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Photo Moment with the 23rd Annual BFG Magazine!
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 Here's the uber talented, lovely, passionate, and yes, hilarious award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, recording artist Janiva Magness following her appearance at the SoCal Jazz & Blues Festival in Murrieta, California.
We were thrilled to be treated to her performance filling in for an ailing Beth Hart. She more than rose to the occasion, and no doubt made a ton more new fans. Raw, defiant, honest, heartfelt, she pours heart and soul into every note, every lyric, and gesture — this woman is on fire on... and off stage.
Photo: Michele Lundeen
• ORDER your 2025 Blues Festival Guide print magazine for a small shipping charge. Then take a picture of yourself, friends, and/or artists, etc. with the BFG magazine... have fun! Send photo with caption (100 words or less), photo credit, and URL if applicable to michele@bluesfestivalguide.com
*BFG clients, contact your sales rep for your n/c copy!
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23rd Annual Blues Festival Guide magazine!
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls BFG: "The roadmap to everything blues."
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Debbie Bond :: LIVE AT THE SONG THEATER
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 "We are so excited to be releasing our latest recording world-wide!" shared Debbie Bond and partner "Radiator" Rick Asherton. "Currently we are on tour in France and soon heading to the UK to do our thing on the blues circuit there."
"Earlier this year, we thought it was time to release a live recording – and we done did it! Live At The Song Theater was recorded with our musicians in Alabama in an intimate performance venue, run by two blues musicians! Please find us on your favorite streaming platform or purchase your copy here."
Here’s what the critics are saying:
"Raw, emotional, fiercely driven, expertly presented, this is classic blues meeting 21st Century understanding, and it is undeniably stunning. Five Stars"
- Ian D. Hall, Liverpool Sound and Vision
“Highly recommended!” - Brian Harman, Blues in the South, UK
“The recording places the listener onstage amongst the musicians, loneliness gets no stage pass tonight.” - Dave Gallaher, Talkin' the Blues with Microwave Dave, WLRH FM / WJAB FM, Huntsville AL, USA
“. . . an artist who gives herself without counting with a group that is perfectly united and which lets the feeling and the fun fully express themselves from the first to the last note.” - Fred Delforge, ZicaZic.com, France
Website
Purchase
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Denmark’s premier blues and soul festival, Blues Heaven
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 (FREDERIKSHAVN, DENMARK) - The 19th edition of Denmark’s multi-award-winning
Blues Heaven Festival will create a spectacular atmosphere where audiences and top musicians come together for 14 unforgettable concerts. The premier blues and soul festival will be held October 3-4 at the iconic Arena Nord in Frederikshavn and will feature 50 musicians from 9 nations, many American GRAMMY® and Blues Music Awards (BMA) winners.
Friday’s Headliners include Canned Heat, legendary kings of blues and boogie who’ve made an unforgettable impact for over six decades. Celebrating their 2024 album Finyl Vinyl, they’re embarking on one final European tour, featuring an exclusive show at Blues Heaven!
Canadian guitar ace Colin James is a powerhouse of blues, rock, and soul artist. With 20 acclaimed albums, 8 Juno Awards, and 31 Maple Blues Awards, Colin blends fiery guitar work with heartfelt vocals and unmatched stage charisma.
Saturday’s Headliners include Rick Estrin & The Nightcats led by the charismatic Rick Estrin, renowned for his dazzling harmonica skills and sharp wit. Joined by guitar wizard Kid Andersen, multi-talented Lorenzo Farrell, and dynamic drummer D’Mar Martin, the band has won multiple Blues Music Awards, including “Band of the Year.”
Muddy Waters's eldest son, Mud Morganfield, brings his rich and authentic blues heritage to Blues Heaven. With a voice strikingly similar to his father’s and a deep passion for traditional Chicago blues, Mud has carved out an acclaimed career, earning multiple Blues Music Awards.
Also appearing are John Primer & Giles Robson (US/UK), Earl Thomas (US), Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado (DK), The Cinelli Brothers (UK), Sari Schorr (US), Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton (US), Krissy Matthews (UK/NO), Boogie Boys & The Retro Funk Horns (PO), Sweet Marta & Johnny Bigstone (SE/DK), and The Blue Benders (SE). Hosted by Mr. Blues himself, Paul Benjamin (US), returning for his seventh time!
Visit the website for additional information about artists, transportation, accommodations, and tickets.
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Labor Day Weekend at the Kitsap Blues Music Festival
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 (BREMERTON, WA) – The 2nd annual Kitsap Blues Music Festival happens August 29 - August 31, Labor Day Weekend, at the Kitsap Fairgrounds in Bremerton, Washington. Enjoy a variety of incredible blues artists, BBQ, concessions, beer and wine gardens and more. Only 21+ admitted.
Artists appearing include Eric Gales, Kingfish, Shemekia Copeland, Duffy Bishop, Ally Venable, Blues Beatles, and Zach Pearson and more.
Single Day, Weekend, VIP, General Admission passes are for sale. First come, first served RV and tent camping . All campers must purchase a festival weekend pass. No single night camping.
The Kitsap Blues Music Festival is a joint project of Bremerton’s Admiral Theatre Foundation and the Kitsap Fair and Stampede Association, both 501c3 nonprofit organizations.
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Buddy Guy ain't done with the Blues yet!
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 Buddy Guy has just recently taken his 89th trip around the sun while continuing to share his musical gifts to the world. The latest gift was presented to us at his birthday/album release party at Buddy Guy's Legend's in Chicago.
The solo album, Ain’t Done With the Blues, also features guests including Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton, Joe Bonamassa, and The Blind Boys of Alabama, among many others.
"The old school blues legends, like Muddy Waters and B.B. King, would say, 'Man, if you outlive me, just keep the Blues alive,’ and I’m trying to keep that promise,” says Guy.
Born in 1936 into a sharecropper family in Louisiana, George "Buddy" Guy has become a legend of his time winning multiple awards, including six Grammy Awards for both contemporary and traditional blues. Guy's musical history is long and storied and you owe it to yourself to research his journey if you aren't familiar.
And now, even at 89, Guy shows no signs of slowing down. He's currently on tour, and you can bet he's keeping the blues alive, just as promised.
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Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience
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 (KANSAS CITY, MO) — Morgan Freeman and the Kansas City Symphony are getting ready to bring the Blues to the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts. It’s “Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience.”
“It’s going to merge two different genres that seem to work very well together,” Freeman said.
Actor Freeman is also the co-founder of Ground Zero Blues Club in Mississippi. Meier is his business partner.
“You’ve got the power of a cinematic icon and arguably the world’s greatest storyteller narrating this in a cinematic capacity,” Meier said.
Freeman will narrate, weaving cinematic storytelling through the “Symphonic Blues Experience.”
The production blends raw, soulful sounds of Mississippi Delta Blues with the power of a full symphony orchestra. “This is as much music as it is education about the history of this genres over a 100-year period,” Meier said. “And our arc of the story starts in the 1930s and brings it all the way to contemporary times.”
Rupal Gor with the Kansas City Symphony said there will also be a live Q&A with Freeman.
Kansas City is one of the first shows of more than 20 set across the United States. Meier said the majority of musicians on stage are under 40, noting Blues is alive and well.
“It’s very encouraging for a young artist that’s coming along and thought about playing blues music, will give them another emphasis to stay with this genre,” Freeman said.
The shows are on Sept 2-3 at 8pm. Find tickets here.
KSN-TV/Regan Porter & Brian Dulle
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Clarksdale's Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival
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  (CLARKSDALE, MS) - August is John Lee Hooker Month and the Delta Blues Museum welcomes all 2025 Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival fans to come visit the Museum and celebrate with them! The festival runs Aug 8-10 and all John Lee Hooker items are specially priced for August.
John Lee Hooker was born near Clarksdale Aug 22, 1912, and raised in the Delta. Follow The Hook's life and times at the museum's "Explore and Learn" feature about his “endless boogie,” and check out the JLH souvenirs in the museum's Gift Shop.
Clarksdale, Mississippi's Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival is so legendary, the Museum has it's own special exhibit area dedicated to it, as well as a Sunflower Festival Chronology on the Museum's website.
Appearing Fri Aug 8th as part of the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival on the Delta Blues Museum Outdoor Stage at 1 Blues Alley are four acts, and on Sat. Aug 9th there will five acts plus the Festival Awards presentation.
On Sun. Aug 10 on the The Delta Blues Museum Outdoor Stage it's Gospel Day.
The museum will be open on Sunday from 1:30pm-5pm.
Check the festival site for the full schedule, which also covers multiple stages and locations.
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• Blues Lovers United of San Diego Youth Camp Success
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 (SAN DIEGO, CA) - Blues Lovers United of San Diego held their 2025 Youth Blues Summer Camp July 28-Aug 1. The 23 students between the ages of 10-17 were taught a selected variety of 12 Blues-based songs over the course of the week, by 8 pro-musicians/counselors. The successful finale concert happened Friday Aug 1st to a full house.
Of the 16 songs, one was a beautiful A Cappella version of a Tom Waits song sung in harmony by two of the vocal students, one was Gary Moore's version of "All Your Love (I Miss Loving)" by four students, one was "Paranoid" by another four students as a tribute to Black Sabbath (whose early sound was deeply rooted in the blues, with a strong influence from bands like John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Cream). The all-star counselors also performed Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" building it up from slide guitar before counselors joined onstage one by one to kickoff and deliver the Eric Clapton/Cream version.
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Artists, Blues Societies and Blues Fans Mark Your Calendars
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Which Cruise Hits Your Groove?
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#45 MX Riviera Prebooking Now!
#43 Sea of Cortez Oct 2025: SOLDOUT Join Waitlist
#44 Eastern Caribbean Jan 2026: SOLDOUT Join Waitlist
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 Legendary Rhythm& Blues Cruise
#45 Mexican Riviera
Oct. 31 ~ Nov. 7, 2026
PREBOOK NOW!
San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta & Mazatlan on Holland America’s Koningsdam.
 A $500 per cabin (not per person) fully-refundable deposit holds your space in line to book a cabin.
Detailed instructions on how you may select your stateroom, the Legendary lineup, and final pricing will be included in the official announcement (likely in November)
or call (816) 753-7979
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Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
#43 SEA OF CORTEZ
Oct 25 ~ Nov 1, 2025
Sailing on the Holland America Koningsdam from San Diego, CA to Cabo San Lucas, Loreto, and La Paz, MX
SOLD OUT!
Join Waitlist!
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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)
SOLD OUT!
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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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Tommy Castro - "Can't Catch A Break"
2025 BMA Winner "Blues Rock Artist
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Birthdays & Just In Case...
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Just In Case... plus various upcoming Holidays & Birthdays
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 AUGUST: • American Artist Appreciation Month
“To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try."– Rosa Parks
Birthdays: Aug 7-Magic Slim Morris Holt (1937–2013), Annika Chambers-DesLauriers (1992); Aug 8-Joe Tex (1933-1982), Jimmy Witherspoon (1920–1997), Robert Randolph (1977), Lady Bianca (1953); Aug 9-Trudy Lynn (1947); Aug 10-Ronnie Spector (1945), Grego "Mojohand" Anderson (1968), Leo Fender (1908-1991), Mighty Mike Schermer (1966); Aug 11-"Crying" Sam Collins (1887-1949), Aug 12-Percy Mayfield (1920-1984), Roy Gaines (1934-2021), Albert Castiglia (1969); Aug 13-Jimmy McCracklin (1921-2012); Aug 14-Dylan Triplett (2000); Larry Graham (1946), Son Seals (1942-2004); Aug 15-Buster Brown (1911-1976), Jackie Brenston (1930-1979), Bobby Byrd (1934-2007), R.L. Boyce (1955-2023 pictured); Aug 16-Eddie Kirkland (1928-2011), Melvin "Lil' Son" Jackson (1915-1976); Aug 17-Luther Allison (1939-1997); Aug 18-Reverend Pearly Brown (1915-1986); Aug 19-Earl Gaines (1935-2009); Aug 20-Issac Hayes (1942-2008); Aug 21-Count Basie (1904-1984); Aug 22-John Lee Hooker (1912-2001), Debbie Davies (1952)
 JUST IN CASE: August 12 is "National Vinyl Record Day." Also known as a phonograph record, the first vinyl ever created was by American inventor Emile Berliner in the 1890s (by the way, thanks to Thomas Edison for the phonograph player itself)! By 1895, record players were released to the masses, but soon became dominated by the rise of radio.
Though record players still sold well in the ’30s and ’40s, it wasn’t until the ’60s and ’70s that the golden age of records reached its peak. I imagine some of you had a full-on collection of your favorite records. Not sure where it cam from, but this Bobby Blue Bland vinyl was one of my life changers.
Digging through record bins has been/could be an exciting pastime on any given day. Or finding gems at yard sales was also cool. Just don't forget and leave in a got car all day! Ack!
Surprisingly vinyls have made a comeback in recent years. We do like to bring back favorite nostalgic things don't we? Or maybe we want to try and sell old vinyl? But alas, value of course, is in the eye of the beholder.
 August 13 is "International Left Handers Day!" Being a left hander myself, it often cracks me up when people excitedly point that out. But I suppose it is a bit of an anomaly since us left-handers make up only about 10% of the world population (according to people who have too much time on the right and left hands). Many of us lefties are also ambidextrous.
As far as some blues-related musicians who are/were left handed the list includes guitarists Otis Rush, Barbara Lynn, Toronzo Cannon, Gary Moore, Little Jimmy King, Eddie Clearwater, Coco Montoya, and Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten who also played banjo.
Jimi Hendrix played left-handed but wrote right-handed, Albert King played a right-handed Gibson Flying V upside down, Eric Gales is naturally right-handed but plays left-handed. Dwane Allman and Dick Dale were left-handed but played right-handed and Eric Clapton is left-handed and plays right-handed.
Left-handed bassists include Danielle Nicole and Paul McCartney, who also plays guitar, mandolin ukulele and trumpet!
Left-handed drummers include Buddy Miles, and Ringo Starr who is left-handed but plays a right-handed drum kit, leading with his left hand.
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Missed your Weekly e-Guide?
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#1 Blues Albums This Week
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Billboard & iTunes #1 Blues Albums - as of Aug 7, 2025
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#1 Spotify
JOE BONAMASSA
Breakthrough
#1 iTunes
JOE BONAMASSA
Breakthrough
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Your Blues Roadmap is digital, too!
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Blues Festival Guide magazine also in Digital Format
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Enjoy 82 pages of blues entertainment, education, history, lifestyle, and festivals! Zoom in/out, forward, download a pdf, share articles, email the link to a friend. Excellent editorial, plus the bells and whistles of our digital format, are a rewarding reading experience. Click, Read, Enjoy!
Use our annual to plan your blues music calendar, find industry news, revisit blues history, and connect with the greater blues community.
Our cover photo by Marilyn Stringer features the charismatic Chicago blues man, Lil' Ed Williams. Listen to some great Chicago blues while perusing the digital magazine! TURN UP YOUR SOUND to hear Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials song, "Whiskey Flavored Tears."
If you'd like a print copy please click below to order and we'll ship it to you.
• Click HERE to order your 2025 Blues Festival Guide print magazine, mailed to you for a small shipping charge. *BFG clients, contact your sales rep for your copy!
Peace & Music from Team Blues Festival Guide,
Kaati, Heather, Michele, Joana, Irene & Goran
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RBA Publishing Inc. | P.O. Box 920, Arcata, CA 95518 | Call/Text: 775-846-8238 | Email
Blues legend Bobby Rush calls BFG: "The roadmap to everything blues."
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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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Tony Mart Presents
Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk AC
July-16-2025 - Sep-03-2025
Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Nanaimo Blues Festival
Aug-07-2025 - Aug-10-2025
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Kitchener Blues FestivalAug-07-2025 - Aug-10-2025 Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Howth Roots
and Blues FestivalAug-08-2025 - Aug-10-2025 Dublin, Ireland
Waukesha Blues FestAug-08-2025 - Aug-09-2025 Delafield, Wisconsin, USA
In The Market For BluesAug-08-2025 - Aug-09-2025 Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Springfield Jazz
& Blues FestAug-08-2025 - Aug-09-2025 Springfield, Ohio, USA
Bayfront Blues FestivalAug-08-2025 - Aug-10-2025 Duluth, Minnesota, USA
Sunflower River Blues
and Gospel FestivalAug-08-2025 - Aug-10-2025 Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Gloucester
Blues FestivalAug-09-2025 Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA
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events plus tons of links
please checkout our website
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Anson B Nixon Park
Roots and Blues Festival
Aug-09-2025
West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
Chenango Blues Festival
Aug-14-2025 - Aug-16-2025
Norwich, New York, USA
Madison Ribberfest
BBQ & Blues
Aug-15-2025 - Aug-16-2025
Madison, Indiana, USA
White Mountain
Boogie and Blues
Aug-15-2025 - Aug-17-2025
North Thornton, New Hampshire, USA
Southern Indiana
Blues Festival
Aug-21-2025 - Aug-23-2025
Bean Blossom, Indiana, USA
Harbour Blues & Roots Festival
Aug-22-2025 - Aug-24-2025
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Swing Wespelaar
Aug-22-2025 - Aug-24-2025
Wespelaar, Belgium
Crossroads Blues Festival
at Lyran Park
Aug-23-2025
Rockford, Illinois, USA
North River Blues Festival
Aug-23-2025 - Aug-24-2025
Marshfield, Massachusetts, USA
Downtown Tacoma
Blues & Jazz Festival
Aug-23-2025 - Aug-24-2025
Tacoma, Washington, USA
Peoria Blues &
Heritage Music Festival
Aug-29-2025 - Aug-30-2025
Peoria, Illinois, USA
Kitsap Blues Music Festival
Aug-29-2025 - Aug-31-2025
Bremerton, Washington, 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
2150 Western Ave., Arcata, CA 95521775-846-8238
We welcome 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 1995, is a boutique, music-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. 45,000 weekly subscribers, we have been blues industry leaders since 2003. Please contact us at 775-846-8238 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 simply 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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CLICK TO READ THE 2025 DIGITAL MAGAZINE
