Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Stillwater Blues Fest adds ‘Idol’ contest

Published: August 26, 2009 11:07 am print this story comment on this story

Blues Fest adds ‘Idol’ contest

• Free music festival will be Sept. 18-20

Press Release

The 12th Annual Stillwater Blues Fest will include a new contest: The Stillwater Blues Idol.

The free music festival will be Sept. 18-20 at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Duck Street and will feature blues, delta blues, Texas blues, Chicago blues and more blues.

Headliners this year include Blind Pig recording artist Robin Rogers, an award-winning blues singer and songwriter who has shared the stage with Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Carey Bell, Bob Margolin and Tommy Castro.

Also headlining are John Lee Hooker Jr., Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges and Garrett “Big G” Jacobson.

Hooker is a delta blues musician and son of the late great John Lee Hooker. He is two-time Grammy nominee and M.C. Handy award winner.

Bridges is an Australian recording artist making a Stillwater stop during his U.S. tour. He is son of blues guitarist Hideaway Slim, and his latest self-titled CD was nominated for two 2008 U.S. Blues Music Awards.

Jacobson, an Oklahoma native known for his blend of blues, soul and jazz and his showmanship, will perform Sunday afternoon, following by Red River Mudcats and their Texas blues routine.

“The festival will take place rain or shine, so be sure to bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen and maybe an umbrella,” said Gloria Short, Stillwater Community Center festival coordinator. “Each year people travel from around the U.S. to Stillwater because the festival has grown into such a great show with an intimate atmosphere.”

She expects an audience of 10-12,000 people over the three days, she said.

The new Stillwater Blues Idol contest replaces the blues guitar competition. The contest will be open to people of all ages with any type of talent they want to present as long as the presentation is blues-themed with family-oriented content. Each act has three minutes to perform.

Contestants participating on Friday or Saturday will be judged by audience vote. During the finals on Sunday, winners will be chosen by 50 percent audience and 50 percent judge’s vote. Trophies and gifts will be awarded to the top three Stillwater Blues Idols.

Those wishing to participate should contact Stillwater Community Center at 533-8433 or visit the festival’s Web site at bluesfest.stillwater.org

Also during Blues Fest, blues educator David Berntson will visit local schools to teach students about the history and culture of the blues as part of the Blues in the School program.

Students who want to perform in a band setting with their own instruments can also attend after-school classes. They will learn up to four blues songs to perform on stage during the festival on Saturday.

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