2013 Blues in The Natural

State Music Festival

Two Days 

Six Music Stages

Twenty four Acts 

“We are pleased to grow the blues festival experience in 2013. Festival goers will experience performers who are a blend of local, regional, national and world-stage artists,” according to Roger Plourde, President of the Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas. 

 All the Details...>> Here

Wristbands are currently on sale at www.ozarkbluessociety.org. Prices are: $45 for both days; $20 for Friday only; $30 for Saturday only.

The Hog Haus Brewing Company is the official headquarters of the 11^th Annual Blues in the Natural State festival. Wristbands, blues memorabilia, official t-shirts and artists’ CDs will be on sale. Hours are Friday, April 5 from 3 pm to 10 pm and Saturday, April 6 from 11 am to 10 pm. 

We are proud to announce this year that 25% of all festival proceeds will be donated to the Susan G Komen Ozark Affiliate.  For more information about the Ozark Affiliate please visit www.komenozark.org

Volunteer Opportunity!!   Working a 4 hour shift will earn you a festival pass for the day - good at any of the participating venues.  To volunteer, send an email to roger.plourde@gmail.com

Samantha Fish - George's Lounce

George's Lounge will host Samantha Fish next Friday, March 15 from 7pm to 9pm.

Samantha won a Blues Music Award in 2012 for Best New Artist Debut for her release 'Runaway'

Just a few months ago, very few people outside Kansas City, Missouri knew there was a young, dynamic musician named Samantha Fish getting ready to take the world by storm. In fact, it's not all that long ago that the 22-year-old singer/guitarist first discovered the blues and started paying her dues on that city's local scene. With Runaway, her solo debut, she now breaks out big time, announcing herself as a newcomer to be reckoned with.

More...>> 

Blues in the Schools

Ocie Fisher sings “Wang Dang Doodle” to seventh-graders last Friday at McNair Middle School during a blues music show organized by members from the Ozark Blues Society.

The special performance was held to celebrate the end of a language arts unit studying diversity and adversity in literature. The blues musicians spoke to the students about the development of blues and how music can help people overcome struggles.

A special Thank You! to the local Blues Musicians who participated in this program last Friday... Ocie Fisher, Larry Brick, Rachel Fields and David Kimbrough Jr.

Music Calendar

03/08 - 3/16

3.8

• Neill Williamson Benefit with the Red Barn Ramblers at George's Happy Hour in Fayetteville 6PM
• RJ Mischo, Walter Savage at the Fresco Cafe in Fayetteville
• Dead Irish Blues at the Tanglewood Branch Beer Company in Fayetteville
• Claudia Burson Trio in the Union Lounge located at the Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville
• Vine Brothers at the Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville
• Adam Collins Duo at Mermaids in Fayetteville
• Trick Bag at the Bayou in Rogers
• Catfish Jackson at JJ's Grill & Chill in Rogers
• Keith Nicholson at Pinnacle Hills Country Club in Rogers
• Larry "Grandpa" Bradley at Acoustic Mud in Bella Vista

3.9

• TJ Scarlett at Fresco Caf in Fayetteville
• Nathan McLeod Duo at Mermaids in Fayetteville
• Damn Arkansan and Shawn James at Smoke & Barrel Tavern in Fayetteville
• Keith Nicholson at Fred's Hickory Inn in Bentonville
• Taken at JJ's Grill & Chill in Rogers
• RJ Mischo at Downstream Casino in Quapaw, OK

3.10

• Claudia Burson at Copelands Sunday Brunch in Rogers - 11am to 1pm
• Jazz Duos at Emelia's Kitchen Sunday Brunch in Fayetteville
• Brick Fields Duo at Acoustic Mud in Bella Vista - noon - 1:30pm
• Keith Nicholson at the Bayou in Rogers - 5- 7pm

3.11

3.12

• The Longest running Blues Jam in  Northwest Arkansas featuring the Larrys at the Bayou in Rogers
• Robert Randolph and the Family Band at George's in Fayetteville
• Jed Clampit at Pesto Cafe in Fayetteville

3.13

• Brick Fields at Bear's Place in Fayetteville
• Jed Clampit at the Pesto Cafe in Fayetteville

3.14

• Richard Burnett at Bear's Place in Fayetteville
• Here Come The Mummies at George's in Fayetteville
• Russ Hutchison at JJ's Grill  Chill in Rogers

3.15

• RJ Mischo and Samantha Fish at George's Happy Hour in Fayetteville
• Oreo Blue at the Fresco Cafe in Fayetteville
• Claudia Burson Trio in the Union Lounge located at the Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville
• Adam Collins Duo at Mermaids in Fayetteville
• Matt Smith and Alex Lewis at the Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville

3.16

• The Gregoire Maret Quartet at Walton Arts Center's Starr Theater
• Ben Harris Duo at Mermaids in Fayetteville
• RJ Mischo at the Squid & the Whale in Eureka Springs

Who's on Board?

The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas held it's "Annual" Board of Directors meeting last night at Hog Haus Brewery in Fayetteville.

So who's on the Board?

Roger Plourde was re-elected for another 2 year term as President.

Stephanie Parsons was elected to a 2 year term as Treasurer

New Board Members Elected include:

Bill Baird

Jon Edwards

Rick Gatlin

Leah Spears

Roger Thomas

Remaining on the Board

Kenny Hackman - Vice President

Sandy McCann - Secretary

Bud Bond 

Liz Lottmann

Roy McCann

Jim Rose

Congratulations to all!  

In this issue:  03/08/2013

On this day in Blues History -March 8

Lucille Bogan – Skin Game Blues

Listen here..>>

Quote for this Week

"It was by listening to (Benny) Goodman's band, that I began to notice the guitarist Charlie Christian, who was one of the first musicians to play solos in a big band set-up."

Alvin Lee

1944 - 2013

2013 Eureka Springs Blues Weekend Lineup Announced

Another Great Line up this year coming to the Eureka Springs Blues Weekend - June 13 - 16, 2013

Click on the logo for more details.

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Ozark Blues Society 

Over the years, The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas (OBS), which was formed in May 2001, has accomplished a great deal in our music commnity.  OBS has been an avid supporter and promoter of the rich heritage and music that we all love... The Blues that is!

2013 is proving to be another busy (and challenging) year for OBS with many events and developments in the works. 

We just came back from the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, where our local Blues Challenge Winners performed extremely well, we just launch a new and imporved website and we've got the 2013 Blues in the Natural State Music Festival coming up in a few weeks.  

We are working with several local organiations to bring more Blues to you and the community.

This fall we'll have another Blues Challenge and we are working setting up our 3rd annual artist in residency program.

Of course throughout the year we'll be promoting the music, the  local venues bringing you the music and the people who play the music, whether they play on the local, regional, national or international stage.

Help us make it happen!

For as little as $10 you can become a member of the Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas and do your part to hep support the music you love.

Membership levels and Benefits 

Click on the Join or Renew Button above to Help and become of Member of the Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas.

Links You Can Use

Arkansas Music Pavillion

Arkansas Music Works

Arkansas Music Times

American Blues News

Black Dog DJ

Blues 411

The Blues Foundation

Blues For A Cause

Blues Festivals Guide

Blues Guitar News

Blues on the Dial and Web

Crystal Bridges

Downtown Bentonville

Eureka Springs Blues

Free Weekly

George’s Majestic Lounge

Guitar Center

J L Sound & Lighting Productions

King Biscuit Festival

Live Music Jungle 

Logoworks

Midnight Special Blues 

National Blues Museum

Nightflying

North AR Jazz Society

NWA Tunedin

Ozark Blues Society of NWA

Pabst Brewing Company

Parachuting Penguins

Spa City Blues Society

The Bayou of Rogers

The Walton Arts Center

Winterwood Studios

Until Next Time...

Comments and suggestions for this newsletter and the Ozark Blues Society are always welcome.  Just reply to this email if you want to make comment.

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