2014 Bradenton Blues Festival tickets selling quickly

   If you're planning on going to the third annual Bradenton Blues Festival and you don't have tickets yet, you might want to get them soon.

   Johnette Isham, the executive director of Realize Bradenton, which organizes the festival, said Thursday that only 10 VIP tickets remain for the Dec. 6 festival. General admission tickets are selling about 40 percent faster than they did for last year's event, she said, and that festival sold out.
   Regular tickets are $30 ($10 for children 12 and under, $25 apiece for people in groups of 10 or more). The VIP tickets, which include premium sets, food and and bar, are $250.
    Isham made her comments at an event at Darwin Brewing Co. in Bradenton to recognize the corporate and individual sponsors of the festival.
   The centerpiece of the event was the unveiling of the limited edition poster for this year's festival (shown here), which was created by Don Brandes of the Ringling College of Art and Design. The poster will be available for $30 at Keeton's Office & Art Supply, 817 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, starting Sept. 29.
  This year's Bradenton Blues festival features Marcia Ball, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, Samantha Fish and many others, playing on the Bradenton Riverwalk. For information and tickets, go to bradentonbluesfestival.org,

Bradenton Blues Festival tickets on sale now

Little Ed and company

    The official word was that tickets for the 2014 Bradenton Blues Festival would go on sale March 1. But in fact you can already get tickets through the website, www.bradentonbluesfestival.org, and organizers say they've already sold about $2,000 worth of tickets.
    The general admission tickets price is the same as last year -- $30 in advance and $40 at the gate -- but this year there will be a couple of hundred reserved seats up toward the stage. Those tickets are $75.
    The third annual festival is set for Dec. 6 on the Riverwalk. 
    The headliner is Marcia Ball. Other acts include Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, Little Ed and the Blues Imperials, Bill Branch & The Sons of Blues, Samantha Fish, EG Kight, Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones with Dennis Gruenling; and Dave Muskett.

Marcia Ball headlines 2014 Bradenton Blues Festival

   Local music fans are still buzzing about how great the 2013 Bradenton Blues Festival was. But the 2014 festival looks as though it could be even better.
    Organizers announced the lineup for the third annual edition of the festival, which is set for Dec. 6 on the Riverwalk. The headliner is Marcia Ball, probably the biggest name the festival has ever featured.
    Just like last year, through, there’s not a weak link in the entire lineup. Other acts scheduled thus far are Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, Little Ed and the Blue Imperials, Bill Branch & The Sons of Blues, Samantha Fish, " EG Kight, Doug Deming and the

Jewel Tones with Dennis Gruenling; and Dave Muskett.
  Tickets for the 2014 Bradenton Blues Festival go on sale March . They're $30 in advance; $40 at the gate, cash only; $25 per person for groups of 10 or more; $20 for students; and $10 for children, ages 5-12. Children under 5 are free. A limited number of reserved front-of-stage seats are available for $75. 
   Tickets are available online and at Keeton's Office & Art Supply, 817 Manatee Ave. W.,  Bradenton. For more information and to buy tickets online, go to www.BradentonBluesFestival.org.

Palmetto's Jesse Yawn added to Bradenton Blues Festival

   Dec. 7 is the date of the second annual Bradenton Blues Festival. It's also the 72nd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
   That's one reason the blues festival people have invited Jesse Yawn, a Palmetto-based blues singer with a solid national reputation, to perform. 
    Yawn's an Army veteran who uses a wheelchair to get around. Festival organizers are building a wheelchair ramp so Yawn can get on stage.

Jesse Yawn

   He'll join festival headliner Eddie Shaw on stage at 5 p.m. to perform the classic "Every Day I Have the Blues."
   Yawn's known for his flashy suits, fedora hats and deep, bellowing voice.  Yawn he tarted in gospel music before turning to the blues. he's worked with some of the greats including Jack McDuff, George Benson, Grant Green and Albert King. He was a fixture on the Blues scene in the Washington, D.C. area before he returned to his native Florida.
   A high point in his career came when he was asked to perform at shows that were part of President Bill Clinton's inaugural events. 
   The Bradenton Blues Festival is scheduled for 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 on the Bradenton Riverwalk. Tickets are $10-$40. Call 941-681-0708 or go to www.bradentonbluesfestival.com.

Party celebrates second annual Bradenton Blues Festival

    The second annual Bradenton Blues Festival is still about seven weeks away, but music lovers and community leaders gathered at Tarpon Pointe Grill Thursday evening to celebrate its pending arrival.

GrandPre's original artwork

   Officially, the event was the Bradenton Blues Festival VIP Sponsor Party. Bankers, business leaders and blues fans buzzed about how great the inaugural event was and how much better it's going to be this year.
   "They did an incredible job last year," said Tom Carter, president of the Suncoast Blues Society. "And it's going to be even more incredible this year. The lineup is just fantastic."
   This year's blues festival is set for Dec. 7 on the Riverwalk. Headliners include Shemekia Copeland and Trampled Underfoot.
   "It's one of the best, most organized events I've ever been to," said Bill Cornelius, one of the owners of the Blue Rooster in Sarasota. "All the artists were real blues artists and the setting was absolutely beautiful."
   Cornelius has lived in Sarasota for about three years and said he discovered Bradenton through the blues festival last year. Now he's gearing up to open a brewery in Bradenton.
   One of the centerpieces of the party was the unveiling of the original artwork for this year's festival. It was created by Mary GrandPre, who's best known for illustrating the Harry Potter books.

Isham, Jack Sullivan of Blues Music
 magazine, Strauss

  The painting, which retains a similar central image from last year's artwork but with a different color palette, is bring auctioned off. Johnette Isham, the executive director of Realize Bradenton, the organizer of the blues festival, started the bidding at $1,500.
   "It's worth $30,000," she said.
   Probably no one in the area has more experience staging blues festivals than Barbara Strauss, the founder of the erstwhile Sarasota Blues Festival. She came to the party to show her support for Bradenton's festival.
   "When I show up for something it means I really want to support it," she said. "I think what they did was absolutely brilliant, fantastic. They brought the community together."
   You can order tickets and get more information about the Bradenton Blues Festival at www.bradentonbluesfestival.org.


  

REVIEW: Bradenton Blues Festival a huge success

Ruthie Foster offered a potent closing set at Bradenton Blues Festival.

Ruthie Foster closed an amazing day with a most fitting song.

A song that spoke to the overwhelming success of the inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival.

For her encore, the Grammy-nominated singer performed "Grinnin' in Your Face."


Most famously recorded by the legendary Son House, the song is a spiritual about triumph in the face of adversity.

For far too long, Bradenton struggled to establish itself as a destination spot for music lovers.

Not anymore.

Bradenton Beach resident Damon Fowler led his super group Southern Hospitality.

On Saturday, The Bradenton Blues Festival, which was produced by Realize Bradenton with much appreciated help from the Village of the Arts-based Blues Revue Magazine, attracted a crowd of 3,126.

That's more than triple what was expected for the debut event, organizers said.

And it's doubtful anyone in the audience, which included attendees from as far away as Canada, left disappointed.

Foster did a superb job as the headliner, elating the crowd with her singular brand of gospel-infused blues.

Read more.

—Photos by Wade Tatangelo.

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 weekend starts today with free concert at Riverwalk

Kettle of Fish performs today during "Blues Appetizer Concert" at Bradenton Riverwalk.

It all begins today. Bradenton Blues Festival weekend. That means lots of awesome live music, a dazzling art exhibit and at least one killer party.

Oh yeah, many of these events are free.

For starters, famed performance photographer Joseph A. Rosen will be hosting a showing of his portraiture work at the Blues Revue magazine headquarters in the Village of the Arts at 1001 11th Ave. W.

The exhibit is today from 1-5 p.m. There will be images of B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Dr. John and many more greats. Information: 866-702-7778.

As for live music, festival producer Realize Bradenton, the nonprofit organization that played a key role in creating the renovated Riverwalk, kicks it off proper by offering the community a free preview to the festival this evening.

The "Blues Appetizer Concert" is 6-9 p.m. with performances by Tampa blues man Selwyn Birchwood Band and Sarasota blues-rockers Kettle of Fish, which features singer/songwriter Dana Lawrence, backed by a cast of equally impressive players including guitarist Berry Duane Oakley.

The group, one of the most popular in the Bradenton area, has opened for acts such as the Marshall Tucker Band, Eddie Money and Molly Hatchet.

Kettle of Fish will be performing originals this evening as well as deep tracks by Jimi Hendrix, Little Feat and some of those Allman Brothers Band songs originally featuring the brilliant bass guitar work of the senior Berry Oakley.

"We thrive on the big stage," Lawrence said. "Looking at the wide variety of the people out there is a thrill and you just thrive off it."

Read more.

—Publicity photo by Chris Hicklin of Kettle of Fish (from left): Todd Cook, Thorson Moore, Garrett Dawson, Berry Oakley, Dana Lawrence. Photo provided.

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.

Take me to the Bradenton Riverwalk: Numerous free events planned through end of year

A Postcard from the Friendly City at Bradenton's new Riverwalk. GRANT JEFFERIES/Bradenton Herald

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/10/14/4236502/bradenton-riverwalk-opens-with.html#storylink=cpy

The long-awaited, $6.2 million Bradenton Riverwalk project that began construction last summer has been completed.

On Thursday morning, the chain-link fence will be removed.

And at 4:30 p.m., the Grand Opening Celebration begins.

Here are the Grand Opening Season Events for Fall 2012:

All events are free (except the history cruise on Nov. 4 and the Bradenton Blues Festival).

Riverwalk Grand Opening: 4:30-7:30 p.m., Oct. 18, Pavilion & Event Area

Opening celebration includes live music by State College of Florida, skateboarding, volleyball, tai chi, public art talks, and walking tours. Music and refreshments start at 4:30 p.m. with the ceremony at 5:15 p.m.

Reels at Rossi Movie: 7 p.m. Oct. 19, Pavilion & Event Area

The 2011 action-adventure thriller "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" (PG-13) starring Tom Cruise will be shown on a three-story screen. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Refreshments for sale.

Read more.

Funky fundraiser in Bradenton to benefit Women's Resource Center of Manatee

Biscuit Miller

The Women’s Resource Center of Manatee's annual fundraiser will be held the night before the inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival and feature a performance by festival co-headliner, superbly funky bassist and singer Dave “Biscuit” Miller.

Dubbed “Bringing on the Blues,” the event will be held 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.

A regular favorite at Aces Live in Bradenton (see video below), Miller grew up in Chicago and spent a decade in the great Lonnie Brooks' band performing major gigs such as President Bill Clinton's inauguration. He also backed Anthony Gomes before fronting his own group, Biscuit Miller and the Mix, in 2000.

Since then, Miller has established himself as a charismatic front man and excellent bassist who alternates between songs such as the funky double entendre "Butter My Biscuits" to the somber, soulful "Never Seen it Coming."

All proceeds from “Bringing on the Blues” will benefit the Women’s Resource Center of Manatee. The WRC serves more than 4,000 women a year and their mission is to provide programs and services to give women the tools they need to live their lives successfully.

Details: 7 p.m. Nov. 30, Brickyard, 427 Old Main St., Bradenton. Tickets: $125. Information: 941-747-6797 or www.wrcmanatee.org.

Bradenton area should benefit from 'blues festival season'

Ana Popovic at the 2012 Sarasota Blues and Music Festival. Photo by Wade Tatangelo.

Welcome to Blues Festival Season, the Bradenton area's fastest growing tourist attraction.

And my favorite way to spend a day outdoors with a large group of laid-back, like-minded people.

If you're a fan of American roost music, let me point out all the major blues festivals within a five- to 45-minute drive.

We just had a great one.

And three more, which should be equally exciting, are on the way.

Blues Festival Season started on the last Saturday in September with a most enjoyable 22nd annual edition of the Sarasota Blues and Music Festival.

Read more.

Bradenton Blues Festival poster by 'Harry Potter' illustrator Mary GrandPré unveiled

A limited-edition poster created exclusively for Realize Bradenton and the Bradenton Blues Festival by Mary GrandPré, the world-famous illustrator of the "Harry Potter" books and Sarasota resident, was unveiled at the Bradenton Blues Festival’s VIP sponsor party on Saturday. 
 
More than 200 people attended, including this reporter and Bradenton Herald publisher/president Bob Turner.

The event was held at the historic Jennings Arcade off Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton.    

Local blues musician Steve Arvey and vocalist Rebecca Bird performed while people mingled, sipped wine and noshed on appetizers provided by O’Bricks Grill. 

The Bradenton Blues Festival, featuring Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster and other national acts,  is Dec. 1 at the redesigned Riverwalk, along the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton.

GrandPré’s editorial work and children’s book illustrations have received national recognition. She was featured on the cover of Time magazine for her illustrations for the acclaimed "Harry Potter" book series. 

“The Bradenton Blues Festival and its music outreach programs are inspired ways to educate young people about the importance of music," GrandPré said in a statement. "I'm really excited that I can contribute to this important effort."

Posters signed by the artist are available for $50 to support Realize Bradenton’s youth and music programs. To inquire email johnette@RealizeBradenton.com.

Fall live music preview Sarasota to Tampa: Elton John, Weezer, Bradenton Blues Festival

Ruthie Foster headlines the inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival.

The heat (we hope) will soon give way a bit to the fall weather, which means it's an ideal time to make live music plans. From rock and rap to country and blues, here are a dozen shows coming to the Tampa Bay area we think should be worth your hard-earned dollars.

Elton John, Weezer and Bradenton Blues Festival are part of our dozen concerts worth your dollars.
Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/09/06/4186738/fall-live-music-preview-with-shows.html#storylink=cpy

Elton John, Weezer, Bradenton Blues Festival and more.

—Publicity photo of Ruthie Foster.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/09/06/4186738/fall-live-music-preview-with-shows.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/news/columnists/wade_tatangelo/#storylink=cpy

UPDATED 5/11: Countdown to the Blues free concert series starts May 20 in Bradenton

UPDATED 5/11: Congrats to Ruthie Foster, Biscuit Miller and Johnny Sansone.

These three artists playing at the Bradenton Blues Festival on Dec. 1 won last night at the 33rd annual Blues Music Awards.



Scroll down for complete list of festival artists who were nominated.
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The inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival doesn't take place until Dec. 1, but events leading up to the big Riverwalk bash are already beginning.

Organizers have arranged for six months of free concerts and seminars designed to entertain, educate and introduce area musicians and music lovers to the rich history of the blues.

The series kicks off with seasoned guitarist and showman George Worthmore, 5 p.m. May 20 at Sarasota Guitar Company’s Bradenton location, 2111 Cortez Road W., and continues every month through October.

“This monthly concert series is part workshop, part seminar, and all entertainment,” said Realize Bradenton Executive Director Johnette Isham in a statement. “Thanks to the sponsorship of Sarasota Guitar Company, we are able to offer the Countdown to the Blues series for free so area music lovers can begin to explore the many facets of the blues as we count down the months and weeks to the inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival on December 1."

Grammy-nominated singer Ruthie Foster, Kenny Neal and more to perform at Riverwalk on Dec. 1

Sarasota Guitar Company owner Scott Cook came up with the idea of presenting the free concerts as a prelude to the Dec. 1 festival after speaking with several local musicians and blues fans who wanted to learn more about this compelling musical genre. He also wants to help get the word out that Bradenton attracts the world’s finest musicians.

“Bradenton has always been a town where some of the world’s best musicians congregate to play and record," Cook said in a statement. “By bringing the Countdown to the Blues concert series to the community free of charge we hope to do our part in spreading the news that Bradenton attracts the talent and has the community support to emerge as the next Austin or even the next Nashville.”







Worthmore began his professional career as a guitarist with Kinky Friedman and has played backup guitar for Bo Diddley, Ben E. King, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Lou Christy and The Platters. He has also appeared as a guitarist with the band Hot Tuna. Worthmore will discuss the role and evolution of the blues during the Great Depression as he explores blues artistry from the 1930s. He will demonstrate the music of such great blues artists as Blind Blake, Pink Anderson, and Tampa Red.

The Countdown to the Blues Series continues on 5 p.m., June 3 at Ace’s Live, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd, Bradenton, where Chicago native and Bradenton-based blues man Steve Arvey takes the stage to present an evening of homegrown blues. Arvey will demonstrate different blues styles using his collection of homemade instruments, which includes a three-string cigar box guitar, a one-string diddley bow cigar box, an axe handle guitar, and a gator lap slide guitar—all created in the Tampa Bay area. Arvey, who is slated to open the Bradenton Blues Festival, has been performing his own style of blues around the globe for 35 years.

On Sunday, July 15, roots rocker RJ Howson will bring Countdown to the Blues back to Sarasota Guitar Company’s Bradenton store with a performance and overview of the Chicago blues. Fire branded in the Chicago blues circuit, Howson picked up his skillful guitar chops performing and jamming with blues icons at Buddy Guy's Legends club, Rosa's Lounge, Kingston Mines, BLUES on Halstead and many other clubs in the Windy City. Since relocating to Bradenton Beach, he has been busy playing a steady stream of shows all over Florida. Howson will perform with veteran bass guitarist Gregg Voorhees as he shares his experiences and perspective.

For more information on the Countdown to the Blues series and for a schedule of performances through October 2012, please visit www.sarasotaguitarcompany.com/countdowntotheblues.

Also, The Blues Foundation has announced the nominees for the 2012 Blues Music Awards. The 33rd Blues Music Awards will be presented May 10 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis.

Here are artists up for awards appearing at the Bradenton Blues Festival.


Album of the Year: "The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too" Johnny Sansone

B.B. King Entertainer: Ruthie Foster

Contemporary Blues Album: "The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too"

Contemporary Blues Male Artist: Johnny Sansone, JP Soars

Instrumentalist-Bass: Biscuit Miller


Instrumentalist-Other: Ben Prestage, diddley bow

Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female): Ruthie Foster


Pinetop Perkins Piano Player: Victor Wainwright

Song: "The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too," Johnny Sansone

UPDATED 2/22: Bradenton Blues Festival tickets go on sale in March

More details in my story running today on the Herald's new and improved website: 

'Bradenton Blues Festival lands national acts'

The music acts for the Bradenton Blues Festival will be revealed and tickets will go on sale in mid-March when the festival website goes live, host Realize Bradenton announced today.

Like I reported back in November (see link below), the festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 and will be a family-friendly day of blues music, food and art.

It will kick off downtown Bradenton's $6.2 million Riverwalk along the Manatee River.

Harry Potter book series illustrator Mary GrandPré will bring her iconic “soft geometry” style to the limited-edition festival poster.

Harry Potter illustrator Mary GrandPre to design inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival poster

"This is a great location for an outdoor festival," said Dave Gustafson, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, in a statement explaining that the festival site, overlooking the Manatee River, can accommodate up to 2,500 people.

“It's also the perfect kick-off event to celebrate the completion of the Riverwalk redevelopment project," Gustafson continued. "The Bradenton Blues Festival will definitely attract people from outside the region to our area; this will really be something special."

Bradenton’s got the blues: Inaugural blues festival set for October 2012

The 2012 Bradenton Blues Festival is the result of many months of planning and "collaboration between a host of local organizations, businesses and community leaders," reads the emailed statement by Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton.

She explained that the idea for the festival was born after several meetings with Jack Sullivan, operations officer of the internationally acclaimed Blues Revue magazine, headquartered in Bradenton's Village of the Arts. Blues Revue promotes festivals nationwide, including the annual Tampa Bay Blues Festival.

"After many conversations, Jack introduced me to Paul Benjamin, who founded and still produces the North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland, Maine," Isham said in a statement. "With their help and expertise, we’ve been able to pull in world-class artists for one heck of an inaugural festival."

The music will feature national acts with a mix of local flavor.

Food, art and educational initiatives will also be major components of the festival.

Blues festival in the works for Bradenton

"We're partnering with Bradenton's cultural non-profits, and best restaurants and artisans to showcase the great culinary and artistic talent we have in Bradenton,"  Isham's statement reads.

On Friday, November 30, the festival will feature an outreach program to Manatee County high school students, entitled "Blues in the Schools," during which festival musicians will share their talents and professional advice with area students.

Funding for the festival will come from a number of sources, including commercial and individual patrons and sponsors, food and arts vendors, and T-shirt and poster sales.

Sponsors to date include the Bradenton Downtown Development Authority, Ad-VANCE Talent Solutions, Artefact Design, BGD Design, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Blues Revue (the world’s Blues Magazine), Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bradenton Herald, Bright House, Courtyard by Marriott, Fetch Pet Care, Iaboni Real Estate, Jacque and Al Vieira, Jeffcoat Blueprint, LA Events Inc., Manatee Apparel Graphics, Manatee Printers, Mary GrandPré, Richard and Christy Messer, Sarasota Guitar Company, Suncoast Gems, Turner Tree and Landscape, Tinsworth Orthodontist, and Zamikoff, Klement, Jungman & Varga.

Businesses interested in joining the growing list of supporters should contact Johnette Isham at johnette@RealizeBradenton.com.

Graphic and web design have been donated by Realize Bradenton’s design group of Artefact Design and BGD Design, the team responsible for the Realize Bradenton communications. The 2012 Bradenton Blues Festival is organized by Realize Bradenton, a non-profit organization that builds community and promotes economic development through collaborative events, strategic partnerships, and interactive strategies. For more information about Realize Bradenton, visit www.realizebradenton.com.

UPDATED 1/20: Sarasota Blues Fest has earlier date, new name, long-time organizer has left

UPDATED 1/20: "Later that same day, Barbara Strauss told the Herald from her home in Sarasota that she had parted ways with the festival..."

Read more.

The Sarasota Blues Fest typically takes place around the first Saturday in November.

But the 22nd annual edition — now dubbed the Sarasota Blues and Music Fest — will take place Saturday, Sept. 29.

Houston-based ExtremeTix and Three Zebras Entertainment, which took over ownership of the Sarasota Blues Fest last year, made the announcement this morning.

The debut Bradenton Blues Festival is scheduled to take place at the Bradenton Riverwalk at Rossi Park (currently under construction) in downtown on Saturday, Dec. 1.

REVIEW/PHOTOS: Sarasota Blues Fest 2011

www.sarasotabluesfest.com

UPDATED 9/8: Bradenton blues festival with national headliners, local talent in the works

UPDATED 9/8: More info from today's story "Bradenton’s got the blues: Inaugural blues festival set for October 2012"

UPDATED 9/3: Longer, more detailed version of story that ran on front page 9/3 titled "Blues festival in works for Bradenton."

PHOTO PROVIDED Photo of North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland, Maine. Its producer, Paul Benjamin, will be an adviser for Bradenton’s blues festival.

Here's the story I just did for Bradenton.com.