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Photo Moments with the 22nd Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's Barbara Newman (lt), the former President and CEO of the Blues Foundation, past KBA recipient, the widely published and respected photographer and publisher Joe Rosen, and real estate photographer and co-founder and co-producer of the Forgotten Blues Festival, Sara Negri-Whitmer during the Blues Hall of Fame and Blues Music Awards week in Memphis.
Photo: Marilyn Stringer
Order your very own 2024 Blues Festival Guide now! Take a picture of yourself, friends, and/or artists, etc. with the BFG magazine... have fun with it! Send pic via email with a caption (100 words max), URL if applicable, and photo credit to michele@bluesfestivalguide.com.
BFG clients, contact your sales rep for your own copy!
The Blues Foundation is official sponsor of the 22nd annual Blues Festival Guide print magazine!
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls BFG: "The roadmap to everything blues."
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Annual BFG Magazine Early Bird ad offer here
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 Artists, promoters, labels, festivals, etc., here’s your once-a-year advertising opportunity to appear in our 23rd annual Blues Festival Guide (BFG) print magazine.
The magazine hits the streets April 2025. Our BFG Early-Bird Discount allows you to save money by ordering and paying for your ad space by December 20, 2024 (artwork isn't due until March). Our popular, annual magazine makes a great marketing vehicle for you all year long.
75,000 copies of the magazine will be distributed for free throughout U.S. and Canada to festival promoters, club owners, music and book stores, labels, booking agents, bands, etc., and of course… blues fans! Thousands more are mailed to subscribers. Readers enjoy many pages of festivals, blues history and lifestyle, industry highlights and editorial content to keep them connected to the Blues.
Contact us today for early bird pricing and more details:
Call: 707-630-3304 - Text: 775-846-8238 or Email
Of course, year-round online advertising opportunities are also available. We can also help you build a custom campaign with online and social media elements added for maximum exposure! Blues Festival Guide has the largest blues database in the world!
We’re proud that our annual Blues Festival Guide was a KBA recipient for "Print Media." Bobby Rush has even called us, "The roadmap to the Blues!"
Advertising with us is easy, affordable, and fun! We love what we do and live to share all that’s Blues related. Our Team is here to help you with your marketing, advertising, publicity, and graphics needs. We're looking forward to hearing from you soon to save you some money.
Happy Holidays,
Kaati, Michele, Heather, Joana, Goran and Irene
Contact us today: 707-630-3304 - Text: 775-846-8238 or Email
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The Blues Foundation Celebrates 2025 KBA Recipients during IBC Week
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 (MEMPHIS, TN) - The Blues Foundation kicks off its 40th year by honoring the 2025 Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award recipients during International Blues Challenge (IBC) week, January 7–11, 2025.
The esteemed KBA Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing the art and commerce of blues music.
This year's honorees include:
• The Rhythm Room
• Cincy Blues Society
• Blues Blast Magazine
• Charlie Hussey
• Big Ed's Blues Jam
• Little Steven's Blues School
• Jefferson Street Sound Museum
• Ryszard Gloger
The honorees will be celebrated at the KBA Awards Brunch on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Hyatt Centric Hotel on Beale Street. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased here.
The KBA ceremony is part of IBC Week, which begins with International Showcase performances on historic Beale Street on Tuesday, January 7, and concludes with the Finals at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, January 11. The IBC brings together over 1,000 musicians from around the globe to compete, connect, and celebrate blues music, with  additional showcases, jams, panels, workshops, and master classes taking place throughout the week. For event details, tickets, and information about discounted hotel rates, visit the website or via email.
The Blues Foundation, based in Memphis, TN, is dedicated to preserving blues heritage, celebrating blues performance, and expanding worldwide awareness of the genre. Signature programs include the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame Inductions, International Blues Challenge, and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards. The Foundation also supports musicians through the HART Fund and fosters the next generation of blues talent with Blues in the Schools and Generation Blues Scholarships.
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Winterfolk Blues & Roots Fest 2-for-1 offer exp. Dec 25
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(TORONTO, ON, CA) - Toronto's Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival marks it's 21st year and there's a 2-for-1 sale on 3-Day Passes! This offer expires Dec 25, 2025 at midnight. Limit 4 tickets per order.
The festival is happening February 14, 15, 16, 2025 in Toronto, Canada and features an more than 100 artists on multiple stages.
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New YouTube Podcast Series of “Chess Tales” Narrated by Marshall Chess debuts Dec 13
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 (NEW YORK, NY) – After its inaugural launch in the fall by Marshall Chess, son of legendary Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess, along with his son Jamar and partner Richard Ganter, the Chess Records Tribute Channel announces a December 13 start of “Chess Tales,” a new, weekly five-part podcast series narrated by Marshall Chess. The series will bring to life more behind the scenes stories from this seminal roots music label.
The new series consists of Marshall Chess telling the stories behind the featured video clips and well as the music in four parts, with a total running time of 52 minutes. It will include stories about Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, The Rolling Stones, the Psychedelic era and many more. Marshall Chess hinted that it may also possibly be a part of a new audio book of “Chess Tales” they are considering producing this winter.
The Chess Records Tribute Channel is a “one-stop shop” outlet for vintage video music clips for genres ranging from Blues, Soul and Jazz, to Rock ‘n ‘Roll and Gospel.
The channel boasts to date over 500 videos under several key genres that Chess was famous such as Blues, Rock, Gospel, Soul, Jazz and Comedy, plus key Chess artist playlists where you get the most exclusive and rare videos seen on YouTube, refreshed every few days with new videos. The channel also offers special films and features over 70 exclusive podcasts by Marshall Chess, produced with Richard Ganter, and further boasts special films and features.
There was only one seminal African American label. There was only one Leonard Chess, the legendary co-founder of Chess Records.
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Sandy Beaches 2026 Presale now open!
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 30th celebration of the Sandy Beaches Cruise, sailing January 11-18, 2026 out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Nassau, Key West, and Half Moon Cay, opens to the public on Thurs, Jan 30th, 2025. For those who are not booked on the 2025 cruise, registration for the 2026 Sandy Beaches Cruise Presale is now open!
Register now for your chance at early cabin access before they open sales to the public! Not only will you have a shot at the best cabin selection, but you’ll also receive the lowest early-bird cabin rates.
You must register by 11:59pm ET on Tuesday, Jan 7th, 2025 to secure a spot for our 24-hour presale window. The 24-hour booking window will begin at 9am ET on Weds, Jan 29th, 2025.
Find more important details for the presale event and register here.
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Bluesy Holiday Gift Ideas...
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 Here's some Bluesy holiday gift ideas:
• Gift someone their favorite band's merch (CDs, Digital downloads, clothing, etc.) This in turn “gifts” the artist by purchasing their items!
• Delta Blues Museum gift shop has exclusive, logo-branded items to Crossroads souvenirs.
• B.B. King Museum gift shop for Delta and Mississippi-made products and souvenirs.
• Passes to the Blues Foundation or help someone with travel costs.
• Gift someone a cabin or a special package on a Blues cruise...
Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruises, Sandy  Beaches Cruise,
The Big Easy Cruise
• Blues Concert or Blues Festival tickets and/or festival merch (see our web Festival listings under “Calendar” for ideas)
• Charity donation in recipient name
• MusicMaker Foundation Gift shop or donate to help programs that work to sustain the health and creativity of roots musicians
• Shop and/or donate to the non-profit Little Village Foundation who support the work of underrepresented musicians
• Donate to support the efforts of the Soulsville Foundation (Stax Museum of American Soul and Music, Stax Music Academy, The Soulsville Charter School)
• MojoHand's store includes Posters, fine art, clothing and much more!
• Cathead Delta Blues & Folk Art in Clarksdale has tons of gifts from the heart of Clarksdale.
 • Gift a Blues Society membership and/or merch. FYI, here's a list of Blues Foundation society affiliates.
• Checkout the Blues Foundation's store for books, CDs and the gift of a membership, etc. You can also donate to the Hart Fund, etc.)
• Google "blues books" and you'll find hundreds of Blues-related books (whether printed, digital or even some audio).
• Gift Ad space in our 23rd annual Blues Festival Guide magazine or our weekly e-Guide newsletter for a blues artist, event, or product. Get details via email or BFG website.
Alrighty then! What’s a cool music related gift you'd like to give or get?
Suggestions are welcomed.
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 The BluzNdaBlood Show #451, Blues "Yule" Love, 2024 will get you in a bluesy, festive Christmas mood. Click the image at left to get yourself some Blues "yule" love! Then look into buying the artist's music! Cheers!
Intro Song – Sonny Williamson I, “Santa Claus”, The Best of Blues: Christmas Collection
First Set - Buddy Guy, “Home For Christmas”, Unreleased Single - Tomislav Goluban, “Ho Ho Christmas”, Single -Chris Daniels & The Kings, “Happy Xmas”, Single
Second Set - Billy Thompson, “Christmas Love”, Single - Lisa Biales, “That’s What I Like About Christmas”, Lisa Biales At Christmas - Eden Brent , “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”, An Eden Brent Christmas with Bob Dowell
Third Set - Jennifer Porter, “Winter Wonderland”, Single - Lara Tate, “Merry Christmas Baby”, Single - Vaneese Thomas, “Peace and Goodwill”, Single
Fourth Set - The Reverend Shawn Amos, “Santa Claus Gonna Make It Right”, Single - Rosedale Junction, “Sleigh Bell Blues”, Single - Mick Kolassa, “Merry Christmas Baby”, Uncle Mick’s Christmas Album - Mabel Scott, “Boogie Boogie Santa Claus”, Boogie Boogie Santa Claus-An R&B Christmas
(Image by Michael Allen/Cross Roads BLUES Gallery)
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• No Jersey Blues Society IBC Fundraiser Dec 28
• Cascade Blues Association IBC Sendoff & Fundraiser Jan 5
• Villages Blues Society Blues Jam Jan 8
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 (STANHOPE, NY) - Join the North Jersey Blues Society in backing the Nitro Blues Band as they raise funds for their Youth Showcase at the prestigious International Blues Challenge in Memphis this January! The event will be held Dec 28 at the Stanhope House, 45 Main St., Stanhope, New Jersey starting 7pm. Your generous donations will play a crucial role in supporting their journey and covering essential travel expenses.
 (PORTLAND, OR) - The Cascade Blues Association presents their sendoff party and final fundraiser Sun Jan 5th from 12-4pm at Blue Diamond, 2016 NE Sandy Blvd., in Portland, Oregon for the CBA winners' Journey to Memphis. Performing will be Ty Curtis and Taylor Newville, Dave Fleschner, The Fenix Project, TJ Wong and Brady Goss, and Beacon Street Titans. There will be a Raffle and Silent Auction.
 (WILDWOOD, FL) - The Villages Blues Society House Band, The Blues Generators (and Guests), present a Blues jam at Rohan Recreation Center In Wildwood, Florida on Jan 8th for the first show of 2025.
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* BLUES SOCIETIES*
Send us your Event info so
we can share with readers
(max 125 words). Toot your horn, promote and support your talented regional artists.
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Which Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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#42 Eastern Caribbean Jan 2025: Soldout! Join Wait List
#43 Sea of Cortez Oct 2025: Open Cabin Sales start Dec 13
#44 Eastern Caribbean Jan 2026: Pre-Book Now
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#42 SOLDOUT!
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
EASTERN CARIBBEAN
JAN 26 ~ FEB 2, 2025
Sailing on the Holland America Rotterdam from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
to Tortola (BVI), St. Thomas (USVI) & Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic).
or call (816) 753-7979
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PRE-BOOK NOW!
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
#43 SEA OF CORTEZ
OCT 25 ~ NOV 1, 2025
 Sailing on Holland America’s Koningsdam from San Diego, CA to Cabo San Lucas, Loreto & La Paz. A $500 fully-refundable deposit per cabin holds your space in line. Open cabin sales begin Dec 13th 11am CST. Additional passengers may be added once you select your stateroom. (816) 753-7979 to prebook early and receive priority cabin selection!
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PRE-BOOK NOW!
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #44 EASTERN CARIBBEAN
Jan. 24 ~ 31, 2026
Sailing on the Holland America Nieuw Statendam from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to St. John (USVI), St. Maarten & Half Moon Cay (Bahamas Private Island). A $500 fully-refundable deposit per cabin holds your space in line. Detailed instructions announced in early April. Additional passengers may be added once you select your stateroom.
(816) 753-7979 to prebook early and receive priority cabin selection!
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LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE
Our Headliners Stay & Play... They Don’t Hit & Run!
Best Blues Experience on the Planet! |
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Various Artists :: BLIND RACCOON HOLIDAY SAMPLER
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 Once again Blind Racoon delivers us a variety of some fun and festive holiday fare. The 2024 Blind Raccoon Holiday Sampler features 12 seasonal tunes of Blues, Roots, Pop, Jazz and Gospel.
Artists featured on the album include Billy Thompson, Buddy Guy, Chris Daniels & The Kings, Debbie Bond, Jennifer Porter, Laura Tate, Mark Cameron, Stacy Jones, The NEW Bardots, The Reverend Shawn Amos, Tomislav Goluban, and Vaneese Thomas.
 "Peace And Good Will"
Vaneese Thomas
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Big Harp George - "Where'll I Be For Christmas?"
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Birthdays & Just In Case...
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Just In Case... plus various upcoming Holidays & Birthdays
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 • DECEMBER: THE MONTH OF GIVING!
• Dec 16-24 Las Posadas
• Dec 23 Festivus
• Dec 25 Christmas
• Dec 25-Jan 2 Hanukkah
• Dec 26-Jan 1 Kwanzaa
Birthdays: Dec 12 Joe Williams (1918-1999), Lonesome Sundown (1928-1955); Dec 13 Lurrie Bell (1958 pictured), Lucky Peterson (1964-2020); Dec 15 Andrew “Big Voice” Odom (1936), Mark Hummel (1955), Nick Moss (1969); Dec 16 Billy Gibbons (1949); Dec 17 James Booker (1939-1983), Paul Butterfield (1942-1987); Dec 18 Pee Wee Crayton (1914-1985), Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (1917-1988), Lonnie Brooks (1933-2017), Arthur "Peg Leg Sam" Jackson (1911-1977), Rod Piazza (1947); Dec 19 Professor Longhair (aka Henry Roeland Byrd) (1918-1980); Dec 20 Walter "Wolfman" Washington (1943-2022), Mitch Kashmar (1960), Tom Hambridge (1960); Dec 21 Peetie Wheatstraw (1902-1941), Carla Thomas (1942); Dec 22 Lil Green (1919-1954), Liz Mandeville
 Just in Case: "National Violin Day" is December 13. The first violin documented was said to made in 1555. I don't know if there's a "fiddle" day but I'm going to just say this is one and the same.
Notable Blues fiddle players include Papa John Creech, Bo Chatmon, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Big Bill Broozy, T-Bone Walker, Lonnie Johnson (recognized as the first to play an electrically amplified violin), Don "Sugarcane" Harris, Henry "Son" Sims, and currently, and of course the amazing Anne Harris.
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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 Dec 12, 2024
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 #1 Billboard
B.B. KING
B.B. King In France:
Live At The 1977 Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival
#1 iTunes
THE TESKEY BROTHERS
Run Home Slow
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Get Ready to Blast Your Music with E-Blasts!
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Click the image above for our rate card. We're here to serve! |
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Have your 2024 Blues Festival Guide print magazine?
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 Click HERE to order your copy of the 2024 Blues Festival Guide print magazine shipped directly to you for only a small shipping/handling charge.
(BFG clients, reach out to your BFG reps for your copy).
The annual features industry happenings, blues history, lifestyle, entertaining and educational features, and dozens of blues festivals to help you plan your calendar!
You can also peruse the 2024 Blues Festival Guide Magazine Digital Edition online with a simple click in the outside margins. Listen to "Soul Doctor." by cover photo artist Jimmy Carpenter. Plus find hyperlinks throughout!
Cover photo by Marilyn Stringer
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls the BFG: "The roadmap to everything blues."
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Join Blues Freaks at our X feed & Instagram
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 Hey, come on over and Join 14k+ Blues Freaks at our
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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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Allman Betts Family RevivalDec-12-2024 - Dec-21-2024 SC - KY - MO - TN
WA - CO - NV - CA USA
Clarksdale's New Years WeekendDec-31-2024 Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Keeping The Blues Alive Awards
Jan-10-2025 Memphis, Tennessee USA
International Blues ChallengeJan-7-2025 - Jan-11-2025 Memphis, Tennessee USA
New Orleans
Cigar Box Guitar Festival
Jan-16-2025 - Jan-18-2025
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
Clarksdale Film & Music Festival Jan-24-2025 - Jan-26 -2025 Clarksdale, Mississippi USA
Lehigh River Blues JamFeb-01-2025 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
South Orange
International Blues Festival
Winter Edition
Feb-7-2025
South Orange, New Jersey, USA
Cincinnati Winter Blues
Experience VI
Feb-08-2025
Mason, Ohio, USA
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| | For more festivals &
events plus tons of links
please checkout our website
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Pigz in Z Hills BBQ & Blues Fest
Feb-08-2025 Zephyrhills, Florida, USA
Winter Blues Fest
Feb-14-2025 - Feb-15-2025 Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival
Feb-14-2025 - Feb-16-2025
Toronto, Canada
Vero Beach Blues Festival
Feb-15-2025 - Feb-16-2025
Vero Beach, Florida, USA
Poulsbo Blues & Jazz FestivalFeb-25-2025 - Feb-26-2025 Poulsbo, Washington, USA
St. Kilda Blues Festival
Feb-28-2025 - Mar-02-2025
St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
Keeping the Blues Alive At SeaMar-21-2025 - Mar-26-2025 Miami, Florida, USA
19th Blues By the SeaApr-13-2025 Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA
33rd Springing The BluesApr-4-2025 - Apr-6-2025 Jacksonville Beach, Florida USA
Baton Rouge Blues FestivalApr-4-2025 - Apr-6-2025 Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA
New Orleans
Jazz & Heritage FestivalApr-04-2025 - May-04-2025 New Orleans, Louisiana USA
22nd Annual Juke Joint Festival
& Related EventsApr-10-2025 - Apr-13-2025 Clarksdale, Mississippi USA
French Quarter Festival
Apr-10-2025 - Apr-13-2025
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
Tampa Bay Blues Festival
Apr-11-2025 - Apr-13-2025
St. Petersburg, Florida 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 22 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.
To ensure delivery please set up your spam filters to allow mail from
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Fair Use Act statement and disclaimer
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