Get Out to Live Music!

Wheeling’s 2009 Heritage Music BluesFest started off and ended with ”BANG”.  From Friday night’s start to the last performance on Sunday nothing but the best of the blues came from the stage by the river. It’s hard to give each band the justice they deserve, so I’ve added the entire schedule below so you can check out each one. One thing is sure — Bruce Wheeler knows how to put together a great festival. The best thing about the festival is that these great artists stop by the sales table to sign CDs and chat with the fans. Where else, but at a blues festival, can you do that? I hope to see you there next year; it’s always the second weekend in August!  

FRIDAY – 8/07/09
Eden Brent
John Nemeth
The Soul Of John Black
Elvin Bishop

SATURDAY – 8/08/09
IBC Solo / Duo Winner
Mikey Jr.
David Jacobs Strain
Delta Highway
Saffire the Uppity Blues Women
Ronnie Baker Brooks
Walter Trout
Bobby Rush

SUNDAY – 8/09/09
IBC Band Winner
Moreland & Arbuckle
Ruthie Foster
Magic Slim & the Teardrops
Sonny Landreth
The Fabulous Thunderbirds

True to form, Bruce Wheeler put together an outstanding lineup for the Heritage Music Bluesfest this year. This year appeared to bring a record attendance. While I have not seen the official report, the stage was much more crowded than previous years; and the seats were near capacity.

The main stage lineup included Debbie Davies, Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets w/ James Harman, Sugar Blue, Delta Guitarslingers, Michael Burks – Sherman Robertson & Carl Weathersby, Lionel Young, The Soul of John Black, Barbara Blue, Blue Bella Revue w/ Nick Moss and the Flip Tops, Bil Lupkin & Kilborn Alley, Watermelon Slim & the Workers, Ana Popovic, The Mannish Boys, Trampled Under Foot, Seth Walker, Tinsley Ellis, Deanna Bogart, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, and Johnny Winter & James Cotton.

The second stage featured some very fine local talent: Sarah’s KickStart Blues, Adrian Niles, The Biscuit Rollers, Billy The Kid & the Regulators, Amanda McCoy, and The Catch Blues Band.

As is true with most festivals, there is nearly always a surprise. For this one, Deanna Bogart was the surprise to me. I have heard her on XM Radio before, but to see her performance in person is out of this world. Her energy on stage is amazing. The audience obviously knew what to expect as they crowded the stage. She captivated our attention as she and her band performed some fabulous Blues.

Thank you again Bruce for putting this together and to all the fans out there who support Live Music and the Blues.