Latest News
March 24, 2008
Grand Rapids Blues Legends II takes place this Friday at The Intersection. If you attended the first Legends show at The Whiskey Lounge, you know you don't want to miss this night of the best blues that Grand Rapids has to offer. Six bands will be featured this time around - Jimmie Stagger, Junior Valentine, Hank "The Hawk" Mowery, James Reeser, Weezil Malone and Harry Lucas. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show starts at 7:00. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 the day of the show. Ages 18 and over are welcome. This will certainly prove to be a "legendary" night of blues in Grand Rapids.
March 9, 2008
Will we ever see spring? Winter has overstayed its welcome, as far as I am concerned.
The Cabin Fever Blues Series was a rousing success, except for the weather, of course. Thank you to all who braved the elements and enjoyed some superlative blues during February.
Blues open mikes are filling the stages these days. Drummer Tim Cower hosts "Plugged", a band open mike for blues, R&B and funk bands on Tuesday nights at Billy's Lounge. Then on Wednesdays there are two open mike opportunities. At The Intersection hosts Jimmie Stagger and Hank "The Hawk" Mowery run the show, and River City Slims also holds open mike for blues bands. Musicians and blues fans alike should take advantage of these mid-week opportunities. Some have 8:00 start times, so you can still get your shut-eye for work the next day.
January 27, 2008
The Cabin Fever Blues Series starts this Saturday! This year, The West Michigan Blues Society, WYCE FM and Billy's Lounge have come together once again to bring to you the Cabin Fever Blues Series each Saturday night in February at Billy's Lounge, 1437 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids. This year's lineup is probably the best we've ever had, and you won't want to miss a single show. The schedule appears directly below. These are 21+ shows, with admission $10.00 at the door each night - doors open at 8:00 p.m.. We hope to see you there!
Meanwhile, the WRKR/Budweiser Winter Blues Series continues on alternate Fridays at The State Theatre in Kalamazoo. Upcoming shows are listed below.
Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras is right around the corner, falling this year on Tuesday, February 5th, and Grand Rapids will be hoppin'! River City Slims, Grand Rapids' own slice of N'awlins, has plans for a fabulous party, with food and drink specials and four fabulous blues bands. The party and music start at 6:00 p.m., and the line-up of bands includes Tomas Esparaza & the Blues Experience, Tailshaker, The Vincent Hayes Project, and James Reeser & the Backseat Drivers. Sounds like a party to me!
Another popular party spot will be The B.O.B., where WLAV FM presents The 3rd Annual Fat Tuesday Party and Gumbo Fest. There will be live music starting at noon in Barborinos from Rich Burkholder and Creolization; Crush will feature Zydecrunch from 1 to 4 pm, with Benzie Playboyz from 4:30 to 8 pm; The Monkey Bar will have Hawks and Owls Old Time String Band from 4 to 7 pm; and then Buckwheat Zydeco will take the 2nd floor stage at 8 pm!
Our Blues in the Schools program returns in February, this year with presentations at 12 elementary schools in Grand Rapids and the surrounding area. The full schedule is in this month's newsletter. Many thanks go to Old Orchard Brands, LLC and to the Grand Rapids Federation of Musicians for their help in underwriting this project. We strive each year to increase the number of schools included, and with your support we can continue to expand this worthwhile program. Donations may be sent to:
WMBS Blues in the Schools
P.O. Box 6985
Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6985
Thank you.
January 11, 2008
Happy New Year from the West Michigan Blues Society!
After a nice January thaw, the winter weather is back in force and a dose of cabin fever will surely follow. There is a sure-fire prescription to banish those cabin fever blues -- the Cabin Fever Blues Series, jointly sponsored by WMBS, 88.1FM WYCE and Billy's Lounge. Once again, all lodging is provided by Baymont Inn & Suites of Byron Center, and we thank them for their continued support of the West Michigan Blues Society. The series returns to Billy's Lounge each Saturday in February. WMBS is pleased to join 88.1FM WYCE in presenting several national touring blues acts at Billy's Lounge. This is your chance to see some fine national performers in a warm, intimate setting. Tickets for each show are only $10.00 at the door. Doors open at 8:00 p.m., and all shows start at 9:30 p.m.. The line-up follows.
We have a couple PDF and JPG files that you may download, print and distribute, should you wish. The pdf files are Cabin Fever 2008 and Cabin Fever 2008 4-up. The jpg files are Cabin Fever poster in color, Cabin Fever poster, and 4-up Cabin Fever poster.
In Kalamazoo, the annual WRKR/Budweiser Blues Series at the Kalamazoo State Theatre has another great line-up for 2008. Shows are on alternating Fridays January through April.
- January 18 - Elmore James Jr. & Larry McCray
- February 1 - The Legenday Rhythm & Blues Revue including Tommy Castro
- February 15 - Magic Slim
- February 29 - Lurrie Bell
- March 14 - Coco Montoya
- March 28 - Tab Benoit
- April 11 - E.C. Scott
