Raise The Roof Show to benefit Brookport Tornado Victims

Thursday, December 5th, Harrah's Metropolis will host a special show to benefit the Brookport, Illinois tornado victims.  The show starts at 7pm and runs until ? and admission in the Grand Event Center is simply a donation to the relief fund.  The show will also be broadcast live 7-9pm on The Heartland CW, channel 49, and on radio on Willie 102.1FM. Come on out, listen to some great music, and help us "Raise The Roof" to help the tornado victims!

Four bands have been slated for the event. First off, Darling Parade, an up and coming alternative rock band out of Nashville, but with strong Southern Illinois ties.  They're fantastic! Have a look.


My band, 61 South and I will also perform!

One of Paducah's hottest alternative rock bands, Oh Yeah Dakota.

And the acoustic act, Skylyne Drive. It should be a great night of music for a great cause, so come on out and help us "Raise the Roof" to help victims of the devastating Brookport tornado. 100% of ALL proceeds will go to the victims!

Telethon Night Memories

Saturday night/Sunday morning, we're honored to be taking part in our 24th Telethon of Stars on WPSD-TV.  For us, it's part charity and part family reunion as we see so many friends.  For some of them, it's the only time we see them all year, so there's lots of catching up to do.

I was trying to think of my favorite telethon memories over the years and there are many:

Several years ago, I was playing next to the "big stars" and really smoked a song. The show went to a break before country singer Michelle Wright was to sing.  She motioned me over and whispered in my ear, "I don't want to follow you anymore!"  She was really sweet.

My favorite "soap star" ever was Robin Mattson! She was a real hoot and even donated a big chunk of her talent fee back to the telethon!  Before her years on the soaps, she was a B-movie actress.  I think my favorite B-Movie of hers was "Return to Macon County."  One weird thing I noticed over the years while working the telethon is that a lot of times, the "bitch" or "evil" characters on the soaps turn out to the nicest in person.

One of my favorite bands ever on the telethon was Hank Flamingo.  They were about the time that BR-549 was burning it up with the retro county sound too,  and they were great.  I especially loved "Gooseneck Trailer."  Too bad Hank Flamingo was so short lived.  I think they only put out that one album before disbanding.

I'm not really big on Bluegrass, but I really do like Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.  We had a great time swapping out songs with them and one of her band members donated a $20 to the telethon after he yelled to us during a spot break to request an Albert King song!  The other cool part was and now is again, that my local music buddy Josh Williams was playing in her band.  Josh is a MONSTER player.

It might have been my very first telethon in 1989 when we wandered into the old Time Out Lounge at the Executive Inn to kill some time before our slot when we went to see an obscure singer performing there.  He said he was going to play his upcoming single.  We thought it was so goofy, we were giggling and laughing!   Well to show you how much I know.....the singer was Billy Ray Cyrus and the song was "Achy Breaky Heart" which only made umpteen million dollars for him when it became a hit months later.

If you'd like to see us this year, you'll need to stay up late, or set your DVR!  We're scheduled to play at 2:26AM and 3;35AM Sunday morning!  It'll be so much fun, just like it always is!  This will be the last time the full band plays this year, although I'm probably going to play some accoustic duo shows of Christmas music for the assisted living centers which I do each year!

Circles of Hope Telethon, Jackson, TN: Tuny, Carl, Wes and more...

Sunday, we traveled to Jackson, TN to play at the 30th Annual Circles of Hope Telethon in Jackson, Tennessee to benefit the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Centers for Prevention of Child Abuse.  Hard to believe, but I worked as an emcee at the very FIRST telethon, years ago, while I was working at WBBJ-TV in Jackson.  I worked the telethon for several years with Carl Perkins himself, and local TV legend Doris Freeman....aka Cousin Tuny!  I love Tuny.  Hard to believe, but I first me her in the early 60s when I appeared on her show!  I was only 5 or 6 years old, I think.  Tuny's persona was part Minnie Pearl, and part Speck Rhodes and she was GREAT, and a wonderfull person off camera as well!  Unfortunately, I think this was the first telethon she wasn't able to attend due to her health.  She's on up in years.  I hated to miss her but everyone told me she's still as warm, wonderful and caring as ever!

 Some of my fondest memories of this telethon were sitting backstage, shooting the breeze with Carl Perkins and listening to his priceless stories.  I never got enough of that!  Carl was one of the most genuine, wonderful persons you'd ever want to meet!  He made me laugh so hard with his stories about everything from working with Dave Edmonds, etc, to everyday stuff, like working in his beloved flowers.

 

At the telethon, I was so glad to see my former co-worker Brenda Dewberry. I found out she had continued to work every telethon, even after leaving WBBJ...so this was her 30th Telethon! Amazing! As I went to plug in, I found my 335 had a short in a switch or pot, so I was in TROUBLE.  I had only brought one guitar! Luckily, my old friend, Wes Henley was working sound and had two great guitars onstage.  I grabbed one of them and it played like a dream!  Wes is one of the finest if not THE finest guitar players I've ever known, so I was honored to play his Gibson Gold Top for the show!  I just hope he forgives me for sweating on the strings....

I also saw several other old broadcast and Jackson friends, including Ernest Harper, Julie Cook, Mark Brooks, Jerry Gay, Steve Bowers, Tom Britt and more!  It was a nice day, and a GREAT cause!

Our Song On The Today Show!

This was a big thrill for us!  Part of our song, "Hushpuppies" was featured on the Today Show in a feature by reporter Mike Leonard.  Also a big thrill when we emailed with Leonard and he told us how he found our song (iTunes) and we found out although he's a great reporter, he's even a nicer person!

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Buzzard Rock and Jackson, TN

After a 20 hour round trip to Lexington, KY Saturday, ready for some rest but we're back at Buzzard Rock Friday night, August 9th.  One of our most fun places to play!  It's located near Kuttawa, KY....actually probably closer to Sewanee, at the Buzzard Rock Marina!  Always a good time.

Sunday afternoon will be a special one.  We'll travel to Jackson, TN to play at the Civic Center for the Carl Perkins Circles of Hope Telethon.  The telethon raises money for the Carl Perkins' Center for Child Abuse Prevention.  The telethon is broadcast live on WBBJ-TV out of Jackson, TN.  We're scheduled to play between 3-4PM.  You can also come down to the Civic Center and see the show live in person!  When I lived in Jackson years ago, I used to work the telethon with Carl when he was alive.  That was always such a treat for me.  I also learned firsthand just how near and dear to his heart the center is.  Carl was a good guy.

GEAR: Still enjoying the Blackstar Club 40 amp although I'm looking at some options for updating my pedalboard.  I've been using a old Johnson zip up pedalboard but looking into some powered ones which could double as a back up for the amp.  Main three guitars remain the Lower Broadcaster Strat, Custom Tele and modified Epiphone 335.

Buzzard Rock Resort

One of our favorite places to play each summer is Buzzard Rock Resort on Lake Barkley near Kuttawa, KY.  Always a nice crowd ready to have a good time and we try to do our part to help!  Had a great time lat night, once again!

My pedal board this night.  I change it up some from time to time but here's what I used this night: Arion Stage Tuner into Boss Tremolo, Boss Chorus, Boss Digital Delay, old Ibanez Tube Screamer, Box of Rock into amp (Blackstar Club 40).  Played both the custom made Tele and the Lower Broad Caster Custom Made Strat tonight.

Buzzard Rock Friday Night!

The weather should be perfect Friday night as we play at Buzzard Rock Resort on beautiful Lake Barkley, near Kuttawa, KY! Buzzard Rock has quickly become one of our favorite places to play because of the laid back atmosphere and the folks there are the best! 

We usually play our originals mixed with an eclectic range of songs which the guest request!  If you've never caught one of our shows at Buzzard Rock, you've missed a real treat!

Also, want to remind you, you can download our songs on our website!  Just click here!  You can download by the song, or by the CD.  You can also have our CD in hardcopy and mailed to you!

God Bless,
Lew

Cool Shows Coming Up In Tennessee and Kentucky

We're so pleased to announce some really cool gigs coming up!  Friday, July 26th we return to Buzzard Rock Resort in Kuttawa, KY, and then Sunday, August 11th, we'll return to Jackson, TN to play at the Carl Perkins/ Exchange Club Circles Hope Telethon to benefit the Carl Perkins Center For The Prevention of Child Abuse.

We'll be playing the telethon at 3PM at the Jackson Civic Center and the telethon will be broadcast LIVE on WBBJ-TV, Channel 7 out of Jackson.  (Where I worked from 1983-1989)  Should be a lot of fun for a GREAT cause!  If you can't be there in person, be sure to watch, and pledge your support to Carl's Cener, which was so close to his heart.

Show At Four RIvers Harley Davidson

We had a great time at Four Rivers Harley Davidson in Paducah, KY Saturday for their Celebrate America Event!  They had a huge crowd.  Some for us, and some for an arm wrestling tournament they had which proved to be a big hit.  A big hit for me was the fan I started using for these outdoor gigs.  I don't know why I never got one before. Makes a world of difference.

LOVE looking at all the bikes, even though I don't ride myself anymore.

R to L, Arion Runer, Boss Tremolo, Boss Delay, Ibanez Tube Screamer, and YES, SHOP FAN!

I've known Walt for years.  He and his late wife used to come see us every year at the Hot August Blues Festival.  He's been riding Harleys since probably before I was born or close to it.  He's still riding! Good guy!

I wouldn't try to take on these gals in an arm wrestling contest, that's for sure!

Celebrate America with Us!

We'll be playing this afternoon at Four Rivers Harley Davidson in Paducah, Kentucky at 2PM. It's part of their 2 day Celebrate America Event.  Should be lot's of fun!

In addition to our performance they're going to have an arm wrestling tournament, with the winner getting a Harley Davidson motocycle!  There'll be lots of other things to do and see and great food too!

Running A Band Is Running A Business

For those who don't know, I also work as a multimedia consultant in addition to working as a Blues Guitartist and fronting  a Blues Band for almost 20 years!  I started in the early 90s because....it was fun and I enjoyed playing.  It still is and I still do, but it also grew into more than that.  It became a lesson in how to run a small business.  You might be surprised, but running a "conventional business" is just like running a band!

• Be Prepared:  For the band, this means practice, practice, practice until you have your songs down pat. Before the Beatles ever played the Ed Sullivan Show, they had played their songs thousands of times throughout England and Europe, mostly in small clubs. For every other business? It means practice, practice, practice until you have all your employees have all your procedures own pat! 

• Make Your Product or Service Stand Above The Competition:  When I get ready to record our first CD, I was going to record cover songs which we played during club gigs, but  a president of a nearby Blues Society convinced me to ditch that idea and instead write as many original songs as possible for the CD.  That way, we'd stand apart from the thousands of other bands.  He was right.  I also found I had a knack for songwriting which I never knew I had!  In regular business, you have to do something to make you stand apart.  Whether it's a better product, or service, or an aspect of how you do business which stands apart and gives customers a reason to choose YOU over your competition!

• Make Pleasing Your Audience A Top Priority:  For the band, this means playing the material the audience wants, if you can, and if you can't, try to give them something close to what they request!  Treat them with respect and let them know you have a genuine interest in them!  One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was "There are 2 types of musicians: Those who play for the people, and those who play for other musicians!"  Nothing wrong with the latter, but since I'm not that great of a musician myself, I choose to play for the people.  I'll never forget playing at a Festival and seeing a B-list star treating his own fans with distain at times. That's the reason he never became an A-list star, and in fact is now a C-list star! The same goes for any business.  Without customers, you HAVE NO BUSINESS.

• Be A Pro: I once had a club owner tell me he noticed my band never drank a lot and partied when we played there, like so many of the other bands. I told him, "We're not here to get drunk. We're not here to get women.  We're here to do the best show we can for your customers, and then get paid and go home!"  He laughed, nodded his head, and he got it.  We were just like him.  It's important for employees to have a good time at work, but it's also important to keep it professional!

• If They Do The Work, PAY 'EM: Good, dependable musicians are so worth keeping. It's a load off a band leader's mind to know that he doesn't have to worry about his own guys, and can concentrate on other aspects of running the band.  It's the same with regular business. Once you find good workers you want to hang on to them! Good workers are an advantage you can have over your competition!

•  Market Your Service: This means having the best publicity release and marketing plan to get your band noticed and get better shows, along with advertisements.  You'll want to know how best to place ads in conventional media and work your social media to deepen your relationship with your fans.  The same goes for regular business.  You have to treat your marketing just like another employee:  One whose job it is to spread the word about how great your product or service is!

• Take Care Of Business:   Make sure you maximize your profit while charging a fair price, and then add new revenue streams.  In my case, that meant sometimes standing my ground over a fee to perform, and making sure we were registered with performance rights organizations to get as much revenue as possible.  After all, if we didn't claim the money, it would just sit there, or go back to the performance rights organizations.  There are so many bands which don't go after this money, which is just sitting there. Sadly, many times, the best artist, are not the best business persons.  I'm happy to say, I've been able to mentor several to show them how to get this money.  After all, it's money they've ALREADY EARNED!  The same goes for regular business.  You have to maximize your efficiency to maximize profits and constantly look for new ways to increase revenue.

The music business is a fun business, even when it's a small business, but above all, it's just like any other BUSINESS!   When you're doing things right and getting your fair return, it's even MORE FUN!

Shannon Street Music Festival 2013

We had a great time at the  Shannon Street Music Festival in Jackson, Tennessee. It's the first time I've ever played there although I worked at WBBJ-TV in Jackson from 1983-1989, after working in radio near Jackson from 19-82 to 1983.

The Festival was moved indoors to the Oman Arena because of the threat of storms, but in a way that was kinda cool!  I'd been to the arena many times over the years to see concerts and sporting events.  I was pleasantly surprised the arena, which used to be called the Jackson Coliseum, was in great shape!  Brought back a lot of memories!  Wes Henley and the sound crew did an unbelievable job moving everything from the court square to the arena and getting it set up in the time for the show, and the sound was really good!

with John Kilzer

It was great to see so many old friends and catch up, then watch the other acts including Carl Mann, a Sun Records alum, and later Jackson's own John Kilzer, who I'd met years earlier while working a Carl Perkins Center Telethon at WBBJ and seen perform several times years ago.

with old friend Rich Schodel

I think they guys enjoyed taking the little trip down to my neck of the woods, too...here's the video of the trip...

3 Festivals, 3 States Up Next

The next few weeks should be a lot of fun with festivals in 3 states!  We'll start Friday afternoon at the Lowertown Art and Music Festival in Paducah, KY. We've played this one several times before and it's really unique festival. Local artists display their works in Paducah's Historic Lowertown Art District and the streets are blocked off so everyone can walk around and check out the artwork, food and music.  There are 2 stages with continuous live music.  I'll be playing Friday afternoon at 4PM on the main stage. Later that evening, my friends Blue Mother Tupelo will play, and after them, my old friend, Col JD Wilkes and his band, The Dirt Daubers!  I'm making plans to stick around after my set to catch theirs!

The following weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, we'll travel to Murphysboro, Illinois for the Riverside Art and Wine Festival held at Riverside Park. We played this one last year and it's a wonderful setting and a wonderful festival.  Several of Southern Illinois' award winning wineries will be there with wine tastings and of course for sale. For those who prefer beer, they'll have a beer tent this year, too, along with many vendors displaying and selling a wide variety of food and other items.  We had a great time there last year! (click on the picture for a larger view of the poster)

After a stop at the McCracken County Relay for Life Friday night, May 31, we'll travel to Jackson, Tennessee Saturday, June 1st for the Shannon Street MusicFest (formerly known as the Shannon Street Blues Festival). We'll play at 7PM that night.  The headliner will be John Kilzer, a Jackson native who scored with several big hits in the 80s, including "Memory in the Making" and "Red Blue Jeans."  I actually met John years ago while working at the Carl Perkins Child Abuse Prevention Center Telethon on WBBJ-TV in Jackson.  For those who really want to travel in the way back machine, I did weather and sports for WBBJ-TV in Jackson from 1983 to 1989, so it'll be a special homecoming of sorts. I've already heard from several friends there, so I can't wait to get back to see them and play for them!

June 11th at the Carson Center in Paducah, I'll be "opening" for Huey Lewis and the News. Actually I'm playing a private party at the Carson Center  to benefit the Paducah Symphony and also to get them revved up for Huey Lewis.  I'm not sure if there are tickets available for this or not, but I do know, last I heard, there were very few tickets left for Huey Lewis.  Weather permitting, I think the party will be on the 2nd floor outdoor patio for the party, so if you arrive early for the concert and are waiting outside, at least I can serenade ya!

We'll finish out June at Metropolis, Illinois at the Blues and Ques Festival.  Love the BBQ Festivals, and love Metropolis. In case you don't know, it's the home of Superman along with being a very cool town. If you've never done it, you should go through the Superman Museum and the Hollywood Museum there.  Some very cool stuff.  This is my favorite time of the year! I love getting out to play the festivals, make new friends, and also see other bands play!  We'll see you down the road!

Show Friday Night Cancelled!

Sad to report that due to weather and high water, our show Friday night at Buzzard Rock Resort on Lake Barkley has been cancelled!  It may or may not be made up later, but we still have several appearances scheduled for Buzzard Rock later this summer!  Hope to see you there!

Return To Jackson, TN

Always look forward to playing in my home state of Tennessee, but this one's gonna be special!  We'll be playing at the Shannon Street Music Fest in Jackson, TN, Saturday June 1st.  Before moving to Kentucky in 1989, I worked in the Jackson area from 1982 to 1989, first at WZDQ from 1982-83 and then at WBBJ-TV from 1983-1989.

1986

1988

I had a great time there.  I got to meet and hang out with one of my musical heros, Carl Perkins on several occasions.  I'll always remember working a telethon for the Carl Perkins Child Abuse Prevention Center one year, and getting to hang out with both Carl, and another of my favorite singer/songwriters, John Kilzer, who had made a name for himself, first in Memphis and then on the national scene with his great songs.

Funny thing is, I'll actually be opening for John Kilzer this trip.  Kilzer has been through a lot, too so I know he won't remember me, but I so look forward to his show.

I also look forward to seeing so many old friends, who I haven't seen in years.  As for my show, I will do what I do, and I will do my best.  I've changed a lot since then, but my love for West Tennessee and it's people remains steadfast.

Oh yeah.....it looks like our old pal, Col JD Wilkes will be joining us in Jackson.  Oh my..... get ready. Jackson.

New Dates Added: Murphysboro, Metropolis, IL, more...

We've added some new dates! We're booked at the Blues and Ques Festival in Metropolis, IL at Ft Massac State Park, Saturday June 29th at 7PM, and also at the Celebrate America Event at Four Rivers Harley Davidson in Paducah, KY Saturday July 6th.   Here's our latest schedule.  We could also have a major announcement soon about another Blues Festival so stay tuned!

Juke Joint Festival 2013

This was our 4th year to play at the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, MS.  It's turned into a very special trip for us each year.  It's a chance to see old friends, and make new ones.  It's a chance to reconnect with the Blues at it's heart.  And it's so much more.

The Juke Joint Festival is a truly great festival on many levels.  It features the "real deal" Blues players in a "real deal" setting....the authentic Mississippi juke joints.  This draws blues fans from around the nation and even overseas.  It also features a lot of family type activities, so as the old saying goes, there truly is someting for everyone.  For the Blues fan, Robert Belfour, and for the kids, the racing pigs and monkey's riding dogs. (They're a real hoot, by the way....even for the Blues fans...).

The important part of this festival is the celebration of the Blues masters because every year, sadly, there are fewer of them, and even this year, there were a few performers from the past who because of their health, were unable to perform this year, and we can only pray their health improves in the coming year.

We played again this year at the Delta Amusement Cafe, a quaint "joint" near Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club in downtown Clarksdale.  We reconnected with some old friends, such as The Beat Daddies, Blue Mother Tupelo, Tom from Florida, Elizabeth and William from Birmingham, AL, Joy from Paducah, Lanette from Evansville, IN and more!

With Tom from Florida

With Tommy Stillwell and Larry Grisham from The Beat Daddys

With William and Elizabeth from Birmingham, AL

 We played a nice gig, the highlight of which was Rip Lee Pryor joining us for a number.  Rip Lee is the son the legendary Snooky Pryor, who was my mentor in the Blues.  Snooky and I often talked about playing together, but for one reason or another, we never made it happen.  That's why it was so cool for Rip to join us.  Of course, I'd known Rip for years but also, for one reason or another, we'd never had the chance to play together either.  He dropped by after his set, harmonica in hand, and we launched into Snooky's "How'd You Learn to Shake It Like That."  Rip's eyes lit up and we took off!

Here's a short video clip!

I'll try to post more soon from our wonderful trip to the Juke Joint Festival!

Lew For Bonnaroo?

Well.....that's what we're hoping for!  The boys and I are entered to play at the music festival through one of 2 ways:

1.  We are entered for consideration for one of 8 slots through SonicBids to play at the festival.

2. SonicBids is also having a contest, where fans can vote on who they would like to see at Bonnaroo, with Bonnaroo choosing 2 of the top 10 vote getters.  We are entered in this, too.

Playing Bonnaroo would be a real hoot since I'm a native Tennessean and also went to college just down the road at Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, TN.  We have appeared at numerous festivals over the years, including some of the top Blues festivals in the nation.  Bonnaroo would be a great experience though, for us, and I'm sure, for some of the fans who have never been exposed to the original high energy style of Blues we play, especially, live.

Facebook   Twitter
Lew Jetton & 61 South

Easy Online Applications To Perform At Music Festivals

In the "old days," to apply to perform at music festivals across the nation was a "tough act" in itself.  It meant mailing out dozens and dozens of bulky press kits with music samples (CD's and before that, cassettes or LPs).  Now days, almost instantly, your band can apply to appear at festivals and other events throughout the nation and abroad through online applications:

Here are some of my favorites!  Some I have performed at.  Some I have attended. Some I would like to attend or perform at!  If you or your band would like to submit to perform at these, just click and submit!

Each May in Paducah, Kentucky, they have the Lowertown Art & Music Festival. It's a really cool festival featuring local artist and musicians.  Bands are required to perform original material, no covers, and must be based within 300 miles of Paducah, Kentucky.   If you'd like to play it,  Click Here to apply to perform at the Lowertown Art and Music Festival!  I've played this one several times and it's a treat!  The neighborhood is beautiful, the town is great, and the crew is easy to work with!

I've played the Handy Blues Festival in Henderson, Kentucky a couple of times over the last 14 years.  To my mind, it's one of the best "unknown" blues festivals in the nation.  It's only one stage but they consistently have the top blues acts in the nation over the festival, which last more than a week.  It takes place in a gorgeous park overlooking the Ohio River and it's usually packed for the performances.  The organizers use merchandise sales and sponsors to keep the festival free.  One of my favorite festivals to have ever played or  attended.  Several years ago, a friend of mine from Australia came to visit and I suggested he stay at a B and B and attend this festival prior to the Chicago Blues Festival and believe it or not, he enjoyed the Handy Festival as much or more than the Chicago Blues Festival because the performers were so outstanding and the local people were to nice!  If you'd like to perform at the WC Handy Blues Festival, Click here to apply! 

I've never played the Chicago Blues Festival, but it's a dream of mine!  You better believe I'll apply next year. I have attended it, and it's all you would think it would be: the finest Chicago Blues players and singers doing their thing that they do so well!  If you think you or your band has what it takes to play the Chicago Blues Festival, or any of the other music events in the Windy City, click here and submit your best stuff! 

One of my favorite Blues Festivals is the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas!  Been there many times.  Never played the festival itself, but did play at Pasquale's Tamales once, during the festival, years ago!  You can't really "apply" to play the main stage, but you can apply to play the "Emerging Artist" Stage and if you are good enough, you might work your way to the big stage in the future and get recognition in the present for appearing at this prestigious festival.  If you think this fits you or your band, apply here by downloading the application and sending in! 

There are several online services which make it easy for you or your band to apply for appearing at festivals and events across the country or abroad.  Right now, I'm utilizing SonicBids to see how effective it is.  It cost a monthly fee and some of the larger festivals, such as Bonnaroo, require an additional monetary fee, usually $5 to $20.  I'll publish a review after a few months and tell you how SonicBids worked for us!

Another huge festival for which you can apply to perform, online, is SXSW in Austin, TX!.  You can apply to perform through SonicBids,

You can apply to play at the Camp Wigout Music Festival in Alabama through SonicBids or Online through their website. 

I'll post more ways to apply to play Blues Festivals later!  Or if you know of some others, email me at ljetton at 61south.com.  Thanks!!!

Festival Update For 2013

We're still ironing out schedule for festivals and other major shows this coming year, but here's what we know so far!

Saturday, April 13, Juke Joint Festival, Clarksdale, MS:  We are still waiting to get our stage assignment and time but are really looking forward to our 4th straight appearance at the Juke Joint Festival.  As noted since our first ever visit there, it's one of our favorites and in my opinion, one of the best run festivals there is.  There is plenty of "real deal" blues artist, in the "real deal" settings, the actual juke joints of Mississippi, and even outside of the music, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy.....like the racing pigs, and monkey's riding dogs! While there, check out the coolest store ever, Cat Head.  Here's a look at our visit last year!    Last year, we played at the Delta Amusement Cafe, and the year before we played at Ground Zero! 

Friday, May 17, Lowertown Art and Music Festival, Paducah, KY:  We'll play on the main stage at 4PM, so get there early.  This is a really cool festival featuring music and local art in the city's historic Lowertown district, which has been revitalized as a mecca for local artists.  The festival features the music, art galleries nearby and great food, too!  One cool thing about playing on Friday is our friends, Blue Mother Tupelo will too!  We're among their many fans and always look forward to seeing them perform and saying "hi!"

Saturday, May 25, Shawnee Art & Wine Festival, Murphysboro, IL:  Don't let the website fool ya!  The event has been moved to May this year, on Memorial Day Weekend.  Several of Southern Illinois' finest wineries are on hand for tastings, and great food, too.  We had a blast last year and this year's should be even better!!  We're schedule to play at 2PM on the main stage.

Friday, September 27, BBQ On The River, Paducah, KY:   Our annual gathering with 40,000 or so of our closest friends!  We played the very first one, way back in 1995 and have enjoyed making it our "homecoming" every year since!  Along the way, it's turned into one of the biggest events in the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities.  That's the unique thing which sets this BBQ contest apart. The contestants cook for trophies, but also cook for their adopted charities, who receive the proceeds from the sale of the BBQ to the public!

You can always find a complete listing of our shows HERE!  And it's continually updated as new shows are added.  If you haven't heard, one of our fans is pushing our submission to appear at this year's Bonnaroo Music Festival in June!  That would be a major HOOT!  If you'd like to help with this venture, just click here and like us, and share on your facebook wall!



May God Bless,
Lew