NewsBlues festival offers siblings, Davies
By Steve Dunn/Gate City Managing EditorThree siblings who impressed veteran musicians as well as music lovers in the audience are returning to this year's Rollin' on the River Blues Festival, which starts Friday night at Victory Park in Keokuk.
Homemade Jamz Blues Band, comprised of Ryan Perry, 16, Kyle Perry, 14, and Taya Perry, 9, of Tupelo, Miss., will perform on the main stage at 8:15 p.m. Saturday. They'll also play from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the tent, with no admission charge. Their performance at last year's Rollin' on the River Blues Festival impressed such blues veterans as Willie Houston, who preceded the young trio on stage, and Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials. Duo Sonics with Bob Parker and David Bernston will open the main stage entertainment at 6:15 p.m. Friday. Parker and Bernston have played blues professionally for more than 25 years. Penelope and the Unusual Suspects will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The seven-member group including lead singer Penelope gets its influence from the Big Band legacy. Debbie Davies, a 2008 Blues Music Award nominee, will close the first night of the blues festival with a performance starting at 9:15 p.m. The 23-year veteran of the road has 11 albums to her credit, including her latest, “Blues Blast.” Free tent entertainment will be available from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. In addition to Homemade Jamz Blues Band's appearance, a harmonica clinic will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The first 100 kids will receive free harmonicas. Keokuk's own McNamara's Band will play from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dr. John Vance and Tamela LeFoe of Keokuk and Zach Travis of Warsaw, Ill., will play from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Avey Brothers from Davenport will open the second night of main stage entertainment at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The group has shared the stage with such national blues artists as Blues Traveler, Walker Trout, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials. Trampled Underfoot, the winner of the 2008 International Blues Challenge, will take the main stage at 6:45 p.m. Saturday. The three-piece family blues band also received the Albert King Award. In addition to playing their own songs, their repertoire includes music by such greats as Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Aretha Franklin. Headliner C.J. Chenier will close out this year's blues festival with a performance at 9:45 p.m. Saturday. His debut CD “Too Much Fun” was named the Best Zydeco Album of 1995 by Living Blues magazine. Thanks to that success, he was asked to play on the “Jon Stewart Show” in 1995. After hurricanes damaged much of the Gulf Coast a couple of years ago, Chenier started writing and recording another collection of songs that starkly contrasted his earlier upbeat nature. In 2007, he toured with The Red Hot Louisiana Band, which was started by his father. Advance tickets cost $20 for both nights and may be purchased at Hy-Vee in Keokuk, Fort Madison and Burlington; Keasling's and Meister Music in Keokuk; Weird Harold's in Burlington; Thurman Music in Fort Madison; and Smith Music and Vegas Music in Quincy, Ill. Tickets at the gate cost $12 each night. Call 1-800-383-1219 or go to www.rollinontheriver.tripod.com for more information. Schedule Friday 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. -Duo Sonics on the main stage. 7:30 to 9 p.m. - Penelope and the Unusual Suspects on the main stage. 9:15 p.m. to close - Debbie Davies on the main stage. Saturday 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. - Harmonica clinic in the tent. 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. - Homemade Jamz Blues Band in the tent. 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. - McNamara's Band in the tent. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. - Dr. John Vance, Tamela La Foe and Zach Travis in the tent. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Avey Brothers on the main stage. 6:45 to 8 p.m. - Trampled Underfoot on the main stage. 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. - Homemade Jamz Blues Band on the main stage. 9:45 p.m. to close - C.J. Chenier on the main stage. Copyright © 2010 - Daily Gate City
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