Blues harmonica blowout headlines Chenango Bluesfest Aug. 16
There will be something for everyone at the 16th Annual Chenango Blues Festival, this year sponsored by Manpower of Norwich.
You can listen to nationally-recognized artists on two stages, browse great craft vendors, eat from a variety of interesting food booths or watch the kids play in the free activity area. It’s hard to go wrong at what’s become known as one of the most fan and artist friendly shows on the festival circuit.
Headlining main stage performances, sponsored by Kerry Bio Science of Norwich, are the Blues Harmonica Blowout, an all-star band with a rock solid rhythm section, backup guitar player in Rusty Zinn, and three of the most acclaimed harp players in the country today: fest favorite Kenny Neal; former Little Charlie and the Nightcats frontsman Rick Estrin; and West Coast star Mark Hummel.
“They plan to wage a no-holds-barred harmonica playoff like you’ve never seen,” said Chenango Blues Association President Eric Larsen.
A member of the band said the Norwich venue is a great opportunity to introduce more East Coast audiences to harp blowouts.
“I had heard about the Chenango Bluesfest for quite a while,” said Hummel, who has been playing in harp blowouts for the past 19 years. “It tends to have a real fun line up and real enthusiastic crowds who come from throughout the Northeast. We are trying to spread the word about what we are doing with these blowouts. There’s a real edge of competitiveness between us.” Hummel said the band tries to read the audience and picks songs that they “are going to get.”
After two years battling illness, hometown favorite Kenny Neal recently released what may well be the best-received CD of the year. “This is a remarkable comeback by an artist who is near and dear to Chenango County blues fans,” Larsen said.
“I guess it’s about that time for me to come back, and I’m looking forward to it. These people are all old friends of mine from when they just started out. It’s going to be fun to come back and see how the fest has grown,” Neal said. The blues musician said he would be performing several tracks his father, the legendary Rafus Neal, recorded back in the 50s and 60s.
Preceding the headliners on the main stage is Louisiana slide guitar player Sonny Landreth. His recently released recording includes guest performances by fans including Eric Clapton and Dr. John. Next up is Eric Lindell, who, as described by Chenango Blues Association Board Member Pat Dietrich, is “a great singer, a great song writer, a great guitar player and a genuinely nice guy.”
“We don’t often repeat artists, but his Friday night show last year was so popular we wanted the Saturday audience to have the chance to see him,” Dietrich said.
Also on the main stage is Nora Jean Bruso, a Chicago blues belter who grew up in the Mississippi cotton fields and has returned to the blues scene after a long hiatus raising her family. Opening the show is the eclectic and always fun, George Kilby, Jr.
“If you don’t get your lawn chair set up by noon, you’ll be missing an entertaining set by the backing band for Pinetop Perkins,” Dietrich said.
The Nelson & Flanagan/Grouse Ridge acoustic tent is a unique feature of the festival, over the years hosting a ‘who’s who’ of acoustic blues stars who often offer up some of the event’s most riveting performances. This year’s tradition is likely to continue with Kenny Neal, Samuel James and Cephas and Wiggins.
The 16th Chenango Blues Festival main stage show will be held from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds on East Main St. in Norwich. Advance sale tickets for Saturday are $15 for those 19 and over, and are available by phone at 336-2787. Saturday’s show is free to those 18 and under when accompanied by an adult. Camping is available on the fairgrounds for an additional fee.
Preliminary Friday night performances include a workshop at Guernsey Memorial Library from 6 to 7 p.m. featuring Cephas and Wiggins. The music shifts to the fairgrounds at 7:15 p.m. for a set by Albany’s Black Fuel, a power trio making their first local appearance. The evening will be capped by a truly special performance by New Orleans band, Bonerama, at 8:30 p.m. Friday’s show is free for everyone and sponsored by Frontier Communications.
Further information on artists, performance schedules, vendors and grounds rules can be found available on the organization’s website at www.chenangobluesfest.org, or by phone at 334-5653 press 1.
The Chenango Blues Association credits the following sponsors: Assemblyman Clifford Crouch; Senator Tom Libous; Laral Management; Manpower, Inc.; Frontier Communications; Nelson & Flanagan/Grouse Ridge Kennels; NBT Bank; Pennysaver/Evening Sun; Kerry Bio-Science; Steve & Linda Palmatier; Procter & Gamble; Rentals to Go; and SUNY Morrisville, Norwich Campus.
“These free shows and the low-cost festival are only possible because of the generous contributions of all these great people,” said Chenango Blues Association Treasurer Steven Palmatier.
You can listen to nationally-recognized artists on two stages, browse great craft vendors, eat from a variety of interesting food booths or watch the kids play in the free activity area. It’s hard to go wrong at what’s become known as one of the most fan and artist friendly shows on the festival circuit.
Headlining main stage performances, sponsored by Kerry Bio Science of Norwich, are the Blues Harmonica Blowout, an all-star band with a rock solid rhythm section, backup guitar player in Rusty Zinn, and three of the most acclaimed harp players in the country today: fest favorite Kenny Neal; former Little Charlie and the Nightcats frontsman Rick Estrin; and West Coast star Mark Hummel.
“They plan to wage a no-holds-barred harmonica playoff like you’ve never seen,” said Chenango Blues Association President Eric Larsen.
A member of the band said the Norwich venue is a great opportunity to introduce more East Coast audiences to harp blowouts.
“I had heard about the Chenango Bluesfest for quite a while,” said Hummel, who has been playing in harp blowouts for the past 19 years. “It tends to have a real fun line up and real enthusiastic crowds who come from throughout the Northeast. We are trying to spread the word about what we are doing with these blowouts. There’s a real edge of competitiveness between us.” Hummel said the band tries to read the audience and picks songs that they “are going to get.”
After two years battling illness, hometown favorite Kenny Neal recently released what may well be the best-received CD of the year. “This is a remarkable comeback by an artist who is near and dear to Chenango County blues fans,” Larsen said.
“I guess it’s about that time for me to come back, and I’m looking forward to it. These people are all old friends of mine from when they just started out. It’s going to be fun to come back and see how the fest has grown,” Neal said. The blues musician said he would be performing several tracks his father, the legendary Rafus Neal, recorded back in the 50s and 60s.
Preceding the headliners on the main stage is Louisiana slide guitar player Sonny Landreth. His recently released recording includes guest performances by fans including Eric Clapton and Dr. John. Next up is Eric Lindell, who, as described by Chenango Blues Association Board Member Pat Dietrich, is “a great singer, a great song writer, a great guitar player and a genuinely nice guy.”
“We don’t often repeat artists, but his Friday night show last year was so popular we wanted the Saturday audience to have the chance to see him,” Dietrich said.
Also on the main stage is Nora Jean Bruso, a Chicago blues belter who grew up in the Mississippi cotton fields and has returned to the blues scene after a long hiatus raising her family. Opening the show is the eclectic and always fun, George Kilby, Jr.
“If you don’t get your lawn chair set up by noon, you’ll be missing an entertaining set by the backing band for Pinetop Perkins,” Dietrich said.
The Nelson & Flanagan/Grouse Ridge acoustic tent is a unique feature of the festival, over the years hosting a ‘who’s who’ of acoustic blues stars who often offer up some of the event’s most riveting performances. This year’s tradition is likely to continue with Kenny Neal, Samuel James and Cephas and Wiggins.
The 16th Chenango Blues Festival main stage show will be held from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds on East Main St. in Norwich. Advance sale tickets for Saturday are $15 for those 19 and over, and are available by phone at 336-2787. Saturday’s show is free to those 18 and under when accompanied by an adult. Camping is available on the fairgrounds for an additional fee.
Preliminary Friday night performances include a workshop at Guernsey Memorial Library from 6 to 7 p.m. featuring Cephas and Wiggins. The music shifts to the fairgrounds at 7:15 p.m. for a set by Albany’s Black Fuel, a power trio making their first local appearance. The evening will be capped by a truly special performance by New Orleans band, Bonerama, at 8:30 p.m. Friday’s show is free for everyone and sponsored by Frontier Communications.
Further information on artists, performance schedules, vendors and grounds rules can be found available on the organization’s website at www.chenangobluesfest.org, or by phone at 334-5653 press 1.
The Chenango Blues Association credits the following sponsors: Assemblyman Clifford Crouch; Senator Tom Libous; Laral Management; Manpower, Inc.; Frontier Communications; Nelson & Flanagan/Grouse Ridge Kennels; NBT Bank; Pennysaver/Evening Sun; Kerry Bio-Science; Steve & Linda Palmatier; Procter & Gamble; Rentals to Go; and SUNY Morrisville, Norwich Campus.
“These free shows and the low-cost festival are only possible because of the generous contributions of all these great people,” said Chenango Blues Association Treasurer Steven Palmatier.
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