Sparta BluesFest Presents: Blues on the River
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ At the Evansville Business Association meeting Debi Klausing, Sparta BluesFest festival director, was the guest speaker and spoke about the upcoming BluesFest.
On Saturday, July 18 Water Street Bar and Grill will host "Sparta BluesFest Presents: Blues on the River" in Evansville, IL. For the second straight year the event will be held on the Kaskaskia River front in Evansville.
Gate fee for the event is set at $10.00 with the gates opening at noon and music beginning at 2:00 p.m. The event will open with a rendition of the National Anthem played on violin by nine year old Brendon Wallace from Marissa, IL.
Headlining the event will be Carlos Johnson of Chicago, IL. Carlos Johnson's smoking left handed guitar style reflects influences of Otis Rush as well as Albert King. Johnson strings his guitar like a righty, which, when inverted to play left handed puts his bass strings on the bottom and the treble strings on the top. There is also a jazz influence in his licks derived from the early '70s when he was playing jazz as well as blues.
Kicking off the music will be local favorites, Tres Hombres and friends in the Barefoot Blues Band and they will play from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Always with a variety of Blues and players, a high energy show is a sure thing. This year's line-up is no exception. 'Barefoot' Bill Kennedy (vocals and guitar), Tim Granade (bass and vocals), and Mark Mathis (drummer) fill out the regular rhythm section. Joining them for this years Homegrown Blues Revue will be Ron Hampton (percussion), Sparta native, Dana DeMaris (keyboards, vocals and woodwinds), Centralia native, Kevin 'Caveman' Sides (guitarist and singer), from Centralia, and Nashville recording artist Brittany Clarke (vocalist).
Next will be the band Fertile Soil. As a band, they are new to the local music scene. As individual musicians, the band has as much or more experience than just about any band around. Well known area musicians Brent Koeneman (vocals and rhythm guitar), Bruce Harmsen (vocals and keyboards) and Stu Thies (vocals and bass guitar) put the group together earlier this year. They are joined by Jim McCann (guitarist and vocalist), Julie Carnahan (vocalist) and Larry Willis (drummer and vocalist).
Performing next will be the Rockin' Daddy-O's. Members of the Rockin' Daddy-O's are definitely no strangers to the BluesFest. They have all shared their talents many times throughout the ten years the BluesFest was held in Sparta. It will be a pleasure to have them continue to be a part of the event in Evansville. Making up the band is Tom Pigford (guitar and vocals), of Sparta, Jim Fisher (guitar and vocals), of Sparta, Jason Smith (keyboard and vocals), of Steeleville, and Bob Rathert (bass guitarist), of Coulterville.
The last performance before headliner Carlos Johnson comes on will be Rich McDonough and Rough Grooves. Originating in St. Louis, MO, Rough Grooves creates high energy Blues covering the Blues greats as well as performing original compositions. From intimate clubs to large festivals, these musicians have been captivating audiences throughout the United States and Europe for over twenty years. The band is made up of Eric McSpadden (vocals and harp), Joe Pastor (drums and vocals), Sharon Foehner (bass and vocals) and Rich McDonough (guitar).
At 3:30 p.m. the music will be put on pause for a wake boarding demo by Extreme Power Sports from Greenville, IL.
People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, umbrellas, shade tents and sunscreen. No pets, grills or coolers are allowed. There are currently seven different vendors lined up for the event. Sponsorship for the event looks good as well.
"We have many former sponsors who have remained loyal throughout the years as well as numerous new sponsors whom we would like to welcome. It is because of the support of these sponsors that we are able to provide a day of 'celebrating cultural unity through music'. Their generosity makes it possible for us to bring quality entertainment to you while at the same time helping advance the education of a new generation on a genuine American music genre. Please patronize these sponsors when possible," said Debi Klausing.
For more information about the event you can contact Debi Klausing at 618-534-5172 or email her at debijo55@yahoo.com, or if you want more information on how to become a vendor contact Cathy Presswood at 618-791-1322 or email her at cpresswood@ctscomplete.com.