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Photo Moments with the 22nd Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's our 22nd annual magazine Living Legend feature artist, bassist, singer, songwriter Bob Stroger during the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame and Blues Music Award week in Memphis, Tennessee.
The 93 year old Chicago bluesman has been playing music for well over 60 years. Born in South East Missouri, Dec 1930, Stroger relocated to Chicago in 1955 where he lived in the back of a nightclub and was able to soak up the blues that emitted from artists like Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters.
Want to findout more about his musical journey? Read our Living Legend story in our digital version or your hard copy starting on page 34.
Photos: Marilyn Stringer
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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9th Annual New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival
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(New Orleans LA) - Get ready for the 9th Annual New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival at the historic New Orleans Jazz Museum, (400 Esplanade Ave.) in New Orleans, Louisiana, Thursday, January 16 through Saturday, January 18. An astonishing array of talent from far and wide gathers to both perform and celebrate homemade-stringed instruments in the world’s most musical city. For tickets and info visit here.
New Jersey roots trio April Mae and the June Bugs; energetic Florida rockers Memphis Lightning; and super-sensational one-woman band Ghalia Volt lead a lineup that includes popular New Orleans acts Cigar Box Serenaders, Mahmoud Chouki, Ed Wills and Blues 4 Sale, Rumsey Kadar, and Amzie Adams, along with Nashvillian Meg Williams and international CBG ambassador, Steve Arvey. European-based acts slated to perform: La Durance Blues Band (France), Captn Catfish (Germany), John Mary Go Round (Belgium), Riccardo Ferrini (Italy), and El Gordeaux (England).
These entertainers are among the leaders of the Cigar Box Guitar Movement. They’ll provide sixteen-plus hours of homemade instrument fun over the course of the three-day event. A Thursday Night Symposium, and Builders’ Forums on Friday and Saturday afternoon, round out the schedule.
Only 150 all-inclusive tickets are being sold to this unique and intimate cultural experience. All aspects of the event will be held within the comfortable confines of the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
Website | Facebook
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16th Annual Lehigh River Blues Jam
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 (BETHLEHEM, PA) - The not-to-miss winter blues festival, the Lehigh River Blues Jam returns Feb 1 after a 5-year hiatus, at the historic Bethlehem Ice House (56 River St.) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania from 2-10pm. Each band will reel you in with a diverse offering of Blues, Funk, Soul and whatever it takes to adjust whatever is ailing you.
We welcome back Delmark recording artist Mike Wheeler and his band and singer, songwriter, guitarist James Armstrong. Bobby Kyle and his Band will also appear with special guest, New York's Dave Keyes, plus the Dave Keller Band from Vermont.
Rounding out the line-up is New Jersey's native Bill Dehart with his roots shakin' band Big Bone Daddy and Bev Conklin with her international powerhouse band The BC Combo both introducing new releases.
There will also be very special guest emcees.
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James Cotton Documentary screening to benefit soup kitchen
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 (WILLIMANTIC, CT) — A special screening of acclaimed documentary, Bonnie Blue: James Cotton's Life in the Blues, is on tap to benefit the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic, Connecticut.
On Sunday, December 1, at 4PM, The Bread Box and the Lester E. and Phyllis M. Foster Foundation proudly present this critically acclaimed, award-winning documentary to be shown at the Arts at the Capitol Theater, located at 896 Main Street, in Willimantic. This powerful film pays tribute to the legendary James Cotton, whose harmonica and voice have left an indelible mark on the blues genre and American music.
The documentary tells the remarkable story of James Cotton, who rose from humble beginnings in the Mississippi Delta to become a globally celebrated blues icon. Featuring rare footage and interviews with musical greats, the film captures Cotton’s journey, his profound influence on the blues, and his lasting legacy.
The event will kick-off with a live blues set by renown harmonica player James Montgomery, The Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman, and Bruce John.
Proceeds from ticket sales will directly benefit the Covenant Soup Kitchen, an essential resource in providing meals and support to those in need in the Willimantic area. Tickets are $30 and are available now on Eventbrite.
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Nola Blue Records Celebrates 10 Years
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 The Nola Blue Records imprint began with the 2014 release of Journey by Benny Turner on his 75th birthday. In the ensuing years, the catalog has grown to 25 titles, including Turner's homage to his brother, the late Freddie King, My Brother's Blues, as well as albums from blues legacy artists Cash McCall (RIP) and Frank Bey (RIP). All My Dues Are Paid, the label's second release by Bey, received a posthumous GRAMMY nomination for Traditional Blues Album of The Year (2020). The October 2024 release of BT by Benny Turner commemorates his 85th birthday and marks the official conclusion of a decade of blues!
Artists and projects that have received Blues Music Awards and nominations include Benny Turner, Frank Bey, John Németh, Clarence Spady, Trudy Lynn, and The Love Light Orchestra. Nola Blue Records was named "Record Label of the Year" by The Josie Awards in September 2020.
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Robert Johnson records first in San Antonio
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On Nov. 23, 1936, bluesman Robert Johnson made his first recordings at San Antonio’s Gunter Hotel. He wasn’t the first artist, or even the most popular, to cut records in the Mississippi Delta blues style before WWII, but Johnson’s Depression-era records would become legend.
His haunting lyricism and otherworldly guitar beget mythology, deepened by the mystery of Johnson’s death two years later.
They say sold his soul to the Devil at the crossroads. But before all that mythmaking, Johnson was a young, itinerant guitarist from Mississippi in a San Antonio hotel room trying to make a hit. Englishman Don Law produced the sessions for Vocalion Records, one of those open-cattle-call affairs that record companies led in the South during the Great Depression.
One artist cycled into the room after another in quick succession, Johnson squeezing in between country gospel group the Chuck Wagon Gang and música tejana duo Andres Berlanga and Francisco Montalvo. Johnson’s San Antonio sessions yielded the songs “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Rambling on My Mind,” and “Cross Road Blues,” among others.
Most of these singles didn’t sell well initially, with the partial exception of the double entendre car song “Terraplane Blues.” That one did well enough that Vocalion brought Johnson back for a second session in Dallas the next year that produced “Hellhound on My Trail” and “Me and the Devil Blues.”
After Johnson’s death in 1938, Mississippi artists of his generation like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf moved north and modernized the Delta blues for the electric age. And it was the quest to find the roots of that sound in the 1960s that led young Brits to stumble on Johnson’s rare records.
They entranced Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, each seeing in Robert Johnson the origin point of rock and roll. Though Robert Johnson’s roots were all Mississippi and his global influence spanned Chicago and London, every Robert Johnson record you hear was made in Texas.
Texas Standard/By Jason Mellard, Alan Schaefer & Avery Armstrong, The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State
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• Toronto Blues Society 37th Women’s Blues Revue Nov 29
• Sault Blues Society Annual Blues for Food Dec 6-7
• Wiregrass Blues Society Fundraiser Dec 3
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 (TORONTO, ON) -Massey Hall & Toronto Blues Society present the 37th Women’s Blues Revue, Friday Nov 29 on the Allan Slaight Stage at Massey Hall (178 Victoria St,) in Toronto. Ticket are available here.
This annual event brings blues lovers together for an evening honoring the contributions to the genre with some of Canada’s finest musicians. Appearing will be the multi-award-winning lineup of Diana Braithwaite, Tanika Charles, Kellylee Evans, Rebecca Hennessy, Meghan Parnell, Crystal Shawanda, and host and the 2024 producer, Quisha Wint.
The All-Star Women’s Blues Revue Band will back all vocalists and this year features Alison Young, Angelique Francis, Carrie Chesnutt, Dale Anne Brendon, Elena Kapeleris, Emily Burgess, Jenie Thai, Marie Goudy and Selena Evangeline.
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 (DOTHAN, AL) - Tuesday, December 3, 2024, from 6-9pm, the Wiregrass Blues Society presents Lightnin’ Luke at The Plant (308 N St. Andrews) in Dothan, Alabama. Charleston, SC based singer, songwriter, and violinist Lightnin’ Luke, will serve up bluesy vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and wild fiddle.
Also performing are David Martin, and Emma with special guests. The evening will be filled with live music, delicious food, a cash bar, door prizes, exciting drawings, and a silent auction featuring works from talented local artists.
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(SAULT SAINTE MARIE, ONTARIO) - The  Sault Blues Society will host the 14th annual Blues for Food Dec 6-7 to raise food and funds for local food banks. Set for 8-11pm, this year the event will take place at Soo Blaster ((345 Queen Street East), to accommodate capacity. Dec 6 is the Jay Case Blues Band, with Case, Frank Deresti, Josh Norling, and Chris Johns plus guests Val Powley, Shirley Kominos, Lindsay Pugh, Brandon Ruch, and Josh McNally. Dec 7 is Smokehouse, featuring Mike Yurich, Jeff Pennet, Keith Conway, and Doug Cousineau plus guests Sheila Dollimont, Paul Dell, Liam Seymour, Al Davis, Mike McDonald, and Pete Cooper.
Admission to the event is by donation of cash or nonperishable food items, which will be split evenly between the Soup Kitchen Community Centre and St. Vincent Place.
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* BLUES SOCIETIES*
Send us your Event info so we can share with readers (max 125 words).
Toot your horn and promote and support your talented regional
artists. And who are your Blues Challenge winners?!
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Which Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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#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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#42 SOLDOUT!
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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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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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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. Detailed instructions announced in early April. Additional passengers may be added once you select your stateroom.
(816) 753-7979 to prebook early and receive priority cabin selection! More info HERE
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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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Jay Gordon And Blues Venom ::
BLUES INFESTED ROCK INJECTED
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 The Blues Infested Rock Injected documentary is an insightful film that offers a view into a pioneer of Blues-Rock —nine-time award-winning guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer Jay Gordon and his band Blues Venom. The DVD features an mix of stories, interviews, and live concert footage from the 2022 Woodystock Blues Festival.
Tracing his early days of his music history to current day, from growing up in Chicago, to living in Hollywood, to touring Europe, you can see Jay Gordon is dedicated to keeping the blues alive (and also has a strange connection with Black Sabbath).
Critics are saying Blues Infested Rock Injected is required viewing for all blues rock fans, aspiring guitarists and music fans, as well as cultural music historians.
Never interested in merely recreating the past, Gordon has moved the blues forward to the 21st Century, infusing the music with the fire and power of rock, while carving out his own place in the music world.
Jay Gordon And Blues Venom will be performing throughout the U.S., and a European and Canadian tours are in the works for 2025 and 2026.
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"Walking Blues" feat. Keb' Mo'
Playing For Change | Song Around The World
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Birthdays & Just In Case...
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Just In Case... plus various upcoming Holidays & Birthdays
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 • NOV: Family Stories Month...
What's your Blues Family story?
• Nov 28 Thanksgiving Day (USA)
• Nov 29 Native American Heritage Day (USA)
I get most of my news from the Jon Stewart Daily Show, the most level commentary you can find. You have to laugh, because it's all so true. It's the closest thing to a counterculture. - John Mayall
Birthdays: Nov 21 Dr. John (1940-2019); Nov 22 Angela Strehli (1945), Steven Van Zandt (1950); Nov 23 R.L. Burnside (1926-2005); Nov 24 Donald "Duck" Dunn (1941-2012); Nov 25 Eddie Boyd (1914-1994), Jimmy Johnson (1928-2022); Nov 26 Tina Turner (1939-2023), Bernard Allison (1965); Nov 27 Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970); Nov 29 John Mayall (1933-2024); Nov 30 Robert Nighthawk (1909-1967), Brownie McGhee (1915-1996), Smokin’ Joe Kubek (1956-2015), Shuggie Otis (1953); Dec 2 Tal Wilkenfeld (1986); Dec 4 Larry Davis (1936-1994); Dec 5 Alec "Rice" Miller aka Sonny Boy Williamson II (1912-1965), Kim Simmonds (1947-2022), "Little Richard" Penniman (1932-2020); Dec 6 Sean Carney (1972)
 Just in Case: Hola, bonjour, zdravo, guten tag, konnichiwa, pryvit, shalom, aloha, hallo, namaste..."World Hello Day" is November 21 and celebrated by 180 countries to illustrate the importance of personal communication for preserving peace. This unofficial holiday was created with the hope that people can settle their differences with communication rather than conflict. The day encourages people to participate by simply saying ‘hello’ to at least 10 friends, families and strangers. Maybe take the time to learn how to say hello in a couple of different languages and put that into practice during the day.
  "National Jukebox Day" 2024 falls on November 27. Jukeboxes helped artists find a new way to get public exposure and were further enabled to sell vinyl. They allowed people to pick out their own faves and enjoy music in restaurants and bars. I'm sure many of us have some fun memories of flipping through all the choices and picking favorites on the variety of jukeboxes, whether large or tabletop. Some jukeboxes truly look like a work of art in themselves, let alone the treasures they might hold. ______________________________
Missed your Weekly e-Guide?
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Billboard #1 Blues Albums
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Billboard & iTunes #1 Blues Album - as of Nov 21, 2024
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 #1 Billboard
WARREN HAYNES
Million Whisper Voices
#1 iTunes
THE TESKEY BROTHERS
Run Home Slow
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Get Ready to Blast Your Music with E-Blasts!
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Have your 2024 Blues Festival Guide print magazine?
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 Click HERE to order your copy of the 2024 Blues Festival Guide print magazine shipped directly to you for only 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 Blues Festival Guide Magazine Digital Edition online with a simple click in the outside margins. Listen to "Soul Doctor." by cover photo artist Jimmy Carpenter. Plus find hyperlinks throughout!
Cover photo by Marilyn Stringer
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls the BFG: "The roadmap to everything blues."
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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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Ruf Records 30th Anniversary TourNov-21-2024 - Nov-24-2024
Pennsylvania- New York - Maryland USA
Reading Blues FestivalNov-22-2024 - Nov-24-2024 Reading, Pennsylvania, USA
Allman Betts Family RevivalNov-30-2024 - Dec-21-2024 St. Charles, Illinois to
San Francisco, California USA
Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival
Dec-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
Clarksdale Film & Music Festival Jan-24-2025 - Jan-26 -2025 Clarksdale, Mississippi USA
Lehigh River Blues JamFeb-01-2025 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
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| | For more festivals &
events plus tons of links
please checkout our website
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Cincinnati Winter Blues
Experience VI
Feb-08-2025
Mason, Ohio, USA
Vero Beach Blues Festival
Feb-15-2025 - Feb-16-2025
Vero Beach, Florida, USA
Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea
Mar-21-2025 - Mar-26-2025
Miami, Florida, USA
19th Blues By the Sea
Apr-13-2025
Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA
33rd Springing The Blues
Apr-4-2025 - Apr-6-2025
Jacksonville Beach, Florida USA
Baton Rouge Blues Festival
Apr-4-2025 - Apr-6-2025
Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA
New Orleans
Jazz & Heritage Festival
Apr-04-2025 - May-04-2025
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
22nd Annual Juke Joint Festival
& Related Events
Apr-10-2025 - Apr-13-2025
Clarksdale, Mississippi USA
French Quarter Festival
Apr-10-2025 - Apr-13-2025
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
Tampa Bay Blues Festival
Apr-11-2025 - Apr-13-2025
St. Petersburg, Florida USA
Byron Bay Blues Fest
Apr-17-2025 - Apr-20-2025
Byron Bay, North South Wales AUS
Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival
Apr-26-2025
North Bessemer, Alabama 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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