd Band & Members Only June 27, Mighty Mike Schermer (3pm) and Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings (6pm) on July 4; Mark Hummel featuring Junior Watson July 11; Alastair Greene July 18; Rocky Athas July 25; Laurie Morvan Band Aug 1; Dennis Jones Band Aug 8; Chris Cain Aug 15; Terry Hanck Aug 22; and J.C. Smith Band Aug 29.
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Which Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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#39 Mexican Riviera: Book Now! Over 98% Sold!
#40 Western Caribbean: Soldout - Join Waitlist
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 LRBC #39
MEXICAN RIVIERA
Sailing OCT 28~NOV 4, 2023
on Holland America’s ms Koningsdam from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan & Puerto Vallarta.
LRBC #40
WESTERN CARIBBEAN
Sailing JAN. 28~FEB. 4, 2024
on Holland America’s ms Nieuw Statendam from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Cayman, Roatán, Honduras & Costa Maya, Mexico.
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LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE
313 Lawrence St. Kansas City, MO | (816) 753-7979
Our Headliners Stay & Play They Don’t Hit & Run!
Best Blues Experience on the Planet! |
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Monster Mike Welch & Kirk Fletcher
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Featured Video of the Week
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See "Kingfish" at the Adelphia Summer Concert Series June 23 in Marietta, Ohio
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Johnny Wheels & The Swamp Donkeys :: KEEP ON PUSHIN’
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 Keep On Pushin’, from Johnny Wheels & The Swamp Donkeys, is a head-turning, initial release from a Pacific Northwest band determined to claim its spot among the area’s many notable acts.
The band’s frontperson, Johnny Wheels (Kennicott), is a singer/songwriter/harmonica player who grew up avidly observing his musician father’s rehearsals until his untimely death when Johnny was just six years old. The seed was planted, however, and the young boy experimented on various instruments and sang with the radio, building his skills with encouragement from his father’s friends. Tragedy struck again, though, when 12-year-old Johnny broke two vertebrae in a devastating accident and was paralyzed from the chest down. After months and months of therapy, his love for music resurfaced and he was bound and determined to get back to it. By the time he was 20 he was holding his own with other musicians, joining bands and writing songs.
All of his hard work has led to Johnny Wheels & The Swamp Donkeys, in which Johnny is flanked by his key collaborators Brandon Logan on guitar and Taylor Frazier on bass. This dynamic trio wrote all of the songs on Keep On Pushin’, from southern soul grooves to percolating slow blues to barn burning rock shuffles. The band co-produced the album with renowned blues drummer Jimi Bott, who has multiple awards and nominations for his work behind the board.
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Just In Case... plus Holidays & Birthdays
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 • June 18 "Father's Day"
• June 19 "Juneteenth"
Birthdays upcoming of note:
Jun 1-Ronnie Wood (1947); Jun 3-Jimmy Rogers (1924-1997), Memphis Minnie aka Lizzie Douglas (1897-1973), Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999), Heather Penrod-Rudd (BFG Sales Rep & Distribution Mgr); Jun 4-Tinsley Ellis (1957); Jun 6-Sugar Ray Norcia (1954); Jun 8-James Harman (1946-2021), Derek Trucks (1979); Jun 9-Jackie Wilson (1934–1984); Jun 10-Howlin' Wolf aka Chester Arthur Burnett (1910-1976); Jun 11-Monster Mike Welch (1979); 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)
 Just in Case: June is also "National Accordion Month" According to Accordion Americana*, back in the day, some young musicians like Big Joe Williams, Blind Willie McTell, and McKinley Morganfield, aka Muddy Waters and Huddie Ledbetter aka Leadbelly started out on the accordion but switched to guitar as soon as one became available! However, the first thing that came to my mind is mainly all that fine Zydeco and Cajun music. Artists like Clifton Chenier, Boozoo Chavis, Buckwheat Zydeco, Chubby Carrier, Geno Delafose, and so many more. Piano/accordion pioneer Clifton Chenier, *"...billed as the 'King of Zydeco,' scored his largest regional hits with his blues tunes: "Louisiana Blues,” "Black Gal,” and Black Snake Blues.” As a national presence, he performed at venues that commonly presented blues performers, which created a large crossover audience for zydeco. For Americans he presented a completely new image of the accordion as a soulful instrument.... with full four-octave piano keyboard, Chenier could emulate the licks of any blues pianist."*Accordion players also include artists like David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Johnny Sansone, and more.
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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 June 1, 2023
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 #1 Billboard
SAMANTHA FISH & JESSE DAYTON
Deathwish Blues
#1 iTunes
BLACK DOG ALLEY
Blue Mood
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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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Radio Submit Roots Blues Chart
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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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European Blues ChallengeJun-01-2023 - Jun-03-2023 Chorzów, Poland
10th Annual Big Island
Jazz & Blues Festival Jun-01-2023 – Jun-03-2023
Kailua Kona, Hawaii, USA
Smokin' in Steele
BBQ & Blues FestJun-02-2023 - Jun-03-2023 Owatonna, Minnesota, USA
Blues Rules Crissier FestivalJun-02-2023 - Jun-03-2023 Crissier, Switzerland
Greeley Blues JamJun-02-2023 - Jun-03-2023 Greeley, Colorado, USA
Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival
Jun-02-2023 - Jun-4-2023
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Ojai Blues FestJun-03-2023 Ojai, California, USA
Big Island Jazz & Blues FestivalJun-03-2023 Kohala Coast, Hawaii, USA
Billtown Blues Festival
Jun-09-2023 – Jun-10-2023
Hughesville, Pennsylvania, USA
Legends of 7th Street Festival
Jun-10-2023 Oakland, California, USA
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| | For more festivals &
events plus tons of links
please checkout our website
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Stomp The Blues Festival
Jun-10-2023
Springfield, Missouri, USA
Central Virginia Blues Festival
Jun-10-2023
Afton, Virginia USA
W.C. Handy Blues
& Barbecue Festival
Jun-14-2023 - Jun-17-2023
Henderson, Kentucky, USA
Bentonia Blues Festival
Jun-15-2023 - Jun-17-2023
Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA
New York State Blues Festival
Jun-15-2023 - Jun-17-2023
Syracuse, New York, USA
Blues on The Fox
Jun-16-2023 - Jun-17-2023
Aurora, Illinois USA
Utah Blues Festival
Jun-16-2023 - Jun-17-2023
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
BAM Birthplace of America
Music Festival
Jun-17-2023
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
San Jose Fountain
Blues & Brews Festival
Jun-17-2023
San Jose, California, USA
Blues From The Top
Jun-23-2023 - Jun-25-2023
Winter Park, Colorado USA
2nd Manomet Blues Festival
Jun-25-2023
Plymouth, Massachusetts USA
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Are you missing us at times?
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 Hi blues peeps...Sometimes your weekly e-Guide newsletter may arrive a little late due to us, but other times some end up as soft bounces (ones that are temporarily undeliverable). We send to the soft bounces addresses after the first initial batch has completed sending, but some may still end up as soft bounces.
*As a friendly reminder, and to hopefully help this situation, please remember to set up your spam filters to allow mail from the info@BluesFestivalGuide.com and eguide+bluesfestivalguide.com@mnb.email to ensure delivery.
We hate if you don't get your newsletter that often includes time-sensitive events and special interest bluesy content we know you don't want to miss.
Here's to a music and sunshine filled week ahead.
Yours in the blues,
Team BFG
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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 
