Friday Evening Kickoff Party
6:30 PM
Mojo & Friends
Mojo & Friends undoubtedly will have some faces that you will recognize. Led by Joe Fittante, of Hip Pocket fame, this band is sure to kick off our 25th anniversary show quickly. MoJo & Flipside is a Central Wisconsin band of very talented musicians. Funky-Blues Americana best describes their style music. Featured musicians are Joe and Kelvin Kasper, Tony Wagner, Charlie Sauter and Bill Jordan. Bring your ‘dancin’ shoes’ . . . they’ll be needed early!
8:30 PM
Jay Edwards Band
Jay started his music career at age 15 in the Fox River Valley growing up in Oshkosh. At age 20 he moved to Southern California and continued his pursuit of a music career. Under the teaching and influence of Charlie Musselwhite, William Clarke and others, Jay eventually found his style and tone to become one of the region’s best. Moving between Southern and Northern California, Jay was exposed to, and played with, a large group of players before spending the next 22 years with recording artist the Nightcrawlers. After 40 years of playing, recording and working in L.A., Jay moved home to the Fox River Valley in January 2016.
During the summer of 2022, Jim Prideaux and Dennis Wage crossed paths at Riverfront Rendezvous at Pfiffner Park in Stevens Point, sharing tales of their musical journeys. A spark ignited, and they began dreaming of forming a band. Months passed, and in December, Jim reached out to Tony Wagner, hoping to turn their dream into reality. But with no vocalist or bassist in sight, the dream seemed to wane. Then, in a stroke of luck, Tony suggested Jay Edward for vocals, and suddenly, the pieces fell into place. With the vocal front covered, they still needed the low-end groove of a bass player. Enter Tony Menzer, whose willingness to join the band completed the lineup.
The Jay Edwards Band has also agreed to bring in a few “artists from the past” to the stage with them to put on an “All-Star Show” that will most assuredly put a smile on the faces of our attendees. You do not want to miss this show!
Saturday
2:00 PM
Dirty Red & the Soul Shakers
For our 25th Anniversary Show we’ve 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.
Seven Blues Music Award Nominations
Three Time BILLBOARD Charting Artist
Endorsed by Hohner Harmonicas
“…expertly evoking the sounds of his forefathers, hypnotizing 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:
Promo
Memories I’d Like to Forget
Honey Hush
8:00 PM
The Altered Five Blues Band
We at the Great Northern Blues Society are truly blessed to have the Altered Five Blues Band come back to our stage in 2025. If you come, DO NOT leave early, or you will miss an act that is balancing on the edge of ‘Breaking it Big’ on the international blues stage!
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
Acoustic Artist between Main-stage Sets
Howard ‘Guitar’ Luedtke
Say the name Howard “Guitar” Luedtke, and little more needs to be said. Howard is a staple in the blues scene and with good reason. He has 50-plus-years of playing guitar in both the Midwest and on the international stage. In 1964, Howard got his first guitar and today when he picks up his Les Paul, he will transport you into the world of the blues. He’s incredibly talented and his passion and love for what he does shows through. Howard’s guitar playing is hard, fast, and immaculate. He’s truly one of those players who lives in harmony with his instrument. That connection only comes with experience and an undying need to share his sound. Howard will be playing in the back of the hall near the huge fireplace, where you all can enjoy his playing while the mainstage is being reworked for the next band. Rumor has it that Deb will be making an appearance as well! We are truly blessed.
