Congressional Blues Fest

Now this is a neat idea. An orginzation known as The Music Maker Relief Foundation is having a fund rasing concert in Washington DC known as the Congressional Blues Festival. The Music Maker Relief Foundation is set up to help struggling and forgotten blues perfomers. I think this is a great idea. I remember one blues performertold me once that the blues was a tough business because there is no healthcare, or retirement. This is true of almost any performer, but probably more so for the blues since the payout for gigs, and recording are lesser than other forms of music.

Here is the lineup for tomorrows show in DC.

The Derek Trucks Band

The Derek Trucks Band has been a work in progress for over 10 years, blending jazz, rock, blues, Latin, Eastern Indian, and other world music into the sound that now defines the DTB. The DTB aims to create progressive roots music in an effort to move the art form forward and re establish substance over hype. Derek's music career began at the age of 9 and he is also a member of the Allman Brothers Band.

Sweet Betty

Born in Duluth, GA, just northeast of Atlanta, Betty Echols Journey grew up listening to gospel music. (Her mother's singing in church influenced her.) Aspiring to become a singer herself, Betty began singing at parties at her friends' homes. In the mid 1980's, she was introduced to legendary saxophonist, Grady "Fats" Jackson. Jackson was so impressed with Betty's vocals that he began bringing her with him to his performances. It was through Jackson that Betty met former Muddy Waters guitarist, "Steady Rollin" Bob Margolin. Margolin and his band, upon passing thought the southern region of the United States in the early 1990's would regularly perform with Jackson and Betty in such places as Jackson Station nightclub in Hodges, South Carolina and Blind Willie's or Blues Harbor in Atlanta, GA.

Mudcat

Born on the banks of the Mississippi and raised in Georgia, Mudcat dropped out of acting school in New York to pursue a Blues major on the streets. Eventually he graduated to Atlanta where he converted the Northside Tavern into his school of music. His tutelage continues under Cootie Stark, Frank Edwards, Eddie Tigner and Cora Mae Bryant. A world class slide guitarist with a voice so rich it feels fattening, Mudcat's education is something you can feel right to your bones.

Adolphus Bell

Adolphus Bell is a 61 year old performer who was born in and grew up in Alabama. He has been performing since age 22, 4 years after moving to Pittsburgh, PA. He developed a "One Man Band" concept when he became discouraged with his band members. Bell plays guitar, drums, high hat, harp and sings. He has been doing this and serving as an activist trying to improve the lives of urban ghetto youths since the late 1960's. He began touring Europe and released his first CD in 2005 with the help of the folks at Music Maker.

I don't know if the show is sold out, and unfortunatly I just stumbled upon this gig tonight! AARRRGHH!!! However, for those of you near DC who want to check out this very cool gig, then check out the Congressional Blues Fest webpage here.