08 Artists

Heritage Music BluesFest 09
MainStage Acts

Elvin Bishop
Elvin Bishop is a slide guitar great with 45-years of blues under his belt. Rolling Stone has praised his "careening slide and razor-edged bursts, all delivered with unflagging enthusiasm and wit." Elvin's latest release "The Blues Rolls On" harks back to Bishop's roots, paying tribute to the musicians who helped give him his start. "The Blues Rolls On" is nominated for both 2009 Blues Music and Grammy Awards.
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of The Blues Rolls On

Bobby Rush
In 2008 Bobby Rush took home the Blues Music Award for "Best Male Soul Blues Artist." He?s been a leading force in the Southern Soul market as both a recording artists and live performer for decades, and although he?s now remarkably in his 70s he refuses to simply rest on his laurels. That same night Bobby also took home awards for "Best Acoustic Artist" and "Best Acoustic Album" for Raw (Deep Rush), a testament to his versatility that also highlights how his more contemporary records draw upon the same deep blues vein.
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of Look at What You Gettin'

The Fabulous Thunderbirds
For over 30 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American band. The group's distinctive and powerful sound, influenced by a diversity of musical styles, manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via such barnburners as "Tuff Enuff" and "Wrap It Up". Co-founder Kim Wilson, the sole original member, still spearheads the group as it evolves into its newest incarnation.
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of Hot Stuff: The Greatest Hits

Magic Slim and the Teardrops
Magic Slim's got the blues, and he's not afraid to play them his way. When this Mississippi born bluesman steps onto the stage he instantaneously bursts into one of his dynamic songs and takes you on a long hot ride as he keeps his guitar cranked up to sweltering levels of the blues as only Slim can do. You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of Midnight Blues

Sonny Landreth
Sonny Landreth is a guitarist's guitarist ? a wizard of the slide guitar. His music encompasses Mississippi Delta blues, zydeco, and Southern rock. But he also creates sounds that are all his own ? sounds he calls the "music behind the glass."
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of From the Reach

Walter Trout
Is Walter Trout's music too blues for rock - or too rock for blues? -- to label Walter Trout's music is to limit it. With more than 35 years of touring and recording under his belt, this New Jersey native has been "loved and hated, accused and vindicated, packaged and presented for everyone to see," You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of The Outsider

Ronnie Baker Brooks
Ronnie Baker Brooks is the son of Blues Legend Lonnie Brooks. He is best known as one of Chicago's "Best of the Best," with exciting vocals and rhythmic blistering guitar.

The Soul Of John Black
The Soul of John Black is John "JB" Bigham, an adventurous artist who isn?t afraid to
take risks while pursuing his musical vision. JB draws his influences from blues and
soul pioneers such as Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy,
Lightnin' Hopkins, Bo Diddley, Blind Boy Fuller and Al Green.
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of Black John on 2/17/09

Ruthie Foster
If you haven't yet been introduced to the music of this prodigiously gifted singer and songwriter from Texas, you?re in for a major epiphany. And if you've been following Foster's career ever since her self-released, 1997 debut, "Full Circle", you?re in for an even bigger surprise, because you really haven't ever heard Foster until you hear her now.
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of The Truth According to Ruthie Foster on 2/03/09

Moreland & Arbuckle
Moreland and Arbuckle may warm their hands around traditional blues flames, but this wily Kansas band's forte is sneaking into the brush to ignite their own original music blazes. What roars forth is a rare combustion of musical alchemy; kinetic, charismatic and infinitely interesting. You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of 1861

Saffire the Uppity Blues Women
Saffire was formed in 1984, and 2009 will mark our 25th anniversary. We will celebrate a quarter-century of fond memories and achievements. However, this 25th year will also be the year of our final tour and our final release as a group. "Havin' The Last Word"
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of Havin' the Last Word

David Jacobs-Strain
David Jacobs-Strain plays in the blues tradition but isn't from it. You'll hear echoes of Skip James, Charlie Patton, Tommy Johnson, and a song by Fred McDowell or Robert Johnson in his solo performances. A modern roots musician, singer, and songwriter David comes from the language of the country blues, but does not silence his other influences.
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of Liar's Day

John Nemeth
John NÈmeth is a rising blues star; a singer steeped in the tradition and reminiscent of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity.
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of Love Me Tonight

Eden Brent
Nominated for 4 Blues Music Awards, Eden Brent's piano playing and singing style ranges from a melancholic whisper to a full-blown juke joint holler. She's simultaneously confident and confiding, ably blending an earthy meld of jazz, blues, soul and pop as she huskily invites listeners into her lazy, lush world.
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Amazon.com or buy a CD copy of Mississippi Number One

Delta Highway
In a generation that has forgotten its musical roots, Delta Highway breathes youth and energy back into the blues.With strong guitar sounds reminiscent of Muddy Waters and R.L. Burnside, combined with a progressive harmonica sound, this Memphis band has developed a style that is all their own.
You can download MP3s or listen to MP3 samples @
Delta Highway MP3 site

Mikey Jr.
When blues forums toss a name around with the likes of harmonica masters like Little Walter and Sonny Boy...that has to mean something. At just 26 years old, Mikey Jr. is chasing the masters at a pace that?s frightening
You buy a CD copy of or listen to MP3 samples @
CD Baby

8/07/09 will kick off Heritage Music BluesFest 09 at the Heritage Port
in Wheeling, WV for another year of Award Winning Blues.