NORWICH – There’s more than one way to skin a cat. And although organizers of the 14th Annual Chenango County Blues Festival say this year’s feel is discernibly Gulf Coast, a seasoned line-up from all parts of Louisiana and beyond stand to prove there is more than one way to play the blues.
“Someone who thinks they have the blues figured out is looking at it from a smaller framework I am,” said Blues Fest headliner Marcia Ball, in an interview with The Evening Sun.
Born and raised in Louisiana, Ball has spread her roots and gathered styles from across the country. Her staple influence has been Austin for 30 plus years, but sounds from Kansas City, Chicago, Mississippi, and her origins in the Gulf Coast all stir a boiling hot blues kettle.
“It is still a big influence, it’s where we operate from,” Ball said, describing her upbringing in Vinton, La, near the Texas border. “Our music is based on the traditions of the blues, but calling my music ‘the blues’ is really just the simplest way to describe it.”
Ball has been described as a powerful vocalist and a deft artist on the keyboards. Her experience spans countless cities, collaborations, and incarnations, which with her time in Austin, she says, has made her a conscientious songwriter.
“The song writing and way people approach it...it’s kept at a high level in Austin,” she said. “You don’t just push out a song – it won’t stand up with your peers.”
Ball said she’s looking forward to her date at the blues-fest. “I’m looking forward to this,” she said. “We’re very excited, hopefully we’ll make them dance and laugh, and we’ll make them cry.”
The blues-fest is organized by the Chenango Blues Association, and it runs from Friday, Aug. 18 to Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. All Friday performances are free and open to the public. Saturday admission is $15 in advance, $20 the day of the festival. For anyone 18 and under, admission is free.
While Marcia Ball may gave decades of experience, fellow blues-fest musician Daniel “Slick” Ballinger, a native of North Carolina, said that 24 years of living has thus far has only taught him one way to play the blues; the old way.
“All I know is the style I learned from,” said Ballinger, who learned traditional styles while living and working in Mississippi, which plays a large role in his beliefs as a Christian. “The Mississippi blues is really the same as gospel – that church style music – they are a lot a like.”
Often called a young man with an old soul, Ballinger doesn’t believe his age has held him back or has made him different from other musicians playing the blues.
“Everybody has a gift,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how young or old you are.”
Ballinger’s gift to convey the blues foundations built by Son House, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, R.L. Burnside, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker will be an anchor at this years bluesfestival.
The blues festival will kick-off Friday at 6 p.m. at the Guernsey Memorial Library with a performance and work shop by fingerpicking virtuoso and lap slide guitarist Mary Flower. As an accomplished musician and vocalist, Flower has released albums and plays throughout the U.S. and Europe as a performer and teacher. The demonstration is free and open to the public. Flower will also be doing private performances at the NYS Veterans home and the YMCA camp, sponsored by the Chenango Blues Association.
Friday evening two free shows begin at 7:15 p.m. and end at 10 p.m., featuring local favorite Uncle Bruce and Memphis lead-man Alvin Youngblood Hart. Camping, vendors, workshops, kids activities and music will all be provided on Saturday. The music starts Saturday at noon.