NORWICH – Guitarist/singer/songwriters Brian Golden and Jess Novak, founding members of the aptly named Golden Novak Band, will kick off the Chenango Blues Association’s 23rd annual Chenango Blues Fest at 6 p.m. Friday at the Chenango County Fairgrounds, with the pair making appearances both before and after tomorrow’s show: tonight at the Park Place Sports Bar and Grill (7 to 10 p.m.) and Friday at Rita’s Tavern (10 p.m.).

Tonight’s performance will feature the duo of Golden and Novak — the former on acoustic and electric guitar, the latter on acoustic guitar and electric fiddle — and find the pair sharing its extensive catalog of soulful originals and choice cover material. And while the Golden Novak Duo has earned a reputation for its genre-bending live shows over the past year, at its heart is a love and deep respect for the blues.

“I was raised on the blues and have always tried to stay true to that music, no matter where I was or who I was playing with,” said Golden. “It’s an honor to be part of this year’s amazing lineup and I think people will enjoy what the band has in store for them.”