| July 4th, 2011 12:00pm - 8:00pm Alameda County Fair - Main Stage, Pleasanton, CA Free with Admission to the Fair 707-647-3962 or 510 836-2227 |
Each year the Bay Area Blues Society and the Alameda County Fair work together to bring the public a great
line-up of notable performers who excel in their craft. This non-stop festival features outstanding blues and R&B
acts found throughout the country.
line-up of notable performers who excel in their craft. This non-stop festival features outstanding blues and R&B
acts found throughout the country.
TWICE AS GOOD 12:00 pm
Paul & Rich Steward, the Son & Father, Native American, Ultimate Blues duo performs
high energy Blues, Soul, and Rock & Roll with screaming guitar and soulful vocals
backed by the 2XG band. Charlie Musselwhite calls them "The Real Deal Blues". They
have been all over the USA, independently released 4 albums, shared the stage with
many legends and continue to garner success and praise with Paul leading the band
through flashy show tunes, with soulful vocals, screaming guitar, and unbelievable stage
presence.
Paul & Rich Steward, the Son & Father, Native American, Ultimate Blues duo performs
high energy Blues, Soul, and Rock & Roll with screaming guitar and soulful vocals
backed by the 2XG band. Charlie Musselwhite calls them "The Real Deal Blues". They
have been all over the USA, independently released 4 albums, shared the stage with
many legends and continue to garner success and praise with Paul leading the band
through flashy show tunes, with soulful vocals, screaming guitar, and unbelievable stage
presence.
CARAVAN OF ALLSTARS 1:00 pm
A powerhouse revue put together to showcase some of the unsung heroes of West Coast
Blues. The Caravan has a loyal following due to their high profile performances at,
California Music Awards, AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, Portland Waterfront Blues
Festival, Monterey Bay Blues Festival, command performance for President Bill
Clinton. The Caravan has opened for and performed with Bobby Rush, Betty Wright,
Etta James, Gladys Knight, The O’Jays, Robert Cray, Al Green, Bonnie Raitt, The
Whispers, BB King, Latimore, Buddy Guy, Booker T and the MG’s, Willie Nelson, and
Chaka Khan just to name a few. The band consists of Ronnie Stewart, lead guitar;
Dalhart Johnson, bass guitar; Rich Forman, keyboards; Donny Kountz and David “Stix”
Boyette on drums; Carl Green, Geechi Taylor, and James Nelson, the “Sweet Meat Horn
Section”. Featured vocalists include Teddy “Blues Master” Watson, Terrible Tom
Bowden, and Tommy Nunnelly and Little Junior Crudup.
A powerhouse revue put together to showcase some of the unsung heroes of West Coast
Blues. The Caravan has a loyal following due to their high profile performances at,
California Music Awards, AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, Portland Waterfront Blues
Festival, Monterey Bay Blues Festival, command performance for President Bill
Clinton. The Caravan has opened for and performed with Bobby Rush, Betty Wright,
Etta James, Gladys Knight, The O’Jays, Robert Cray, Al Green, Bonnie Raitt, The
Whispers, BB King, Latimore, Buddy Guy, Booker T and the MG’s, Willie Nelson, and
Chaka Khan just to name a few. The band consists of Ronnie Stewart, lead guitar;
Dalhart Johnson, bass guitar; Rich Forman, keyboards; Donny Kountz and David “Stix”
Boyette on drums; Carl Green, Geechi Taylor, and James Nelson, the “Sweet Meat Horn
Section”. Featured vocalists include Teddy “Blues Master” Watson, Terrible Tom
Bowden, and Tommy Nunnelly and Little Junior Crudup.
JOHNNY RAWLS 6:00 pm
It’s a long way from rural Mississippi in international blues recognition, but then
Johnny Rawls has never yet found a road he was afraid to travel. Between touring with
such legends as Z.Z. Hill, O.V. Wright, and Little Johnny Taylor. He then forged a
career of his own on the rough-and-ready southern blues circuit known affectionately in
the African-American blues community as the "chitlin’ circuit", In the mid-70s, Rawls
saw a childhood dream come true… He went to work for his old idol, O.V. Wright, as
Wright’s band director. After Wright died in 1980, Rawls joined Little Johnny Taylor
and led his band for several years. Restless to strike out on his own, he eventually
began to tour under his own name and the rest is history.
It’s a long way from rural Mississippi in international blues recognition, but then
Johnny Rawls has never yet found a road he was afraid to travel. Between touring with
such legends as Z.Z. Hill, O.V. Wright, and Little Johnny Taylor. He then forged a
career of his own on the rough-and-ready southern blues circuit known affectionately in
the African-American blues community as the "chitlin’ circuit", In the mid-70s, Rawls
saw a childhood dream come true… He went to work for his old idol, O.V. Wright, as
Wright’s band director. After Wright died in 1980, Rawls joined Little Johnny Taylor
and led his band for several years. Restless to strike out on his own, he eventually
began to tour under his own name and the rest is history.
A CHICAGO KING AND TWO QUEENS
TAILDRAGGER 4:15 pm
James Yancy Jones, a/k/a "Tail Dragger," has been a fixture on the Chicago blues
scene for decades. After moving to to the city in the '60s, he began playing with blues
legends on the West Side and South Side. Known in those days as Crawlin' James, it was
Howlin’ Wolf who gave Jones the title “Tail Dragger” because of his habit of showing up
late to gigs. Tail Dragger's 'My Head Is Bald: Live At Vern's Friendly Lounge' remains
Delmark Records' best-selling DVD.
DEMETRIA TAYLOR 3:45
Demetria Taylor The “Bad Girl” of Chicago Blues—is the youngest daughter of Eddie
Taylor, one of the most influential Chicago blues guitarists of all time, and father to a
large family of Chicago’s West Side blues talent. Demetria is the youngest Taylor
offspring and latest to break out as a blues star on her own, following her father, (long
time guitarist with the great Jimmy Reed); mother, vocalist Vera Taylor; great uncle,
Chicago soul/blues icon Jimmy Burns; and brother, the guitarist Eddie Taylor, Jr.
Demetria turns heads with her own distinctive and passionate vocal style—she can growl
like Koko Taylor, but also has sensual purr, great taste, timing and deep blues roots.
Demetria's debut release Bad Girl, is due out on Delmark records this spring.
DEITRA FARR 3:15 pm
Deitra Farr, one of Chicago's top blues vocalists, delivers fiery, soul-stirring
performances that have earned her nominations for Female Blues Artist of the Year
from the (W.C. Handy) Blues Awards, Living Blues Critics Awards, the British Blues
Connection Awards, and the Les Trophées France Blues Awards. In 1983, Deitra began
working at the major Chicago blues clubs, and toured the US and Canada with the Sam
Lay Blues Band. From 1993 to 1996, Farr was lead singer with Mississippi Heat,
recording two acclaimed CD's with this all-star group. Farr later toured Europe as guest
vocalist with Lil Ed and the Imperials, Otis Grand and Bobby Parker. For the past six
years Deitra has toured with The Women of Chicago Blues project with Zora Young and
Grana Louise.
TAILDRAGGER 4:15 pm
James Yancy Jones, a/k/a "Tail Dragger," has been a fixture on the Chicago blues
scene for decades. After moving to to the city in the '60s, he began playing with blues
legends on the West Side and South Side. Known in those days as Crawlin' James, it was
Howlin’ Wolf who gave Jones the title “Tail Dragger” because of his habit of showing up
late to gigs. Tail Dragger's 'My Head Is Bald: Live At Vern's Friendly Lounge' remains
Delmark Records' best-selling DVD.
DEMETRIA TAYLOR 3:45
Demetria Taylor The “Bad Girl” of Chicago Blues—is the youngest daughter of Eddie
Taylor, one of the most influential Chicago blues guitarists of all time, and father to a
large family of Chicago’s West Side blues talent. Demetria is the youngest Taylor
offspring and latest to break out as a blues star on her own, following her father, (long
time guitarist with the great Jimmy Reed); mother, vocalist Vera Taylor; great uncle,
Chicago soul/blues icon Jimmy Burns; and brother, the guitarist Eddie Taylor, Jr.
Demetria turns heads with her own distinctive and passionate vocal style—she can growl
like Koko Taylor, but also has sensual purr, great taste, timing and deep blues roots.
Demetria's debut release Bad Girl, is due out on Delmark records this spring.
DEITRA FARR 3:15 pm
Deitra Farr, one of Chicago's top blues vocalists, delivers fiery, soul-stirring
performances that have earned her nominations for Female Blues Artist of the Year
from the (W.C. Handy) Blues Awards, Living Blues Critics Awards, the British Blues
Connection Awards, and the Les Trophées France Blues Awards. In 1983, Deitra began
working at the major Chicago blues clubs, and toured the US and Canada with the Sam
Lay Blues Band. From 1993 to 1996, Farr was lead singer with Mississippi Heat,
recording two acclaimed CD's with this all-star group. Farr later toured Europe as guest
vocalist with Lil Ed and the Imperials, Otis Grand and Bobby Parker. For the past six
years Deitra has toured with The Women of Chicago Blues project with Zora Young and
Grana Louise.
ROD PIAZZA & THE MIGHTY FLYERS 7:00 pm
From his first recordings as a leader in 1967 fronting The Dirty Blues Band, through his
multiple W.C. Handy award winning releases with his current band The Mighty Flyers,
to his countless appearances both live and on record with the most revered names in the
blues, Piazza has established himself as one of the most influential living blues harp
players. He’s consistently surrounded himself with players who bring out the best he
has to offer, and epitomize the very best in blues: fresh, swinging, tasteful, exciting and
creative. The core of The Mighty Flyers has been together for over two decades, and
developed the kind of musical telepathy that simply cannot exist without years of
experience on the bandstand and in the studio. The Mighty Flyers are a well-oiled
machine, with Piazza in the driver’s seat.
From his first recordings as a leader in 1967 fronting The Dirty Blues Band, through his
multiple W.C. Handy award winning releases with his current band The Mighty Flyers,
to his countless appearances both live and on record with the most revered names in the
blues, Piazza has established himself as one of the most influential living blues harp
players. He’s consistently surrounded himself with players who bring out the best he
has to offer, and epitomize the very best in blues: fresh, swinging, tasteful, exciting and
creative. The core of The Mighty Flyers has been together for over two decades, and
developed the kind of musical telepathy that simply cannot exist without years of
experience on the bandstand and in the studio. The Mighty Flyers are a well-oiled
machine, with Piazza in the driver’s seat.
| ARTIST LINEUP AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE |
HARMONICA BLUES EXPLOSION 5:00 pm
Darrell Mansfield's soulful voice and harmonica have amazed and inspired audiences
worldwide for over 30 years. A renown musician and songwriter, he has released more
than 30 albums with unit sales in the millions and is recognized as one of the world's
greatest harmonica players.
Wingnut started his musical journey with well respected artists such as Archie Lee
Hooker and Ron Thompson. With five CD projects to date and averaging over 200
performances per year, Wingnut pays homage to the roots of the Blues, while
injecting his own life experiences into a funky musical stew that captures hearts and
souls everywhere!
As leader of The Used Blues Band, voted the #1 dance blues band in Solano County for
the last 2 years, Sean has performed from coast to coast. Nominated best harmonica
player of the Year by The West Coast Blues Hall of Fame for 2010 and again in 2011
Sean “Mac” McGroarty is a devoted performer, fan and active preservationist of the
blues.
Darrell Mansfield's soulful voice and harmonica have amazed and inspired audiences
worldwide for over 30 years. A renown musician and songwriter, he has released more
than 30 albums with unit sales in the millions and is recognized as one of the world's
greatest harmonica players.
Wingnut started his musical journey with well respected artists such as Archie Lee
Hooker and Ron Thompson. With five CD projects to date and averaging over 200
performances per year, Wingnut pays homage to the roots of the Blues, while
injecting his own life experiences into a funky musical stew that captures hearts and
souls everywhere!
As leader of The Used Blues Band, voted the #1 dance blues band in Solano County for
the last 2 years, Sean has performed from coast to coast. Nominated best harmonica
player of the Year by The West Coast Blues Hall of Fame for 2010 and again in 2011
Sean “Mac” McGroarty is a devoted performer, fan and active preservationist of the
blues.
