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WHEELING -- The stage is set for another year of award-winning blues at the 23rd Heritage Music BluesFest, today, Friday, Aug. 9, through Sunday, Aug. 11, at Wheeling's Heritage Port.
Since 2001, it's been the caliber of the acts that keep the blues fans coming. Grammy winners, Blues Music Award (BMA) winners, nominees and the like will sing and play their hearts and souls out this weekend to audience members from the Ohio Valley and across the country.
"This year's lineup is peppered with Blues Music Award and Grammy nominees and winners," said Bruce Wheeler, festival producer.
Some 2024 Blues Music Award winners on this year's lineup include the Nick Moss Band, band of the year; D.K. Harrell, best emerging artist album; Blood Brothers, Mike Zito/Albert Castiglia, blues rock album (Castiglia will perform as part of the Three Kings); Jason Ricci, instrumentalist - harmonica. Mr. Sipp, 2024 Grammy winner, will wrap things up on Sunday.
Wheeler said he has a few acts he is particularly pleased to present to the audience this year.
"I'm excited to be bringing two new 'supergroups' this year -- Desoto Tiger with Damon Fowler, Jason Ricci and Jonathan Boogie Long. Also, 'A Tribute to Three Kings' with Albert Castiglia, Chris Cain and D.K. Harrell. The Three Kings are Albert King, Freddie King and B.B. King," he said.
Bywater Call
"I'm also super excited about a Canadian act, Bywater Call, that is taking the world by storm, with a new album 'Shepherd' just out today, two days before their debut performance Sunday at the Heritage Music BluesFest," Wheeler said.
Today's lineup kicks off with International Blues Challenge (IBC) third-place winner Billy the Kid and the Regulators, a Pittsburgh-based band. Billy (Evanochko) will also host the AfterJams at Waterfront Hall tonight and Saturday following the evenings' last acts.
Piper and the Hard Times, which took top honors as this year's IBC band winner, kicks off Saturday's lineup. Then, IBC solo/duo winner Joe Waters gets Sunday going.
Just some of the other award-winning acts throughout the weekend include: Ben Prestage, Blues Music Award nominee for best instrumentalist as well a second-, third- and fourth-place IBC winner; Matt Schofield, an inductee of the British Blues Hall of Fame and Guitar & Bass magazine's Top 10 British blues guitarists; and Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, winner of the Living Blues Award for best live performer three years running, as well as BMA band of the year.
Along with acts on the main stage, local and regional acts will perform on a second stage between main stage acts.
Food vendors -- Euphoric Doughnuts, Kirk's Ice Cream, Ideal Provisions, The Gringo, Woodfired Pizza, to name just a few -- as well as tie-dye items, jewelry, art and more -- will be for sale throughout the weekend.
"It seems like I'm getting a lot of inquiries as to whether I thought the festival would last 23 years. The answer is that it was my dream, but I am surprised that we have weathered the storms over all these years," Wheeler said.
Let's hope for clear skies and no storms this year.
Tickets are available at the gate.
Billy the Kid
DAILY SCHEDULE
MainStage, Friday, Aug. 9
– 5 p.m.: Billy the Kid and the Regulators
– 6:30 p.m. Altered 5 Blues Band
– 8 p.m.: Nick Moss Band
– 9:45 p.m.: Desoto Tiger with Damon Fowler, Jason Ricci and Jonathan Boogie Long
MainStage, Saturday, Aug. 10
– Noon: Piper & the Hard Times
– 1:30 p.m: Ben Prestage
– 3 p.m.: Eden Brent
– 4:30 p.m.: Katie Henry
– 6 p.m.: Matt Schofield
– 7:30 p.m.: Selwyn Birchwood
– 9:30 p.m.: The Three Kings with Albert Castiglia, Chris Cain and D.K. Harrell
Selwyn Birchwood
MainStage, Sunday, Aug. 11
– 1 p.m.: Joe Waters
– 2:30 p.m.: CFG & the Family
– 4 p.m.: Shaun Booker Dammit Band
– 5:30 p.m.: Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials
– 7 p.m.: Bywater Call
– 8:45 p.m.: Mr. Sipp
Shawn Booker
SecondStage, Friday, Aug. 9
– Lil' Red and the Rooster
SecondStage, Saturday, Aug. 10
– The Trainjumpers
– Charlie Barath and Gary Antol
SecondStage, Sunday, Aug. 11
– Sarah Hays Band
– Guitar Zach
– Joe Waters
AfterJams will be held following the closing acts on Friday and Saturday at Waterfront Hall, 1230 Water St., adjacent to Heritage Port.
Eden Brent
Matt Schofield
