DVD released by Shout Factory

A never-before-released concert featuring rare performances by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Preston, Sam Moore, Bo Diddley and Dr. John, to name a few, is out now on DVD from Shout! Factory. A Celebration of Blues and Soul was filmed in 1989 in celebration of the presidential inauguration and features some of the finest musicians in top form in over two hours of history-in-the-making performances. It’s a must-see for fans of Blues and Soul! The DVD includes a booklet featuring two new essays on the historical significance and creation of the event by Richard Harrington and Peter Guralnick and 24 unforgettable performances! Find it here on Amazon. 

Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival
Performers Spotlight: JOHN MAYALL

 

The 25th Annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 24th & 25th, 2014.

 

This week’s artist spotlight is on The legendary John Mayall is an English blues singer, guitarist, organist and songwriter, whose musical career spans over fifty years. In the 1960s, he was the founder of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band which has featured some of the most famous blues and blues rock musicians including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor, Walter Trout, and Coco Montoya. Today, John can safely say he's never been happier with his four piece band and long career.

Pop Ferguson Blues Festival brings in top performers in June

LENOIR, N.C. – The Pop Ferguson Blues Heritage Festival VI will be held on June 13-14 in downtown Lenoir, North Carolina. Headliner acts are Grammy nominee Phil Wiggins, John Dee Holman and Pop Ferguson. On Friday, June 13, performances will be held around town. The street festival will be held on Saturday, June 14.

 

The festival is named after Pop Ferguson who was inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress and the Folkways Museum of the Smithsonian Institute six years ago. In 2015, he will be formally recognized during the opening of the new African-American museum in Washington, D.C.His son, Clyde, founded the Pop Ferguson Blues Heritage Festival six years ago and plays bass guitar with his dad. 

Big Blues Bender packages are selling quickly

This year, in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, is a marathon blues event that can only be known as the Big Blues Bender. Taking place September 25th to 29th at the world-renowned Riviera Hotel & Casino on the strip, it’s truly an exclusive blues spectacular.

 

Featuring legendary artists such as B.B. King, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Ana Popovic, Charlie Musselwhite and Tommy Castro & the Painkillers, the Bender will showcase over 30 artists that will be performing on multiple stages over 4 days (click on poster to enlarge). Recently added to the stellar lineup is none other than the bold and brassy Candye Kane. 

Jackson, MS - Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival, Aug 15-16 – Dorothy Moore, Boney James, Bobby Rush

 The Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival is set for its second year to celebrate its culture and rich musical heritage. This premier two-day music festival will be held August 15-16, 2014 and offers a stellar music mix and line up with over 30 Artists, including Ziggy Marley, FANTASiA, Bell Biv Devoe, Boney James, Bobby Rush, Denise LaSalle, Dorothy Moore, Estelle and Chrisette Michele, guaranteeing a good Jackson, Mississippi time. There are 5 stages, including 3 indoor, air-conditioned venues, transformed into Juke Joints - “Find your Soul!” The Soul of the festival rests on the rustic grounds of the perfect backdrop of history and culture that lends itself to the music.

Tall City Blues Fest 2014

In addition to hosting 17 performances on 3 stages, Tall City Blues Fest 2014, presented by Mazda of Midland/Odessa also announced its plans to host a Gospel Brunch on Sunday led by Mr. Castro Coleman, winner of the 2014 International Blues Challenge.

 

Coleman, who performs on stage as Mr. Sipp, will also perform his award-winning set on one of the Fest’s main stages right before Fest headliner Ana Popovic on Saturday night.

 

“It's been a real thrill to become part of the world of Blues and invited to perform our award-winning set at Tall City Blues Fest... 

“Goodtime” Charlie shares blues for over a quarter century

"Goodtime Charlie's Got the Blues" has been on the air in central Pennsylvania since 1989. Charlie is on WZXR 99.3fm Williamsport, PA, commercial FM radio Sundays from 9am-11am, and then travels 40 miles to do his second live show on WQSU 88.9fm, at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA from 12 noon until 2pm. Charlie has devoted his Sundays to airing the blues non-stop for 26 years. Both shows are streamed so there are no geographical limitations for those who wish to listen.

The Blues Stalker Monte Adkison Interviews Mick Kolassa

Like yours truly, Mick Kolassa has focused his passion into a project that helps others. Known affectionately by his moniker “Michississippi Mick” due to having split his residency between Michigan and Mississippi respectively, Mick is a talented musician, songwriter as well as a current board member of the Blues Foundation. His recent philanthropic project involves assembling an exceptionally talented group of musicians and recording a CD of which 100% of the gross sales benefit two Blues Foundation programs, the HART fund and Generation Blues. This is a true winning proposition—I encourage you to do what I did, buy several copies of this disc that is a great listen and give as gifts to your blues-loving friends.

Reunion Party Weekend 35 Years in the Making (May 23-25)

 

The hottest ticket in the Blues, The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, which sails on the high seas twice a year, is hosting their Annual Cruiser Reunion shows for 3 nights this year (May 23-24-25).

 

Based in Kansas City, the LRBC is the brainchild of Roger Naber, (former co-owner of the Grand Emporium live music venue) who is also celebrating 35 years as a music promoter in tandem with the music on stage. With the next two sold-out, upcoming LRBC's, Kansas City music fans will have an opportunity to see six varied internationally famous acts at the well known and respected Knuckleheads honky-tonk venue.

Performing over the 3 day Memorial Day weekend soiree, May 23, 24 & 25, will be Blues Hall of Famer... Read complete details here

The October 2014 LRBC #23 AND also the January 2015 LRBC #24 are SOLD OUT! The cabin Wait List for LRBC #24 started Monday, April 7th, so please signup asap if you are wishing to sail.

 

A new contract for LRBC #25 has been signed with Holland America to sail Oct 24-31, 2015 aboard the ms Westerdam! The ship will sail from Ft. Lauderdale thru Key West (Fantasy Fest Finale) to New Orleans, LA, and then over to Cozumel. This itinerary was extremely popular last year and this cruise promises to be even more exciting aboard the Westerdam.

 

Pre-booking for LRBC #25 begins June 24th at 11am CDT so please mark your calendars if you plan to go Bluesin' with 20 plus bands and 1800 of your closest music friends.

 

Pre-booking for January 2016 will begin sometime in September.

 

313 Lawrence Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111

www.BluesCruise.com or 816-753-7979 | 888-BLUESIN'

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