A musician Guitarist Magazine called "the new King of the Blues" and a Grammy-nominated guitarist from Louisiana will headline the 13th annual Fargo Blues Festival, a two-day, 12-band performance Aug. 15 and 16 at Newman Outdoor Field.
Blues-rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Joe Bonamassa was named "Best Blues Guitarist" by readers of Guitar Player Magazine in 2007 and 2008, and that's just the beginning of the accolades for the 31-year-old New York native. He'll be the headliner Aug. 15, playing at 9 p.m.
"Joe Bonamassa is probably the best guitarist in the world right now," said Dan Bredell, executive director of Fargo Blues Festival. "He's got the No. 1 blues album, and I don't think there's a better musician in the country, frankly."
The top act Aug. 16 will be Louisiana native Tab Benoit, a Grammy nominated guitarist and Wetlands activist who, in 2007, won the Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year award and the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year at the annual Blues Music awards, formerly known as the W.C. Handy awards.
Other performers Aug. 15, beginning at 2 p.m., will be Bryan Bailey Blues Band, Little Bobby & The Storm, Sweet Paulie T & The Blues Blasters, Ana Popovic and Magic Slim & the Teardrops. The Aug. 16 line-up, to begin at noon, will include Ross William Perry, Deep Water Reunion, Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones, Lil Bryan & The Travelers and Fargo's own Shannon Curfman.
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Canadian guitarist and vocalist Jeff Healy had been booked for the festival. The musician, whose hits included "Angel Eyes" and who had a role in the Patrick Swayze movie "Roadhouse," died
March 2.
Bredell said the Fargo Blues Festival is considered one of the best in the country, recognized as such by actor/Blues Brother Dan Akroyd and his blues shoe.
The festival has had attendees from 48 states, four Canadian provinces and 10 foreign countries. This year, organizers are expecting 8,000 people over two days.
This year, the festivals has sold from 300 to 400 tickets just in Bismarck. Still, the festival could use more local awareness, Bredell said.
"I wish the local people would realize how big an event this is," he said. "It's a fun event. I've been to festivals where everyone is falling down drunk and there's so many people and lines for concessions and lines for the bathroom. Newman Outdoor Field is one of the best venues in the country. It's not really crowded. It's real comfortable."
Bring a lawn chair and/or a blanket for your seating comfort. The event will feature 40 beer, food and gift vendors, camping two blocks away and hotels within walking distance.
Advance tickets are $20 for one day and $30 for two days; at the gate, they will be $25 and $35. Children 8 and under are free. Tickets are available at (218) 287-7775 or (866) 55-BLUES. Performances begin at 2 p.m. Aug. 15 and noon Aug. 16.
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Reach Tobin at (701) 780-1134; (800) 477-6572, ext. 134; or send e-mail to ptobin@gfherald.com .
