Eight states, two countries, twenty blues societies and organizations met May 26, 27 and 28, 2006 in Detroit, MI and Windsor, Canada to form a partnership and establish regional live blues music tours and beyond at the Great Lakes Blues Society Summit that will connect thousands of blues enthusiasts and attract more sponsorship for live blues music.

After “too much fun” from Friday night’s Motor City Pub Crawl, May 26th with unforgettable highlights of Pricilla Price and Artie “Blues Boy” White’s performing together at Detroit’s #1 juke joint—The Mississippi Connection and next at Detroit’s downtown river front club--Currents where Luther “Badman” Keith and Lady Sunshine sang together for the first time ever, the Great Lakes Blues Society Summit began their business meeting the following morning on Saturday, May 27th in Windsor.

Discussion topics included issues such as increasing membership, fundraising and blues education. The primary goal for the 2006 Great Lakes Blues Society Summit was accomplished and eight blues societies made a commitment to work together for a fall acoustic tour with Bobby Rush “unplugged.” A spring electric tour will follow.

Future partnership projects for the Great Lakes Blues Societies were discussed and may include a compilation blues CD, blues calendar, working with Koko Taylor’s Celebrity Aid Foundation, Gimme 5! fundraising for New Orleans musicians and a project with Habitat for Humanity’s Musicians Village in New Orleans.

The Great Lakes Blues Society Summit received a very positive response. Thanks to everyone who attended and especially to Robert Jr. Whitall and Ted Boomer for organizing this groundbreaking event.
Mark your calendars for 2007 Great Lakes Blues Society Summit – May 25-27, 2007.Great Lakes Blues Society Steering Committee: Ted Boomer, Robert Jr. Whitall, Shirley Mae Owens, Danny Graham, And Rolly Hugh

Great Lakes Blues Societies/Organizations Summit 2006 Roll Call:

-- American Music Research Foundation
-- Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival
-- Black Swamp Blues Society
-- Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine
-- Bluesfest International
-- Blues Foundation
-- Canada South Blues Society
-- Windsor Chapter
-- Bruce County Chapter
-- London Chapter
-- Kitchener Blues Community Inc.
-- Charleston West Virginia Blues Society
-- Detroit Blues Society
-- Koko Taylor’s Celebrity Aid Foundation
-- Mid-North Michigan Blues Society
-- Saginaw Bay Blues Society
-- STLBlues.net
-- West Michigan Blues Society
-- Western New York Blues Society.

Other Great Lakes Blues Societies & Organizations that are interested but were unable to attend: Alpena Blues Society, Capital Area Blues Society, Chicagoland Blues Society, Cinci Blues Society, Marquette Blues Society, Monroe Library Series, Tawas Bay Blues Society

For more information about the Great Lakes Blues Society Summit/Organization contact: Ted Boomer – ted@thebluesfest.com - 519-977-9631 or Robert Jr. Whitall – blues@bigcitybluesmag.com or 248-582-1544