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July 22, 2011 www.bluesfestivalguide.com Volume # 6  Issue # 28

CD or DVD Releases
News Flash
House of Blues Radio Hour
Roots Blues Airplay Charts
Blues Festivals
About Us
MIKE ZITO : : GREYHOUND
Mike Zito couldn't help but be great. It was either that, probably, or end up on a wanted poster in the post office. There is something deep down in Zito's soul that will not stop screaming, pushing him to take life to the limit and worry about the tab later. Before he found music and really let it become the guiding force in his world, the young man ran in all the wrong directions. Sometimes people were chasing him, but just as often Mike Zito was running from himself. Finally there was nowhere to run. It was time to literally face the music. And what Zito found was that he had a sound buried inside, something that was trying to get out and share itself with the world.
That's where the Greyhound bus enters the picture--in a big way, because the singing guitarist grabbed one out of town with a ticket to anywhere else. When he got there, Zito started playing like his life depended on it, because it actually did. He put his shoulders and heart into it with everything he had, and worked his way up the mountain to where he stands today.
 
"Greyhound," produced by Grammy-award winning guitarist/singer/songwriter Anders Osborne, is the continuation of the songwriting process established by Zito on his two previous critically acclaimed recordings on Eclecto Groove Records. His music retains its bluesy Americana charm and big wide-open Texas sound as he explores more personal and introspective themes inspired by that fateful bus trip that helped determine his path in life.
 
There have been hundreds of shows, a few albums, and the same desire to make a claim on eternity. That's where the music lives, and that's where Mike Zito is destined to go. Thank God for that Greyhound. Mike Zito got there.
 
Click for more

VICTOR WAINWRIGHT AND THE WILDROOTS : : LIT UP
Power-house blues, Memphis soul, and roots rock’n’roll. Featuring the high-octane boogie piano and big soul sounds of vocalist and blues man Victor Wainwright, backed by one of the tightest smokin’ bands on the scene; the WildRoots.
 
Victor, along with producer/bassist/co-writer Stephen Dees have teamed up once again to deliver a blues and American roots ‘tour de force’. In short, they have scored another musical Bull’s Eye! On the heals of their critically acclaimed debut release “Beale Street to the Bayou”; their new CD “Lit Up” is poised to ignite blues fans with a freshness and  flair that’s infectious and impossible to ignore.
 
“Lit Up” Pure dynamite, set to explode, highly combustible, and ready to roll!
 
Click for more


CLASS AXE GUITARS CALABOGIE BLUES & RIBFEST ALLOWING RVS & POPUP TENTS AT FESTIVAL!
 
 
 
 
 
OTTAWA, Ont. (July 11, 2011) – It’s official, Class Axe Guitars Calabogie Blues & Ribfest is now Ontario’s only bluesfest to allow RVs and pop-up tents at their all weekend festival.  From August 12 to the 14th blues fans and ribbers can camp out and stay in the centre of the action all weekend.
 
Weekend tickets and weekend camping tickets are all available online at calabogieblues.com.  A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Blues in Schools and the Renfrew Health Services Village.
 
“This festival is just the beginning, it’s the first annual and we plan to be a part of summers in Calabogie for years to come.  We are proud to be able to stand out in the festival scene with our allowance of RVs and popup tents on site.  It’s going to be exciting!” said Ed Torres, C.E.O. of partner radio station, 101.9 DAWG FM.
 
The event will be complete with a beer garden, sponsored exclusively by Steamwhistle right by the main stage, a kids’ zone with face painting and rides, shopping, freebies and so much more.    
 
Lineup includes:  Kelly Prescott, Anders Drerup, Johnny Max Band, Al Tambay, Chris Antonik, Wild T and the Spirit, Guitar Explosion with Steve Strongman & Paul Deslauriers, Shameless Blues, Al Wood and the Woodsmen, Jesse Greene Band, MonkeyJunk, and headliner David Gogo!
 
 
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WWW.CALABOGIEBLUES.COM
     ###
Ed Torres                     
101.9 DAWG FM              
613-730-1019                                   

BIG SKY BLUES FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LINE-UP
The 2nd annual Big Sky Blues Festival is scheduled for August 6th and 7 th, 2011, and it has all of the makings to become another one of our annual major Blues Festivals in the Pacific NW region. Nestled in the mountains, on the Clark Fork River in Noxon, MT., just 2 hours N.E. of Spokane, this beautiful 60 acre site has unlimited parking, camping and RV space, as well as all of the outdoor and river related activities you could want at a summer festival.
 
 
Some of the regional bands scheduled for the 2nd annual Big Sky Blues Festival are, The Fat Tones, The Kenny James Miller Band, The Coyote Kings, The Nolan Garrett Trio, Big Mumbo Blues Band, The Mike Kelly Band, The Smokehouse Blues Band, RJ Knapp and the 21st Century Bluzmen, The Vaughn Jensen Band, The Randy Oxford Band and more. Pre purchase of tickets are $35 (on line  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/177940 or by phone, 1.800.838.3006; at the door, $40.
 
 
We invite you to join us August 6th and 7th at this very special location on earth. Sample this Blues Festival in its early years, as many of us did with established popular NW Blues festivals, when they were just getting started. You can look back 20 years from now and say "I attended and I even remember, the beginning of the Big Sky Blues Festival.”
 
 
Presented by BUZZ PRODUCTIONS.
www.BigSkyBluesFestival.Com and/or www.OxfordEntertainment.com

 
THE GAIA FESTIVAL ADDS NEW ARTISTS TO THE LINEUP!

THIS WEEK WITH BUDDY AND HOPKINS
 
Did you know that I do Custom Comic Strips and Comic Pages as gifts?
Great for "Super" spouses or Anniversary gifts!

TRAILER FOR UPCOMING MOVIE 'WE JUKE UP IN HERE' NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
We Juke Up In Here is a new film and music project from the makers of the award-winning blues movie M For Mississippi: A Road Trip Through the Birthplace of the Blues.
 
Slated for an April 2012 release (but available now for pre-order),  
Told through live music performances, character-driven interviews and rare on-camera blues experiences, viewers are taken below the surface of the quasi-legal world of real Delta jukes – while it’s still living and breathing. Mississippi’s juke joint culture may be at a crossroads, but as Red likes to say, “The Game’s for life . . . and that’s for damn sure!”
 
 
 
 
We Juke Up In Here follows producers Jeff Konkel and Roger Stolle as they explore what remains of Mississippi’s once-thriving juke joint culture. The film is told largely from the vantage point of Red Paden, proprietor of the legendary Red’s Lounge in historic Clarksdale, Mississippi. Paden, a true Delta character and jack-of-all-trades, has been running his blues and beer joint for more than 30 years – providing one of the region’s most reliable live blues venues and an authentic stage for a cavalcade of veteran blues performers, both legendary and obscure. We Juke Up In Here is a joint production of Broke & Hungry Records and Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art.

THE GAIA FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTS ADDED TO THE LINEUP!!!
 
LAYTONVILLE, CA. - MUSICIANS added to this year’s already stellar lineup include the highly anticipated Open Door project from Grammy-winning singer/songwriter India.Arie and Idan Raichel, the legendary R&B singer Aaron Neville, the hard-driving base-fueled funksters Galactic, deep funk and blues sound of The Funky Meters, the magnetic fusions of rock ‘n’ roll and West African sounds of Toubab Krewe, rocking blues and psychedelic tunes from John Trudell & Bad Dog, and DJ Shaman’s Dream – Craig Kohland.
 
 
MUSICIANS already announced include the soulful harmonies of The Mighty Diamonds, reggae icons The Wailers, funky danceable reggae grooves with Clan Dyken, one of the brightest new bands on the west coast festival scene Delhi 2 Dublin, the ultra-funky Orgone, Grammy nominated singer Sister Carol, Toubab Krewe’s fusion of rock 'n' roll and West African music, award winning Afrobeat ensemble Albino, the captivating sounds of Zili Misik, legendary Cuban-born singer and percussionist Bobi Cespedes, tight vocal harmonies of MaMuse, North Bay Bohemian pick for “best world bandDgiin, folk/blues singer Melissa Crabtree, musical adventurer DJ Dragonfly, plus Baraka Moon, Joanne Rand, north coast theatrical group Human Nature, and ancient soul arts drumming with the Sons & Daughter of Orpheus.
 
 
The Gaia Festival will include a series of connected villages and stages throughout the grounds featuring a wide array of workshops and presentations on sustainable living, social & environmental activism, alternative energy, green building technology, permaculture, healing arts, and world-class theater: Earth & Sky Stage – main stage in the central music meadow, Arlo Stage – proscenium stage nestled amongst ancient oaks, The Longhouse – riverside music and workshop stage, The Roundhouse – solar powered village, Medicine Wheel Lodge hosted by the Northern California Women’s Herbal Symposium – center stage in the medicine wheel village, plus a KidZone. There will also be plenty of great food & crafts provided by local non-profits and artisans featuring some of the north coast’s finest organic and sustainable products. U.S. Pure Water will be providing free drinking water, filtered on-site. Please bring a refillable container and break the plastic bottle habit. Help move The GAIA Festival towards our goal of zero-waste.
 
 
COMPLETE ARTIST LINEUP, SPEAKERS, & WORKSHOP SCHEDULES NOW POSTED. Visit www.TheGaiaFestival.com for all of the latest updates. Five stages, Four directions, Three days, Too much fun, One love!
 
Ticket Information: Single day tickets available. Festival Friends Package - 4 whole festival passes, including camping, $700 w/ no service fee. A $92 savings. CAMPING UPDATE: One-day ticket holders may buy an overnight camping ticket at the gate only. Overnight camping tickets will be sold for $10.00 per person/per night.. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.TheGaiaFestival.com

CALGARY BLUES FEST HAS FOUNDER FEELING UPBEAT
Michael Burkes
 
CALGARY, CANADA - Maurice Ginzer doesn’t hold back when he discusses the success of the Calgary International Blues Festival.
 
“Without sounding like an egoist here, our festival has been developing an absolutely stellar reputation as being one of the best blues festivals in North America,” says Bluefest producer and artistic director.
 
“And I stand behind it. The programming is good. We bring in some of the very best acts in the world.”
 
Ginzer founded the Blues Festival seven years ago, after holding a smaller event at his old club, Kaos Jazz & Blues, on 17th Ave. and says it’s grown by ‘leaps and bounds’ in recent years.
 
“A lot of people don’t really see it because we’ve moved,” he says.
 
The inaugural festival took place at Victoria Park in the Beltline before moving to Pumphouse Park near Crowchild Tr. N.W.
 
Last year, Bluesfest moved yet again, this time to the more expansive Shaw Millennium Park.
 
“Every time you move you take one leap back but three leaps forward,” says Ginzer.
 
“But even during those supposed leaps back we’ve still increased the audience size. Even though it’s sort of deceptive and people say, ‘Oh, it seems like there’s less people than last year.’ No, it’s grown every year.”

JAY LLOYD'S GETAWAY:WEEKEND BLUES FEST IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS
(Shemekia “Queen of the Blues” Copeland. Photo provided)
 
 
PALMERTON, Pa. (CBS) - This weekend, a celebrated Pocono Mountains event marks 20 years of captivating audiences.  But it has a new name and a new venue.
 
The Pocono Blues Festival becomes the Pennsylvania Blues Festival, and moves a few mountain ridges south, from Big Boulder to Blue Mountain.
 
As before, blues enthusiasts will find a full card of headliners, led by Cyril Neville, Otis Clay, and the “queen of the blues,” Shemekia Copeland (photo).
 
Weekenders will be camping within sight of the main stage, and scenic chairlift rides will be running all weekend.
 
Michael Cloeren, who has produced the festival since day one, notes that the food will match the mood.

CLASSIC BLUES VIDEO OF THE WEEK
JULY 29, 2011
 
 
Here is one man who probably needs no introduction. 
 
One of the greatest Blues singers and piano players regardless of what genre they put him in.
 
Check out Ray Charles in 1963 performing a real nice slow Blues. 
 
 
 

DOORS KEYMAN BREAKS ON THROUGH TO BLUES FESTIVAL
Ray Manzarek, left, and Roy Rogers will perform together at the Fargo Blues Festival on Friday night at Newman Outdoor Field. Special to The Forum
 
What: Fargo Blues Festival
When: Starts at 2 p.m. Friday and Noon Saturday
Where: Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15 Ave N., Fargo
Tickets: Tickets are $20 for a single day or two-day passes for $33 in advance. (218) 287-7775.
 
FARGO, ND – Music fans will hear different shades of the blues this weekend at Newman Outdoor Field.
 
The annual Fargo Blues Fest will feature some flashy electric blues from guitarist Tinsley Ellis, some deep blues from Delta-influenced slide-guitarist Watermelon Slim and the baby blues of Sena Ehrhardt – the sexy, young singer from Rochester, Minn.
 
Then there’s Friday’s headliner, who promises “Translucent Blues,” wanting to expand the audience’s minds and take them into the future.
 
Who better to do that than Ray Manzarek, the keyboardist who did the same thing with The Doors more than 40 years ago?

JAVIER COLON: FROM DEREK TRUCK'S BAND TO WINNER OF NBC'S "THE VOICE"
Stratford, Conn. - Javier Colon was Born in Stratford, Connecticut the son of a Dominican father and Puerto Rican mother. His father worked in a radio station. He went to Frank Scott Bunnell High School in Stratford, Connecticut, where he started writing songs. Then he pursued a degree in music education from the University of Hartford's Hartt School. While studying, Javier also performed as vocalist and percussionist in EmcQ, a soul/funk band led by lead guitarist Ian McHugh and mainly dedicated to the legacy of Stevie Wonder.
 
When EmcQ opened a show for the soul-jazz trio Soulive, the group's guitarist, Eric Krasno, was impressed by Javier's vocals and recommended him to his friend Derek Trucks, who he knew was looking for a lead vocalist for The Derek Trucks Band.  Following his college graduation and a successful audition in July 2000, Javier joined the Derek Trucks band in August 2000. Colon performed with Derek Trucks Band from 2000-2002 and appears on the group’s studio album Joyful Noise (he is credited with co-writing a few of the album’s songs, including its title track).
 
After nearly two years, Javier, then 24 years old, left in April 2002 to pursue a solo career.  However recently, he played some shows with Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi’s new band prior to his time on "The Voice".

SPOTLIGHT: JAMIE ANTHONY & RICHARD LUDMERER
MANHATTAN, NY - What do you do if you are a blues fans but not enough live blues in your area? DIY, of course. Jamie Anthony and Richard Ludmerer have begun producing Blues shows in Manhattan. They operate under the name Blues Disciples Productions and their mission is to bring Blues to the upper West Side of Manhattan. They are contracted to The Triad at 158 W. 72nd St. and they have filled
their theater which normally features off-Broadway productions. So far they have produced three shows, Kirsten Thien on April 20th; Albert Castiglia on June 23rd; and Gil Parris on July 14th. Their upcoming shows are:
 
8/9 Paul Oscher
8/24 Candye Kane
9/7 Tad Robinson
9/14 Nicole Hart
9/22 Sugar Ray Norcia
10/5 Debbie Davies
 
They are not in this for the money, but are working hard to try to enliven the Blues scene in Manhattan.  They fill a void that existed there.
 
For more information and to get tickets or make reservations go to www.triadnyc.com

BLUES GUITARIST JP SOARS RELEASES NEW CD
 
Ever since he won the 2009 International Blues Challenge and the Albert King Guitarist of the Year award in Memphis, JP Soars has found a new audience.
 
Thanks to the award that crowns the best unsigned blues talent, Soars has taken his music beyond South Florida. The IBC, as known to most blues fans, gave Soars and his band, The Red Hots, free promotion and a slot on major music festivals across the United States.
 
Blues lovers were introduced to Soars' unique blend of roots music, gypsy jazz, Latin rhythms and traces of heavy metal — Soars counts Django Reinhardt and Machito as major influences. Accolades followed.
 
"Winning the IBC opened tons of doors and continues to do so," Soars, 42, said from his home in Boca Raton. "It definitely propelled my career to another level."
 
The next level includes Soars' latest release "More Bees With Honey," a self-produced CD that has earned him, so far, a nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album of the Year from the Illinois-based, online Blues Blast Magazine and a spot on the "Pick to Click" favorites on BB King's Bluesville-Sirius XM Radio.

 
JOLIETT, ILL., OFFICIALS EYE SHUTTERED PRISON OF 'BLUES BROTHERS' FAME AS FUTURE TOURIST DRAW
 
JOLIET, Ill. — A massive limestone prison featured in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers" might have a future as a tourist destination if money can be found to renovate the structure, which has been shuttered and decaying for almost a decade, Joliet officials said.
 
The infamous Joliet Correctional Center already draws people from around the world who want a peek inside, a local tourism official said, but repairs and environmental remediation could cost tens of millions of dollars.
 
"I don't think there is another piece of property like this in the state of Illinois," state Sen. A. J. Wilhelmi, a Joliet Democrat, said during a tour he organized this week for almost 50 state and local officials and activists.
 
The group met afterward to talk about revitalizing the infamous prison, located along the old Route 66, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.
 
The Joliet prison opened in the 1850s, and inmates helped build the thick walls of limestone from local quarries. But since it closed in 2002, it has been left largely neglected and the target of vandals.


BUDDY GUY BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE:
      
 
 
Buddy Guy turns 75 on July 30th.  Elwood offers a birthday tribute.  Mr. Guy talks with Elwood about his legendary life in the blues.  Buddy Guy also hips us to a young blues prodigy, Quinn Sullivan.  And there is a new soulful CD from Michael Grimm, the 2010 America’s Got Talent winner.  In the giveaway department, Demetria Taylor, daughter of Chicago legend, Eddie Taylor, has released her debut CD, Bad Girl.  Five winners will take away a copy.   And one lucky picker can win a unique custom-made Jorma Kaukonen Model Martin Acoustic Guitar.  Register to win here.
 
 
 
For a list of stations where you can find House of Blues Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
Click Here
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 House of Blues Streaming Audio Here
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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
Big Bend Blues Bash
Thursday-Saturday, July 28-30
Pomeroy, Ohio, U.S.
link
Cape Fear Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, July 29-31
Wilmington, NC, U.S.
link
16th Annual Fargo Blues Festival
Friday-Saturday, July 29-30
Fargo, N.D., U.S.
link
Prairie Dog Blues Festival
Friday-Saturday, July 29-30
Prairie du Chien, WI, U.S. 
link
Mount Baker R&B Festival
Friday-Sunday, July 29-31
Bellingham, Washington, U.S.
link
Sun Flower Festival
Friday-Sunday, July 29-31
Freiberg, Saxony, Germany
link
Tall City Blues Fest
Friday-Sunday, July 29-31
Midland, Texas, U.S.
link
Pennsylvania Blues Festival at Blue Mtn, Valley Lodge
Saturday-Sunday, July 30-31 
Palmerton, PA, U.S.
link
Barrio Blues & BBQ
Saturday, July 30
Temecula, California, U.S.
link
5th Annual Peekskill Jazz & Blues Festival
Saturday, July 30
Peekskill, New York, U.S.
link
sky high blues festival
Saturday-Sunday, July 30-31 
Rock Creek. British Columbia, Canada
link
2nd Annual Symes Hotel Blues Festival
Saturday, July 30
Hot Springs, Montana, U.S.
link
StellarOne Beach Music Festival and Classic Car Show
Saturday, July 30 
Buena Vista, Virginia, U.S.
link
Calgary International Blues Festival
Monday-Sunday, August 1-7
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
link
Great Woods Music Festival
Thursday-Sunday, August 4-7 
Beausejour, Manitoba, Canada
link
Kitchener Blues Festival
Thursday-Sunday, August 4-7
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
link
The 24th International Notodden Blues Festival
Thursday-Sunday, August 4-7
Notodden, Telemark, Norway
link
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, Yvonne Varner, editor@bluesfestivaleguide.com

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

 
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