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Announcing our fabulous 21st Annual Blues Festival Guide cover and a sneak peek into some of the editorial stories
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 CORRECTION from last Issue:
Photographer Jon Naugle's image graces our 2023 cover photo at left.
We are so excited to share the brand new cover of our 21st annual Blues Festival Guide print magazine featuring the amazing Ori and Tierinii Naftaly of the multi-award-winning, GRAMMY®-nominated, and critically acclaimed band Southern Avenue.
The photo was captured by photographer Jon Naugle at the 2022 San Diego Blues Festival.
Order your very own 21st annual copy to be delivered straight to your door!
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls our magazine: "The roadmap to everything blues."
From the desk of our Blues Festival Guide magazine Editor, Irene Johnson:
Here's an editorial sneak peek into our issue that's due for release soon. Enjoy!
• Living Legend: Leon Blue / By Dan D. Harrell Everything that Leon Blue is on stage, he is in real life. Meet the man behind the legend in this exclusive interview with Mr. Blue for the Blues Festival Guide.
• Partners in Love & Blues / By Michele Lundeen What would it be like to work with your romantic partner? In this feature, we asked blues couples to give us the inside scoop on how they balance business, love and the blues.
• Capturing Magic & Passion - Blues Photogs at Work / By Mark Thompson Photographers at every blues festival capture moments, creating a visual montage that allows blues fans around the world the opportunity to experience the festival. Get to know some of these unsung heroes!
• Cast Your Vote for the Blues Blast Music Awards - Blues music thrives thanks to its fans, and the Blues Blast Music Awards give fans the opportunity to voice their favorites!
• Eight on the Eighty-Eight / By Reverend Billy C. Wirtz The Rev is back to highlight eight ivory ticklers every blues fan should know!
• Just Like Your Mama Did: Cookin’ Onboard the LRBC with Bobby Rush and Mizz Lowe / By Kaati Gaffney, BFG Publisher Between their comedic dialogue, colorful innuendos and delicious recipe for garlic butter shrimp and cabbage stir fry dish, there’s lots to savor!
• Storytellin’ Blues Dig Deep / By Gaye Adegbalola Gaye schools us on contemporary blues story-songs – always, of course, with a bit of humor!
And more!
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Wrapping up Photo Moments with the 20th BFG Magazine!
Our 21st Annual is coming right up!!
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 Florida blues peeps are checking in! In the top photo is Blues Music Award nominee Chris Cain (left) and North Central Florida Blues Society president Rob Richardson (right) after Cain's sold-out show at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, FL.
Chris Cain is a 10-time Blues Music Award nominee, a world-renowned blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, with more than three decades of worldwide touring and 15 acclaimed albums.
In the bottom photo we have Villages Blues Society (VBS) President Mark Adams and VBS Vice President Marcia Adams. This photo was taken at one of the society's many sponsored and promoted shows for professional traveling  blues musicians. Check out this list of past VBS shows.
Top Photo Dr. Jules Gliesche
Bottom Photo Gordon Bulcock
It's time to ORDER your 2023 Annual Magazine *ONCE YOU GET IT, SEND US A PIC WITH IT! BFG clients, contact your sales rep for your own copy!
Anyone can Order here! Once you receive, have fun, get creative and SNAP A PHOTO of you, your friends, and/or artists, etc. with the BFG magazine and EMAIL photo, caption (100 words or less), URL if applicable, and photo credit to e-Guide editor!
The Blues Foundation is official sponsor of the 20th Anniversary Blues Festival Guide!
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Tickets on Sale for the 33rd Annual Billtown Blues Festival
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 (HUGHESVILLE, PA) - Just a few months until the 33rd Annual Billtown Blues Festival at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville, Pennsylvania. Tickets and camping packages are on sale now. Be sure to get your tickets now as prices will be increasing.
Artists appearing include Laurie Morvan, Altered Five Blues Band, Tony Holiday, Ben Levin featuring Lil’ Jimmy Reed, Mark Hummel featuring Anson Funderburgh, Jimmy Carpenter, JP Soars Gypsy Revue featuring Anne Harris, Uptown Music Collective Blues Band, Friends of The Brothers, and Ben Brandt & The Soul Miners Union.
- Thurs, June 8th: Camper Line Up at 3pm until 9pm (No Music Thursday Night)
- Fri, June 9th: Camper Line Up at 12:30pm /Gates 5pm/ Music 6pm-10:30pm
- Sat, June 10th: Gates 11am / Music 12pm-10:30pm.
(Times may change as circumstances dictate)
You can bring a standard size lawn chair, umbrellas (may be used only between performances), canopies, and don’t forget sunscreen. Absolutely NO glass (entire grounds are used for horse shows and 4-H animal exhibits following the festival), no pets (except documented service dogs), no BBQ grills (except in restricted camping areas), no weapons, no illegal substances, and no lasers, drones, and Chinese lanterns.
Check the website and Facebook for further and updated details. https://www.billtownblues.org/festival
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Rufus Thomas Book Event & Dance Party May 12
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 (MEMPHIS, TN) - Come together May 12 at the Stax Museum Of American Soul Music (926 East McLemore Ave.), Memphis, Tennessee for an exciting book event celebrating the life of the legendary Rufus Thomas, the funkiest man alive, in Matthew Ruddick's latest biography. This event is free to the public.
They will have a DJ playing Rufus’ best-known songs, deep cuts, and other Memphis dance hits. The author will give a short reading and then be available for signing books. Soul & Spirits Brewery will be on hand to share the newest version of their “Green Onions” beer brewed especially for the Stax Museum’s 20th anniversary.
Rufus Thomas is widely regarded as the patriarch of Memphis R&B, and his music has influenced three generations. From the earliest blues, the segregated minstrel shows, and the birth of rock ’n’ roll through to the emergence of R&B and funk, Rufus Thomas saw it all. In Funkiest Man Alive: Rufus Thomas and Memphis Soul, Matthew Ruddick reveals the amazing life and career of Thomas.
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Exit 56 Blues Fest Celebrates its Blues Pioneers
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 (BROWNSVILLE, TN) - The Exit 56 Blues Fest is celebrating the legacy of the Country Blues in the hometown of Blues Pioneers “Sleepy” John Estes, Hammie Nixon and Yank Rachell. Join them Saturday May 27th, 10am-6pm and Sunday May 28th, 11am-5pm at the Delta Heritage Center, 121 Sunny Hill Cv, in Brownsville, Tennessee.
Performances will be by local and regional Blues men and women TBA. A special Women in Blues showcase happens on Saturday.
While they continue to be a free event, they ask that you signify your intent to attend by “purchasing” a virtual ticket to helping them better prepare for another great festival. Donations are always accepted.
Check their website and Facebook for updates and details.
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2nd Manomet Blues Festival June 25
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(PLYMOUTH, MA) - The 2nd Manomet Blues Festival will feature Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish, Diane Blue All-Star Band, and the Delta Generators, June 25 at John Alden Sportsmen's Club, 16 Minuteman Lane, Plymouth, Massachusetts. The venue has a huge field, complete natural setting, and a shade pavilion that can hold 200+ folks. There will be a cash bar and BBQ available.
Scanning Eventbrite tickets starting at 11:30am and showtime is 1pm-6pm. The admission for the shows is $30 General and $25 in advance on Eventbrite. Venmo is available and an ATM will be on site. The festival is family friendly and 15 years old and under are free.
There will be plenty of Parking. No coolers or outside alcohol allowed.
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Which Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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#39 Mexican Riviera: Book Now! 95% Sold!
#40 Western Caribbean: Soldout - Join Waitlist
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Sailing OCT 28~NOV 4, 2023
on Holland America’s ms Koningsdam from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan & Puerto Vallarta.
LRBC #40
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Sailing JAN. 28~FEB. 4, 2024
on Holland America’s ms Nieuw Statendam from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Cayman, Roatán, Honduras & Costa Maya, Mexico.
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LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE
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Our Headliners Stay & Play They Don’t Hit & Run!
Best Blues Experience on the Planet! |
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Featured Video of the Week
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Laurie Morvan “Gotta Dig Deep”
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The Mighty Soul Drivers :: I’LL CARRY YOU HOME
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 Drummer, singer and blues DJ River City Slim formed The Mighty Soul Drivers with singer-songwriter and New England Music Hall Of Fame inductee Bob Orsi in 2012, featuring the classic soul sounds of Memphis, Muscle Shoals, and all points South. The group’s second album, I’ll Carry You Home, celebrates a decade of their collective joy and energy for this music, showcasing seven new original tunes along with four carefully chosen covers.
The band opens the album putting their own bump and grind spin on the showstopper cover "I Can't Get Next to You." Orsi penned the title track "I’ll Carry You Home" as an homage to love songs of yesteryear. "Party By The Tower" takes us back to the day when blues legend James Cotton held court at the historic Shaboo Inn and inspired a generation to dedicate themselves to the blues. Orsi talks about living on the edge during the driving "A Little Bit Of That." There’s a faithful reading of soul queen Betty Harris’ signature song, "Cry To Me," and "I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog" from the Bobby "Blue" Bland catalog.
New England Music Hall Of Fame inductee guitarist Paul Gabriel drops in a tasty solo as special guest on the funkified "Cold Cold Night" and Orsi has fun delivering "Tell Daddy," the original version of the Muscle Shoals classic most associate with Etta James that was first recorded by Clarence Carter. Slim's bittersweet "Parking Lot Blues," echoes the classic cheating songs of James Carr and Little Johnny Taylor. Keyboardist Donovan leads with his honkytonk piano on the swinging "Piece Of My Pride." Orsi and Donovan co-wrote album closer, "Dressed To Kill," as an East Bay funk-styled theme song for The Mighty Soul Drivers, spelling out the bands MO as sharply dressed soul men on a mission.
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• Mississippi Valley Blues Society co-presents May 7
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 (DAVENPORT, IA) - Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy play Davenport's Best Western Steeplegate Inn, 100 W 76th St., in Davenport, Iowa on May 7th.
The concert is co-presented by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS).
Born and raised in the Englewood neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, the Reverend has been playing the blues since 1971.
Admission to the 3pm event is $12 for MVBS members and $15 for non-members. A $10 taco bar and beverages will also available for purchase.
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Just In Case... plus Holidays & Birthdays
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 • April: "Int'l Guitar Month"
• May 1st "May Day"
Traditionally, May 1st is the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice!
• May 14 "Mother's Day"
Birthdays upcoming of note:
April 26-Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (1886-1939), Johnny" Shines (1915-1992), J. B. Hutto (1926-1983), Mike Finnegan (1945-2022); April 27-Ann Peebles (1947), Michael Ledbetter (1985-2019); April 29-Big Jay McNeely (1927-2018), Otis Rush (1935), Frankie Lee (1941), April 30-Rev. Gary Davis (1896-1972 pictured), Mabel Scott (1915-2000), Frankie Lee Sims (1917-1970), Jimmie Lee Robinson (1931-2002); May 1-Big Maybelle Smith (1924-1972), Little Walter Jacobs (1930-1968), Ada Brown (1890-1950), Carlton Armstrong; May 3 Homesick James (1914), James Brown (1933 ); May 5 Blind Willie McTell (1901), Johnnie Taylor (1934-2000); May 6-Shaun Murphy; May 8 Joe Bonamassa (1977), Robert Johnson (1911-1938); May 9 Bob Margolin (1949), A.C. Reed (1926–2004); May 10-Ted Bogan (1909-1990), Larry Williams (1935-1980); May 11-Kansas Joe McCoy (1905–1950); May 12-Barbara Dane (1927), Guy Davis (1952); May 13 Stevie Wonder (1950), Ana Popovic (1976); May 14-Grady Gaines (1934-2021)
 Just in Case: April 30 is "International Jazz Day." Jazz blossomed in African-American communities in the South in the 1800s— born from blues and ragtime. While it it's its own genre on many levels, many think that Blues is Jazz. Some artists are considered both, or jazzy blues, for instance Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, W.C. Handy, Louis Jordan, Nina Simone. Many contemporary artists considered might be Mose Allison, Duke Robillard, Robben Ford, and more.____________________________________
Missed your Weekly e-Guide?
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Billboard #1 Blues Albums
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Billboard & iTunes #1 Blues Album - as of April 27, 2023
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 #1 Billboard
JOE BONAMASSA
Tales of Time
#1 iTunes
JOE BONAMASSA
Tales of Time
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BFG Twitter-Instagram-Facebook
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Join Blues Freaks at our Tweeter feed & on Instagram
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Hey, come on over and Join 14.3k+ Blues Freaks at our TWITTER feed @BluesFestGuide
___________________________________________
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Over 183K blues fans can't be wrong!
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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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Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival
Apr-29-2023
Bessemer, Alabama, USA
Kwadendamme Bluesfestival
May-04-2023 - May-07-2023
Oost-Souburg, Netherlands
Moulin Blues Festival in Ospel
May-05-2023 - May-06-2023
Stenenbrug, Netherlands
Topanga Blues Festival
May-06-2023
Topanga, California, USA
DC Blues Festival
May-07-2023
DC, Washington, USA
Lincoln Blues, Rhythm
& Rock Festival
May-6-2023
Lincoln, United Kingdom
Gator by the Bay
May-11-2023 – May-14-2023
San Diego, California, USA
Carolina Blues Festival
May-20-2023
Greensboro, North Carolina USA
Simply Texas Blues Festival
May-20-2023
San Angelo, Texas USA
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| | For more festivals &
events plus tons of links
please checkout our website
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Exit 56 Blues Fest
May-27-2023 - May-28-2023
Brownsville, Tennessee USA
10th Annual Big Island
Jazz & Blues Festival
Jun-01-2023 – Jun-03-2023
Kailua Kona, Hawaii, USA
Orangeville Blues
& Jazz Festival
June 2-4
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Billtown Blues Festival
Jun-09-2023 – Jun-10-2023
Hughesville, Pennsylvania, USA
Central Virginia Blues Festival
Jun-10-2023
Afton, Virginia USA
2nd Manomet Blues Festival
June-25-2023
Plymouth, Massachusetts 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 20 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.
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Fair Use Act statement and disclaimer
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Hey blues lovers! Got 
