2014 Riverfront Blues Festival

Fort Smith’s Riverfront Blues Festival celebrates its 24th year with another spectacular lineup for 2014, featuring some of the best artists in contemporary blues. Singer songwriter Paul Thorn and blues legend Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials headline the two day event, slated for June 20th and 21st in Harry E. Kelley Park in historic downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas.
 
A production of Fort Smith’s Riverfront Blues Society, the festival will also feature 2009 International Blues Challenge winner J.P. Soars, a crowd favorite at previous Riverfront Blues Festivals and Memphis guitar slinger Patrick Dodd, a contestant on season four of NBC’s “The Voice.” Regional favorites Jigsaw Mud and Smokin’ Crawdadz bring local flavor to the festival, and fans will delight in rising stars Samantha Fish, the Peterson Brothers, and Blind Boy Paxton. Headliner Paul Thorn has a loyal following and is known as one of the best storytellers in roots music, while Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials are one of the highest energy blues acts performing today.
 
The Riverfront Blues Festival began in 1991 and has featured such blues greats as Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor, while also providing an early look at then-rising stars including Grace Potter and Johnny Lang. The 2014 festival continues in the same spirit, with veterans Paul Thorn and Lil’ Ed, as well as newer acts Samantha Fish, Blind Boy Paxton, and the Peterson Brothers all sure to win over diehard blues lovers and casual fans alike with their youth and energy.
 
Admission to the 2014 festival is $10. The Riverfront Blues Festival is produced by the Fort Smith (Arkansas) Riverfront Blues Society, which also sponsors “Blues in Schools” educational progams and the Barry Ratliff Memorial Scholarship for area music students. Dale Fraze is the Riverfront Blues Society President, and Dwight Hopkins serves as Vice President and musical coordinator.
                                                            ###
 
www.riverfrontbluesfest.org