This post was supposed to be created last night (Monday) but unfortunately the author crashed hard after work because she can’t party-hardy for an entire weekend anymore like she used to. C’est dommage! Yes, it was that great of a Blues Festival and I am going to sorely miss attending it when I move to Vancouver Island.
This entire festival (after the fund-raising opener on Thursday night) is FREE. And there is even an app you can download to see the schedule and stages, and highlight the performers you want to see (which then automatically inputs into your Google calendar, with alerts on your phone an hour before the performance. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?)
Volunteer-run and sponsor-supported, it is truly a great one and next year it will be its 20th year of existence! That is quite an accomplishment. I did what I could to pour money into this event to support it and the artists, coming home with a bunch of purchases and then buying music when I got home. If I wasn’t moving, I’d be volunteering next year when I’m retired.
Of course, I made sure to attend the Thursday evening fund-raising show – Misty Blues Band and Tom Cochrane & Red Rider. My pal Kath gifted me with a ticket because she felt bad I was cheated out of Roxodus. So sweet!
Friday afternoon selected performances started with watching the Grand River Blues Society Youth Camp performers put on a show. These kids really rocked!
At the conclusion of their show, all the performers marched through the audience playing their instruments. I thought that was so cool. But apparently not everyone (cough*Jimmy*cough) shared that sentiment. More on that later…
After these 2 artists came a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, with various performers including Wild T doing – of course – Jimi Hendrix. I was too busy singing and rockin’ out to take pictures by this point.
Saturday’s picks started out at noon for me – with Bill Durst – thanks to a recommendation from Kath and George’s friend, Jimmy. How had I never heard of this man before??? I became an instant fan of his music. Plus, you gotta love any man who can rock a beard/pony/braid thing.
I guess I should talk about Jimmy now. I don’t like saying negative things about people on ye olde blogge, especially if I like them. But since I told the same stuff to Jimmy’s face I will say them again here. And it’s kinda funny. At least, he made me smile. 🙂
Jimmy is a blues aficionado – he really knows his stuff (and disclaimer: I do like him!). Jimmy also has strong opinions on just about everything and is happy to share whether you want to hear them or not. When I told Jimmy (and everyone else) how wonderful I thought it was that the Blues Camp kids marched through the crowd playing their instruments, he scoffed at me and said “everyone does that”. I told him to quit raining on my parade.
Spoiler: He didn’t quit.
Don’t be a Jimmy.
Jimmy to me: See, I told you they all do that.
Me to him: Jimmy, does the term “buzzkill” mean anything to you?!?
We saw one more act on that amazing, music-filled Saturday – Cedric Burnside, who played authentic, hypnotic “hill country” blues, according to Jimmy. He was great, but the music reminded me of how damn tired I was by this point, so I couldn’t stay for his whole set.
Sunday morning brought the last act I had any stamina left for – A Beautiful Noise – the annual gospel breakfast by various artists.
After the gospel breakfast it was time to pack up, thank my wonderful hosts, and head back home (and collapse on the couch, truth be told). I barely had the strength to go onto iTunes and purchase the music from the artists I saw…sigh!
Here’s something that bothers me – people were saying that artists aren’t paid by iTunes and you should buy the CDs at the show if you want to support them. But I don’t want to buy a bunch of physical copies of the music (especially since I am moving AND my only CD player JUST died) – I’d prefer to have all my music in my iTunes library at this point. Is this true, that artists don’t make anything from iTunes? And how can that be? Why would anyone agree to have their music on iTunes if they weren’t being paid, or paid properly for it?
I bet Jimmy has an opinion on this. Too bad he left before I could ask him. 😉
Rock on,
The WB
What an awesome event, Deb! You now have me curious about the whole iTunes thing. I hope that someone out in your blog land has the answer!
Thanks Donna! I hope the island had some great festivals too. I can’t see why they wouldn’t!
The island has awesome music festivals. No problem at all!
Woohoo!!!😁
Why do you have to end your participation just because of your move? Why not make it an annual ritual (maybe even bring your daughter or other friends along)? Interests don’t end just because you move!!
Good point Luisa! It’s a matter of finances, and planning. Travelling from Vancouver Island to Ontario isn’t cheap or easy though. I’ll try to make it happen if I can.
I’;m so jealous! I used to love going to blues festivals! Glad you had a good time.
Thank you Jean!
Hi Deb, You will likely manage to visit out East and catch up with festivals and friends, even after your move. Volunteering is a fun way to be part of music festivals and help with costs. We used to volunteer for a Folk Fest on the Island and had a great time. It is amazing how Tom Cochrane still gives a great show. You will find lots of musicians and festivals on the Island. Interesting how the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock is celebrated this year. Great photos! Especially with one of the Stars! I haven’t heard the word “buzzkill” in a long time. It fits! Btw, I am interested in finding out the answer to your iTunes question.
Thanks Erica! You’re right – I’ve heard of several Woodstock anniversary celebrations this summer. I hope you’re right about the other stuff too. 😁
That looks like so much fun! Great music and up close and personals with the musicians. Sorry that Jimmy harshed your buzz. Jimmys are like that.
Thanks Janis! I actually got a bit of a kick outta Jimmy. It’s been a long time since I was around such a strong personality. And I wasn’t above getting him going on a couple of rants either 😜. What can I say? I like to poke the bear 😆
I’m exhausted just reading this … or maybe it’s because it’s only 6 am.
You are hardcore, woman!! Keep on rockin’ 🙂
Thanks Joanne! You know that “old enough to know better” jazzola? Yeah, me neither 😜
Staying young at heart, my friend. That’s what it’s all about 🙂
“Blessed by the music, she said.” Oh isn’t that the best line ever. I love the ankle bracelets and that you had such fun at this event. As for Jimmy, I solemnly promise to never be like him. Buzzkiller be off with you.
Thank you Ally! Although we’ve never met, from reading your blog I know you’ll never be a Jimmy 😁
I love all the colorful outfits the performers wear. As for pay, I don’t know about iTunes. But I have heard that it’s getting harder for musicians to make any money these days, due to the internet. But I’m not sure exactly why.
Maybe they need to rise up! What I pay on iTunes seems to be close to what I’d pay in a bricks and mortar store – or at least it used to be, if memory serves. I think music streaming might be the issue more than digital purchases. Not sure how much artists get paid if you listen to them on Spotify.
Oh, by the way, thanks for adding the “Follow” button. Now I can follow you. 🙂
Yay!!! It only took me 2 days and an email to a Happiness Engineer to figure it out. I “own” my blog so that makes things tougher sometimes.
I am exhausted and need a nap after that post! Sounds like a wonderful experience! I’m sure you will find great things to do on Vancouver Island!
Thank you Kate! 💕
What a cool looking event. Looks like there was a lot going on. Love the ankle bracelets I was wondering just the other day if I was the only one that still wore those!
Nope, you’re not, Pamela. Susan and I thought we were buying bracelets but they were so generously sized we wore them on our ankles instead 😁
Hi Deb, I sell my music on iTunes (under swo8 Blues Jazz) and if you sell a song you get something like $.69. If you sell a complete album you may get about $6.00. When an artist sells their music at the site of performance they will do a lot better. As for streaming you may get anywhere from $.00 to $.000236720 a stream, depending on whether they listen for a few seconds or the entire song. It’s a tough go to make money in music these days (just ask Tailor Swift) but I’ve actually made more money than my husband has with his books. Now if you want to make me some money you can stream my music continuously (I’m on most streaming sites) and I’ll spilt the profits with you. Don’t know whether my scissors will cut pennies in fractions anymore…oh forgot, there aren’t any pennies.
So you’re moving to the Island in BC. Lovely place that. Hope the weather is milder in the winter. Tell us all about it. The Blues Festival sounded really good. Thanks for sharing.
Leslie
Leslie, thanks so much for the detailed response! I think I should be buying CDs directly from the artist then, if I can – and the rip them to my music library. But then I end up with a bunch of CDs I don’t necessarily have a use for. If I give them away that deprives the artist of potentially another sale. Am I right? What’s a gal to do anymore, these days?
I’d hold onto those CDs because you may change your phone or whatever your ripping them onto. They won’t disappear into the ether. It’s a bit like holding onto a hard copy for future reference.
Oh, I have backups of my backups Leslie! No worries there. I own a lotta music and paring down my CD collection to those special few that I just can’t part with has freed up so much shelf and drawer space – I never want to go back “there” again.
🙂
AWESOME! I am a huge Blues fan. My late girfriend and I saw much of the old Blues royalty in the 90s and 2000s. The music has been huge in helping me. I now have new favorites who are not well known but should be like Samantha Fish (seen and met and got a picture with 3 times), Kingfish Ingram who i am seeing on September 1st, Tab Beniot, Carolyn Wonderland, Larkin Poe, Quinn Sullivan, Ana Popovic, Aly Venable, Taz Neiderauer and Greta Van Fleet.
The lesser known ones will put on amazing shows and do a meet and greet after and take a picture with you. And you don’t have to spend a mortgage payment for a good seat.
Cedric Burnside’s dad was RL Burnside, a major Delta Blues guy who would often play with Junior Kimbrough. I’m a fan of Ms Collier too.
There is nothing and I mean NOTHING like the live Blues experience.
Thanks Don! I agree – nothing like the live music experience and meeting the artists at these types of smaller festivals and venues 😁
Free! I’m amazed. Sounds like an awesome concert. And Life is a Highway…that brings back memories. That came out in my first year at uni.
It was, AJ! Thanks 💕
Looks like an amazing weekend except it would take me at least a week to recover 😀
Geez I forgot how much I miss the Northern Pikes. I didn’t know they were still playing together…or maybe they started up again recently?
Yes, Norm – here I am a week later, still exhausted. 🙂
The Northern Pikes told us they were celebrating their 36th year as a band. Plus one of their lineup was from the Grapes of Wrath, they said.
Then I’ll have to do some digging and see when and if they’re touring near here. Thanks 🙂
Hi Deb! You did a fabulous job of writing about this music festival. I love them and it surely sounds like I would have appreciated this one as well. What a wonderful way to spend the weekend. But I’m guessing that when you move you’ll find another festival that you love as well. Music is truly the universal language. ~Kathy
So true, Kathy! I’m sure as cool a place as the island will have lots of festivals (music and otherwise) for me to partake in. Thank you for your kind words!
What an incredible blues festival.. I can feel the energy radiating from the photos and your words. You might be moving, but the good news is you can time a return trip to travel back for the festival next year, right? Love me a good saxophone and anything gospel. YES!! One of the great things about when we lived in Chicago was the blues scene and the blues festival once a year.
And as for that ankle bracelet. I have a plain one very similar, which I got in India and have not taken off since it got put on, months ago and I feel the same way about mine as you do about your new one….
Fabulous post.
Peta
Thanks Peta! I do love my anklet even though it turned my ankle black and has come apart once already 😆 High-end jewellery it is not, but I am happy to support Bill and his wife with this purchase!
🤣🤣👍🏼
Hi Deb,
Wish I could have met you in college…we could have had some great times together…in between Dead concerts, that is. (or maybe at them 🙂 )
Looks like a ton of fun, but I emphathize with ya, just can’t hang the way I used to. Need my beauty rest.
Echo what some folks have said about getting back to Ontario for future events. Where there is a will, there is a way. You have friends to visit and lots of contacts. Why not?
Still, I am selfishly pleased that you are relocating to Vancouver Island. Dan and I have it as a destination on our bucket-list trip coming up in a year and a half.
Rock on.
Hi Nancy,
😄 Never been to a Dead show, but they sounded fun. I’m sure we would have had a blast at any concert together back then. Hope to see you at my new place someday! I have some nice plant-based recipes that I can make 😋…just sayin’