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Sneak Peek into our 2024 print Magazine
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 The Blues Festival Guide team has wrapped our once-a-year print publication and it's shipping soon!
We’re looking forward to bringing you the latest happenings in the industry, glimpses of blues history, lifestyle, entertaining and educational features, and of course, dozens of blues festivals to help you plan your calendar!
Our 2024 cover is of the awesome Jimmy Carpenter! Photo by Marilyn Stringer.
Click HERE to order a copy of the 2024 Blues Festival Guide print magazine — It will be shipped directly to you at the end of April. Although the magazine is free, there is a small shipping and handling charge.
Enjoy our editorial sneak peek below!
Living Legend: Bob Stroger By Marilyn Stringer
Bluesman Bob Stroger is one of the last living Chicago legends, and is still producing music and performing at the age of 93 and has defined the role of what an electric bass playing Chicago-style blues should sound like.
What’s Cookin’ with Anthony Geraci
Anthony says, “I grew up in an Italian family where food was sacred!” And his recipe for Linguini with White Clam Sauce does not disappoint. Buon Appetito!
Blues On Deck
Whether taking in a blues show for a few hours on a river steamboat or sunset cruise, or embarking on a multi-day all-in-one floating festival, adding some water to your blues will elevate your blues experience.
Shredding the Glass Ceiling By Irene Johnson
In blues, a genre steeped in tradition, the presence of women electric lead guitarists is a testament to the evolving landscape of music. Today’s guitar women are reshaping the narrative of what it means to be a lead blues guitarist.
Blues From the Bluegrass State By Keith Clements and Natalie Carter
Kentucky has not only produced many seminal artists of the blues, but continues to cultivate, preserve, and promote a rich blues scene. Learn more about the blues pioneers who helped shape the genre, to artists keeping the blues alive and well in Kentucky today.
Visiting First Cousins By Reverend Billy C. Wirtz
Get acquainted with some first cousins of what you may think of as “the blues” – a few country, R&B and gospel collections and artists per the Rev.
The European Blues Union: Promoting and Preserving the Blues in Europe
Blues activists in nearly every European nation have been committed to promoting the blues throughout the decades, and the European Blues Union strives to unite their efforts and create a strong blues network through its various initiatives and programs.
Order your very own 2024 Blues Festival Guide now!
The Blues Foundation is the official sponsor of the 22nd Annual Blues Festival Guide print magazine!
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CD, Singles & DVD Releases
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Chris Vincent :: "New Orleans, My Darling (alt. lyrics)"
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 New Orleans blues artist and slide guitar powerhouse Chris Vincent shares a love letter to the city we all know and love, just in time for JazzFest.
Vincent's early 2024 release, Things Have Changed, takes the slide guitar into new territory, combining Vincent's interpretation of delta blues, hard bop, western swing, and early rock-n-roll with poignant, stark, and jarringly honest lyricism.
"New Orleans, My Darling (alt. lyrics)" celebrates the city of New Orleans and those who simply love the place: its people, its culture, its music, and its stirringly elegant decline. Upon first listen, the song feels like a perfectly worn in denim jacket, taking the listener down the Mississippi and ending in one of the city's hundreds of late night dive bars with Vincent serenading the usual suspects from his solo perch on the bandstand, accompanied only by his big, battle-scarred 1947 Gibson guitar.
Chris Vincent has arrived — with his feet firmly planted in the city where jazz began, he stands ready to entertain music fans of all stripes with truly original songwriting. When he sings, "New Orleans, you had your way with me," knowing smiles fill the room — if you know, you know.
"New Orleans, My Darling (alt. lyrics)"- streaming now on Spotify.
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Reverend Shawn Amos :: SOUL BROTHER NO. 1
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 Soul Brother No. 1 is acclaimed singer- songwriter Reverend Shawn Amos’ most personal and ambitious work to date. With this album, the award-winning author, Grammy-nominated producer, and multimedia storyteller returns with ten songs shot through with the exhilaration, pain, and vulnerability of being an African American artist in a world on fire. Rather than shrink from increasingly dire news reports, or life’s curveballs, or haunting memories of a fraught Hollywood childhood, Amos wrangles all of it into block party rave-ups, soul-stirring ballads, and sinewy, defiant blues rock, all with a distinctly ‘70s sensibility.
“I am throwing myself out there,” he says. “I’ve never sung like this before, never written this direct before. But I’m still firing on all cylinders, so here I am in all of my joy, rage, and hubris.”
This fierce vitality and spirit of self-reconnection underpinning Soul Brother No. 1 initially emerged through words and story rather than song, as Amos dug deep into his life and generational experience to author his first published book. The NAACP Image Award-winning youth novel, Cookies & Milk, is a semi-autobiographical tale based on his latchkey kid years as the son of cookie entrepreneur Wally “Famous” Amos and erstwhile nightclub chanteuse Shirley “Shirl-ee May” Ellis.
“The whole reason I started playing the blues,” he says, “was it connected me to my race in a way that I hadn’t fully understood. With Soul Brother No. 1, I’m taking that journey even deeper.”
Soul Brother No. 1 represents both the culmination of a unique, two-decade-plus artistic career, and a breakthrough in an ongoing journey of self-exploration. From the get-go, Amos has expressed an ever-evolving musical vision through rootsy Americana, singer-songwriter pop, and, as harmonica ace The Reverend Shawn Amos, the blues.
"It's All Gonna Change (For The Better)"
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Piper & The Hard Times gearing up for banner year
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 (NASHVILLE, TN) - 2024 International Blues Challenge band winner Piper & The Hard Times are gearing up for a banner year following their victory in Memphis which has catapulted the band to international prominence. Spirited, live sessions recorded this spring in their hometown of Nashville, TN will deliver a much-anticipated summer release that will showcase the band’s unique, muscular, funky sound, married with singer/frontman Piper’s one of a kind, gut-bucket, freight train vocals.
Piper & The Hard Times recently completed a few television appearances and have been filling up the calendar with club and festival dates. Among them, look for the band this year at the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbeque Festival (Henderson, KY), the Big Blues Bender (Las Vegas, NV), and the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival (CO). Piper & The Hard Times will also be appearing on The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in January 2025.
The band’s crowdfunding campaign is active now and will be used to help with recording, promotion, and touring expenses. Visit here to learn more about this dynamic, band on the move.
For bookings and more:
Website
Email
Ph/text: Steve Eagon 615-426-8754
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Gator By The Bay offers something for everyone
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 (SAN DIEGO, CA) - The 21st annual Gator by the Bay, the largest and most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou, returns to San Diego, California's Spanish Landing Park May 9-12, 2024. Presented by the nonprofit, Bon Temps Social Club of San Diego, in partnership with Omega Events, the 4-day event will feature more than 100 live musical acts and special performances on seven stages, shaded wooden dance floors, artist presentations, delicious cuisine, and a joyous, welcoming ambiance for the whole family. The festival attracts attendees from around the globe.
“Gator By The Bay is a can’t-miss event that brings Louisiana’s vibrant culture to the West Coast by showcasing the region’s eclectic melting pot of history, food, music, dance and more,” said Peter Oliver, a Gator By The Bay Producer.
The award winning Tommy Castro & the Painkillers, Blues Music Award 2022-2023 B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, headlines. The stellar blues and roots lineup also includes Southern Avenue, Nikki Hill, C.J. Chenier, Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling, James Intveld, Marcia Ball, Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie, Jimmy Carpenter Brass Band, Rosie Flores, Sonny Landreth, Deke Dickerson, Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys, and more.
San Diego favorites include Whitney Shay, Ash Easton, Billy Watson, Bill Magee, Fuzzy Rankins, Johnny “V” Vernazza, Stoney B Blues, Chickenbone Slim & the Biscuits with Laura Chavez, Earl Thomas, Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas, Gino & the Lone Gunmen, Michele Lundeen, Sue Palmer, Nathan James, Anthony Cullins, and more.
Thursday night is a “Western Swing & Rockabilly Par-Tay” Friday night is the “Bayou Boogie, the 100th birthday celebration of Clifton Chenier, The King of Zydeco.
“We pride ourselves on the wonderfully diverse selection of musical choices. There’s something for every music fan at Gator By The Bay,” adds Oliver.
Visit the website for lineup, schedule, tickets and more details. Discounted ticket prices are still available until April 26.
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Looking forward to a great season starting this weekend!
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 (RENTIESVILLE, OK) - D.C. Minner’s Downhome Blues Club runs the Sunday Jam Session year-round, but their real “season” is Summer. Their first event is the MiniFest fundraiser happening April 27-28. This year they are proud to present some 25 acts. The bands volunteer and those that do are guaranteed a paid spot on the Labor Day weekend Dusk-‘til Dawn Blues Festival. Admission is free and they pass the hat. There will be door prizes and a 50/50 Raffle, and more. Funds are used to buy ads, postcards and… trophies - for their second event, the OBHOF Inductions.
The Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame (OBHOF) Inductions celebrate Oklahoma people with a lifetime in this music. The inductions will happen May 25th from 2 pm on.
A lot of gigs and jam sessions will then lead up to Aug 30-Sept 1 when 50 bands will perform at the 34th Rentiesville Dusk til’ Dawn Blues Festival.
[Note: The website mentions a different date for Dusk 'til Dawn than the poster here, so make sure to double check before planning.]
Selby Minner says, “we sure appreciate the music and loyalty of these groups! We also have a small museum here. Just call 918-855-0978 [first] to make sure we are here.”
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WBS 34th annual Best of the Blues Awards
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 (SEATTLE, WA) - The Washington Blues Society’s presented the 34th annual Best of the Blues Awards on Sunday, April 21st honoring musicians, artists, events, and venues as voted on by blues society members in 30 award categories. The awards ceremonies featured performances by select nominees and induction in to the Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame. Veteran Seattle guitarist Scott E Lind received a standing ovation upon his induction into the Blues Society Hall of Fame, and the evening closed with him leading an All-Star jam.
Congratulations to all the winners.
• Best Blues Band: Joe Cook Blues Band
• Mark DuFresne Male Vocalist: Chris Eger
• Blues Female Vocalist: Diane Forsyth
• Blues Performer: Joel Astley
• Blues Songwriter: Joel Astley
• Washington Blues Recording: Joel Astley – Seattle To Greaseland
• Best Solo/Duo: Blue Healers
• Electric Blues Guitar: Eric Rice
• Slide Blues Guitar: Eric Rice
• Acoustic Blues Guitar: Rod Cook
• Blues Bass: Scotty Harris
• Paul Green Blues Harmonica: Joel Astley
• Chris Leighton Blues Drummer: Don Montana
• Blues Piano/Keyboard: Jim Barnes
• Blues Horn: Mike Marinig
• Blues Instrumentalist – Other: Leanne Trevalyan
• Best New Blues Act: Blue Healers
• Best Little Bill & the Blue Notes Traditional Blues Act: Joe Cook Blues Band
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Sean Denton
• Best Blues Club: Madison Avenue Pub
• Best Blues Jam: Madison Avenue Pub – Unbound Blues Jam
• Blues Writer: Polly O’Keary
• Best Blues Graphic: Joel Astley
• Best Blues Photographer: Gordy Mitchell
• Best Blues DJ: John Kessler
• Keeping the Blues Alive: Mark Hurwitz
• Blues Hall of Fame: Scott E Lind
• Best Regional Blues Festival: Sunbanks Blues Festival
• Best Community Blues Festival: Snohomish Blues Invasion
• Best Non-Festival Event: WBS Blues Bash
• Blue to the Bone: Susan “Duchess” Dodd - Carrie Parduhn - Marylou Fortier - Everett & Karen Lewis
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• Santa Barbara Blues Society host Nikki Hill May 11
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 The Santa Barbara Blues Society (SBBS) is excited to welcome vocal powerhouse Nikki Hill making her first local appearance as headliner for the upcoming show on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Historic Carrillo Ballroom located at the Carrillo Recreation Center, 101 E. Carrillo St., in Downtown Santa Barbara.
Opening act will be lauded harmonica player RJ Mischo. Main Doors open at 7:00 pm and the show begins at 7:15 pm. Tickets are $10-$45 and available at the door the night of the show. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased here.
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Which Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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#41 Southeastern Caribbean Oct 2024 Soldout!
#42 Eastern Caribbean Jan 2025: Open Cabin Sales
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SOLDOUT! Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
#41 SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN OCT. 26 ~ NOV. 2, 2024
Sailing on the Holland America Eurodam from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Aruba & Curacao. Taj Mahal, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Dumpstaphunk, Tommy Castro, Vanessa Collier, Paul Thorn & more
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Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
#42 EASTERN CARIBBEAN JAN. 26 ~ FEB. 2, 2025
Sailing on the Holland America Rotterdam from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
to Tortola (BVI), St. Thomas (USVI) & Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic).
WAIT LIST & OPEN CABIN SALES LAUNCHED APRIL 16
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LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE
Our Headliners Stay & Play... They Don’t Hit & Run!
Best Blues Experience on the Planet! |
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"Ramblin' From Coast to Coast" Johnny Burgin
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Just In Case... plus upcoming Holidays & Birthdays
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 APRIL:
• International Guitar Month
• National Literature & Poetry Month
• National Humor Month
MAY:
• May 5 Cinco de Mayo
• May 12 Mother's Day
Birthdays: April 25-Albert King (1923-1992); April 26-Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (1886-1939), Johnny" Shines (1915-1992), J. B. Hutto (1926-1983), Mike Finnegan (1945-2022); April 27-Ann Peebles (1947), Michael Ledbetter (1985-2019); April 29-Big Jay McNeely (1927-2018), Otis Rush (1934-2018), Frankie Lee (1941-2015), 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 6-Shaun Murphy; May 8-Joe Bonamassa (1977), Robert Johnson (1911-1938)
Just in case: April 29th, is "International Dance Day"... well, that's a no-brainer! Bring on the tunes!
 May 4th is "Beer Pong Day." Since 2006 the 1st Saturday of every May it's a thang! News to me, but could be even more entertaining while getting down with the blues.
Well May 9th is "National Lost Sock Memorial Day," celebrated annually, and honors all the socks that are no longer with us. This is just funny and sad all the way around! Just gotta let it go already! HA!
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Billboard #1 Blues Albums
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Billboard & iTunes #1 Blues Album - as of April 25, 2024
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 #1 Billboard
MARCUS KING
Mood Swings
#1 iTunes
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD
Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. !
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Get Ready to Blast Your Music with E-Blasts!
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Click the image above for our rate card. We're here to serve! |
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BFG Twitter-Instagram-Facebook
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Join Blues Freaks at our X feed & on Instagram
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Hey, come on over and Join 14.1k+ Blues Freaks at our
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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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New Orleans Jazz
and Heritage FestivalApr-25-2024 - May-05-2024 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Austin Blues FestivalApr-27-2024 - Apr-28-2024 Austin, Texas, USA
Arena Blues FestivalMay-03-2024 - May-04-2024 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
Blues Foundation
Blues Hall of Fame AwardsMay-08-2024 Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Blues Music AwardsMay-09-2024 Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Clarksdale Caravan
Music FestivalMay-11-2024 Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Heart of the Hills
Blues BlastMay-11-2024 El Dorado Hills, California, USA
Blues on Broadbeach
Music FestivalMay-16-2024 - May-18-2024 Gold Coast, Kombumerri,
Broadbeach, Australia
Blues PeerMay-17-2024 - May-19-2024 Peer, Belgium
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events plus tons of links
please checkout our website
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3rd Women In Blues
May-18-2024
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
7th Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival
May-18-2024 - May-19-2024
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Bluesfestival Baden
May-18-2024 - May-25-2024
Baden, Switzerland
No. Central Florida Blues Society
6th Women in Blues Showcase
May-19-2024
Gainesville, Florida, USA
Mönsterås Blues and Roots
May-24-2024 - May-25-2024
Mönsterås, Sweden
Ground Zero Blues Club
21st Anniversary
May-24-2024 - May-25-2024
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Deak's Harmonica Block Party
May-25-2024
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Duvelblues
May-25-2024
Puurs-Sint-Amands, Belgium
Exit 56 Blues Fest
May-25-2024 - May-26-2024
Brownsville, Tennessee, USA
Westsylvania Jazz
& Blues Festival
May-25-2024
Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA
Bad Apple Blues Festival
May-26-2024
Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
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21st Annual Blues Festival Guide magazine
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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 22 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.
To ensure delivery please set up your spam filters to allow mail from
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Fair Use Act statement and disclaimer
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