By
Big Dave
9-5-09
 Day
2 of the Budweiser
Illinois Blues Festival showcased
the best local and national talent out there today.
Peoria is a strong music town, and celebrates live
music in one of the most scenic outdoor fest venues
you'll find anywhere. Highlights included the Gas
House Gorillas - perfect jump blues for any zoot suit
occasion, Chris Cain and and his guitar magic, 14
year old blues prodigy (gtr) Matthew Curry, and BB
King Entertainer of the Year, Janiva Magness.
The educational aspect of the Blues is a focus at
this fest, with notables like Chris Stevens &
Catfish Keith leading guitar workshops, also Steve
the Harp AND Deak Harp leading harmonica workshops.
It's not a case of 'those who can't do, teach', as
Chris Stevens went on to lead the Peoria All Stars
on Friday's main stage, and the Deak
Harp band packed the Blues tent on Saturday. Deak,
a consumate showman, wove his harmonica talents deep
into the crowd, even playing atop tables out in the
audience!
The
Budweiser
Illinois Blues Festival features two days of internationally
known Blues artists and is produced by Jay Goldberg
Events & Entertainment, www.jaytv.com,
with proceeds going to the Illinois
Blues Coalition.
The Illinois Blues Coalition supports Blues Societies,
Blues Music Entertainers and Blues Music Education
by offering grants and scholarships to help fund projects
which preserve and promote the history and future
of blues music. The objective of the Illinois Blues
Coalition is to promote the art form of blues-related
music by performance, by interpretation, by preservation
and by enhancement of appreciation through knowledge
and education.
One
fest ends, and another begins. It's off to St. Louis,
and Day 2 of the Big Muddy
Blues Festival |
