Blues Notes

When it comes to blues, I am way out of the musical loop--like when I figured interest in rap would die out after The Fat Boys lost popularity. In fact, I'm not sure I could have more ridiculously underestimated the interest in the blues as a genre of music. See, out of curiosity this morning I Googled "blues festival" just to see if there were many around Texas or in neighboring states. I imagined finding maybe a dozen or so big ones in the Southwest, a few Yankee contenders, maybe some smaller events in Canada. My very unscientific research found at least 400 festivals big enough to have a Web site, attract bands and create a decent amount of noise. And it's not confined to our shores. The Netherlands, Norway, Jamaica--they're in on the act, too, with eight between them. Even the Isle of Man jams with Bushy's Big Wheel Blues Festival every year.

Related Content

• The Olivia Tremor Control - Sons of Hermann Hall - 4/27/12
  April 30, 2012
• The Polyphonic Spree's "What Would You Do?" Video Contest Has a Winner
  February 16, 2012
• Watch This: Polyphonic Spree Hit the Road
  January 12, 2012
• Q & A: Jeremy Bolm of Touché Amoré Talks Mixing Genres, Provoking Thoughts and Having to Wait Too Long to Play
  November 7, 2011
• Wilco Announces November Show at Fair Park; Carrollton Snags Third Eye Blind for Festival
  September 2, 2011

More About

• Hermann Hall
• Pete Barbeck
• Leo Hull
• Kerrie Lepai
• Blues Music

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Events Newsletter: What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Clearly for my own sake, I need to attend the eighth annual Texas International Blues Festivalat the Sons of Hermann Hall in Deep Ellum this Sunday and acquaint myself with the blues-loving public. Drumming legend Buddy Miles of the Jimi Hendrix Experience (and that Claymation California raisin commercial) will be headlining the all-day festival, which will also feature Dallas-based Cold Blue Steel, a roadhouse-style group that has a sort of blues/boogie/shuffle blend of music. Dallas blues talent will include Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones, Cookie McGee, Blue Lisa and the T-Bonz, Leo Hull & the Texas Blues Machine, Pete Barbeck & 7th Son and Far Cry. The Silvertones--four-time winners of the best blues category at the Dallas Observer Music Awards (including this year and last)--will be in attendance. Other bands include Kerrie Lepai and the Shifters, Texas Top Cats, Dead Awake and Persey Posey. It's enough of a lineup to be an educational experience.