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Photo Moments with the 22nd Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Our own Pinkie Rideau caught up with the legendary Bobby Rush pre-performance at the historic Crest Theatre in Sacramento, California September 29th on a double billing with the Blind Boys of Alabama.
Rush is a multi Blues Music Award winner and Blues Hall of Famer among many other accolades, which includes three Grammys, the first of which he won at the tender age of 83.
The singer, composer, entertainer extroadinaire has been working his magic on stage since he was a teen, when he donned a fake moustache to play in local juke joints. He became know as the "King of The Chitlin' Circuit" and has since toured and continues to tour and headline worldwide, delivering his renowned show to enthusiastic audiences.
Rush says of the Blues... “it’s the root of all music, it’s the mother of all music. If you don’t like the blues, you probably don’t like your mama.”
Rush mentioned to Pinkie that he will be 91 years young in November.
Photo: Pinkie Rideau
Order your very own 2024 Blues Festival Guide now!
Take a picture of yourself, friends, and/or artists, etc. with the BFG magazine... have fun with it! Send pic via email with a caption (100 words max), URL if applicable, and photo credit to michele@bluesfestivalguide.com
BFG clients, contact your sales rep for your own copy!
The Blues Foundation is official sponsor of the 22nd annual Blues Festival Guide print magazine!
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls BFG: "The roadmap to everything blues."
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Connecticut Rhythm & Blues Festival helps raise community
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 (NEW BRITAIN, CT) - The 2nd Annual Connecticut Rhythm & Blues Festival (CTRB) is thrilled to present the 2024 “Soul Blues Male Artist” Blues Music Award winner, John Nemeth on Nov 9. The festival will be held at Trinity-On-Main, an historic, converted church at 69 Main St. in New Britain, Connecticut.
Also appearing will be award-winning, young guitar phenom Solomon Hicks, the award-winning Lee-Ann Lovelace and her 10-pc band, and the 2024 CTBS Challenge winner, Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave. Emcee and special guest will be Mick Kolassa. Doors open at 2pm and music goes until 10pm. Food and drink will be available onsite for purchase.
The Connecticut Blues Society (CBS) is a proud sponsor of the CTRB. The event helps raise funds for the blues society’s Blues In The Schools program that includes the Blues Jam 101 for kids, Masterclasses, Library programs and more. Musician’s Lifeline also benefits. That program offers charitable assistance to musicians in need due to disability, illness, age, or unemployment. Sponsorships are also available and welcomed to further support these endeavors.
Tickets are available here. Free parking is available in the city garage next to the Police Station.
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It’s a Trilogy Revival for Intrepid Anniversary 30th
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 (CHARLOTTE, NC) - Celebrating 30 years at Intrepid! A 3-day musical celebration will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina Nov 7-9. A “Rock n’ Roll, Soul & Blues Revival… The Trilogy” will be held at Middle C Jazz Club on Thursday night (limited tickets), Amos’ Southend on Friday night, and The Neighborhood Theatre on Saturday night.
The three nights of killer music will feature some of your favorites on the Intrepid roster.
The lineup includes Blood Brothers ft. Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia, Bywater Call, Popa Chubby, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Selwyn Birchwood, Chris Cain, Jimmy Carpenter, D.K. Harrell, Carolyn Wonderland, Chris “BadNews” Barnes, and The Cold Stares.
“Fat Man on a Friday Night” is a salute to Lowell George & Little Feat hosted by Sam Morrow, and “The Three Kings” is a salute to The Kings featuring. D.K. Harrell, Albert Castiglia and Chris Cain.
More artists TBA and the lineup is subject to change.
Tickets on sale now. See website for further details, tix and hotel links.
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Join the waitlist for the Ultimate NOLA musical festival at sea
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 The 2025 Big Easy Cruise is now officially sold out! Missed your chance to book? Be sure to join the waitlist to be notified when cabins become available so you can experience the ultimate NOLA festival at sea January 5-12. This extraordinary 7-day vacation will be filled with the soulful sounds and vibrant energy of the Crescent City.
If you’ve ever sailed on a Sandy Beaches Cruise or other StarVista LIVE cruise in the past, you’ll receive our alumni rate when you book The Big Easy Cruise! Plus, if you’re already booked on Sandy Beaches Cruise 2025, you’ll receive an additional 10% off your Big Easy Cruise cabin as a thanks for sailing with us twice in one season!
Sailing alone? Not a problem! Join our Big Easy Cruise family and make friendships that will last a lifetime. We offer special single-cabin pricing! Just call to learn more and secure your spot.
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Sandy Beaches 30th Anniversary in Jan 2026
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 The 2025 Sandy Beaches Cruise is currently soldout but is offering a waitlist.
Now you can also go ahead and mark your calendars for the 30th Sailing Celebration of the Sandy Beaches Cruise in 2026!
The anniversary cruise will be celebrated January 11-18, 2026 on the top-rated Holland America Line Eurodam out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with stops in Nassau, Key West, and Half Moon Cay. You're invited to experience a mix of Americana, roots, blues, soul, and more, all while sailing the beautiful Caribbean! Lineup and booking details coming soon!
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Blues Society News & The Road to The IBC's
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• DC Blues Society 34th Annual Blues Festival Oct 20
• Road to IBC's: Central Delaware Blues Challenge Oct 13 -
North Jersey Blues Society Challenge Winners to Headline IBC Fundraiser - DC Blues Society Challenge Winners
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 (WASHINGTON, DC) - The DC Blues Society presents their 34th Annual DC Blues Festival, Sunday, Oct 20th 1-7pm at Wunder Garten, 1101 First St. NE. Appearing will be Solomon Hicks, Johnny and The Headhunters, A Special Tribute to Phil Wiggins by the M.S.G Acoustic Trio with special guest Geoff "Stingy Brim" Seals, and the Fat Cat Blues Band (the 2023 DCBS Battle Winner). Admission if free.
DCBS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and donations are welcomed to not only support general operations but to assure they can continue to present these types of events. They also have a 1st Sunday Blues Jam from 4-8pm and a 4th Friday Happy Hour 6:30-9:30pm. Both are held at the Silver Spring, Maryland American Legion.
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THE ROAD TO THE IBC'S...
 (DOVER, DE) - Join the Central Delaware Blues Society on Sunday, October 13 at Del Vets Post 2, at 720 Pear St, Dover, Delaware, when six great bands compete to represent Delaware at The IBC in Memphis. There is no cost to attend this event. There will be a drawing to determine the order in which the bands will play.
Doors open at noon with the first band starting at 1 PM. Each band will perform for 30 minutes. Food available from Del Vets from 1-3pm. A variety of drinks available for purchase throughout the event. Come cheer on these talented artists!
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(Garwood NJ) - BLUES People, the North Jersey Blues Society (NJBS) International Blues Challenge (IBC) Band Winners, will headline a NJBS concert and fundraiser taking place at Crossroads in Garwood, 78 North Ave., on Sunday, October 13, from 4pm-7pm.
BLUES People were also the 2023 NJBS winners and IBC Semifinalists in Memphis in Jan 2024.
Also performing is Ed Alstrom, the NJBS IBC Winner in the Solo/Duo category.
Tickets are $10 and there will also be raffles. Join the NJBS as they raise funds to support their talented artists' journey to the Blues Foundation's 40th International Blues Challenge in Memphis this January.
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 (WASHINGTON, DC) - Congratulations to the DC Blues Society (DCBS) Battle of the Bands and Solo/Duo Competition winners who will represent in January at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. (LT) Band Winner: Kingpin - (RT) Solo Winner: Little Joe Bourgeois
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* BLUES SOCIETIES*
Send us your Blues Challenge info so we can share with readers!
Toot your horn and promote and support your talented
regional competitors as well as your subsequent winners!!
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Which Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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#41 Southeastern Caribbean Oct 2024: Soldout! Join Wait List
#42 Eastern Caribbean Jan 2025: Soldout! Join Wait List
#43 Sea of Cortez Oct 2025: Pre-Book Now
#44 Eastern Caribbean Jan 2026: Pre-Book Now
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  #41 LIMITED CABINSLegendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN
OCT 26 ~ NOV 2, 2024
Sailing Holland America Eurodam from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Aruba & Curacao.
(816) 753-7979 More info HERE
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#42 SOLDOUT!
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
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).
or call (816) 753-7979
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PRE-BOOK NOW!
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
#43 SEA OF CORTEZ
OCT 25 ~ NOV 1, 2025
 Sailing on Holland America’s Koningsdam from San Diego, CA to Cabo San Lucas, Loreto & La Paz. A $500 fully-refundable deposit per cabin holds your space in line. Detailed instructions announced around early December. Additional passengers may be added once you select your stateroom. (816) 753-7979 to prebook early and receive priority cabin selection!
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PRE-BOOK NOW!
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #44 EASTERN CARIBBEAN
Jan. 24 ~ 31, 2026
Sailing on the Holland America Nieuw Statendam from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to St. John (USVI), St. Maarten & Half Moon Cay (Bahamas Private Island)
A $500 fully-refundable deposit per cabin holds your space in line.
or call (816) 753-7979 at that time!
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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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Dick Earl’s Electric Witness :: GET UP OFF THE GROUND
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 Get Up Off the Ground is the sophomore release from Dick Earl’s Electric Witness, a Utah-based Blues band, making music just north of Las Vegas. The 11-song offering is the highly-anticipated next step after winning third place at the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Co-produced by Dick Earl’s wife/vocalist, Alice, and son/bassist, Isaac, Get Up Off The Ground showcases the eclectic musical tastes and talents of every band member.
Dick Earl’s songwriting has been touted as “top notch” by Blues Blast Magazine (2023), and the relational synergy manifested on this next set of tunes is a step above. Get Up Off the Ground is a message to all who navigate the ups and downs of mortality.
Dick Earl has said, “I write about the struggles and victories that are natural parts of life. These songs represent our journey through trials and triumphs- how we approach, handle, and emerge from hardship.”
This contemporary Blues album was recorded and mastered in Las Vegas at The Tone Factory with engineer Vinnie Castaldo. Collaboration with guest artist and Grammy winner Jimmy Carpenter on the track “Once Again,” yields a feel-good horn line that lifts the song to the next level. Dick Earl’s Electric Witness showcase their original brand of “High Desert Blues" with this thought-provoking album.
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Ronnie Baker Brooks - Blues In My DNA
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Birthdays & Just In Case...
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Just In Case... plus various upcoming Holidays & Birthdays
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 OCTOBER
• International Drum Month
• National Arts & Humanities Month
• Oct 11 Yom Kipper
• Oct 14 Thanksgiving (Canada)
• Oct 31 Halloween
"Nobody leaves this place without singing the blues" ...Albert Collins
Birthdays: Oct 10-Cyril Neville (1948); Oct 12-Nappy Brown (1929-2008), James "Sugar Boy" Crawford Jr. (1934-2012), Sam Moore (1935), Barbara Blue; Oct 13-Dorothy Moore (1946); Oct 14-Jimmy Liggins (1924-1983), Son Thomas (1926-1993), Kenny Neal (1957); Oct-15 Victoria Spivey (1906-1976); Oct 16-Sugarpie DeSanto (1935), Big Joe Williams (1903-1982); Oct 18 Chuck Berry (1926-2017), Jessie Mae Hemphill (1923-2006 pictured); Oct 19 William "Piano Red" Perryman (1911-1985); Oct 20 Jelly Roll Morton (1890-1941), Bugs Henderson (1943-2012), Vasti Jackson (1959); Oct 21 Steve Cropper (1941), Elvin Bishop (1942), Michele Lundeen (yer faithful e-Guide Editor)
 Just in Case: October 12th is "National Gumbo Day" and I immediately thought of how many songs I've heard that mention gumbo between Blues and Cajon/Creole fare! I think the very first one for me was Dr. John's "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya" off his 1968 debut album Night Tripper. But now that I think of it, I probably heard it in Hank Williams' "Jambalaya" and I did love Brenda Lee, who covered it as a youngster. But I definitely recall when I heard Dr. John mention gumbo and I  know he wasn't talking about food.
The album Gumbo Blues by Dr. John was released posthumously and has various artists like Sonny Landreth, Joe Louis Walker, Matt Schofield and King Solomon Hicks backing and adding new life to some 1974 vocal tracks of Dr. John's.
Yep, cooking up something has a variety of meanings for sure. Checkout "Alligator Gumbo" by The Texas Horns and of course "We Make Good Gumbo" (off Tab Benoit's Voice of The Wetlands album) and you know there's more cookin'... it's all about fun and that tasty mish-mash of "ingredients."
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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 Oct 10, 2024
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 #1 Billboard
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD
Dirt On My Diamonds Vol 2
#1 iTunes
CANNED HEAT
The Very Best Of Canned Heat
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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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Have your 2024 Blues Festival Guide print magazine?
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 Click HERE to order your very own copy of the 2024 Blues Festival Guide print magazine — shipped directly to you. Although our magazine is free, there is a small shipping/handling charge (BFG clients, reach out to your BFG reps for your copy).
The annual features industry happenings, blues history, lifestyle, entertaining and educational features, and dozens of blues festivals to help you plan your calendar!
You can also peruse the 2024 Digital Edition with a simple click in the outside margins. Listen to "Soul Doctor." by cover photo artist Jimmy Carpenter. Plus find hyperlinks throughout the magazine! Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2024 Digital Edition
Cover photo by Marilyn Stringer
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls the BFG: "The roadmap to everything blues."
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BFG Twitter-Instagram-Facebook
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Join Blues Freaks at our X feed & Instagram
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Hey, come on over and Join 14k+ 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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Crescent City Blues
& BBQ Festival
Oct-11-2024 - Oct-13-2024 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Bukka White Blues Festival
Oct-12-2024
Aberdeen, Mississippi USA
Black Mountain Music FestivalOct-12-2024 - Oct-17-2024 Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA
King Biscuit Blues FestivalOct-13-2024 Helena, Arkansas, USA
Super Blues Sunday
Cat Head Mini FestOct-13-2024 Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Pinetop Perkins HomecomingOct-17-2024 - Oct-19-2024 Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Deep Blues FestOct-17-2024 - Oct-20-2024 Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Taste of the Deep South
Oct-19-2024 - Oct-20-2024 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Hambone Festival
& Related EventsOct-24-2024 - Oct-27-2024 Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Blues Heaven DenmarkNov-08-2024 - Nov-09-2024 Frederikshavn, Arena Nord, Denmark
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| | For more festivals &
events plus tons of links
please checkout our website
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Connecticut Rhythm & Blues FestNov-09-2024 Britain, Connecticut, USA
Blues Alive FestivalNov-14-2024 - Nov-16-2024 Šumperk, Czech Republic
Boca Blues FestivalNov-16-2024 - Nov-17-2024 Boca Raton, Florida, USA
Reading Blues FestivalNov-22-2024 - Nov-24-2024 Reading, Pennsylvania, USA
Lakewood Ranch BluesDec-07-2024 Lakewood Ranch, Florida, USA
Clarksdale's New Years WeekendDec-31-2024 Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
International Blues ChallengeJan-7-2025 - Jan-11-2025 Memphis, Tennessee USA
15th Clarksdale
Film & Music Festival Jan-24-2025 - Jan-26- 2025 Clarksdale, Mississippi 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 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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