I don't need no drummer. I set the tempo.
-- Bessie Smith --
See Video and Bio below in "OBS Prowls the 'Net So You Don't Have To!"
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In This Issue: APRIL 23, 2026
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We have 2 ALL ACCESS PASSES to the
Eureka Springs Blues Party to raffle off on 4/23!
Stay for the entire festival, including the OBS Big Blues Jam to close out Saturday night in the ballroom!
Need tickets to the festival?
AND DON'T MISS THIS FOR THE SATURDAY NIGHT OPENING AT THE AUDITORIUM!
Blues Party Tribute
Honoring the Cate Brothers
Followed by Dumpstaphunk,
and at 9:30,
the Big Blues Jam with the
Ozark Howlers and special guests!
 This year opening the Saturday night Auditorium show, the Eureka Springs Blues Party proudly honors the legendary Cate Brothers Band—a group whose story is deeply intertwined with the very fabric of this music-loving town. For decades, brothers Earl Cate and Ernie Cate have not only shaped the Arkansas music scene, but have helped define the sound and spirit of blues in Eureka Springs itself. The Cate Brothers are more than performers here—they are part of the tradition. Having played well over a dozen Eureka Springs Blues Festivals and hundreds of shows throughout this uniquely creative community, their music has echoed through the hills, filled historic venues, and brought generations of fans together.
Their sound—rooted in Southern soul, blues, and rock—has always felt right at home in Eureka Springs, a town that celebrates authenticity, artistry, and musical storytelling. That connection runs even deeper through one of the town’s most iconic musical moments—when Levon Helm of The Band joined the Cate Brothers on stage in the historic ballroom of the Basin Park Hotel.
This tribute is more than recognition—it’s a heartfelt thank you. A thank you for the miles traveled, the songs shared, and the role they’ve played in building Eureka Springs into a true destination for live music. Their legacy is not only found in recordings or accolades, but in the memories made on stages across this town and in the countless musicians they’ve inspired along the way.
Celebrating the Cates from the stage with a 45-minute tribute will bring together family members, longtime bandmates, and friends, featuring Dawn Cate, Jessie Dean, John Davies, Dave Renko, Darren Novotny, and Brad James—while the Blues Festival donates the front rows of the Auditorium to share with friends of the band.
Dumpstaphunk will follow the tribute of the Cates with a funk celebration and at 9:30, the Big Blues Jam..
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OBS BLUES THURSDAYS
AT MUSIC DEPOT!
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Remember to enter your name on Blues Thursdays in April at the Music Depot for a chance to win an All Access Pass to Eureka Springs Blues Party!
There are 2 to raffle off! Winner drawing on 4/23, must be present.
*****
THURSDAY BLUES SHOWS & JAMS SCHEDULE
4th Thurs 4/23: Blues Jam with Oreo Blue!
followed by a guest feature from School of Rock!
#letsjam #keepthebluesalive #bluesmusic
Members, need to renew? Click on the website link:
*****
NEW CD RELEASE -- BUDDY SHUTE
HEADIN' BACK TO MEMPHIS
Available for purchase at Spinneymedia.com
and for listening/download on all streaming services.
HEADIN' BACK TO MEMPHIS is a part of a journey... wandering the back roads.... returning to where you started from after seeing what all is out there.... picking up things along the way..... leaving some behind...
HEADIN' BACK TO MEMPHIS is made up of 14 songs Buddy Shute picked up along the way.... 11 of these are original tunes... 2 co-written with Brenda Baskin who is featured on the topical song I TOLD YOU SO.... there is a traditional tune and 2 covers, one each by song masters Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits....come share this journey back to Memphis.... |
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Please enjoy the following listings comprised of bands, venues, and/or organizations that support Ozark Blues Society of NWA (and vice versa).
ALL BLUES ARTISTS - For an individual listing, provide us with your Events Page link, and/or submit upcoming gigs in time for the publication prep deadline every Wednesday to:
Pub On The Bricks
This Friday, the Howard Mahan Band from Kansas City,
8-11pm, $5 cover
Saturday, Blew Reed & the Flatheads, 8-11pm, No Cover
Individual Listings Here:
Los Roscoes (at the Gravel Bar on Thursdays in Eureka Springs)
ROD STEWART -- APRIL 22nd at the AMP
NOT IN NWA, BUT COME ON, IT'S ZZ TOP!!!
BONNER SPRINGS, KS - APRIL 25TH
GOV'T MULE AT THE OZARK MUSIC HALL
FAYETTEVILLE AR, APRIL 29TH
BLUE MONDAY JAM AT MORANO'S, MAY 4, 6:30-9:30PM
BRICK FIELDS CINCO DE MAYO DINNER CONCERT MAY 5
PINETOP PERKINS FOUNDATION BOOGIE, MAY 9
GROUND ZERO, CLARKSDALE, MS, 3PM-???
featuring a performance by DELTA DIVAS with
NWA's own Diane Rudolph and Liz Lottmann,
Also with Charlotte Taylor, Tina Cossey, Josh Parks, LaLa Craig, Prayer Bailey, Meaza Joy, and many others...
BLACK CROWES & WHISKEY MYERS AT THE AMP, MAY 19
KOREY McKELVY BAND & PATTI STEEL BAND
GEORGE'S MAJESTIC LOUNGE, JUNE 11
BOB DYLAN! BOB DYLAN! BOB DYLAN! AT THE AMP JULY 3
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VENUE and PUBLICATIONS LISTINGS, many featuring Blues and Jazz performances and jams:
George's Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville
Gravel Bar, Eureka Springs AR
Magnolia House Events
Morano's Bar & Grill, Fayetteville AR
Music Depot, Rogers
Music Education Initiative
NWA Jazz Society Events
Ozark Music Hall, formerly JJ's Live
Park House Kitchen and Bar, Siloam Springs
Railyard Live at Butterfield Stage, Rogers
The Momentary, Bentonville
Pub on the Bricks (FB page)
Club 509, Fayetteville
Blues Festival Guide
The Free Weekly Events Listing
Submit Dates or Website Show Links for Regional Blues Artists and Groups Events Here:
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LISTEN UP! Blues, Roots & Rock on NWA Radio, Online and Broadcast
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Did you know? We have three Blues and Roots radio shows right here in NWA! And a classic rock radio show, that often features NWA and native Arkansan's musicians. Listen on KASU-FM 91.9 and streaming globally on KASU.org, on the TuneIn Radio App, or by telling your smart speaker of choice to play KASU.
DJ RJ is your host on Saturday mornings at 10AM, on KOBV 103.3, for a deep dive into the Blues. Here's where to livestream it:
NWA DJ RJ LIVESTEAM LINK-SATURDAYS AT 10AM
Here's the main website:
NWA-BENTONVILLE RADIO PLAYS BLUES
Arkansas Roots airs weekdays noon to 1:00 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 3:00 p.m. Your hosts are Marty Scarbrough and Mike Doyle. On the Arkansas Roots show, you can submit your own music for consideration for airplay. Details for submission are at this link:
ARKANSAS ROOTS SUBMISSION INFO
6 Degrees of the Delta airs Sundays at 5:00 p.m. Your host ever Sunday is LaDawn Lee Fuhr. The idea for the show is that all modern music can be connected back to the Delta through 6 people or less. Based on small world theory and 6 Degrees of Separation, #6DegreesoftheDelta will provide good music with a good story and rich history to be enjoyed by everyone.
Each Sunday night at 8:00, long-time area radio personality Dennis Rogers shares progressive rock music on the program Mr. Rogers’ Rock Collection.
 Wanna listen to great Blues artists, and learn all about them, too? Our friend from Jonesboro, Arkansas not only plays the music, but writes bios, and links videos. Check him out and give him some propers!
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Uncle B.B. wants you!!!
We have opportunities for sponsorship on many different levels, all with excellent benefits. Find out more via email:
OZARK BLUES SOCIETY OF NWA!
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Dig Jazz???
See What's Up with NWA Jazz Society...
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Our Sister Society, the NWA Jazz Society, is up to some good stuff! Check out their events, join, and sign up for their newsletter here:
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OBS Prowls the 'Net So You Don't Have To!
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This week's featured Blues Legend:
BESSIE SMITH
From Wikipedia:
Bessie Smith began forming her own act around 1913, at Atlanta's "81" Theater. By 1920, she had established a reputation in the South and along the East Coast. At the time, sales of over 100,000 copies of "Crazy Blues", recorded for Okeh Records by the singer Mamie Smith (no relation), pointed to a new market. The recording industry had not directed its product to black people, but the success of the record led to a search for female blues singers.
... Smith had a strong contralto voice, which recorded well from her first session, which was conducted when recordings were made acoustically. The advent of electrical recording made the power of her voice even more evident. Her first electrical recording was "Cake Walking Babies [From Home]", recorded on May 5, 1925. Smith also benefited from the new technology of radio broadcasting, even on stations in the segregated South. For example, after giving a concert to a white-only audience at a theater in Memphis, Tennessee, in October 1923, she performed a late-night concert on a Memphis radio station, WMC, which was well received by the audience. Musicians and composers like Danny Barker and Tommy Dorsey compared her presence and delivery to a preacher because of her ability to enrapture and move her audience. ... more here:
Bessie Smith - Wikipedia
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Keep Up with the Blues Charts
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Do you have a recording out there for airplay? Or are you following a particular Blues artist? Or are you just curious about what CD to buy next? Here's the BIG BLUES CHART for ya.
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New OBS Web Feature to Come
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Soon the OBS website will feature an artist referral page. There will be one section for member musicians to list their contact links, and another section for full band referrals. Details to come soon.
Consider joining OBS if you are not currently a member. At least
one person in the band must be a member in order to be added to the band directory. Single musicians must be a member to submit their information.
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Google has Googled Blues 4 You
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Google has assembled a page dedicated to Blues news and articles. It's good stuff! It contains news about upcoming Blues festivals, and links to music journalists' blogs.
You can get a FREE online subscription to
Blues Blast Magazine here:
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Live Blues Videos on TV 24/7
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Watch some of your favorite Blues artists recorded in live performance on BLUES MUSIC TELEVISION.
Blues Music TV on Facebook HERE .
Also on ROKU and FIRESTICK HERE! |
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Blues Festival Listings
National and International
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What's the best resource for finding Blues Festivals around the country and the world, you ask? It's right here! The Blues Festival Guide online magazine... you're welcome!
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DONATE ONE TIME OR RECURRING
We are grateful for the support of our sustaining sponsors!
Visit our website to RENEW, OR JOIN AS A MEMBER
Annual membership levels begin at $20/year for a single membership. Family membership is $30. And there are many higher levels of support offered. Membership gives you so much in return, including meeting new friends while enjoying the best regional and national blues artists. Your membership support of Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas helps us pursue our mission to preserve the Original American Art Form known as The Blues, supports live blues performances, and provides educational programs for all ages. Thank You!
Membership Benefits Include:
Weekly E-newsletter
Opportunities to win tickets to events
VIP seating at events (when available)
Social networking – meeting other people who also love the blues
Opportunities to volunteer on OBS committees and at events
Ability to attend member meetings and submit nominations for Board positions.
Visit our website to renew or join!
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Enjoy these weekly radio, streaming, and written blues sources!
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Generic Blues Show on KUAF
Hosted by Paul Kelso
The Generic Blues Show has been airing since the early 90's, playing tunes of all types of blues... whether it be country, rock, jazz, R&B or soul... WORKSHOP MUSIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE.
it all links back to the blues. Hear the show Fridays at 9 p.m. on 91.3 FM and Sundays 6 p.m. on KUAF 93.1
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On this day
in Blues History
For a daily dose of blues history, check out the daily Bluesland podcast HERE:
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Blues Music Television!
 Blues Music TV on Facebook HERE . Want more? Check out their all Blues channel on ROKU and FIRESTICK HERE! |
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