October Blues News
Don't complain there isn't any Blues. October is packed with Blues events.
The Birmingham City Library at 2100 Park Place is showcasing Blues during the month. "Stop, Look & Listen" is an exhibit of photographs of blues musicians by Roger Stephenson. The exhibit runs through October 25.
Saturday October 5 Blues at the Ballpark will return to Rickwood Field with a great blues & soul lineup. Admission is FREE.
Gates open at noon, music 1pm - 6pm. Bring your chairs and rugs to settle down in comfort and enjoy the afternoons entertainment. There will be a food truck and there will be a soft drink, beer & wine concession. No outside food or alcohol allowed. Bring your folding chair for comfort.
Here is the lineup.
Ms. Johnnie & The Jammers
Kid Sly
Keith Johnson & the Big Muddyhttps://keithjohnsonenterprise.com/
Piper & the Hard Times piperwww.piperandthehardtimes.com
Johnny Rawlswww.johnnyrawlsblues.com
Thank you to Birmingham City council, Councilor Carol Clarke District 8 & the Friends of Rickwood for helping make this event possible.
Sunday October 6 @ 5pm-7pm Mz. Aretta and the New Direction Band will be at Elysian Gardens for our first Sunday's blues show.
Friday October 11 @ 8pm-11pm Jesse Cotton Stone will be at Elysian Gardens. Come out and catch this Mississippi bluesman as he passes through town.
Sunday October 13 @ 2pm, is our Battle of the Blues Bands. Our host venue is the Woodlawn Theatre. This will be a great afternoon of blues music, so come out and support your local bands. Here is the link to purchase tickets BOBB Tickets. Use code Blues2024 to receive member discounted $10 tickets.
All Alabama blues musicians and bands are welcome to enter. The winning band and solo/Duo will receive a stipend to travel to Memphis in January 2025 to compete in the International Blues challenge. See below for more information and registration.
Friday November 8 @ 8pm Jontavious Willis will be at the Woodlawn Theatre.
Jontavious Willis is resolved in his mission: to reinvigorate today’s Blues with the spirit of the past. Inspired by a time when the Blues were plentiful and rhythm reigned supreme, Jontavious leverages his unique sound—a synthesis of his Georgia heritage and reverence for traditional Blues—to get the world dancing again. A Grammy-nominated musician and songwriter, Jontavious performs original, toe-tapping tunes in the style of Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel Blues. Dynamic vocals, technical prowess, and an abundance of Southern charm keep Jontavious sending jolts of vitality through the Blues community. Get your tickets now, this is likely to be a heavily subscribed show from one of today's top bluesmen. Jontavious has toured with Taj Mahal and Keb Mo!Jontavious Willis TICKETS
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Remember our monthly open jams:
Jam at Ranelli's October 4 @ 7pm-10pm
Third Thursday Jam at True Story Brewing October 17 @ 7pm-10pm
Do visit and support the Southern Music Research Center website www.southernmusicresearch.org Browse their collections where you will find lots of interesting music history of our area including live recordings from Gip's Place.