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April 1, 2011 www.bluesfestivalguide.com Volume # 6  Issue # 13

Special Announcements
CD or DVD Releases
News Flash
Record Label News
Blues Society News
House of Blues Radio Hour
Roots Blues Airplay Charts
Blues Festivals
About Us
Attn: FESTIVAL PROMOTERS
Post your 2011 festival info to the Blues Festival Guide Website by following this link: 
 
Yes it's still FREE! Get listed on our Website; our annual Magazine, the E-guide and Facebook.  All you gotta do it is take 5 minutes to provide your dates, and your location. 
 
You'd be crazy to miss out.  The Website gets 30,000+ unique visitors per month, the Magazine reaches 100,000 hard copy readers, (plus thousands more who view the magazine digitally), Facebook fans exceed 9,000+, and the weekly E-Guide newsletter has 24,000+ subscribers.  If somebody is a fan of Blues...we reach 'em.
 
How's that for FREE!
 
Post your festival information as soon as you know it.  Blues Fans are ready to make their 2011 festival travel plans.

RORY BLOCK : : SHAKE 'M ON DOWN
Recreating classic American music, paying tribute to the masters and honoring the man who said “I do not play no rock and roll”
 
Rory Block has her own simple watchwords she tries to live by: “Life is short and fragile, and I know we all have a mission. It is a great privilege to be in this miraculous place, and that if you're here, you're chosen.”
 
And she has been chosen — to recreate, revitalize and reinterpret the most classic of all American musical idioms: the Delta blues. The choice, of course, was hers to make — and she has followed it, with integrity, heart, soul and passion, since she was a young teenager.
 
Now, with the release of her third CD paying homage to the classic American blues artists, she has confirmed and delineated her mission. The new album (release date: March 29) is called Shake ’Em on Down: A Tribute to Mississippi Fred McDowell.
 
McDowell, who was born in 1904 and who died in 1972, was one of the first artists from north Mississippi to attract national attention, after he had been “rediscovered” by Alan Lomax and recorded in 1959. His material was covered by — among many others — the Rolling Stones, and he was a vital part of the country blues revival of the early sixties.
 
Rory Block adds: “Fred was famous for saying ‘I do not play no rock ‘n’ roll’ — but in fact he did... or if he did not, he practically invented it. He (much like Muddy Waters) taught electric players how to take the rock solid groove of the soul of country blues and bring it into modern music.”
 
Shake ‘Em On Down is the second album she’s made for Stony Plain Records, the international roots music label based in Edmonton, Alberta.
 
Click for more

HENRY GRAY : : LUCKY MAN
The lustrous Chicago blues scene of the 1950s was predominated by great pianists, and Henry Gray was one of the finest.  His rolling two-fisted keyboard work graced countless Chicago blues recordings during the '50s for leading labels like Chess and Vee Jay.  He recorded on classic sides by Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, and Jimmy Rogers, among others. Starting in 1956, Henry spent twelve years as pianist for the legendary Howlin' Wolf.  The sessions for Lucky Man, his first solo American album, were recorded in 1988, and marked something of a comeback for Henry, who had recorded only sporadically in the previous two decades.  Audio magazine said that on the album, "Gray performs as if the heyday of Chicago blues never ended."
Click for more


IT IS TIME TO DIVE INTO YOUR 2011 MARKETING CAMPAIGN!
Now is the Time To Dive Into Your 2011 Marketing Campaign and Save Big Bucks!
Reserve your ad space in the 9th annual issue of Blues Festival Guide magazine today!
Don't miss this once-a-year marketing opportunity!
775-337-8626
Advertising@bluesfestivalguide.com

Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival
 
  
 
 
 
The 22nd annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival in Simi Valley, CA has announced an impressive lineup of performers for the two day event which runs Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
 
The Blues stage features the 6th Annual Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue.  Saturday’s performers include Los Fabulocos featuring Kid Ramos, Mikey Jr. & Stone Cold Blues, Arthur Adams, Ana Popovic, the Mannish Boys Review with Tracy Nelson, John Nemeth and the 44s.  Sunday’s lineup features Elvin Bishop, Maria Muldaur, Cadillac Zack with special guests, the Mitch Kashmar Band, the Kirk Fletcher Band, Big Pete with a tribute to Lester Butler and Shawn Pittman.
 
The second stage features Cajun & Zydeco music with Buckwheat Zydeco, Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic, Lil Pookie & The Zydeco Sensations, Bayou Brothers and Billy Lee & The Swamp Critters.  All Cajun-Zydeco performers will be appearing both days.
 
In addition to two stages, each with dance floors, there is a huge kids area with their own stage featuring a variety of talented kid friendly acts.  And there are jumpers and crafts just for the kids.
 
 
Included at the festival are a variety of food choices from authentic Cajun and Creole dishes like crawfish and alligator to traditional barbecue and hot dogs. And each day there is a New Orleans style parade with bands, stilt walkers and audience participation.
 
Tickets are $ 18 for adults ages 13 and up, $ 15 for kids ages 5 through 12.  Kids under 5 are free.  Tickets may be purchased at the event or on-line.  For more information and ticket purchases, visit the website at www.cajun-blues.com.
 
The Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival is produced by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise and all proceeds go to charity.
 

TWEED FUNK IS "BRINGIN' IT"
Tweed Funk’s CD ‘Bringin It’ debuted on the Roots Music Report Chart (3/24/11) at #11 on the Internet Blues Chart and at #1 on the State of Wisconsin chart.  The CD combines blues and soul with elements of funk and hip-hop to provide a sound that was described by WNMC’s Blues Music Director, Leroy Alvarez, as “very old school yet fresh and current.”
 
    
 
The band will be touring this spring and summer in support of the CD with the following significant dates: 
-       April 6, 2011 – BB’s Jazz, Blues, & Soups – St. Louis, MO
-       April 7, 2011 – The Mission – Jefferson City, MO
-       April 8, 2011 – 308 Blues Club & Café – Indianola, MS
-       April 9, 2011 – Phil Brady’s Bar – Baton Rouge, LA
-       April 10, 2011 – Cactus Music – Houston, TX
-       April 10, 2011 – Private Event – Houston, TX
-       April 11, 2011 – Echo @ The Jet Lounge – Houston, TX
-       April 12, 2011 – R. Landry’s – Fort Smith, AR
-       April 13, 2011 – River City Blues Society – Pekin, IL
-       April 16, 2011 – Grafton Blues Challenge – Cedarburg, WI
-       April 21, 2011 – Shank Hall, CD Release Party – Milwaukee, WI
-       May 14, 2011 – University of Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace – Madison, WI
-       May 28 & 29, 2011 – Famous Dave’s – Hayward, WI
-       July 4, 2011 – Village of Shorewood 4th of July Festival – Shorewood, WI
-       August 12, 2011 – Waukesha BluesFest      
 
 
Tweed Funk’s individual members have worked with and opened for many national acts including: Curtis Mayfield, BB King, Harvey Scales, Aaron Moore, David "Guitar" Watson, The Esquires, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.  Tweed Funk is also a Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Nominee for New Artist of the Year.     
                           www.tweedfunk.com

MARATHON SPORTS "BLUES RUN" MAY 19TH @ AMERICAN LEGION MARSH POST #442
                
  The 2011 Marathon Sports "Lets Run, Have Some Fun & Be Fit Summer Race Series" kicks off on May 19th @ 6:30PM down at the American Legion Marsh Post #442 with the Marathon Sports "Blues Run & BBQ".
  This is the 10th anniversary year of this great series that includes exercise, food, refreshments & music all in one neat little package.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEHe1m76IGI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjCr-kumKsE
  The great blues band - Roomfull of Blues is returning to entertain the crowd this year for the Marathon Sports "Blues Run & BBQ"....remaining bands to be announced shortly. Please see above youtube clips of last years performance by Roomfull of Blues.
For more information on the Marathon Sports "Lets Run, Have Some Fun & Be Fit Summer Race Series please see
www.baevents.com/letsrunseries
 
BLUES FOR THE ZOO: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SANCTUARY
BIG BEAR LAKE, CA - Friends of the Moonridge Zoo announce their second BLUES FOR THE ZOO benefit concert to celebrate this unique Alpine animal rescue sanctuary.  The special lakeside concert will raise funds for the Mooonridge Animal Park’s wildlife rehabilitation program.  BLUES FOR THE ZOO is set for Saturday, August 6, 2011 at Big Bear Lake’s Swim Beach Outdoor Amphitheater, 41220 Park Avenue, Big Bear Lake 92315, with a line-up of world class Blues artists.
 
On the sandy shore of crystal blue Big Bear Lake, surrounded by ancient pine trees, this setting offers a scenic backdrop for an afternoon of internationally recognized musicians along with a selection of local arts and crafts and a freshly prepared food/beverage menu.  Headlining the afternoon of music is the CHICAGO BLUES GUITAR SHOOTOUT! featuring Ronnie Baker Brooks, Lurrie Bell and Larry McCray.  Three of Chicago’s “leading lights” in the next generation of high-energy Blues will make a rare appearance together, packaged specially for this event.
 
                         
 
Tickets which go on sale May 1, 2011, are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate.  Children 10 and under admitted free.  Music runs from 3:00pm to 7:00pm with gates opening at 1:00pm.  Beach chairs and blankets are welcome for lawn festival-style seating, NO COOLERS PLEASE (a selection of food and beverage will be available on site). Parking on the grounds is $3.00 per vehicle.  Tickets may be purchased in person or via telephone from the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, 909-866-4607, at the Moonridge Animal Park Gift Shop (43285 Goldmine Drive in Big Bear Lake) or online at www.moonridgezoo.org/. For lodging/ticket packages call the Big Bear Lake Resort Association 1-800-4-BIG-BEAR or go online at www.bigbear.com/.

COURT RULES ON DIGITAL MUSIC
Ben Sisario, The New York Times
                      
The Supreme Court has sided with a lower court's ruling in a lawsuit over the worth of music sold on iTunes, saying that digital music should be treated as a license, not a sale, which could potentially entitle artists to higher royalties. Experts say this decision will have a huge affect on older artists whose contracts pre-dated digital sales. For decades, artists have been getting 10-15 percent in royalty rates off sales; however, the licensing of music usually entitles an artist to a 50 percent share, because there is no packaging to be done by the record label.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK
     The Gibson Video Interview: Tommy Castro
               
  Tommy Castro has been a fixture on the national blues scene for a couple of decades, but he’s coming off a particularly stellar year. In 2010, the Blues Music Foundation nominated The Tommy Castro Band for four Blues Music Awards. Castro and company ended up taking home all four awards, including Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year (for 2009’s Hard Believer), B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Band of the Year. Castro recently stopped by Gibson’s New York City Showroom to share his love of B.B. King, talk about mixing soul music with blues guitar and even play a few licks.
                                  VIDEO LINK

OLD BLUES EYE: A PHOTOGRAPHER'S PERSPECTIVE
April 1st 2011
 
Pretty, pretty pictures - from whence do they come? From the eye of the storm and the middle of the road.  From the vast horizon and the internal soul.  From hither, thither, yon and everywhere in between.  This is where we've been - and this is what we've seen.   We are not shy. We are "Old Blues Eye".
 
 
Q:   Who is easier to photograph - men or women?
A:   Blues photography has been a large part of my life for some years now. Capturing the mood of the venue and musicians is important to me. When shooting at the venues the performers' music drives the energy for me.  I watch, listen and anticipate that moment the performer hits their peak of emotion.  I'm intuitive rather than technical.  Men and women who are comfortable in front of the camera are easiest to photograph. "Pinetop" Perkins was an easy subject, always ready to smile, wink and nod to me.
 
                    
                         2008 Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins

CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI'S JUKE JOINT FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ROBERT JOHNSON CENTENNIAL WITH "100 ACTS FOR 100 YEARS"
                     
   March 27, 2011 (Clarksdale, Mississippi) – Clarksdale, Mississippi’s Juke Joint Festival may only be 8 years old, but it’s ready to celebrate a very special 100th birthday on Saturday, April 16th – in a very big way.  
    “This will be the biggest blues festival ever held in Clarksdale,” according to co-organizer Roger Stolle. “Robert Johnson was a bigger-than-life figure in blues history, so we thought it fitting to celebrate his big, centennial birthday with 100 acts for 100 years.”  
   Born in 1911, blues musician Robert Johnson often played in and around Clarksdale. His music has influenced nearly every blues great from Muddy Waters to Eric Clapton, but Johnson is perhaps best known for his infamous “deal at the crossroads.” A ceremonial marker at the intersection of highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale commemorates this alleged Faustian pact.  
   "The Robert Johnson Centennial is a great time to showcase Clarksdale, Mississippi's rich blues heritage – both past and present," Stolle explained. "In addition to celebrating Johnson’s birthday, we are also dedicating this year’s festival to some of the Delta blues musicians and supporters who have passed away in the past year – including Mr. Tater, Billy Hardin, Big Jack Johnson and Pinetop Perkins."

CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ALLIGATOR RECORDS' 40TH ANNIVERSARY
                        
  The All-Star concert, which closes out the Chicago Blues Festival on the Petrillo Main Stage, will be preceded by a set from vocal powerhouse Shemekia Copeland, who began her career as an Alligator artist.
  On February 22 the label released The Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection to widespread critical and popular acclaim. The two-CDs-for-the-price-of-one set received a glowing four-star review from Rolling Stone. Label founder and president Bruce Iglauer was recently featured on NPR's Weekend Edition, in addition to national and regional media attention from other outlets, including a two-part, two-hour interview and feature on XM/Sirius B.B. King's Bluesville Channel 74.
  To read a full history of the label, click Alligator Records.

AN ENTERTAINING HAIR RAISING EXPERIENCE!
Yvonne Varner - Modesto, Ca.    
 
   Who would think that a show featuring 4 disabled persons and 6 cancer survivors would end up so lovely?  Pinkie's Hair Raising Experience was a beautiful thing where some wonderful people in the blues show business dedicated their time to raise money and hair for Locks of Love.  Locks of Love makes and gives human hair wigs to underpriviledged children who are going through chemo treatments and other hair loss problems.  It was four hours of blues to include the talents of Big Earl Matthews, Shad Harris, Mike Torres, Jr., Mike Osborn, Isis, Amy Lou, Carie Anne, Pinkie & Blind Resistance (host band), headlined by the awe-inspiring Cole Fonseca and the always incredible - Candye Kane
                       Rebecca Stark Photography
 
             
                       
 
                                 Donate to Locks of Love

1st EUROPEAN BLUES CHALLENGE
                                       
 
  It was bold of the members of the young European Blues Union to hold their annual General Assembly together with the first European Blues Challenge but they were willing to take the risk and they managed to bring together no less than sixteen member countries for the first European Challenge.
   After a short, compulsory detour via Brandenburg Gate and other famous Berlin sites, there we were in a unique place called Kulturbrauerei, an old brewery now converted in a cultural centre, the perfect setting for the weekend's festivities.

KEEPING THE BEAT WITH THE DELTA BLUES MUSEUM
       
  Our "quiet" winter season has been a busy time this year at the Delta Blues Museum.
  After a flurry of meetings in January and February to set up the final preparatory work, the Museum Board of Trustees, along with the Stovall family and representatives of D. Carroll Construction, officially broke ground for the Muddy Waters Addition on Tuesday, March 22. To be completed by the end of this year, the wing features a two-story building that will showcase the cabin from Stovall Farms where McKinley Morganfield a.k.a. Muddy Waters grew up. (It is currently on display in our galleries, but in a cramped space.) The Addition will also house new permanent exhibits. The wing is designed to complement the Museum's current home, Clarksdale's historic railroad freight depot, a Mississippi Landmark Property, and will double the size of our gallery space. Construction will be completed by the end of this year.


BLIND PIG REISSUES TWO BLUES LPS ON COMPACT DISC AT BUDGET PRICE
Blind Pig Records has re-issued on CD a pair of classic long-out-of-print blues LPs from the '80s - "Lucky Man" from noted pianist Henry Gray and "Blues Mandolin Man" from mandolin master Yank Rachell.  Both CDs are available for only $9 as part of Blind Pig's midline budget series.
 
 
HENRY GRAY  "LUCKY MAN"
The lustrous Chicago blues scene of the 1950s was predominated by great pianists, and Henry Gray was one of the finest.  His rolling two-fisted keyboard work graced countless Chicago blues recordings during the '50s for leading labels like Chess and Vee Jay.  He recorded on classic sides by Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, and Jimmy Rogers, among others. Starting in 1956, Henry spent twelve years as pianist for the legendary Howlin' Wolf.  The sessions for Lucky Man, his first solo American album, were recorded in 1988, and marked something of a comeback for Henry, who had recorded only sporadically in the previous two decades.  Audio magazine said that on the album, "Gray performs as if the heyday of Chicago blues never ended."
 
 
YANK RACHELL  "BLUES MANDOLIN MAN"
Yank Rachell began his recording career in the late 1920s.  Through the ensuring decades, he established himself as the finest and most revered mandolinist the blues ever produced, performing regularly with Sleepy John Estes and Sonny Boy Williamson, among many others.  Rachell drifted away from the music scene in the '40s, but resumed performing during the folk-blues revival of the late '60s and early '70s. These sessions from 1986, where Yank is joined for the first time by a rhythm section (his accustomed way of playing for many years), find Yank in fine form, his voice and instrumental skills still strong and compelling.  Downbeat magazine called the LP "a fun, effective presentation of old-timey music in a fresh, contemporary setting."
 
To purchase these and other fine Blind Pig titles, to hear samples from these new releases, or for more info as well as free downloads, please click HERE.  


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THE BOSTON BLUES SOCIETY PRESENTS SPRING BLUESFEST 2011 ON MAY 7
                      
 
  On Saturday, May 7, the BBS will present an event featuring many local and regional bands from 3 p.m. until after midnight, at Maddy's Nightclub, 1639 Broadway, Saugus. This event will be held as a BBS fundraiser and membership drive. Many bands have signed on, including Satch Romano, Shirley Lewis, Gil Corea, Boston Baked Blues, Mario Perrett and many more to be announced. The event will start out with youth blues groups and feature the headliners starting around 7PM. More artists are signing on and will be announced very soon. There will be a hot buffet, raffles and new membership specials!
  More information on this event will be posted on bostonblues.com very soon.

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LAYLA 40TH ANNIVERSARY:
    
 
 
 2011 marks the 40th anniversary re-issue of the legendary Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs. There are several new versions of the release including tracks from the band’s never finished second album, performances on The Johnny Cash TV Show, Derek and the Dominos live at Fillmore East, and more. Elwood will be playing lots of goodies. Plus: archive interviews with Eric Clapton, and a new interview with original keyboard player, singer, and songwriter, Bobby Whitlock. All that, plus Delaney and Bonnie, and the hidden Albert King connection. Special bonus! This week’s blues breaker is a sample from Gregg Allman’s first solo album in fourteen years.
For a list of stations where you can find House of Blues Radio
 


Click on festival name to click through to festival website.
VISIT THE BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE WEBSITE FOR ALL THE FESTIVALS
Over 500 festivals are listed on the website www.BluesFestivalGuide.com
Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival
Saturday-Sunday, April 9-10
Moulton, Alabama, U.S.
Festival Link
Blues, Brews & BBQ
Friday-Sunday, April 15-17
Lake Wales, Florida, U.S.
www.triplecanopyranch.com
Nudes, Blues and BBQ
Friday-Sunday, April 15-17
LUTZ, FL, U.S.
nudesbluesandbbq.vpweb.com
Juke Joint Festival & Related Events
Friday-Sunday, April 15-17
Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
www.jukejointfestival.com
Sea & Sand Festival
Saturday, April 16 
Folly Beach, SC, U.S.
www.follybeachseaandsand.com
Cat Head Mini Blues Fest I
Sunday, April 17
Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
www.cathead.biz/livemusic.html
Michael John's 2011 Simi Valley Blues Festival
Saturday, April 30
Simi Valley, California, U.S.
www.simiblues.org
Bob Sykes Bbq and Blues Festival
Saturday, April 30
Bessemer, Alabama, U.S.
www.bobsykes.com
Topanga Blues Festival
Sunday, May 1
Topanga, California, U.S.
www.socalblues.org
10th Annual Gator by the Bay
Fri-Sun, May 6-8, 2010
San Diego, CA, U.S.
www.gatorbythebay.com
Baton Rouge Blues Festival
Saturday, May 7
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
www.batonrougebluesfestival.org
3rd Annual Cairns Blues Festival
Saturday, May 7
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
www.cairnsbluesfestival.com.au
Rosedale Crossroads Blues and Heritage Festival
Saturday, May 7
Rosedale, Mississippi, U.S.
www.rosedaleblues.com
RBA Publishing Inc is based in Reno, NV with a satellite office in Beverly Hills, Florida. We produce the annual Blues Festival Guide magazine (now in its 7th year), the top-ranking website: www.BluesFestivalGuide.com, and this weekly blues newsletter: The Blues Festival E-Guide with approximately 20,000 weekly subscribers. We look forward to your suggestions, critiques, questions, etc.

Reach the E-Guide editor, Gordon Bulcock, gordon@bluesfestivalguide.com

or contact our home office at 775-337-8626, eguide@bluesfestivalguide.com

 
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