(CANTON, OH) – Now in its 18th year, the annual, outdoor Canton Blues Festival presented by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Market Square (301 Market Ave. N) in downtown Canton on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8. The festival will feature headliners Tinsley Ellis (Friday) and Kenny Neal (Sat) taking the stage nightly at 8:30pm. The jam-packed lineup includes 18 unique blues acts on two stages, with live music running daily from noon to 10:30pm. Openers Low Society and Andy T. featuring Alabama Mike & Anson Funderburgh will take the stage at 6:30pm on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The festival is free but VIP Passes are available and include complimentary food and beverages in the evening (after 5pm) and incredible views of the stage all day. Two-day VIP passes are available for $80 (until June 6, 5pm EST); one-day passes are $50 until soldout. Purchase VIP passes online or call 330-458-2070, or get them at the gate if still available.

Blues Fest Schedule:

Friday, June 7th

12:00 – 2:00 Pm: Jeff Poulos Blues Jam

2:30 – 4:00 Pm: Colin Dussault’s Blues Project

4:30 – 6:00 Pm: Natalie Stamper And The One Shoe Highway

6:30 Pm: Opener: Low Society

8:30 Pm: Headliner: Tinsley Ellis

Saturday, June 8th

12:00 – 2:00 Pm: Deep South Akron All-Stars

2:30 – 4:00 Pm: Breaking Blue

4:30 – 6:00 Pm: Pam Taylor

6:30 Pm: Opener: Andy T. Featuring Alabama Mike & Anson Funderburgh

8:30 Pm: Headliner: Kenny Neal

Back Porch Schedule:

Friday, June 7th

4:00 Pm: Steve Farley

6:00 Pm: Skip Werke And Bc Hudson

8:00 Pm: Tyrone Hornbuckle

Saturday, June 8th

2:00 Pm: Max Beal

4:00 Pm: Eric Brooke And Becky Flinn

6:00 Pm: Zac Adams

8:00 Pm: Susan Marie Kresse

Since his Alligator debut 30 years ago, Southern blues-rock guitar wizard, vocalist and songwriter Tinsley Ellis has become a bona fide worldwide guitar hero. Now, he makes his triumphant return to Alligator Records with a powerful new album, Winning Hand. Armed with his signature molten licks, melodic riffs and rousing, intense solos, Ellis, as his legions of fans will attest, is among the blues world’s best-loved, hardest working and most well-travelled statesmen. He has performed in all 50 United States as well as in Canada, Western and Eastern Europe, Australia and South America, earning legions of fans with his guitar virtuosity, passionate vocals and memorable original songs.

Mandy Lemons, winner of the 2015 Emissaries of Memphis Music People’s Choice Award, and her partner Sturgis Nikides, who recorded and toured with legendary Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer, John Cale (of The Velvet Underground), AKA Low Society – are blazing new trails on the stomping grounds of Blues, Roots, and Americana music. Texas Blues, Memphis Rock ‘N Soul and a healthy dose of New York attitude help define the sound and spirit of their music. Their recordings have received critical acclaim world-wide, including numerous Best Of lists.

One of the strongest modern proponents of Baton Rouge swamp blues, Kenny Neal is a second-generation southern Louisiana bluesman who is cognizant of the region’s venerable blues tradition and imaginative enough to steer it in fresh directions. Neal’s sizzling guitar work, sturdy harp, and gravelly, aged-beyond-his-years vocals has served him well since the mid-90s. His latest critically acclaimed release, Bloodline in 2016. Kenny’s 2016 release, Bloodline, was nominated for a 2017 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album and also won two 2017 BMAs (Blues Music Awards); one for Best Contemporary Blues Album and the other for Best Contemporary Male Blues Artist. Kenny Neal, a true living blues Legend is the “real deal” and more poised than ever to deliver the blues like no one else can!

The Andy T Band, fronted by guitarist Andy T, began in 2011 as the Andy T – Nick Nixon Band, with vocalist Nick Nixon. Upon Nick’s 2016 retirement, Andy T and the band enlisted “Alabama Mike” Benjamin as lead singer. Mike is a dynamic, energetic vocalist that strongly connects with his audience. He delivers a sound that will remind you of a young B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, and Little Johnny Taylor. Next, Anson Funderburgh joined the band. This BMA-nominated guitarist has led his award-winning band Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets since 1977. The Andy T Band’s release, Numbers Man, was produced by Anson, and features the great Kim Wilson’s harmonica on one of the tracks. The album was nominated for a 2016 Blues Music Award as “Best Traditional Blues Album,” and the band was nominated for “Band of the Year” by the Blues Foundation.

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