Check out these gigs
Page updated in April-2023
Fun Filled Parties in 2023 & 2024
What's life if you don't dance?
"We don't know where
we're going,
Somewhere is for squares"
Big Muddy Blues Fest-St Louis, MO
Burning Man Fest-Black Rock City, NV
Cotton Patch Blues Festival-Holly Springs, MS
Cruzn the Crossroads Car Show-Clarksdale, MS
Deak's Harp Fest-Clarksdale, MS
Deep Blues Festival-New Roxy/ShackUp Inn-Clarksdale,
MS
Early Wright Blues Heritage Award-Clarksdale, MS
Fantasy Fest-Key West, FL
Four
Mounds Blues-Dubuque, IA
Grenada Lake Dam/Crossroads Cruisers-Grenada, MS
Hobo Convention-Britt, IA
Juke
Joint Festival-Clarksdale, MS
King Biscuit Blues-Helena, AR
Mardi
Gras-St Louis, MO
Memphis In May-Memphis, TN
MS John Hurt Festival, Carrollton, MS
Mushroom Festival-Muscoda, WI
Mystic Knights Blues-New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Jazz-New Orleans, LA
North MS Hill Blues-HWY 7, MS
Oktober Festival-St Louis, MO
Othar Turner Goat Picnic-Coldwater, MS
Paint the Town of Clarksdale, MS
PT Cruiser Meet Me in St Louis
Robert Johnson Gravesite Tribute-Greenwood, MS
3-20-2004
Red Lion Casino-Elko, NV
Route 66 Festival-Springfield, IL
Riverwalk Blues-Ft Lauderdale, FL
Strassenfest-Chesterfield, MO
Sunflower Blues Festival-Clarksdale, MS
Superman Days-Metropolis, IL
Threshers Reunion-Mt Pleasant, IA
Times Square New Years-New York, NY
Toodle-oo Stew-East St Louis, IL
Willie King Freedom
Festival-Aliceville, AL
Winter Dance Party-Buddy Holly-Clear Lake, IA
CANCELLED FOR 2021
click on RED link to see more.......
Feb 1-3, 2024 Buddy
Holly Winter Dance Party at The Surf
Ballroom
460 North Lake Shore Dr - Clear Lake, IA 641-357-6151
2022 was Don Mclean. Killer Vees, Holy Rocka Rollaz, Austin Allsup,
Los Lobos, The Fireballs, White Sidewalls, plus others.
60th Anniversary was in 2019! In 2019 you saw Jay and The
Americans,
Little Anthony
and The Imperials, Linda Gail Lewis,
Edan Everly,
Austin Allsup, Chubby
Checker, The Chiffons,
Bobby Cochran,
and Albert Lee.
In 2018 it was Freddy Cannon,
Brenda Lee, Bobby
Rydell, & Austin Alsup.
2017
was Tommy
Allsup, Johnny Rivers, and
Lloyd Price, Whitesidewalls,
& Del
Shannon. In 2016 it
was Martha Reeves,
The Coasters, Flash
Cadillac, and The
Crickets. In 2015, it
was Frankie
Avalon, Bill Haley Jr. and
The Comets, Tommy Alsup, The
Whitesidewalls,
L.A. Party Dolls, and Lou Christie.
In 2013,
it
was Gary Busey, Eric Burdon &
The Animals, Gary U.S.
Bonds, and Matt &
Gunnar Nelson. In 2009, this annual
event commemorated the 50th
anniversary of the
Feb 2, 1959 concert
that featured Buddy Holly,
Richie Valens,
and The Big Bopper. It's also
known as, "The Day the Music
Died," as these three Rock-n-Roll Stars
died outside of
town in a plane
crash after finishing the show.
www.surfballroom.com
CANCELLED FOR 2021
link to Mardi Gras pages - click here
February 10, 2024 Soulard-St Louis, MO Mardi Gras Grand Parade
at 11 A.M.
& Rat Pack Mardi Party
www.mardigrasinc.com
Riverwalk Blues Festival
It was postponed for 2009 but back in action
since 2010.
OOPS Postponed again since February-2017.
The Annual Riverwalk Blues & Music
Festival in Esplanade
park in Ft Lauderdale, FL was one of the premier Blues Festivals
in the South. You saw Guy Davis, Wolfman Washington, J P Soars,
and Albert Castiglia,
among others. Great Lineup. Great City.
www.RiverwalkBluesFestival.com
April 11-14, 2024 Annual Juke
Joint Festival in Clarksdale, MS
662-624-5992
Jukin' in The Land of The Blues. Down home Blues
at Pete's, Messenger's
Pool Hall,
Bluesberry Cafe, Ground Zero,
Grandma's House, and other joints
Boys & Girls. It don't get much
better
than
this for Southern hospitality,
good food,
and great music. www.jukejointfestival.com for
more info
2021 PANDEMIC-ALLY MODIFIED said Roger Stolle
of the Cathead Store in Clarksdale, MS.
Cancelled for 2020
2019 pictures Click Here
2015 Juke CLICK HERE 2014 Juke Joint CLICK HERE
2013 Juke CLICK HERE 2012 Juke Joint CLICK HERE
2011 Juke CLICK HERE 2010 Juke Joint CLICK HERE
2008 photos CLICK HERE click here for 2007 photos
click here for 2006 photos click here for 2005 photos
**** CANCELLED FOR 2020 & 2021
April 28 to May 7, 2023 New Orleans, LA Jazz Fest with Sting,
Jimmy Buffett, Beck, David Byrne, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow,
Smokey Robinson, Aaron Neville, Lyle Lovett, Eddie Cotton,
Sonny Landreth, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Mitch Woods,
Irma Thomas, Aerosmith, Trombone Shorty, and hundreds
of more acts. 400,000 people all at The Fair Grounds Race Track
1751 Gentilly BLVD - New Orleans, LA 70119
www.nojazzfest.com
**** CANCELLED FOR 2020 & 2021
click on RED link to see more.......
May 5-7, 2023 Memphis in May - Memphis, TN
100,000
people will
gather at
the end of Beale Street in Tom Lee Park. Four stages
of
music greats on the
Mississippi River. I don't know if you'll see
Elvis,
but you might see
Jimbo Mathus, Bettye Lavette, Deak Harp,
India.Arie, Big Boi,
North MS Allstars, R L Boyce, Terry Bean,
Blind MS Morris,
Kingfish, Joe Louis Walker, Butch Mudbone,
and Big T,
along with
60 other music acts.
www.memphisinmay.org
for more info.
Cancelled for 2020
Click HERE on RED for 2019 Pictures
Click here on RED to see 2018 Pictures
click here on RED link to see 2017 pictures .......
May 12-13, 2023 Annual Cotton Patch Festival
formerly at THE HUT, but in 2023
at 3324 HWY 78 East, Holly Springs 38635
Call Robert Kimbrough at 662-471-0846 for more
info.
2020 will be the 4th annual. Great fun with Kimbroughs, RL Boyce,
Lightning, Little Joe, Dan Russell, and others.
KimbroughCottonPatchSoulBluesFestival.com
CANCELLED FOR 2020
May 20, 2023 Annual Morel Mushroom Festival - Muscoda, WI
608-739-3182
Always the week end after Mother's Day. Now Boys,
these be the eatin'
kind,
don't be trying to smoke these mushrooms.
Butter and garlic in the
frying pan and you got yourself a treat like
nothing else in this world!
Bake Sale, Flea Market, Helicopter Rides,
Car Show, Pancake Breakfast,
Tractor
Pulls, and Steak Feed.
www.muscoda.com
for more info.
Sad to say Willie died on March 8, 2009 and this Festival has ended.
The month of June was the Annual Willie King Freedom Creek
Festival
held for years in Aliceville, Alabama.
This was a down-home
blues festival attended by 500 or more fans.
The area
musicians performed along with
national stars such as
Jodie Williams,
Eddie Kirkland, Little Jimmy Reed, Kent
& Garry
Burnside, and Elnora Spencer
among others. Always was a great time
with good friends, music,
and food.
You went to Aliceville, AL and took
route 17 South out of Aliceville about 9
miles,
then headed West on County Rd 32 about a mile, then turned right
on County Rd
1
and went past the church and took the next right
which is Old Memphis
Road.
Signs were posted to take you right on
past Willie's digs and
into the festival area.
www.Willie-King.com
**********CANCELLED FOR 2020
click on RED link to see more.......
June 9-11, 2023 Superman Days - Metropolis, IL 1 800-949-5740
10,000 people roll into this little town for good clean fun on
the weekend.
Look for Erica Durance-Smallville Lois Lane,
and Sarah Douglas or
Maybe Lou Ferrigno, Ned Beatty,
Jackson Bostwick, and other
Superheros.
Truth - Justice - The American Way
www.SupermanCelebration.net
for more info.
..... ONLINE ONLY in 2020 .....
June 23-24, 2023 CANCELLED for
2018 but back in 2019. North Mississippi Hill Country
Blues Festival
Corner of HWY
7 south & HWY 310 in Waterford, MS 38685 about
15 minutes south
of Holly Springs, MS
or 15 minutes north
of Oxford, MS.
2,000 people
last year for the likes
of Kenny Brown,
Alvin Hart,
Bobby Rush, Jimbo,
the Burnsides, the Kimbroughs,
the Dickinsons,
Rising Star Fife
& Drum,
Little Joe Ayers, R L Boyce, and more.
Previously held at
Foxfire Ranch in
Waterford, MS and at Potts Camp, MS.
Click on Red for story and past award winners.......
Early Wright
Blues Heritage Award The Award is presented
each
year in
connection with the Sunflower River Blues
Festival held
during August in
Clarksdale, MS.
See following item for Festival details.
2021 PANDEMIC-ALLY MODIFIED
*********CANCELLED FOR 2020
Click Here for 2019 Photos .......
Click here for 2012 Photos Click here for 2011 PHOTOS
Click here for 2010 Click here for 2009
Click here for 2008 Click here for 2006
August 11-13, 2023 Annual Sunflower
River Blues Festival.
Purest Blues and
Gospel in The Land Where the Blues Began
in Clarksdale, MS. 10,000 people
can't be
wrong! You'll
probably
see Jimbo Mathus, Kenny Brown, Big T,
Cedric Burnside, Lightning
Malcolm, Kingfish, and
Super Chikan, among others.
The 1st Sunflower was held in 1988 at The Larry Thompson
Center (opened
in 1986 &
closed in 1990),
which was the
ex-Paramount Theater (opened
in 1931 to 1986), which
was the
ex-Marion Theater (opened in 1918 to 1931).
Musicians were Jack Owens,
Bud Spires, Jelly Roll Kings,
Jesse Mae Hemphill,
Otha Turner,
Rising Star Band, James "Son" Thomas, and Otis Rush.
The 2nd was held in 1989 at MLK Park on Sunflower Ave
on
a flat-bed
truck with a power cord
stretched from a
nearby house by
Mrs. Mabel Thomas,
the widow of
Mr.
G T Thomas.
The Festival was sponsored by Mrs. Z L Hill,
owner of the Riverside Hotel.
The main
performers were
Johnnie Billington, Dione Thomas, and Harvell Thomas.
www.sunflowerfest.org for more info.
*******CANCELLED FOR 2020
click on RED link to see more.......
August 11-13, 2023 - Britt, IA Annual Hobo
Convention
Since 1900,
that's right, 120 years ago! Not many real "BO's" left, but this is
where
they'll jungle up
for a week or two and you might catch
sight of St Louis Frank, Stray Cat, Inkman,
Train Dummy, Redbird Express,
Empress Vagabond BO
Lump, or
Connecticut Tootsie, among others.
See HOBO-U63 Button
(left side this page) for prior years recaps.
Always the 2nd weekend of August. Mulligan stew for everyone.
click on RED link to see more.......
Held in August for 15 years, but CANCELLED since 2010.
Four Mounds Blues Fest
Dubuque, IA
4,000 people enjoying Blues right next to the Mississippi
River
and the old
Dubuque Star Brewery. Mark
Hummel has headlined
this great event at the
outdoor Alliant Amphitheatre. Hasn't rained
yet on
this crowd according to event
organizer Mary Gronen.
www.fourmounds.org
***ONLINE ONLY FOR 2020
August 25-26, 2023 Otha Turner b 6-2-1907 d 02-27-2003
Goat
Picnic - Coldwater, MS.
It's about an hour
South of
Memphis at the Northwest Shrine Club 8647 HWY 51N 38618.
Used to be
at Otha's
house outside of Senatobia, MS, but in
2018 moved to
Coldwater, MS. Everyone around there
knew
this
95 year old
fife player. The picnic
starts on
Friday
and
will probably end
by Sunday. A MS Blues Trail
marker
was
dedicated on
8-29-2009
in
Como, MS in Otha's honor.
Click Here for 2010 Photos Click Here for 2009 Photos
Click Here for 2008 picnic Photos Click here for 2007 picnic photos
Click here for 2006 picnic photos
Click here for 2005 and 2004 photos
Click here
for the 2003 SUMMARY of the picnic held
in memory
of Otha Turner &
Bernice Pratcher.
..... ONLINE ONLY in 2020 .....
cancelled in 2021
Aug 27 - Sep 4, 2023 Burning Man Festival -
Black Rock City in
the Black Rock
Desert 110 miles North of
Reno, NV www.burningman.com You might see celebrities
Heidi Klum, Susan Sarandon or even Paris Hilton!
Celebrating self expression since 1986 at this counterculture festival
of arts
and music in the Nevada desert. Only a few attendees
in 1986 but
increased to 50,000 people by 2010 demonstrating
"radical
self-expression". Tickets for General Admission are
$400 in 2018 and
attendance now limited to 70,000 people and
SOLD OUT
always.
Not for timid people as held in the desert.
*******CANCELLED FOR 2020
click on RED link to see more.......
Aug 3 to Sep 4, 2023 Old Threshers Reunion -
Mt Pleasant, IA 319-385-8937
You can ride trolleys, trains, and
a 100+ year old steam
powered carousel for this
journey
into the past. 10,000 RV's and 30,000
people
will pull
into this small town
to see what life was like back
in
Grandpa's
"Good Ole Days."
www.oldthreshers.org
for more info.
********CANCELLED FOR 2020 & 2021
September - 2023 Big Muddy Blues Festival - St Louis, MO
314-482-0314
Labor Day Weekend with blues at Laclede's
Landing
with Soulard Blues Band,
Big Mike,
Rich McDonough,
Boo Boo Davis, and Billy Barnett.
click on RED link to see the 2006 Event Summary and photos.......
A really fun event that used to be held in September each year.
PT Cruiser Meet Me in St
Louis on Route 66 - St Louis Holiday
Inn-Earth City
3400
Rider Trail South - St Louis,
MO 63045.
This 3-day event had over
150 fun loving people from the USA
&
Canada
celebrating their Chrysler
PT Cruiser ownership.
Activities
Include a
popular Hawaiian Luau Banquet
with
Limbo, Hula, Scavenger hunt,
games
and prizes. PT Cruiser
autos were
displayed throughout the
three days along
with
parts dealers, detailing, and
food concessions.
Neon light show plus family events all weekend.
******CANCELLED FOR 2020
September 22-24, 2023 Route 66 Festival - Springfield, IL
866-783-6645
www.route66fest.com
This will be the 18th Annual Mother Road
Festival.
You can see classic
cars, motorcycles, Martin Milner,
several rock bands,
and a parade. Also attend the
"Sock Hop" and look
for Joey Dee and
for Gary Puckett. A great Time on The
Great Road.
Cruzn
the Crossroads Car Show
October - 2023 Clarksdale MS 662-902-4181 for info
click on RED links to see more.......
2021 PHOTOS COMING SOON .........
2020 PHOTOS click here ....................
Click here for 2019 PHOTOS ..............
Click here for 2018 PHOTOS ...............
Click here for 2017 photos ...........
Click here for 2016 photos ......
click on RED link to see more.......
TOODLE-oo
NO MORE! East St Louis Toodle-oo
Due to the death of
Bruce Goodrich on December 16, 2005, it appears that the
Toodle-oo
series has run it's course. Starting in 1997 on the fourth
weekend of
September the annual Toodle-oo held at the Fountain of Youth Park
at 4th Street and Riverpark Dr.
was inspired by a 1927 Duke
Ellington tune.
This festival was Bruce Goodrich's idea of helping out.
No small task as Bruce
lived in Biddeford, Maine 1,300 miles away.
Due to
Bruce's hard work and the
help of volunteers, there was free
Toodle-oo Stew and live Jazz and Blues music.
Bruce and his efforts will
be remembered by all who knew him.
May our friend rest in the peace he so
deserved.
click on RED link to see more.......
Been CANCELLED since 2013, A NEW DATE IN 2023?? Strassenfest
Chesterfield Parkway Celebrate German heritage plus!
Brave Combo
& Obenheimer Express, beer, food, carnival rides &
crafts.
No Event scheduled in 2020 or 2021
Paint Clarksdale
Click Here for 2019 Photos .........
Click here for 2018 PHOTOS
October - 2023 Paint the
Town-Clarksdale, MS.
In 2019 from Columbia were Toxicomano Callejero, DJ LU.
ElCareBarbie-Juan, Andres, and Cristian. Returning from
2018 were Irma Caigcedo and Likmi Soberana from Columbia.
Rebeka Skela of Sanguine Skills, Charles, Austin, MIC Harder,
Church Going Mule, also attended.
The 1st Event was held on September 17-29, 2018 when the Five Artists from
Bogotá, Columbia added artistic displays around Clarksdale. These
experienced Street Grafiteros were also assisted by interested local people.
This project brings Art into the public sphere benefiting the city.
Many believe Graffiti Street Art started in Philly in the 1960's when
"Getting Up"
became popular. However Artistic Murals were found in Southwestern France
at the Lascaux Caves. Various paintings cover the ceiling and the walls.
It is estimated that the Art was painted around 17,000 BC.
*************CANCELLED FOR 2020/2021
September - 2023 OKTOBER Festival at
Urban Chestnut
Brewery Co.
3229 Washington Ave-St Louis, MO 63103 314-222-0143
Something for everyone in the family including your dog.
Music with Al Holliday, Sean Canan, Deutschmeister Brass
Band,
Bolzen Beer Band, Larry Haller, Maness Brothers,
Emily Wallace,
Jack Grelle, and Tonina Saputto among others.
Circus Flora, a Children's
tent, and a Purina Tent for your dog too.
Also a vendor's market.
Great food with German Beer including
Brats, Porchetta, and Lebkuchen.
It's FREE, but you can buy a
VIP table for 6 for $450 or a table for 10 at $750.
CANCELLED FOR 2020
online for 2021
Mississippi John Hurt Festival
John Smith Hurt b March 3, 1892 Teoc, MS
d November 2, 1966 Grenada, MS
October - 2023 at 1973 CR109 Carrollton, MS 38917
CLICK HERE FOR 2019 PHOTOS ..........
This gathering is in the deep deep woods near Avalon, MS on
DIRT road CR109
where The Hurt Museum is now located on land owned by Mary F. Hurt,
John's granddaughter. Road signs are not readily seen and there are forks
in the road that can lead you astray. CR109 is very narrow and you almost
have to stop if you meet anther vehicle. You must be on CR41
to reach CR109 if coming from the West.
2019 was the 20th year for this gathering. About 100 fans attended on
Saturday October 5, 2019 to hear Taj Mahal, Jesse Young, Howard Curry,
Dom Flemons, Ben & Valerie Turner, Jim Kweskin, and Guy Davis.
These talented musicians played in the John Hurt style
of easy going rural folksy stuff.
Click HERE for 2020 Photos .......
Click here for 2018 Photos ..........
October - 2023 Deak Harp's Harmonica Fest at 13 3rd Street
Clarksdale, MS
call Deak at 217-218-2194 for more info.
2020 was John Primer & Steve Bell Harrington
2018 had a GREAT National lineup.
CANCELLED FOR 2020 & 2021
click on RED link to see more.......
October 4-7, 2023 Blues and Heritage
or King Biscuit Festival
- Helena, AR
870-572-5223
www.kingbiscuitfestival.com
This festival in the heart of Blues Country
is a must.
The likes of Bobby Rush, Robert Kimbrough,
Dave Dunavent,
Willie Cobbs, Reba Russell, Anson Funderburgh,
Little Joe Ayers, Millage Gilbert, Bob Margolin,
Bob Stroger,
Steve Cropper,
and Washboard Jackson
are usually playing
here.
CANCELLED since Oct-2019, Maybe Ponderosa Stomp back in action
in Louisiana at the New
Orleans
House of Blues? The Annual Down in
the Bottom Blues was held in
Memphis, TN in 2006 due to
Katrina flooding
in New Orleans, LA.
Mystic Knights of Mau
Mau always have a
great lineup including
Gary U.S. Bonds, Barbara Lynn,
Kenny Brown, Duane Eddy, Red Simpson,
Joe South,
The Trashmen, Sugar Pie DeSanto, and many, many more.
www.ponderosastomp.com
*************CANCELLED FOR 2020
click on RED link to see more.......
click for 2017 Photos
Deep Blues Festival
October 12-15, 2023 662-351-4041 Shack Up Inn
& New Roxy
- Clarksdale,
MS. Yea, that's right Blues Lovers,
Chris Johnson retired
but this Blues Show
goes on, in 2018 you saw
Bob Log III, Jimbo Mathus,
R L Boyce, Lil Poochie with Hezekiah,
Rev John Wilkins, Molly Gene,
James Legg, Adia Victoria, and
Alvin Youngblood Hart.
Previously you saw the likes of
Cedric Burnside,
One Hand Dan, Pork Chop Willie, Charlie Parr,
along with The Bonnevilles,
K M Williams, Bill Abel,
The Bully Boys, The Bush League,
James Leg, Muscle
Theory,
and Elam McKnight. Maybe see Travis Kilgore and
Pork Chop Holder
too. www.DeepBluesFest.com
Previously, Deep Blues Festivals were in Lake Elmo, MN in
July.
The
festivals ended in 2009 AFTER 3 YEARS. These
festivals had something
for everybody. 70 acts
over 5 days.
You saw & heard Black Diamond Heavies,
Hezekiah Early & Elmo Williams, T-Model Ford, The BirdDogs,
Shack
Shakers,
Buffalo Killers, Bob Log III, Black Smokers, Cedric
Burnside, Left Lane
Cruiser,
Rev Dead Eye, Ol Bloody Mule, Gleam,
Brass Kings, Spider John Koener,
Robert Cage, Charlie Parr,
Gravel Road, Pearlene, Scott Biram, Mudlow,
Luther The Devil, Jawbone, Moaners, Hillstomp, and
Lightning Boy
Malcolm.
At this time of the year, you didn't have to
wear snowshoes
according to
organizer Chris Johnson. From The Golf
Course in 2007 to The
Fairgrounds
in 2008 to The Cabooze Club
in 2009. See you around Chris and
best wishes.
*************CANCELLED FOR 2020
click on RED link to see more.......
October 20-29, 2023 Oct - 2005 OOPS Hurricane Wilma washed
it out!
Fantasy Fest-Key West, FL
This is not for the
faint of heart. After 39
years these Freaks,
Goddesses, & Geeks
know how to party. A really BIG Fruitcake romp on
Duval Street.
You'll see Gnomes, Toads, and
White Rabbits! They usually let
it all hang out at
this festival
in The Conch Republic.
www.fantasyfest.com
for more info.
Cancelled for 2021
Grenada Lake Dam - Car Show
November - 2023 Sponsored by Crossroads Cruisers of
Grenada. These guys know
how to put on a show. Beautiful setting in a beautiful Mississippi town.
2020 PICTURES CLICK HERE ...........
click on RED link to see more.......
Feb
1, 2006 FLIGHTS ENDED Red Lion Casino
Casino
Express/Xtra Airways
trips to Elko, NV
3 nights/4 days $100
total
each person included flight
& Lodging. This Northern Nevada Casino
used to fly from 200 cities to
bring in the gamblers before casinos
were readily
available in your home state.
High fuel prices and
proliferation of
casinos led to the termination of these
cheap trips after 25 years of
service. The casino is still
open, however
you gotta get there by
yourself!
click on RED link to see more.......
Dec 31 Where else? - Times Square-NY
It's The Big Apple,
Gotham City, call it
what you want, but it's the right place
to
bring in the New Year. Rat Pack member
Short
Hair Davey
lives here in the Bronx!
www.nyctourist.com
for more info.
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