The sixth annual Nothin' But the Blues Festival was better than ever. Event promoter Eric Tapley and the many hard working volunteers from the Blues Blowtorch Society had a lot of help from the beautiful weather and a wonderful setting. For the first time, the festival was held at beautiful Tri-Lakes in Bloomington, a move that was met with approval by the record setting crowd.
     
     
 
     
 

MC James Walker

 
     
     
Rooster Alley with Matt "Little Big Man" Curry
     
     
     
     
 
     
     
Dona Oxford & the Oxfords Blues Band
     
     
 
 
     
     
John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band
     
 
 
     
     
The Guitar Women
Roxanne Potvin, Deborah Coleman and Sue Foley
     
     
     
     
 
 
     
     
     
Gumbo Element with Steve "The Harp"
     
     
     
Harmonica Workshop with
Steve "The Harp"
Brian Stears
David Berchtold
Once again Steve "The Harp" -- with a little help from his friends -- put on a harmonica workshop in which kids were given free harmonicas (several hundred in all) and a free harmonica lesson. As in previous years, there was a visit from the Zoo Lady the balloon man. The new venue offered playground equipment for the kids. This was the best year yet for bringing out entire families -- a tradition we hope will continue.
     
     
     
     
     
     
Soulard Blues Band
     
     
 
 
     
     
Darrien Safron & The Soul Sensations
     
     
     
     
Big Ray & Chicago's Most Wanted
     
     
 
 
     
     
Tab Benoit
     
     
C.J. Chenier
     
 

     
 


 

C.J. with Saturday Night's Host Frank Black

 
     
All Photos by Ralph Weisheit
 

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