25th Anniversary ~ Fort Smith Riverfront Bluesfest
by March 18, 2015 11:24 am 57 views
The 25th Annual Riverfront Blues Festival will be June 26–27 at Harry E Kelley Park. This year the “Best Little Blues Festival in America” will once again feature some of the best local, regional and national touring acts in the genre.
We will also have a special Thursday night Kickoff Party this year on June 25 at Warren’s Rec Room in Alma featuring The Nick Schnebelen Band and local favorites Oreo Blue. A Kansas City, Mo., native, Schnebelen has blazed his trail through the blues world over the past 12 years with his family band Trampled Under Foot (TUF). In 2008 Schnebelen won the Albert King Award for Best Guitarist that year at the International Blues Challenge, and TUF took first place in the overall competition. With the demise of TUF, Schnebelen has created a new band bearing his name featuring himself on lead guitar and vocals, along with vocalist Heather Joan Newman, drummer Joe Voyce, and bassist Gregory “Coko” Henderson.
A true Arkansas original, Oreo Blue has been cranking out consistent blues for over 20 years and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Their latest album, “OB20,” is packed with the classic songs fans want to hear. Lead man Gary Hutchison has said they are currently working on a brand new album to be released this spring or early summer, just in time for the festival.
For 2015, the festival is bringing back its blues workshop on Saturday, June 27. Ben Prestage will present his unique approach to the blues and the instruments he uses. The workshop is open to the public and will be followed by a live set from Prestage with local singer/songwriter Laura Pierson opening for him.
On the main stage will be local solo IBC qualifier, Matt Dodd, opening the festival on Friday night. Following Dodd will be local favorites The Wanda Watson Band, stirring soul and blues guitarist Hadden Sayers, and the first IBC winner from Arkansas, the Chris Cameron Band, will close out the night with a mixture of classic blues and originals.
On Saturday night, 2015 IBC representative The Eric Mathews Band will kick things off, followed by Little Rock’s artists Steve Hester and DejaVooDoo. Following are Americana foursome Levee Town, followed by Arkansas fan favorite Jimmy Thackery. And this year’s headliner is Arkansas Music Hall of Fame member Larry McCray.
Early bird passes for the three-day event can be purchased in advance by visiting www.riverfrontbluesfest.org or purchased each night at the door.