Friday Evening Kickoff Party
6:30 PM
Mojo & Friends
8:30 PM
Jay Edwards Band with All-Star Special Guests
Saturday
2:00 PM
Dirty Red & the Soul Shakers
For our 25th Anniversary Show we have decided to kick the show into high gear right out of the gate. This band out of Oklahoma will undoubtedly do that!
Dirty Red & The Soul Shakers are a modern-day powerhouse-blues band, built on old-school influences and a mutual love for the down’n’dirty style of blues that define the band’s sound. A dangerously tight rhythm section, backing a funky, shake-your-money-maker groove, guarantees ladies dancing and good times! Top that with wailing blues harp, jaw-dropping guitar licks, and the unmistakable charm and soul of the towering blues-man they call, “Dirty Red,” and you can bet you’re gonna find yourself hooked.
4:00 PM
The Brandon Santini Band
Illinois-based Brandon Santini radiates raw emotion and infectious energy to audiences worldwide. Born in the Piedmont region of North Carolina and raised on historic Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee; Santini’s profound connection to the blues & American roots music fuels his high-energy blend of traditional blues with a contemporary twist, earning him critical acclaim and awards along the way.
He has performed at festivals and venues throughout North America, South America, U.K., Europe, India, and Egypt. Santini’s near twenty years of touring and combined passion for the genre shine through in every note, establishing him as a true torchbearer of the blues tradition in the 21st century. His soulful vocals and fire igniting harmonica style carry the torch of the blues into a new era, inspiring generations with his incredible talent, undeniable passion, and unwavering commitment to the music that he loves.
It’s this passion that has afforded Santini the opportunity to perform on stage with the likes of Buddy Guy, Gary Clark, Jr., Beth Hart, Charlie Musselwhite, country music stars Randy Houser & Parmalee, as well as recording with 60’s rock & roll legend Sam The Sham, in 2010.
7 Blues Music Award Nominations
3 Time BILLBOARD Charting Artist
Endorsed by Hohner Harmonicas
“…expertly evoking the sounds of his forefathers, hypnotising the crowd.”
– National Geographic Traveller
Videos:
Hip Shake
Nine Below Zero
6:00 PM
The Avey Grouws Band
“Blistering guitar and emotional vocals.” (Vintage Guitar Magazine)
“This band kicks a**” (Martine Ehrenclou/Rock and Blues Muse)
“…a formidable ensemble.” (Lee Zimmerman/Goldmine)
Hailing from the Iowa side of the Quad Cities, Avey Grouws Band resonates with the raw power of the Mississippi River, infusing their roots rock sound with a diverse blend of blues, rock and soul. Fronted by dynamic vocalist Jeni Grouws and fueled by the guitar prowess of Chris Avey, this two-time top ten Billboard charting band has carved out a reputation for a gritty sound paired with electrifying live performances.
Sophomore album, “Tell Tale Heart,” recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, under the guidance of Grammy award winner Casey Wasner (Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal), stands as a testament to Avey Grouws Band’s musical evolution. Released in 2021, “Tell Tale Heart” stormed onto the scene, debuting at an impressive #7 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. This achievement followed their 2020 debut album, “The Devil May Care,” which also made waves on the Billboard charts, peaking at #10 and marking the band as a formidable force in the roots rock landscape.
In 2023, Avey Grouws Band embarked on a journey, taking their invigorating performance to stages across the nation. From the sun-drenched shores of Florida to the vibrant energy of the East Coast, and from the heartland of the Midwest to the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, the band captivated audiences with their energy and talent. Notably, their appearance at the renowned Big Blues Bender alongside legends such as Keb’ Mo’, Shemekia Copeland, Danielle Nicole and Tab Benoit further cemented their status as rising stars of roots rock.
Avey Grouws Band continues to push boundaries and blur genres as they leave an indelible mark on the landscape of modern roots rock Blues.
Video:
“Honey Hush”
8:00 PM
The Altered Five Blues Band
Altered Five Blues Band makes music with a swaggering stomp of bruising, barrelhouse grit. According to Downbeat magazine, frontman Jeff Taylor “sings powerfully” and “Jeff Schroedl’s live-wire guitar reaches the high bar of mixed invention and fluidity.” Blues Bytes magazine declares the group features “the funkiest rhythm section outside of Memphis.”
A 2018 Blues Music Award nominee, the Milwaukee-based quintet released its latest album, Holler If You Hear Me, September 3 on Blind Pig Records. Recorded over five days in Nashville, TN and produced by three-time Grammy winner Tom Hambridge, the 13 original tracks showcase the band’s deft songwriting, Taylor’s mighty baritone voice, and the intuitive musical interplay of the longtime bandmates. Harmonica ace Jason Ricci also joins the group on five tracks. The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard Blues Chart.
TESTIMONIALS
Videos:
Guilty of a Good Time
Holler if you Hear Me
Full Moon, Half Crazy
