1st Lowertown Blues Festival
Exceeds Expectations

Promoter Steve Heckler announced from the stage that the estimated attendance for the Lowertown Blues Festival held in Mears Park, St Paul on Saturday, July 26 was nearly 10,000 people. This was contrary to what some people had predicted would be 200-400 people.

By all accounts this was a great beginning for what will hopefully become an annual event. There will probably have to be a few more portable toilets and food vendors next year, but other than that, this was pretty much the ideal setting for a big blues festival.

Sena Ehrhardt Band, Lamont Cranston, Hamilton Loomis and Shemekia Copeland all gave solid performances that kept the crowd on their feet throughout the day and into the night.

The Minnesota Blues Society was proud to be a part of this event and congratulates and thanks everyone who helped to make this possible. — Jake Jacobson

(07/27/14)

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Blues on The Chippewa August 1-3 Alex Wilson Band with Jim Liban, The Jimmys, The Kingsnakes, Armadillo Jump, Sue Orfield Band, Mojo Lemon, Left Wing Bourbon, Sam Cockrell, Bernard Allison, Dave Arcari w/ the Rhythm Posse, Annie Mack Band, Davina & the Vagabonds, Kelley Hunt

(07/25/14)

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Willie B Blues Band @ Wilebski's Blues Saloon Friday, August 1, 6 pm

(07/25/14)

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ÓWAMNI Falling Water Festival Saturday, August 2, 2pm @ Father Hennepin Bluffs Park Celebrate indigenous Minnesota culture with music, art, food, a movie under the stars and more! Bluedog, Chase Manhattan, Keith Secola, Scatter Their Own, Tall Paul, Wade Fernandez

(07/26/14)

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26th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival August 8-10 Bobby Messano, Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat, Trampled Under Foot, Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88's featuring Curtis Marlatt, Curtis Salgado, Los Lonely Boys, Deja Vu Drifters, Catya w/ Sue Orfield, Mark Cameron Band, Dan Phelps, Izzy & Chris, Scottie Miller Band Brian Naughton, Dave Lambert & the Motivators, Lisa Wenger, The Pink Family Band, RB Stone, Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys, Crankshaft & the Gear Grinders, Sonny Knight & the Lakers, Guitar Shorty, Selwyn Birchwood, The Holmes Brothers, Canned Heat Annie Mack & the Big Top Gospel Revue, Doug Otto & Hurricane Harold, Cate Fierro, Mick Sterling, The Steepwater Band, The Honey Island Swamp Band, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Robert Randolph & the Family Band

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(07/25/14)

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(07/19/14)

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Jimi "Primetime" Smith, Big John Dickerson, Jo Jo Williams
Selected For Induction Into
The 2014 Mn Blues Hall of Fame

The Minnesota Blues Society announced the 2014 Mn Blues Hall of Fame Inductees at the Annual Picnic held at the Rosetown American Legion on Sunday, July 20. The inductees selected by the vote of the MnBS membership is as follows:

• Blues Performer:
  • Jimi "Primetime" Smith
• Blues Sideman:
  • Jeremy Johnson
• Supportive of the Blues (Non-Performer):
  • John Hammer
• Blues Art & Literature:
  • Marc Norberg, Black and White Blues (Book)
• Blues Recording:
  • Joe Juliano, A Hot Cup of Rhythm & Blues
• Blues Song:
  • Curt Obeda, "Crying To Do"

In addition to the member-selected awards, a Blues Legend Award is being presented to Big John Dickerson and a Blues Legacy Award will go to Jo Jo Williams. The Mn Blues Hall of Fame Ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Wilebski's Blues Saloon, St Paul, MN. More information will follow in the coming months. — Jake Jacobson

(07/20/14)

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Wasn't That A Party?

On Sunday, July 20, 2014, for the first time in the history of the Minnesota Blues Society, the Annual Members' Appreciation Picnic & Food Drive moved out of our members' backyards to a public location at the Rosetown American Legion in Roseville, MN. And a great venue it was. The weather was just about as perfect as it could be on the back patio overlooking the baseball field. The indoor space was spacious and was ideal for accommodating the potluck food tables.

The music ran pretty much non-stop all day with various musicians taking their turns on the stage. Curtis Blake, Jimi "Primetime" Smith, Lisa Wenger, Dan Schwalbe, John Lindberg and Allen Kirk were the house band for the day but were joined by many others including John Franken, Jason Medeiros, Brad Davies, Tony Houle, Jacquie Maddix and Chris Johnson. Road To Memphis Duo winners Brother Sun & Sister Moon (Dave Lambert and Donna Dahl) performed a short set as did Band winners, Jimmi and the Band of Souls.

Thanks to everyone who made this such a successful event: Marilee Blake, Christina Hoglund, Richard Schaefer, Jim Pinckney, Chad Nordstrom, Deb and Don Hills, Ellie O'Brien, Brigid Martin, the folks at Rosetown American Legion, all the volunteers and especially you, the members who showed up for the party. — Jake Jacobson

(07/20/14)

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From now until October 1, 2014, the Minnesota Blues Society is accepting CD's produced by Minnesota acts for consideration for the Blues Foundation's "Best Self-Produced CD" Competition. Check it out: Best Self-Produced CD Competition

(07/27/14)

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Vote For Annie! Annie Mack's Baptized In The Blues CD Nominated As "New Artist Debut Album" For Blues Blast Magazine's 2014 Music Award Voting Begins July 15,2014 at www.bluesblastmagazine.com

(07/14/14)

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Help Send Jimmi & the Band of Souls
& Brother Sun & Sister Moon To Memphis

You can show your support for the two acts that have been selected to represent Minnesota at the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN by making a tax-deductible donation to either/or both funds (2015 IBC Travel Fund is for both the Band and Duo combined) to help offset their travel expenses. Participating acts are not compensated for their performances at the IBC. — Road To Memphis Committee

Click Button To Make A Tax-Deductible Donation