Nobody can tell you how the blues feel unless they have the blues.
We all take it differently.
-- Otis Rush --
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In This Issue: MAY 14, 2026
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WOMEN IN BLUES - A SPECIAL PRESENTATION AT THE EUREKA SPRINGS BLUES FESTIVAL!
Friday of #EurekaBlues2026 is all about the Women of Blues!! Spotlighting orianthi, widely recognized as one of the greatest female guitarists of all time, alongside Blues Music Award winner, Carolyn Wonderland, and rising star Ally Venable, creating a powerful, multi-generational celebration of women shaping the future of blues!!   
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.
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OBS BLUES THURSDAYS
AT MUSIC DEPOT!
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THURSDAY BLUES SHOWS & JAMS SCHEDULE
Members, need to renew? Click on the website link:
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PINETOP PERKINS BOOGIE
Review by Phillip Smith aka Philly Cheeze
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(Ozark Blues Society board member, Liz Lottmann, is the event coordinator for the Pinetop Perkins Foundation events in Clarksdale, MS. She attended the Boogie, and performed with Delta Divas.)
PhillyCheeze's Rock & Blues Review # 815
2026 Pinetop Boogie and Crawfish Boil
Ground Zero Blues Club, Clarksdale, Mississippi
Saturday May 9, 2026
By Phillip Smith; May 12, 2026
I had such a wonderful experience last year at the Pinetop Boogie and Crawfish Boil at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, I just had to return. The people are fantastic. The music is exemplary. The food is delicious. (I highly recommend the deep-fried pecan pie with ice cream at Ground Zero.) Produced by Pinetop Perkins Foundation, whose primary mission is “to provide encouragement and support for youth and young people at the beginning of their musical career (Masterclass Workshop Experience); and help provide care and safety for elderly musicians at the twilight of their career (Pinetop Assistance League)”, this event truly is a great time for a great cause. The lineup of musicians is an outstanding one. ...
The jam-style performances were going on all day and night with: Bob Corritore, Billy Price, Alabama Mike, John Primer, Tony Braunagel, Willie Buck, Anthony Geraci, Jimmi Mayes, Mike Welch, Rodd Bland, Harrell Davenport, Andrew Sullivan, Brooks Milgate, Teeny Tucker, Charlie Barath, Dave Keyes, Carla Denise, David Julia, Dave Keller, Heather Crosse, Lee Williams, Liz Lottmann & the Delta Divas, Steve Kolbus & the Clarksdale Blues Revue, The Pinetoppers, and more.
PhillyCheeze
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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:
SERITA'S PICKS!
This week....
Thursday:
Hoodookattz (w/possible extra special guest) at OBS Blues Jam, The Music Depot, 6:30-9:30pm
OBS Facebook Page Jam Info
Friday:
Howard Mahan Band, George's Majestic Happy Hour, Fayetteville, 6pm-8pm
Saturday:
The Blue Underground, Osage Spring, Neosho, MO, 8pm
Blue Underground Osage Spring
Or... if you miss Howard at George's on Friday, see him at Chelsea's, Eureka Springs AR, 9pm
Howard Mahan Chelsea's
Sunday:
Acoustic Song Circle, Pub on the Bricks, Rogers AR 5pm-7pm
Acoustic Song Circle Info on Facebook
Individual Artist Listings Here:
Los Roscoes (at the Gravel Bar on Thursdays in Eureka Springs)
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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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.... also buy here: https://buddyshute.com/music-store*****
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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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:
Otis Rush
Otis Rush Jr. (April 29, 1934 – September 29, 2018) was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. His distinctive guitar style featured a slow-burning sound and long bent notes. With qualities similar to the styles of other 1950s artists Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, his sound became known as West Side Chicago blues and was an influence on many musicians, including Michael Bloomfield, Peter Green and Eric Clapton.
Rush was left-handed and played as such; however, his guitars were strung with the low E string at the bottom, upside-down from typical guitarists. He often played with the little finger of his pick hand curled under the low E for positioning. It is widely believed that this contributed to his distinctive sound. He had a wide-ranging, powerful tenor voice.
...more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otis_Rush
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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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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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