NORWICH – Unlike legendary blues guitarist B.B. King, it’s not every day Chenango County gets the blues. That won’t be the case this weekend, however, when the gates open at 11 a.m. at the county fairgrounds for the 19th annual Chenango Blues Fest.
Featuring a veritable Who’s Who in regional and national blues talent, this year’s event will include main stage performances by up-and-coming blues crooner Gina Sicilia, guitar sensation Ana Popovic, the Honey Island Swamp Band (returning for a second straight year), blues harmonica legend James Cotton and headliners the North Mississippi All Star Duo.
According to the Chenango Blues Association’s Eric Larsen, it’s a lineup that’s sure to please even the most die-hard fan of the genre.
“The Blues Fest seems to get bigger and better every year and it’s great to have that kind of longevity,” stated Larsen. “It’s very satisfying. We have a great group of volunteers and donors, and it’s those people that make this event such a success every year.”
And while this year’s Sheffield Bio-Science main stage – and its all-star line-up – are certainly impressive, Larsen said he’s even more excited for the Nelson & Flanagan-Grouse Ridge Kennels acoustic stage performances. With artists such as local favorites the Suspicious Hats, Doug MacLeod, Super Chikan and John Hammond, festival-goers should share in that excitement, he added.
“It just jumps out to me, that acoustic stage,” stated Larsen. “Everybody in there is headliner quality and to hear those three national acts is just crazy.”
Larsen admitted that – as far as acoustic blues goes – it’s not something he’d usually pop into the CD player while cruising down the road. Hearing it live, however, is another story entirely.
“This is the best way to hear this kind of music and I think people can expect three top-shelf, quality performances,” he added.
Steve Palmatier, a fellow member of the Chenango Blues Association, said he believed this year’s lineup to be the best in the history of the event. Between the North Mississippi All Star Duo (featuring Luther and Cody Dickinson), the Honey Island Swamp Band (returning for a second straight year) and Hammond – who he called “one of the nicest guys in the world” – it’s a Blues Fest for the ages.
A fan of the Honey Island Swamp Band since its days backing-up Eric Lindell – who put on one of this year’s most popular summer concert series performances – Palmatier added he expects a large crowd for Saturday’s festivities.
“We broke every attendance record we had with the summer concert series this year,” said Palmatier. “With J.J. Grey, we had people from Connecticut, Toronto, Buffalo, Albany, Plattsburgh and Allentown, Pennsylvania coming in. That says something about what those free shows are and what they’ve become.”
Virtuoso guitarist Popovic, who’s been gathering a national – not to mention worldwide – following since bursting on the scene in the early part of the 21st century, said she’s excited for Saturday’s performance. And while the audiences she performs for across the globe vary from country to country, it’s the United States where the Yugoslavia-born guitar-slinger feels the most comfortable.
“America is my favorite, it’s where the blues originated,” said Popovic. “America doesn’t come to you and I definitely wanted to make my name here.”
Popovic got into the blues early on, thanks to her father, also a guitarist. She said that “blues was the only thing we had in the house” and – by the time she was four years old – she was singing to the likes of Robert Johnson, Elmore James and Albert King. At age 14, she picked up a guitar and the rest is history. On Wednesday, Popovic released her latest CD, “Unconditional.” It’s a return to the roots of the blues with a modern twist, said the guitarist.
“I wanted to make it powerful and it was very demanding,” said Popovic of the album. “I had a great time. I gave myself a little more time to prepare for it and, instead of rushing into the studio, enjoyed the preparation of the album.”
Blues harmonica legend James Cotton, who’s recording and live performance record includes stints with Sonny Boy Williamson and Muddy Waters, among many others, said he’s also excited for tomorrow’s festival. The blues, said the harmonica great, is “here to stay.”
“Everybody has the blues,” added Cotton, whose latest recording, Giant, was recently released by Alligator Records. “The blues are my life. I have to give it my best every day and we’re really excited to be there. Were going to have a good time.”
Rolling Stone Magazine called the man “among the greats of all time,” one who “blazes on harp with brilliant virtuosity.”
Part of the Blues Fest’s success, according to Larsen, can be attributed to its organizers’ efforts to include a variety of blues and blues-based music. The festival, said Palmatier, is something people simply will not find in other metropolitan areas across the state, some which are ten or twenty times the size of Norwich.
“This is quite possibly the best lineup we’ve ever had,” echoed Larsen. “We always strive to mix it up with a lot of different styles.”
Between the vocal stylings of Sicilia, the swamp-rock-and-boogie of the Honey Island Swamp Band, Popovic’s inspired guitar, and the “new flavor” of the North Mississippi All Star Duo’s take on the blues – not to mention the history and legacy that a legend like Cotton brings to the stage – Larsen added people “are not going to hear the same thing twice, this is that kind of lineup.”
In addition to an extremely generous offering of the blues, the festival will feature a variety of food and craft vendors, according to Larsen, as well as activities for the kids and camping. Tickets for the Chenango Blues Fest are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show, which kicks off at noon on Saturday. Tent camping is still available and is $35 for up to 4 adults per site for the weekend. Children 17 and under will be admitted for free and those under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information on the Chenango Blues Fest, visit www.chenangobluesfest.org.