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Photo Moments with the 21st Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's guitarist and singer Jimi "Primetime" Smith after a performance at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Arizona. Smith, who is now based in Mesa, Arizona, often performs, tours and has recorded with the award-winning harpman, Bob Corritore. The Jimi "Primetime" Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band features a variety of top artists.
Billed as The Chicago Blues Trio, Smith along with Bob Corritore and Oscar Wilson (Cash Box Kings) recently wrapped a Fall European tour.
A Chicago native, Jimi's mother was Johnnie Rae Dunson (aka Smith) a drummer, songwriter and manager for Jimmy Reed in the 50s. Jimi was mentored not only by Reed but other greats at the time like Hubert Sumlin, Willie Dixon, Eddie Taylor and more. Over the years he's performed and recorded with and backed many top bluesmen.
Photo: Marilyn Stringer
ORDER your own 21st 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 21st Annual Blues Festival Guide!
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Lucky 13th Walla Walla Guitar Festival
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 (WALLA WALLA, WA) - It's the “lucky” 13th annual Walla Walla Guitar Festival and it's happening March 8, 9, 10. Get ready for three days and thirty acts in 13 venues, all within walking distance in downtown Walla Walla, the heart of Washington Wine Country.
It's a weekend showcase of Blues, Rock, Jazz, Funk and Americana from across the country. This year the festival is featuring Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes, The Laurie Morvan Band, a reunion of Too Slim and (the original) Taildraggers, RB Stone, plus a ton of regional and local favorites.
Tickets, plus Motel/Festival packages and more information can be found here.
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Pressing “Play” In Clarksdale
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 (CLARKSDALE, MS) - The historic little town of Clarksdale, Mississippi, presses "play" on a brand-new, curated collection of movies, music, and special guests at its 14th annual Clarksdale Film & Music Festival, happening January 26-28.
"The Clarksdale Film & Music Festival specializes in Mississippi-connected and blues-themed films as well as incredible live music performances," said artistic director Roger Stolle. "We bring in some fascinating guests and do our best to highlight movies and music that best reflect the history and culture of the 'Land Where Blues Began'."
This year's "pop-up" movie theater is inside Stone Pony's Tack Room at 226 Delta Ave. on Friday 3pm-8pm and Saturday 11am-8pm. The festival's main music venue is Bluesberry Cafe at 235 Yazoo Ave. on Sunday 1pm-4pm.
"We have an impressive roster of filmmakers traveling to Clarksdale to present their work from places like Brazil and Canada plus New York, Nashville, New Orleans and beyond," says Stolle.
Highlights include the world premiere of new works starring or created by award-winning musicians like James "Super Chikan" Johnson and Jimbo Mathus. Mississippi and Clarksdale premieres include acclaimed new films such as The Blues Society, African Reasons, Born in Chicago, King Bee and a special SFJAZZ at Home Charlie Musselwhite/Elvin Bishop concert film. Collections of music videos and student work will also be presented. Of course, since it is Clarksdale, there is already live blues music seven days a week at various clubs and restaurants.
Festival tickets are available at the door, and are only $5 per day or $10 for a Weekend Pass thanks to the generosity of the event's main sponsors.
Film and Music Festival schedule and more details can be found on the website.
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Toronto’s Blues Summit 11 & The Maple Blues Awards
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(TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA) - Blues Summit is a conference creating opportunities for the blues community to personally connect with key leaders in the industry, and attend professional development seminars, working meetings, and showcase concerts. The bi-annual Blues Summit, presented by the Toronto Blues Society, is the largest meeting of blues artistic directors in Canada with representatives from over 30 top draw blues festivals and blues societies across Canada and the U.S., and Europe.
The Summit features 30 showcase performances, seminars, networking events, and a welcome reception. Delegates include musicians, DJs, record label reps, festival artistic directors, journalists, promoters, and blues societies.
Blues Summit 11 events and panels will be held Feb 9-12 at The Chelsea Hotel 33 Gerrard Street West Toronto, Ontario. Tickets and details can be found here.
The Summit will culminate with the 27th Annual Maple Blues Awards on February 12th at 7pm at The Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410, Sherbourne St. in Toronto.
The Maple Blues Awards honor the finest artists in Canadian Blues. Featured performers so far include Matt Anderson, Blackburn Brothers, Angelina Hunter, Brandon Isaak, and host Quisha Wint. Details on the Maple Blues Awards and the 2024 Nominees can be found here.
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 January is, among other things, "National Eye Care Month." This brought to mind many of the blind blues artists from the past.
It was a tough life for a blind person, especially in the early days of poverty, blatant racism and disease. Many of them, unable to work the only jobs available to them that mainly consisted of manual labor, learned how to play an instrument and became corner blues artists as a means to try and support themselves.
Some ended up being recorded. Names such as Blind Willie Johnson (pictured), Blind Willie McTell, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind John Davis, Sonny Terry, Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Teddy Darby, Blind Joe Reynolds, Sleepy John Estes, Blind Joe Taggart, Reverend Gary Davis, and Snooks Eaglin come to mind.
Some were born blind or became very soon after, while some were blinded by accidents (or sadly deliberate), some were blinded by diseases (venereal disease, smallpox, measles, glaucoma, etc.) that had no cure at the time, some were blinded by altercations (gunshot, rocks). Certainly, malnutrition may have played a part. It was a bleak existence for many, so the fact that they actually were recorded and/or signed to a label like Paramount Records is amazing, although that didn’t assure them consistent financial gain in the long run and many died in poverty. A few made it big and still influence artists to this day.
A few other more contemporary blues-roots based, blind artists include the late Jeff Healey, and Ray Charles, the soulful Stevie Wonder, and The Blind Boys of Alabama (the majority of whom are or were vision impaired.)
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• Triangle Blues Society Sunday Jams
• Port City Blues Society Wednesday Jams
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 (CARRBORO, NC) - The Triangle Blues Society’s presents a Monthly Blues Jam on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 4-7pm at Speakeasy Carrboro, 100 E Main St., in Carrboro, North Carolina.
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(PINE BLUFF, AK) - The Port City Blues Society holds their Blues Jam every Wednesday at RJ's Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St., in historic Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Doors open at 7pm and music starts at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!
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Which Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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Mississippi Shakedown ::
SOMETHING COMES INTO MY MIND (single)
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 Mississippi Shakedown have just released “Something Comes Into My Mind,” the third single from their upcoming album, Mississippi Shakedown QLD.,” due to be released in February 2024. In typical Mississippi Shakedown style, the track is a rockin’ little ditty, full of distorted guitars, swingin’ like a palm tree in a hurricane.
Initially it sounds like a nice little love song — to quote the lyric, “Something comes into my mind, when I think of your love.”
“Oh” you say, “I know what’s coming next in the lyric, let me see, um…warmth, appreciation, kindred spirit, gooey emotions, heart a-flutter, flowers-rings-chocolates.”
Yeah – Nah!
The lyric continues… “Like an earthquake, a rattlesnake, that’s what comes into my mind”… oh dear!
Mississippi Shakedown is the 3-piece combo is award-winning producer, engineer, songwriter Mississippi Jeff Cripps (guitar, vocals, keys, mandolin), Louis Cheng (bass), and Jan Cripps (drums), with special guests appearing on the album. If you don’t like "dirt" you won’t like Mississippi Shakedown they say. Dirt as in old school distortion from guitar and amps. Nothing new was used on this 6th album, states the band. “We used old microphones, old guitars, old drums and cymbals, and old amplifiers.”
All five of their previous albums have been in the Top 5 on the Australian Blues Charts.
"Something Comes Into My Mind"
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Blackburn Brothers "Walking in New, New Orleans"
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Just In Case... plus upcoming Holidays & Birthdays
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 • Australia Day Jan 26
"Hard times ain't nothing that music won't heal..."
Birthdays: Jan 19-Henry Gray (1925-2020), Janis Joplin (1943-1970), Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (1936-2011), Christone "Kingfish" Ingram (1999); Jan 20-Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter (1888-1949), Luther Tucker (1936-1993); Jan 21-Snooks Eaglin (1936-2009), Richie Havens (1941-2013), B'nois King (1943), Wolfman Jack (1938-1995 DJ extraordinaire), Zora Young (1948 pictured); Jan 22-Hammie Nixon (1908-1984), Sam Cooke (1935-1964), “Blind” Willie Johnson (1897-1945), Teeny Tucker (1958); Jan 24-Aaron Neville (1941), Johnny B. Moore (1950), John Belushi (1949-1982), Beth Hart (1972), John Henry "Guitar Shorty" Fortescue (1923-1976); Jan 25-Sleepy John Estes (1899-1977), Etta James (1938-2012); Jan 26-Huey "Piano" Smith (1934); Jan 27-Andrew "Smokey" Hogg (1914-1960), Elmore James (1918-1963), Bobby "Blue" Bland (1930-2013)
 Just in case:
• Jan 20th is "National DJ Day" to celebrate the work of disc jockeys everywhere. In the 1940s, Sonny Boy Williamson No. 2 (Rice Miller) brought the blues to audiences throughout the Delta via his live broadcasts from KFFA in Helena, Arkansas, and later from WROX in Clarksdale, WAZF in Yazoo City, and other stations. WDIA in Memphis had Maurice “Hot Rod” Hulbert, Riley ”B.B.” King (the "Beale Street Blues Boy"), Rufus Thomas, and of course longtime DJ, Sonny Payne at KFFA. Wolfman Jack (XERB "The Mighty 1090" and XERF and more) was a West Coast favorite playing blues, rock n' roll and, rhythm & blues.
Tip of the iceberg!
• January 21 is "Thank Your Mentor Day." We all have people that have come  into our lives in one way shape or form and have made a difference. Besides the obvious of family and longtime friends, or those few very special and unique friends, I could think of so many musicians who have moved me over the years — who have helped me, and transformed me into a stronger, more enlightened individual.
Musicians and the music.
Music is a healer and a mentor for real.
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Missed your Weekly e-Guide?
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Billboard #1 Blues Albums
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Billboard & iTunes #1 Blues Album - as of Jan 18, 2024
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 #1 Billboard
KENNY WAYNE
SHEPHERD
Dirt On My Diamonds
Volume 1
#1 iTunes
ROBERT JOHNSON
The Complete Recordings
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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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International Blues Challenge
Jan-16-2024 - Jan-20-2024
Memphis, Tennessee USA
Cigar Box Guitar Festival
Jan-18-2024 - Jan-20-2024
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Go Mexico Tequila
Rock 'n Blues Explosions Fest
Jan-19-2024 - Jan-28-2024
Zihuatanejo & Ixtapa, Mexico
South Orange International
Blues Festival - Winter Edition
Jan-27-2024
South Orange , New Jersey, USA
Winter Blues Fest
Jan-27-2024
Lancaster, Ohio, USA
Winter Blues Fest
Feb-09-2024 - Feb-10-2024
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Cincinnati Winter Blues
Experience V
Feb-10-2024
Mason, Ohio, USA
Pigz in Z Hills BBQ & Blues Fest
Feb-10-2024
Zephyrhills, Florida, USA
Mahindra Blues Festival
Feb-10-2024 - Feb-11-2024
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival
Feb-16-2024 - Feb-18-2024 Toronto, Canada
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| | For more festivals &
events plus tons of links
please checkout our website
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Poulsbo Blues & Jazz Festival
Feb-24-2024
Poulsbo, Washington, USA
Vero Beach Blues Festival
Feb-24-2024 - Feb-25-2024
Vero Beach, Florida, USA
St. Kilda Blues Festival
Mar-01-2024 - Mar-04-2024
St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
24th Annual Blues Café
Mar-08-2024 - Mar-09-2024
Rothschild, Wisconsin, USA
Superstition Blues &
Brews Art Festival
Mar-09-2024
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
Blues Bash at the Ranch
Mar-15-2024 - Mar-17-2024
Bradenton, Florida, USA
Woodystock Blues Festival
Mar-23-2024 - Mar-24-2024
Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA
Springing The Blues
Apr-05-2024 - Apr-07-2024 Jacksonville Beach, Florida, USA
Tampa Bay Blues FestivalApr-12-2024 - Apr-14-2024 St Petersburg, Florida, USA
Milwaukee Blues FestivalApr-19-2024 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Buffalo Blues & Roots FestivalApr-20-2024 Buffalo, NY, New York, USA
SoCal Blues & Jazz FestivalApr-20-2024 - Apr-21-2024 Murrieta, California USA
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21st Annual Blues Festival Guide magazine
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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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