Posted on 07/11/2010 5:24:59 AM PDT by mylife
ROCKLAND, Maine — The streets of downtown Rockland echoed with the sounds of the blues Saturday as thousands of spectators watched performers from around the country during the first day of the annual North Atlantic Blues Festival.
Although the weather forecast had called for rain, the storms that hit other areas of Maine largely skipped Rockland for much of Saturday afternoon apart from the occasional shower.
The two-day festival continues Saturday night with the annual “club crawl,” featuring live music in locations throughout Rockland, and resumes at 11 a.m. Sunday. Tickets for Sunday’s performances in Harbor Park are available at the gate for $30.
“Things are going great,” Paul Benjamin, co-producer of the North Atlantic Blues Festival, said Saturday afternoon. “The weather so far has been holding off.”
Now in its 17th year, the festival has grown into one of the biggest annual events for this midcoast city. The show typically attracts about 8,000 spectators each day, and Benjamin said he expected to see similar numbers this year, despite the soggy forecast.
In fact, advanced ticket sales for the festival were up more than 2 percent over last year.
Saturday’s list of performers included Preston Shannon, Biscuit Miller, John Nemeth, Bryan Lee and Johnny Rawls. The headliner on Saturday was Grammy Award winner James Cotton.
Sunday’s lineup includes: Shakura S’Aida, Moreland & Arbuckle, Michael Burks, Shemekia Copeland and Grammy Award winner Keb’ Mo’.
Among the thousands who descended on Rockland on Saturday were Stetson Pierce and Donna Cantone, two friends from Augusta.
Pierce, who’s a blues lover, estimated that this was his 12th year attending the North Atlantic Blues Festival — a claim supported by the souvenir tank top he was wearing from the 1998 show. Pierce has been to other blues festivals, but he prefers Rockland’s.
“I think this is the best festival I have ever been to,” he said, adding that the people and the music make it so.
Cantone, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying her first North Atlantic Blues Festival.
“I think it’s just fantastic,” Cantone said. “I can’t get over the crowd. I think the atmosphere is wonderful and the people are so friendly.”
One new addition to this year’s lineup is an “open mic” show at the Strand Theatre beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday. Anyone who wants to perform is welcome.
The annual Saturday night “club crawl” features 21 bands performing in restaurants, bars and other establishments throughout downtown Rockland. The performances are free for festival-goers.
Also new this year is a trail marker, erected near the festival site, celebrating Maine’s blues tradition. Titled “The Blues Trail: Mississippi to Maine,” it is the seventh Mississippi Blues Trail marker to be placed outside of Mississippi.
For more information on the blues festival, go to www.northatlanticbluesfestival.com.
All Aboard The Blues Train!
I hope that, “Bonnie Edwards and the Practical Cats” weren’t rained out.
I must be getting old — James Cotton and Keb Mo are the only names I recognize on the list of performers for this festival. Good to see Cotton is still at it — he’s been on the road non-stop for probably half a century. (Last time I saw him was 20 years ago). One of the greatest blues harp players ever.
No. You arent getting old.
Most of the acts are smaller regional acts, but are very excellent in their sound.
Ahhh, the blues, bring back so memories to me. I started my police career in Greenville in the early 60’s. When detective I use to go to the joints and listen, sit in the kitchens and dring cokes and eat chips, the best of the best music found anywhere
It is... the music of kings.
LoL
I watched the greats of the great start in the joints, playing for beer then sit on top of the world with their music.
All great blues is played in the “joints”
Sooo right. The guitars, wanging, those sulky songs (being nice), the singing right on top of the mikes, yep, I am a blues lover.
When I talk of these days with my daughter she just smile as she knows what I felt like, always talked to her about the ones who played for beer and cigs (just about) and now sitting on top of the world and sat there for a while, she just sits back and laughs. i am 74 now so you know I go back when a lot of the blues players are gone or on top..
I take back what I said.
Dayum! You ARE old son!
Roy Buchanan~The Messiah Will Come Again
I'm on board the Blues Train but this festival ain't nothing.
I hate to give Chicago any props but The Chicago Blues Festival held in Grant Park, for three days on five stages, beats all. and its FREE!
About 640,000 go over the three days
And then - James Cotton Blues Band with special guest Matt “Guitar” Murphy
As you can see their lineup is A Number One. Unfortunately due to all the walking required I couldn't go. Plus I have a 'crowds thing'. (I get 'nasty' at the ignorants)
Then to make mater s WORSE, I found at the last minute, their was another Blues Fest a week later at the pro Soccer stadium in a nearby suburb. And at that Blues Fest the lineup included BB KING and ERIC CLAPTON!. Those tickets were only $40.00 each.
I was so sick about missing that I wanted to slit mywrists!
(Just joking but I was bummed out big time)
Ive been to the Chicago Blues scene.
Mr Buddy Guy is a riot!
This festival is what it is. a very nice festival mid coast in Maine.
BTW the jazz fest in Grant park is world class as well.
You really should have seen BB.
I have seen him 5 times in the past 12 years or so.
The guy wont be around forever.
I kick myself in the arse for never going to see John Lee Hooker
Yeah I was prolly a little harsh. ,
*** Ive been to the Chicago Blues scene. Mr Buddy Guy is a riot! ***
My one 'big mistake' was not going to his Checkerboard Lounge when I was 'more mobile'. Plus the original one wasn't exactly in 'a nice neighborhood' so the wife would have been 'edgy' to say the least.
But the new one is in 'a better location' (safer) so after I get my knee replacement, I'll just have to put that on my *must do list*
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