Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival announces 2010 lineup by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

B.B.King

(Memphis, Tennessee)There's exciting news from our friends in Helena, Arkansas. My friend, grantwriter and blues maven Heidi Knockenheur posted the news of this year's lineup earlier on Facebook and I am delighted to pass this information along to our international readers here at the American Blues News.

The Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival is among the most prestigious and well attended blues events in the world. It has existed for 25 years and this year the lineup will feature a sure to please list of blues luminaries. Tickets for 3 three long days of music are only a mere $25 and that is the world's best live music value considering the quality of the talent that will be appearing this year.

Reba Russell

Fans will enjoy B.B. King and Dr. John, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush, Taj Mahal, John Hammond, Pinetop Perkins and Bob Margolin, Reba Russell, Michael Burks and many more great stars during this remarkable weekend of fun.

I am delighted to announce that my band of 25 years, the Wampus Cats will be appearing as well as Papa Don McMinn with whom I will be honored to play again this year. I would not miss this 25 year anniversary festival for anything. It will be one to remember. Don't miss out!

We will be covering this event at the American Blues News but there is nothing like being there in person so...

order your tickets for the event October 7, 8, and 9 right here online:

http://www.bluesandheritagefest.com/2010-tickets/

Lineup

James Harman and Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

Thursday – Main Stage
Heather Cross
SBBS Battle of The Band Winner
Grady Champion
Willie Cobbs
Sterling Billingsley Band
James Harman
Reba Russell
Paul Thorn
B. B. King

Sterling Billingsley Band

Preston Shannon

Friday - Main Stage
Sherrie Williams
Big Jack Johnson
Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King
Kentucky Headhunters
Hubert Sumlin & Willie “Big Eyes” Smith
Michael Burks
Marcia Ball
Dr. John

2010 Blues Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Musslewhite

Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin

Saturday – Main Stage
Preston Shannon
Larry McCray
Bobby Parker
Pinetop Perkins & Bob Margolin
Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets
Walter “Wolfman” Washington
Charlie Musselwhite
Taj Mahal

Bobby Rush

Friday – Lockwood Stackhouse Stage
Phillip Stackhouse
Andy Coats
Johnny Billington
Bernie Pearl
Spoonfed Blues featuring Mississippi Spoonman
Gwen White
Mojo Buford
Bobby Rush

John Hammond

Saturday – Lockwood Stackhouse Stage
Jimmy “Duck” Holmes
Rev. Robert
Austin “Walkin” Cane
John Hammond
Lonnie Shields
Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms and the Wampus Cats
Papa Don McMinn
Earnest “Guitar” Roy

Papa Don McMinn

Payton Clark (Bit-O-Blues) Stage
David Bernstein
Johnny Billington Blues Academy
Matt Zigler
Homemade Jamz
Payton Clark Memorial featuring The Payton Clark Band

Bill Bailey and Memphis Mike Forrest of the Wampus Cats

RCT

text and all photographs, © Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms, 2010

Washington DC Blues : Michael Burks by Bluesman

The Blues in our nations capital . We have some of the very best Blues coming thru our area , and some of the best Blues I have heard lately comes from the hot hands of Michael Burks .

I had the opportunity to see Mr Burks at a small venue called The State Theatre in Falls Church , Virginia . This is a renovated movie theatre that still has the balcony that graced many of the better theatres in out great country . It also has a dance floor in front of the stage , but , me being the lousy dancer I am , used it to get closer to the action . Closer to the Blues .

Michael Burks plays the Blues with the intensity of the great Blues artists of the past , and has a strong vocal style that reminds me of the great BB King during his heyday . The house was full of intense smokin' non stop Blues that electrified the small but appreciative crowd . It never ceases to amaze me that people are unaware of Blues artists like Michael Burks . I agree that the "main stream" artists ike Eric Clapton , Joe Perry , BB King , Jeff Beck and others too numerous to mention , are great musicians and worthy of the praise they receive from fans and critics , but THIS I know ... the only difference between these artists and Michael Burks is experience ; time in the studio and on the road .

Michael Burks is constantly on the road , and I would highly recommend catching one of his shows when he comes to your area . He plays many of the Blues festivals around the country , and I will post his tour dates on this site once the new year starts .

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! Due to this being Christmas Eve , todays post will be short . Here's hoping that Santa brings everyone what they want ( IF you can afford it ) , and please stay tuned to Washington DC Blues for all the best Blues news in the area !

Merry Christmas

Bluesman