(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.