Bradenton Blues Festival today at Riverwalk: schedule, tickets, after-party information

A large stage has been erected for the Blues Festival which is to be held Saturday in the pavilion area of Bradenton’s Riverwalk. TIFFANY TOMPKINS-CONDIE/Bradenton Herald TTOMPKINS@BRADENTON.COM

The wait is over.

The inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival is today at the centrally located pavilion and event area of Manatee County's most popular new destination spot Riverwalk.

Grammy Award nominee Ruthie Foster headlines a first-rate lineup that includes Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee Kenny Neal and super group Southern Hospitality, which is led by Bradenton Beach resident Damon Fowler.

Dave “Biscuit” Miller, Johnny Sansone, Homemade Jamz, the Steve Arvey Horn Band with Henry Lawrence also a pair of local favorites and Ben Prestage round out the lineup.

In addition to the live music along the Manatee River, there will be an array of food, drink and art vendors.

Tickets are now $30 cash only and ATMs will be available. Attendees are being told to please leave coolers and dogs at home. Call 941-681-0708 for more information.

Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or canned good to the Blues Appetizer and Bradenton Blues Festival to help donate food items to Meals on Wheels of Manatee County.

After the Bradenton Blues Festival ends at 8 p.m. today there's the official after party featuring acclaimed Tampa blues man Sean Chambers at Tarpon Pointe Grille & Tiki Bar, the popular eastern anchor of Riverwalk that celebrated its first anniversary in July.

"Sean Chambers has invited all the festival performers to sit in with him," said Jack Sullivan, operations officer of Blues Revue magazine and the co-founder of the Bradenton Blues Festival. "I'm sure there's going to be a great jam."

Also,  Old Main Street will be closed today between Manatee and Third Avenues for the Farmers Market (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and then from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. to accommodate the crowd from the Bradenton Blues Festival.

 
Bradenton Blues Festival schedule

Steve Arvey Horn Band featuring Henry Lawrence: 11-11:40 a.m.
Bradenton area blues man Steve Arvey has teamed up with local hero Henry Lawrence, the superb soul singer who earned three Super Bowl rings and made two Pro Bowl appearances while playing with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.

Homemade Jamz: 11:55 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
Ryan, Kyle and Taya Perry are siblings in their teens who play rocking blues.

Southern Hospitality: 1:10-2:10 p.m.
Bradenton Beach resident and Blind Pig Records artist Damon Fowler recently joined forces with fellow Florida guitarist/vocalist JP Soars and Memphis-based keyboardist/singer Victor Wainwright to form one of the most in-demand groups on the blues festival circuit. See accompanying interview with Fowler. 

Johnny Sansone: 2:25-3:25 p.m.
The New Orleans-based harmonica player and vocalist offers plenty of emotional punch as a performer while also excelling as a songwriter.

Dave “Biscuit” Miller: 3:40-4:40 p.m.
A superbly funky bassist and outstanding showman , Miller has become a favorite at Aces Live in Bradenton with songs ranging from the funky double entendre “Butter My Biscuits” to the somber, soulful “Never Seen it Coming.”

Kenny Neal: 4:55-6:05
Baton Rouge swamp blues master has been elating audiences since the 1970s with his explosive guitar licks, hot harp and potent vocals.

Ruthie Foster: 6:20-7:35
Grammy Award nominate singer’s latest album “Let it Burn” finds Foster putting her own glorious vocal stamp on songs ranging from the Johnny Cash classic “Ring of Fire” to Adele’s recent smash “Set Fire to the Rain.” Read my interview with Foster.

Ben Prestage: performs between acts
One-man-band who grew up near the Everglades sings, plays finger-style guitar, harmonica, banjo, lap-steel, fiddle, resonator guitar and foot-drums.

Details: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1, Bradenton Riverwalk, 425 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Tickets: $30. Information: 941-681-0708 or www.bradentonbluesfestival.org.

Read more here: http://heraldbuzzworthy.blogspot.com/2012/09/bradenton-blues-festival-poster-by.html#storylink=cpy

—Bradenton Blues Festival poster (below) by 'Harry Potter' illustrator Mary GrandPré provided by Realize Bradenton.

Bradenton Blues Festival: Everything you need to know, including about free after-party

After more than a year of anticipation, the inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival takes over Riverwalk and pretty much the rest of downtown this weekend.

And we have all the info, including details on some cool, free events.

For starters, famed performance photographer Joseph A. Rosen will be hosting a showing of his portraiture work at the Blues Revue headquarters in the Village of the Arts at 1001 11th Ave. W., Bradenton. The exhibit will be at the Blues Revue’s gallery Friday from 1 p.m. until 5 pm. Featured Musicians in the Friday exhibit will include B.B King, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Dr. John and many more. Information: 866-702-7778.

Festival producer Realize Bradenton, the non-profit organization that played a key role in creating the renovated Riverwalk, is starting things off right by offering the community a free preview to the festival at the Riverwalk pavilion on Friday. The Blues Appetizer Concert is 6-9 p.m. Friday with performances by Tampa blues man Selwyn Birchwood Band and Sarasota roots rockers Kettle of Fish, which features singer/songwriter Dana Lawrence backed by a rotating cast of equally impressive players. Food and beverage available for purchase at this highly recommended event.

The Women’s Resource Center of Manatee’s annual fundraiser, “Bringing on the Blues,” will be held Friday as well starting at 7 p.m. in the historic “Brickyard” area behind O’Bricks on Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton. The cost is $125 per person and includes live entertainment, food and premium open bar. For more information call 941-747-6797 or go to www.wrcmanatee.org.

And then there's the biggie, the inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival on Saturday.

Grammy Award nominee Ruthie Foster headlines a first-rate lineup that includes Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee Kenny Neal and super group Southern Hospitality, which is led by Bradenton Beach resident Damon Fowler.

Dave “Biscuit” Miller, Johnny Sansone, Homemade Jamz, the Steve Arvey Horn Band with Henry Lawrence also a pair of local favorites and Ben Prestage round out the lineup.

In addition to the live music along the Manatee River, there will be an array of food, drink and art vendors.

Tickets are $25 until noon Friday and can be purchased at www.bradentonbluesfestival.org. Tickets at the gate are $30 cash only and ATMs will be available. Attendees are being told to please leave coolers and dogs at home. Call 941-681-0708 for more information.

Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or canned good to the Blues Appetizer and Bradenton Blues Festival to help donate food items to Meals on Wheels of Manatee County.

After the Bradenton Blues Festival ends at 8 p.m. Saturday there's the official after party featuring acclaimed Tampa blues man Sean Chambers at Tarpon Pointe Grille & Tiki Bar, the popular eastern anchor of Riverwalk that celebrated its first anniversary in July.

"Sean Chambers has invited all the festival performers to sit in with him," said Jack Sullivan, operations officer of Blues Revue magazine and the co-founder of the Bradenton Blues Festival. "I'm sure there's going to be a great jam."

Also,  Old Main Street will be closed Saturday between Manatee and Third Avenues for the Farmers Market (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and then from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. to accommodate the crowd from the Bradenton Blues Festival.

 
Bradenton Blues Festival schedule

Steve Arvey Horn Band featuring Henry Lawrence: 11-11:40 a.m.
Bradenton area blues man Steve Arvey has teamed up with local hero Henry Lawrence, the superb soul singer who earned three Super Bowl rings and made two Pro Bowl appearances while playing with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.

Homemade Jamz: 11:55 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
Ryan, Kyle and Taya Perry are siblings in their teens who play rocking blues.

Southern Hospitality: 1:10-2:10 p.m.
Bradenton Beach resident and Blind Pig Records artist Damon Fowler recently joined forces with fellow Florida guitarist/vocalist JP Soars and Memphis-based keyboardist/singer Victor Wainwright to form one of the most in-demand groups on the blues festival circuit. See accompanying interview with Fowler. 

Johnny Sansone: 2:25-3:25 p.m.
The New Orleans-based harmonica player and vocalist offers plenty of emotional punch as a performer while also excelling as a songwriter.

Dave “Biscuit” Miller: 3:40-4:40 p.m.
A superbly funky bassist and outstanding showman , Miller has become a favorite at Aces Live in Bradenton with songs ranging from the funky double entendre “Butter My Biscuits” to the somber, soulful “Never Seen it Coming.”

Kenny Neal: 4:55-6:05
Baton Rouge swamp blues master has been elating audiences since the 1970s with his explosive guitar licks, hot harp and potent vocals.

Ruthie Foster: 6:20-7:35
Grammy Award nominate singer’s latest album “Let it Burn” finds Foster putting her own glorious vocal stamp on songs ranging from the Johnny Cash classic “Ring of Fire” to Adele’s recent smash “Set Fire to the Rain.” Read my interview with Foster.

Ben Prestage: performs between acts
One-man-band who grew up near the Everglades sings, plays finger-style guitar, harmonica, banjo, lap-steel, fiddle, resonator guitar and foot-drums.

Details: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1, Bradenton Riverwalk, 425 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Tickets: $25 (until noon Friday); $30 (gate). Information: 941-681-0708 or www.bradentonbluesfestival.org.

Read more here: http://heraldbuzzworthy.blogspot.com/2012/09/bradenton-blues-festival-poster-by.html#storylink=cpy

—Bradenton Blues Festival logo (above) and poster by 'Harry Potter' illustrator Mary GrandPré provided by Realize Bradenton.

Bradenton's Damon Fowler and his Southern Hospitality group signs with Blind Pig: interview

Bradenton Beach resident Damon Fowler (guitar, vocals), JP Soars (guitar, vocals) and Victor Wainwright (keyboards, vocals) shook up the blues world last year when they formed the super group Southern Hospitality, which performs at the debut Bradenton Blues Festival Dec. 1 on Riverwalk.

Blues label Blind Pig Records, which has issued albums by everyone from Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy to Fowler's recent solo releases, announced today the signing of Southern Hospitality.

"I really like playing with JP and Victor and am very excited about the project," Fowler said by phone from his home in Bradenton Beach. "It's come together for a really nice blend. The last tour in August was very musically satisfying."

The trio is rounded out by Fowler’s forever bassist Chuck Riley and Soars’s drummer Chris Peet. Southern Hospitality recorded a demo together in August at Tony's Treasures in Cadiz, Ohio. They jammed on originals and the Jerry Lee Lewis classic "Don't Boogie Woogie (When You Say Your Prayers)," Fowler said.

Tab Benoit, winner of three Blues Music Awards this year including the prestigious "B.B. King Entertainer of the Year," will produce Southern Hospitality's debut album, which is expected to include originals by all three chief members. Recording is set to begin during Thanksgiving week at the Whiskey Bayou Studio in Houma, La.

"Tab is at the top of his game," Fowler said. "He's an awesome singer with great taste in music who I feel we can connect with and all speak the same (musical) language and come out with a great record."

—Publicity photo of of Southern Hospitality (from left): Damon Fowler, JP Soars, Victor Wainwright.

TONIGHT: Blues supergroup Southern Hospitality makes Bradenton debut at Aces Live

From left: Damon Fowler, Victor Wainwright and JP Soars of Southern Hospitality. Publicity photo.

As first reported here, Blind Pig recording artist and Bradenton Beach resident Damon Fowler joined forces with fellow Florida guitarist/singer JP Soars and Memphis-based piano man/singer Victor Wainwright for the blues super group Southern Hospitality, which also includes Fowler's forever bassist Chuck Riley and Soars' drummer Chris Peet.



Southern Hospitality makes its Bradenton debut tonight at Aces Live as part of Damon Fowler's Sugar Shack Mondays.

It's going to be a special night. See ya there or watch below. Both options are free.

Damon Fowler's Sugar Shack Mondays

Showcasing the best in touring talent

8:30 p.m. Mon., Nov. 21
and special guest
Southern Hospitality

Ace's, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton

No cover

Click to watchat

8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21

Watch live streaming video from sugarshackmonday at livestream.com

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Damon Fowler, JP Soars and Victor Wainwright form blues super group Southern Hospitality

From left: Damon Fowler, JP Soars, Victor Wainwright/Publicity photo

Blind Pig recording artist and Bradenton Beach resident Damon Fowler has joined forces with fellow Florida guitarist/singer JP Soars and Memphis-based piano man/singer Victor Wainwright for a blues super group, which also includes Fowler's forever bassist Chuck Riley and Soars' drummer Chris Peet.

Dubbed Southern Hospitality, the band of friends and like-minded musicians made its official debut opening for Buddy Guy on August 14 at the Heritage Music Blues Fest in Wheeling, W.Va. The BluesWax photojournalist present called Southern Hospitality’s performance “one of the highlights of a very talented lineup.” YouTube footage confirms (see below).

At the show each frontman sang a couple tunes and the band jammed ‘em out. Fowler took lead vocals on a pair of self-penned originals. He played the party-starting title track off his 2009 Blind Pig debut "Sugar Shack" and the swampy kiss-off of “You Go Your Way” from "Devil Got His Way." “It was really nice,” Fowler said. “It was cool to have two guitar and piano, it really added to the overall texture.”


Complete story (with more videos) I did for Blues Revue's ezine BluesWax.




Official Southern Hospitality tour dates:

11/19/2011 CAPE CORAL FL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BLUES FESTIVAL
1/18/2012 PENSACOLA BEACH FL PARADISE GRILL
1/21/2012 FORT LAUDERDALE FL LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES PRE-CRUISE PARTY
1/21/2012 SEBASTIAN FL SEBASTIAN RIVER ART FAIR
1/22/2012 SEBASTIAN FL EARLS HIDEAWAY
1/23/2012 JUPITER FL CHEF JOHNS
1/26/2012 DELRAY BEACH FL THE BACK ROOM
1/28/2012 SEBASTIAN FL TBA

Southern Hospitality website.