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Featured Festival

Hill Country Harmonica:  A North Mississippi Blues Harp Homecoming

Hill Country Harmonica: A North Mississippi Blues Harp Homecoming
Friday-Sunday, May 18th-20th 2012
Waterford, Mississippi, USA
, 516-232-0596 - www.hillcountryharmonica.com

Featured Festival

Charlie West Blues Fest

Charlie West Blues Fest
Friday-Sunday, May 18th-20th 2012
Charleston, West Virginia, USA
, Haddad Riverfront Park - 3043891439 - www.charlestonwv.com/
Headliners: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Ruthie Foster

Featured Festival

Doheny Blues Festival

Doheny Blues Festival
Saturday-Sunday, May 19th-20th 2012
Dana Point, California, USA
, Doheny State Beach - 949.360.7800 - www.omegaevents.com
Headliners: Greg Allman, Buddy Guy, The Steve Miller Band

Featured Festival

Silver City Blues Festival,17th Annual

Silver City Blues Festival,17th Annual
Friday-Sunday, May 25th-27th 2012
Silver City, New Mexico, USA
, Gough Park - (575) 538-2505 - www.mimbresarts.org/blues_home.html
Headliners: Trampled Under Foot, Hazel Miller and Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys

Featured Festival

Santa Cruz Blues Festival

Santa Cruz Blues Festival
Saturday-Sunday, May 26th-27th 2012
Santa Cruz, California, USA
, Aptos Village Park - - santacruzbluesfestival.com
Headliners: The Doobie Brothers, Los Lobos, Joan Osborne Big Sam's Funky Nation, Jonny Lang, Los Lonely Boys Elvin Bishop, with James Cotton

Featured Festival

Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival

Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival
Saturday-Sunday, May 26th-27th 2012
Simi Valley, California, USA
, Rancho Santa Susana Community Park - 805-517-9000 - www.simicajun.org
Headliners: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Muddy Waters Tribute featuring James Cotton and many more! Rod Piazza & The West Coast Sheik

Featured Festival

Soul Survivors Festival

Soul Survivors Festival
Saturday, May 26th 2012
Ferriday, Louisiana, USA
, Jerry Lee Lewis Rockabilly Plaza - 601-431-6149/ 11am - 7pm/Free event! - www.ferridaymusic.com/
Headliners: Angola Prison Band, Lil' Poochie, Elmo Williams, Hezekiah Early, YZ Ealey Band

Featured Festival

Waterfront Blues

Waterfront Blues
Friday-Sunday, June 1st-3rd 2012
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
, Woodbine Park, Toronto, Canada - 4164232224 - www.waterfrontblues.ca
Headliners: Tad Robinson, John Primer, Eugene Hideaway Bridges

Featured Festival

Michael Arnones Crawfish Festival

Michael Arnones Crawfish Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 1st-3rd 2012
Augusta, New Jersey, USA
, Sussex County Fairgrounds - 225-612-9746 - www.crawfishfest.com
Headliners: Dr. John, GALACTIC, Marcia Ball, From Good Homes, Ian Neville, Terrance Simeon

Featured Festival

 Springs Preserve Brews & Blues Festival

Springs Preserve Brews & Blues Festival
Saturday, June 2nd 2012
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
, Springs Amphitheater - 702-822-7700 - www.springspreserve.org/apps/event/details.cfml?id=118
Headliners: Chicago's own Ronnie Baker Brooks, Stay tuned for further musical announcements!

Featured Festival

River & Brews Blues Festival - 4th Annual

River & Brews Blues Festival - 4th Annual
Friday-Saturday, June 8th-9th 2012
Red River, New Mexico, USA
, Various Venues - 575-754-2366 - www.redriver.org/events/view/363/1
Headliners: The Rudy Boy Experiment, Albuquerque Blues Connection, Blues Boy Willie

Featured Festival

Coloma Blues Live

Coloma Blues Live
Saturday, June 9th 2012
Coloma, California, USA
, Henningsen Lotus Park - (530) 295-3496 - colomablueslive.com/
Headliners: Jackie Greene, Laurie Morvan Band & California Honeydrops

Featured Festival

Dauphin County Blues Festival‏

Dauphin County Blues Festival‏
Saturday-Sunday, June 9th-10th 2012
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
, Fort Hunter Park - 717-599-5188 - www.dauphincounty.org/parks-recreation/festivals/music-and-wine-festival/
Headliners: Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers feat. JP Soars, Wanda Johnson, The Urban Guerilla Orchestra feat. Angela Johnson

Featured Festival

Blues On The Fox

Blues On The Fox
Friday-Saturday, June 15th-16th 2012
Aurora, Illinois, USA
, North River Street Park in Downtown Aurora - - www.bluesonthefox.com
Headliners: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Chicago Blues: A Living History and The Nevilles

Featured Festival

Donkey Creek Festival

Donkey Creek Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 22nd-24th 2012
Gillette, Wyoming, USA
, Gillette College - - www.ci.gillette.wy.us/index.aspx?page=735
Headliners: Sophie B. Hawkins, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, James McMurtry

Featured Festival

Monterey Bay Blues Festival

Monterey Bay Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 22nd-24th 2012
Monterey, California, USA
, Monterey County Fairgrounds - (831) 394-2652 - www.montereyblues.com
Headliners: Charlie Musselwhite, Sista Monica, Sounds of Philadelphia: The Jones Girls

Featured Festival

South Bend Blues & Ribs Fest

South Bend Blues & Ribs Fest
Saturday, June 23rd 2012
South Bend, Indiana, USA
, Coveleski Regional Stadium - (574) 299-4765 - sbpark.org
Headliners: Jimmie Vaughan & Tilt-A-Whirl, Corky Siegel & Schwall Band & Bernard Allison

Featured Festival

Long Beach Bayou & Mardi Gras Festival

Long Beach Bayou & Mardi Gras Festival
Saturday-Sunday, June 23rd-24th 2012
Long Beach, California, USA
, Rainbow Lagoon Park - 562.424.0013 - longbeachfestival.com
Headliners: Chris Ardoin, Joel Savoy, Geno DeLafose & many more!

Featured Festival
Blues From The Top 10th Annual Outdoor Blues Festival
Friday, June 29th - Sunday, July 1st 2012
Grand County , Colorado, USA
, Winter Park and the Fraser Valley - 970-531-2549 - www.grandblues.org
Featured Festival
Mississippi Valley Blues Festival
Friday, June 29th - Sunday, July 1st 2012
Davenport, Iowa, USA
, 563-322-5837 - www.mvbs.org
Featured Festival

Bear Creek Blues Fest

Bear Creek Blues Fest
Saturday, June 30th 2012
Slater, Missouri, USA
, Slater City Park - 660-529-2212 - www.bearcreekblues.com
Headliners: Trampled Under Foot, Sharon Lewis & Texas Fire, Cee Cee James

Featured Festival

Thunder Bay Blues Festival

Thunder Bay Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, July 6th-8th 2012
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
, - www.tbayblues.ca
Headliners: Jonny Lang, Tedeschi Trucks Band, .38 Special, Sonny Landreth

Featured Festival

Hayward Russell City Blues Festival

Hayward Russell City Blues Festival
Saturday-Sunday, July 7th-8th 2012
Hayward, California, USA
, Hayward City Hall Plaza, 777 B Street, Hayward, CA - 510-472-8800 - www.bayareabluessociety.net/
Headliners: Grady Champion, Mighty Mo Rodgers, Marquis Knox, Little Jimmy Reed

Featured Festival

Black Potatoe Music Festival, 16th Annual

Black Potatoe Music Festival, 16th Annual
Thursday-Sunday, July 12th-15th 2012
Clinton, New Jersey, USA
, 908-391-4151 - www.blackpotatoe.com
Headliners: Buckwheat Zydeco, Sonny Landreth, John Hammond, Chuck Prophet, Jimmy Vivino present Butterfield Revisited, Chris O'Leary Band &

Featured Festival
Pittsburgh Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, July 20th-22nd 2012
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
, Hartwood Acres - 412-460-BLUE - www.pghblues.com
Featured Festival

Tall City Blues Fest

Tall City Blues Fest
Thursday-Sunday, July 26th-29th 2012
Midland, Texas, USA
, Downtown Midland - 432-262-0034 - www.tallcitybluesfest.com/
Headliners: Tommy Castro, James 'Boogaloo' Bolden Blues Band, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha-Cha's, Guy Forsyth, Albert

Featured Festival
Riverfront Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, August 3rd-5th 2012
Wilmington, Delaware, USA
, Harriet Tubman Riverfront Park - 302-576-2137 - www.riverfrontbluesfest.com/
Featured Festival

Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza

Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza
Friday-Sunday, August 3rd-5th 2012
Mammoth Lakes, California, USA
, Sam's Wood Site - 888-99 BREWS - www.mammothbluesbrewsfest.com/
Headliners: Johnny and Edgar Winter, Charlie Musselwhite, Bettye Lavette and more!

Featured Festival
Blue Star Blues Festival
Saturday, August 4th 2012
Littleton, Colorado, USA
, 970-531-1641 - www.bluestarconnection.org
Featured Festival
Magic City Blues
Thursday-Sunday, August 9th-12th 2012
Billings, Montana, USA
, Downtown Billings - 406-670-2329 - www.magiccityblues.com
Featured Festival

Kitchener Blues Festival

Kitchener Blues Festival
Thursday-Sunday, August 9th-12th 2012
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
, Downtown Kitchener - 1-519-571-2555 - www.kitchenerbluesfestival.com

Featured Festival
Riverfront Blues Festival
Friday-Saturday, August 10th-11th 2012
Libby, Montana, USA
, (406) 293-5900 - riverfrontbluesfestival.com
Featured Festival
Heritage Music BluesFest
Friday-Sunday, August 10th-12th 2012
Wheeling, West Virginia, USA
, 304.238.6064 - www.heritagemusicfest.com/
Featured Festival
Chenango Blues Festival
Friday-Saturday, August 17th-18th 2012
Norwich, New York, USA
, Chenango County Fairgrounds - (607) 334-5653 Ext. 1 - www.chenangobluesfest.org
Headliners: JJ Grey & Mofro, Voice of the Wetlands Allstars, Duke Robillard
Featured Festival
Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival
Friday, August 31st - Sunday, September 2nd 2012
Rentiesville, Oklahoma, USA
, (918) 855-0978 - www.dcminnerblues.com/
Featured Festival
Big Muddy Blues Festival
Saturday-Sunday, September 1st-2nd 2012
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
, Lacledes Landing - - bigmuddybluesfestival.com/
Featured Festival

San Diego Blues Festival

San Diego Blues Festival
Saturday, September 22nd 2012
San Diego, California, USA
, Embarcadero Marina Park North - - www.sdbluesfest.com
Headliners: Tab Benoit, Janiva Magness & Kim Wilson's Blues All-Stars

Featured Festival
Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival
Saturday-Sunday, September 22nd-23rd 2012
Guerneville, California, USA
, - www.omegaevents.com/russianriver
Featured Festival
Kansas City Blues and Jazz Festival
Friday-Saturday, September 28th-29th 2012
Kansas City, Kansas, USA
, Lewis & Clark Park @ Kaw Point KCK - 913-321-5800 - www.kcbluessociety.org/main/
Featured Festival
Valley Bank Big Lick Blues Festival
Saturday, September 29th 2012
Roanoke, Virginia, USA
, Reserve Avenue Complex - 540-342-2640 - www.biglickblues.org/
Featured Festival
Daytona Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, October 5th-7th 2012
Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
, Jackie Robinson memorial stadium - (386)846-7302 - www.annualdaytonabluesfestival.com
Headliners: Ana Popovic, Rick Estrin, Otis Taylor, Victor Wainwright
Featured Festival

International Golf & Blues Experience

International Golf & Blues Experience
Sunday-Saturday, October 7th-13th 2012
Tunica, Mississippi, USA
, Gold Strike & Various Venues - 855-515-7061 - www.golfandblues.net?refid=bluesfestivalguide
Headliners: Chuck Jackson

Featured Festival
Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise - Southeastern Carribbean
Saturday, October 27th - Saturday, November 3rd 2012
San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
, Celebrity Summit - 816-753-7979 - www.BluesCruise.com
Headliners: Taj Mahal Trio, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Brooks Family Legacy Band: Lonnie, Ronnie & Wayne Baker Brooks
Featured Festival

Rhythm & Blues Cruise
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise

Photos and music from LRBC #17 Pacific October 23-30, 2011
San Diego, CA to Cabo San Lucas, La Paz & Loreto!
Click here and enjoy!
Too much fun! Please join us in 2012!


OCTOBER 27- NOVEMBER 3, 2012 Southeastern Caribbean
San Juan, Puerto Rico to Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique,
Dominica & returning to San Juan

888-BLUESIN or 816-753-7979 Intl
www.BluesCruise.com


Featured Festival
B. B. King

As the basis for American music, the rhythms and musical progressions of blues music has had a public following since the early 20th century. As time progressed, the sounds of blues music have been altered, expanded, and often renamed. The basis of rock 'n roll, hip hop, rap, heavy metal, and jazz all have a genesis in blues music. To ensure the continued survival of an audience for blues music and expand the financial opportunities for blues and it's life blood festivals The Blues Festival Guide is committed to the process of outreach and a search for methods to present blues to a wider public.

Blues Music... Sometimes sad, lonely and mournful, but in other cases fully energized and bursting with electric-guitar-fueled vigor, blues is one of the most powerful, influential and popular musical styles to have risen during the last few centuries.

The song structure is simple - much of classic blues is based around a three-chord, 12-bar progression that leaves room for boundless improvisation - and it serves as a foundation for much of today's popular music.

Today it's still being picked on the front porches of tar-paper shacks, but it's just as frequently fired up loud and proud in front of a barroom (or for that matter stadium) crowd. In either case though, it remains a music that reflects hardship, trouble and strife, but also perseverance and strength of character - to know the blues is to be in touch with your true spirit and soul.

Notableartists include: B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Delbert McClinton, Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon