From Reverend Keith A. Gordon,
Your Guide to Blues.
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There are dozens of Blues festivals big and small scattered across the country that feature fantastic local and national talent, groovy settings, mouth-watering treats, and the nicest folks you could ever meet. Time to make you plans for this summer's Blues parties.

The Blues festival has evolved into an American tradition. Each season music fans make annual pilgrimages to some of these hallowed temples of the groove, bringing a great spirit, a total love for the music, and most importantly, dollars. In many cases communities have come to rely on these out-of-town spenders and this is especially true in New Orleans this year.

With much of the city in shambles, New Orleans bravely put on the annual Jazz and Heritage Festival. Prior plans were to move it to a location as close to New Orleans as possible, but then the decision was made that the economic impact was too precious to move. Many fans attended for the specific reason of helping bolster the local economy.

So many festivals, so little time. Here are some recommendations for the rest of the summer Blues season.

July
• 14 - 15
  Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Festival
  Taking the Blues party way up north with: Mavis Staples, Shemekia Copeland, Buckwheat Zydeco, Hubert Sumlin, and Ana Popovic.
  
• 21 - 23
  Bitterroot Smokin' Blues
  Stevensville, Montana welcomes: Big Jack Johnson, EC Scott, James Harman, Jackie Payne and Tommy Edmunds Band, plus tons more.

August
• 5 - 6
  Greeley Blues Fest
  Greeley, Colorado hosts this party with: Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro Band, John Mooney, The Campbell Brothers, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, Dikki Du & the Zydeco Crew, more to be announced.
  
• 18 - 19
  Fargo Blues Festival
  Johnny Winter, Pinetop Perkins, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Duwayne Burnside, Walter Trout, Smokin' Joe Kubek, plus an acoustic stage.

September
• 1
  Howlin' Wolf Memorial Blues Festival
  West Point, Mississippi hosts some of the most low-down Blues artists on today's scene. Slick Ballinger, Willie King, Blind Mississippi Morris, Willie James Williams, Hubert Sumlin, and more.
• 15 - 17
  Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
  Beautiful Telluride, Colorado host this high altitude party with a stellar lineup every year. This year's artist have not been announced at this time.

Make your plans early and experience a great American Blues festival this season.