DAVENPORT, Iowa -- One year after the historic Floods of 2008, the IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival returns to LeClaire Park on the banks of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa, to celebrate the festival's 25th Anniversary and flood recovery.
The Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS) today announced the festival lineup of 28 acts performing on two stages, July 2 - 4. Produced by MVBS and presented by IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, the event is one of the longest running, all-volunteer-operated blues festivals in the nation. But earlier in the year it was questionable whether the 25th Anniversary festival would have the funding to go on.
“We're so thankful to the blues fans across the world who supported our flood recovery fundraisers to provide the seed money for this year's festival -- our 25th Anniversary," says Karen McFarland, co-chair of the MVBS Entertainment Committee, which books the acts for the festival. “When we had to move last year's festival from LeClaire Park to the streets of Davenport due to the flood, we had additional expenses and reduced revenues."
According to McFarland, both blues artists and fans stepped up to not only ensure the festival happens, but for there to be a lineup of blues legends and up-and-comers the caliber for a 25th Anniversary festival. As their way of rewarding the community for their generous support, the Blues Society is discounting Thursday night admission nearly 70 percent, and requesting that attendees contribute nonperishable food items at the gate throughout the duration of the festival for distribution to local food banks.
On Thursday, July 2, MVBS brings back artists who played the first five years of the festival for “$5 Retro Night." The admission for that evening will be only $5 to see eight acts, including Iowa favorites Bob Dorr & The Blue Band and Radoslav Lorkovic, and Grammy winner Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings, and Saffire -- The Uppity Blues Women on the group's final tour.
“For those blues fans across the country who haven't yet made the journey to our festival in LeClaire Park -- a blues-inspiring outdoor venue located at the crossroads of US Route 61, known as the Blues Highway, and the Mississippi River -- this 25th Anniversary festival is the year to come," says McFarland. “And for those locals who haven't experienced one of the best blues festivals in the nation -- a festival that's almost in your backyard, we invite you to come out on $5 Retro Night and give us a try. We have a feeling youll return for two more days of great music, food and fun."
Headlining Friday night's bandshell stage is Eddy “The Chief" Clearwater, nominated for Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year and Traditional Blues Album of the Year, with blues legend Sugar Pie DeSanto headlining the tent stage. Other highlighted artists performing Friday include: 94-year-old Honeyboy Edwards, also nominated for Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year; Australian-born Fiona Boyes, International Blues Challenge Award winner and Acoustic Album of the Year nominee; and the Iowa Blues Challenge Winner (TBD). Festival attendees will also be able to enjoy the Davenport and Rock Island, Ill., fireworks shows that evening.
“It's pretty amazing having three of the five nominees for Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year playing our festival this year," continues McFarland. “Joining Clearwater and Edwards for this honor is Magic Slim, who is also up for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. Magic Slim and The Teardrops are headlining the Saturday tent stage and are also nominated for the Band of the Year."
Headlining the bandshell stage Saturday night is harmonica virtuoso Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers. Other artist highlights of Saturday's festival include: Diunna Greenleaf, International Blues Challenge Winner; Robin Rogers, nominated for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year; and up-and-comers Lightnin' Malcolm and Cedric Burnside -- Best New Artist Debut Winner for their album 2 Man Wrecking Crew. Cedric Burnside, grandson of the legendary R.L. Burnside, is also nominated for Best Instrumentalist -- Drums.
The mission of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society is to educate the public about the native art form of blues-related music and to keep the blues alive. The IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival offers adults free workshops and children BlueSKool to get hands-on instruction from blues artists. This year the adult workshops move to a new space-in Penguins Comedy Club in the Freight House, just across from the park at Ripley Street. BlueSKool remains in the park. The festival also includes a free photo exhibit of blues artists and past festivals, this year in the Figge Museum of Art, just two blocks north of the park, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. all three days of the festival.
“Kids who received lessons and tips at the River Music Experiences Winter Blues program will assist blues artists Hal Reed and Ellis Kell teach other kids the blues at this years festival, and then theyre going to jam together," says McFarland. “It was such a hit last year-were bringing it back."
RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented this year to Sugar Pie DeSanto and Magic Slim. The Mississippi Valley Blues Society annually presents this award to recognize artists who have devoted their lives to bringing river blues, music that runs deep in the soul, to anyone they meet on life's highway. The artists may not have been as recognized as the “stars," but they are the true legends of the blues and the art form's living history.
Sponsors for this years festival include presenting sponsor IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, and blues supporters River Cities' Reader, the Illinois Arts Council, Riverboat Development Authority, Scott County Regional Authority, National Reso-Phonic Guitars, The City of Davenport, KALA 88.5 & 105.5, The Lodge Hotel & Conference Center, AAA Rents, Rexroat Sound and ME&V Advertising & Consulting.
“For the fifth straight year, we are proud to partner with the Mississippi Valley Blues Society as the festival's presenting sponsor," says Dennis Hall, president, IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union. “In these tough economic times, we're pleased to help provide an affordable family event over the Fourth of July. With kids ages 14 and under receiving free admission and the addition of $5 Retro Night -- it's the most economical stay-cation around. And this year, we not only will be feeding fans' need for the blues -- we'll be helping feed those less fortunate in our community with the canned goods and nonperishable items collected at the gate."
Advance three-day passes are available for $30. Advance one-day passes are $12.50 per day for MVBS and IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union members, when purchased at any IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union branch. Advance tickets also may be purchased at the River Center/Adler Theatre box office in Davenport, or through Ticketmaster through July 1. One-day tickets will be sold at the gate for $5 for admission on July 2, and $15 for admission July 3-4. Children ages 14 and under will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
About IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival
For 25 years, the IH Mississippi Blues Festival has attracted legendary blues acts, making it one of the most highly regarded blues festivals in the nation. According to the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, the festival's economic benefit to the area is $2.3 million annually. For more information about the festival, artists and lodging, please visit www.mvbs.org or call 563-32-BLUES.
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