Blues on the Fox performers top Blues awards
Summer is the season for festivals and festivals are the reason Kenny Wayne Shepherd loves summer.
"Once it warms up, man, that means we get to play our music outside and have fun with the crowds," the platinum-selling blues rocker said during a tour stop Sunday in Springfield, Mo. "Outdoor shows can have between 5,000 and 50,000 people there and there's nothing cooler than playing off that energy."
The Grammy-nominated Shepherd will have plenty of energy to feed off this weekend when he headline's Aurora's 12th annual Blues on the Fox music festival.
"We know we have a huge fan base in the Chicago area and they always give us a great turnout," he said. "This weekend should be no different."
The two-day fest, which begins at 6:45 p.m. today, is the city's annual celebration of the history of the RCA Bluebird recordings that were made in the 1930s at the Leland Hotel's famous Sky Club in downtown Aurora.
Aurora's Special Events Manager Gina Morga said hundreds of songs were recorded by John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, and others, clearing the way for the urban blues movement that spawned rock 'n' roll.
"Because we're celebrating that history, we make sure each year's lineup includes performers from each era and blues style so something appeals to everyone," Moga said.
Three of this year's performers are recipients of the 2008 Blues Music Awards. Shepherd is a recipient of best DVD for his "10 Days Out - Blues from the Backroads " DVD. Hubert Sumlin, who will be performing with Kenny Wayne, was awarded best "Traditional Blues Male Artist" of the year. Bettye LaVette, who also will be performing Saturday, was awarded best "Contemporary Blues Female Artist".
All of the other Blues on the Fox performers are either past recipients or nominees. Marcia Ball is a three-time recipient of the Blues Music Awards including "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year".
Friday night's performers - Elvin Bishop and Eddy Clearwater - and Corey Harris, Saturday afternoon's entertainment, are all past nominees.
Friday night's entertainment will be headlined by Elvin Bishop. Festivities will begin with a performance by Chicago blues favorite Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater at 6:45 p.m.
At 3 p.m. Saturday, the Hix Brothers' Junior All-Stars will launch the day of performances featuring young Aurora students of the blues. Acoustic blues artist Corey Harris will take the stage at 4 p.m. Next up will be 2008 Grammy nominee and Detroit legend Bettye LaVette who will belt out blues and soul. Marcia Ball will bring her boogie-woogie, New Orleans-flavored piano and vocals next.
Shepherd will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. and he's bringing his "Chicago guys" with him, including longtime Howlin' Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin and Willy "Big Eye" Smith from Muddy Waters.
"We're bringing it big so Aurora should be prepared for a great show and some soulful performances," Shepherd said. "And I'm bringing some living legends on the stage with me so this is a show not to be missed."
For the festival schedule, artists' biographies and other information visit www.BluesOnTheFoxAurora.com or call (630) 844-4731.
If you go
What: Blues festival that celebrates the historic RCA Bluebird recordings made in Aurora in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Where: Downtown Aurora
When: 6:45 to 10 p.m. today and 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Cost: Free
Info: www.bluesonthefoxaurora.com or (630) 844-4731