20th Annual Bowlful Of Blues, Newton Iowa, September 1st adn 2nd!!!

THE YEAR OF THE SKUNK
20TH ANNUAL BOWLFUL OF BLUES - MAYTAG PARK
NEWTON, IOWA
LABOR DAY WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 1 AND 2

This year the 20th annual family friendly outdoor Bowlful of Blues Festival has resulted in the Blues Society designating 2012 “The Year of the Skunk”. The Bowlful of Blues will again be held at the Fred Maytag Bowl in beautiful Maytag Park in Newton.  This year in celebration the festival has been expanded to include two days of music and fun.  The lineup of award winning artists performing this year is exceptional. This will truly be a show that everyone will enjoy.

Saturday September 1st the show begins at noon with music non-stop throughout the day. Matt Woods and the Thunderbolts open the musical extravaganza.  Rob Lumbard will bring in his fun and toe tapping acoustic guitar sets in-between each band’s performance. The Bob Pace Band takes the stage next, followed by The Candy Makers and the day ends with two headlining acts: Grady Champion will be followed by guitar legend Lurrie Bell. The Saturday show ends before 10PM. The September 2nd Sunday show begins at 12:30 and features Joe and Vicki Price, Joanne Jackson with the Drama Kings, the 30 plus member Corinthian Baptist Church Choir with Bryce Janey and Curry Harter doing the in-betweens. The Sunday headline act, The Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings led by Gene “Daddy G” Barge on sax, will end the show around 7PM.

Both Grady Champion and Lurrie Bell are nominees for the Blues Foundations Blues Music Awards in 2012. Gene Barge of the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings has won a Grammy for co-producing "Sophisticated Lady” for Natalie Cole; Joe Price and Joanne Jackson are in the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame, Bob Pace is in the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Bryce Janey and the Candy Makers both won the 2011 Iowa Blues Challenge; Matt Woods has won the Iowa Blues Challenge more than once. Rob Lombard’s music has appeared in several Public Television projects, one received an EMMY award.  This is a stellar lineup, for sure!

The Bowlful of Blues is one of Newton’s best-kept secrets as there continue to be people that come for the first time and discover what they have been missing.  There are food vendors on site but no alcohol is sold at the park.  Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and their own cooler, but the Skunk asks people not to bring glass or pets to the event. Children are welcome. You see them tossing beach balls, playing Frisbee, or moving to the sound of the music right along with their parents.  Blues fans meet new friends and say hello to people they have not seen for years.  Some folks travel from all over Iowa and out of state to attend this show.

In past years many blues legends have played for the South Skunk: Too Slim & The Taildraggers, Bo Ramsey, Jimmy D. Lane, Joanna Conner, Gary Primich, Tab Benoit, WC Clark, Percy Strother, Sam Lay, Long John Hunter, Tinsley Ellis, Chubby Carrier, Bryan Lee, Willie Kent and the Gents with Bonnie Lee, Big Jack Johnson, James “Supa Chikan” Johnson, Sonny Rhoades, Kinsey Report, Bernard Allison, Trampled Under Foot, Phil Guy, Byther Smith, Watermelon Slim, Eddie Shaw, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones…to name a few.  Continuing in this tradition of “Keeping the Blues Alive”, the South Skunk Blues Society invites you to attend and help celebrate “The Year of the Skunk”!  Tickets will be available at southskunkblues.org and other retail outlets to be announced. If you would like more information please contact Craig Peterson at Craig@partnercom.net  or by calling him at 641-227-3209.