| July 4th, 2008 from 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 acts
found within Alameda County cities such as Oakland, Hayward, San Leandro, Pleasanton, Berkeley and
Livermore. Plan for a full day, enriched by a truly American cultural experience with roots right here at home.
line-up of notable performers who excel in their craft. This non-stop festival features outstanding blues acts
found within Alameda County cities such as Oakland, Hayward, San Leandro, Pleasanton, Berkeley and
Livermore. Plan for a full day, enriched by a truly American cultural experience with roots right here at home.
Pat Wilder & Serious Business
Wilder's musical foundation is rooted in jazz, rock, R&B, blues and gospel. She began playing the guitar as a teen
after her mother encouraged her to develop an interest in any instrument besides the one she was pursuing -
drums. Because music was prevalent in her household, she was able to recognize and develop her strong passion
for music. Her earliest musical influences came from Wes Montgomery and Taj Mahal. As a friend of the family,
Taj Mahal provided the ultimate inspiration in her childhood - it was from him that she received her first guitar.
Wilder's musical foundation is rooted in jazz, rock, R&B, blues and gospel. She began playing the guitar as a teen
after her mother encouraged her to develop an interest in any instrument besides the one she was pursuing -
drums. Because music was prevalent in her household, she was able to recognize and develop her strong passion
for music. Her earliest musical influences came from Wes Montgomery and Taj Mahal. As a friend of the family,
Taj Mahal provided the ultimate inspiration in her childhood - it was from him that she received her first guitar.
Stars of Glory
The Stars of Glory have performed at numerous festivals and fairs throughout most of California. This female
gospel group is a big hit and they will take you back to the day when the Holy Ghost hit the group! Their
energy level goes so high that the audience is put in a divine trance. The Stars of Glory recently received the
West Coast Blues Hall of Fame Gospel Group of the Year. They have just released their first CD. As always
the Hayward-Russell City Blues Festival welcomes back the Stars of Glory.
The Stars of Glory have performed at numerous festivals and fairs throughout most of California. This female
gospel group is a big hit and they will take you back to the day when the Holy Ghost hit the group! Their
energy level goes so high that the audience is put in a divine trance. The Stars of Glory recently received the
West Coast Blues Hall of Fame Gospel Group of the Year. They have just released their first CD. As always
the Hayward-Russell City Blues Festival welcomes back the Stars of Glory.
Billy Dunn Bluesway
As a vocalist, piano, drummer and sax player Billy started his long career in Russell City, California playing
keyboard for the late-great big Mama Thorton in 1959. Billy has played for the King of Rock and Roll, Chuck
Barry; Albert King, Lowell Fulson and Mr Excitement, Jackie Wilson. His C.D entitled My Feet is Achin was
one of the most talked about blues C.D.’s in years. Billy can sing any style of blues and R&B and knows
hundreds of songs. His stage show is one you will never forget.
As a vocalist, piano, drummer and sax player Billy started his long career in Russell City, California playing
keyboard for the late-great big Mama Thorton in 1959. Billy has played for the King of Rock and Roll, Chuck
Barry; Albert King, Lowell Fulson and Mr Excitement, Jackie Wilson. His C.D entitled My Feet is Achin was
one of the most talked about blues C.D.’s in years. Billy can sing any style of blues and R&B and knows
hundreds of songs. His stage show is one you will never forget.
J.C. Smith Blues Band
JC Smith is an outstanding performer noted for his energy and charisma. Prior to playing guitar, he was the
drummer for the Back to Back Blues Band, which released two CDs that were well received by Blues lovers and
critics alike. In 2000, he emerged from behind his drums, armed with a Gibson 335. J. C. attacks the Blues as if
he is being guided by masters like T-Bone Walker, Albert King, and Johnnie Guitar Watson.
JC Smith is an outstanding performer noted for his energy and charisma. Prior to playing guitar, he was the
drummer for the Back to Back Blues Band, which released two CDs that were well received by Blues lovers and
critics alike. In 2000, he emerged from behind his drums, armed with a Gibson 335. J. C. attacks the Blues as if
he is being guided by masters like T-Bone Walker, Albert King, and Johnnie Guitar Watson.
Birdlegg & Tightfit
Oakland based blues harmonica player, Birdlegg has gained a loyal following for his down home blues playing.
His recent CD features some songs, such as Meet Me on the Corner and Peachtree Blues, from his collaboration
with important blues figure, Carroll Perry. Recently returned from a date at Mount Rushmore National
Memorial, headlining with Mz. Dee, Birdlegg wowed the crowd with his energetic and uninhibited playing.
Birdlegg has become a national treasure in his own right.
Oakland based blues harmonica player, Birdlegg has gained a loyal following for his down home blues playing.
His recent CD features some songs, such as Meet Me on the Corner and Peachtree Blues, from his collaboration
with important blues figure, Carroll Perry. Recently returned from a date at Mount Rushmore National
Memorial, headlining with Mz. Dee, Birdlegg wowed the crowd with his energetic and uninhibited playing.
Birdlegg has become a national treasure in his own right.
Alvon Johnson & His All-Star Band
Winner of the 2005 Guitar Player of the Year Award, Alvon is a former member of the Rock and Roll Hall of
fame vocal group, "The Coasters". His rich voice helped to recreate all of the wonderful and familiar songs like,
Charlie Brown, Yakety Yak, and Poison Ivy. Throughout his career he has performed with many well known
artists, including The Drifters, The Shirelles, Bobby Day of Rocking’ Robin fame, Otis Day and the Knights,
Jimmie Rodgers of Country and Western fame. Alvon sought out, and learned, at the feet of many icons of the
blues, including: John Lee Hooker, Pee Wee Crayton, Little Joe Blue, Harmonica Fats, Sonny Green, Frankie Lee,
Guitar Shorty, Lowell Folsom, and Buddy Ace. Alvon has performed on the international level as well as
nationally in such places as Malaysia, China, France, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, The
Bahamas, Australia, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City and many other cities all across the United States.
Winner of the 2005 Guitar Player of the Year Award, Alvon is a former member of the Rock and Roll Hall of
fame vocal group, "The Coasters". His rich voice helped to recreate all of the wonderful and familiar songs like,
Charlie Brown, Yakety Yak, and Poison Ivy. Throughout his career he has performed with many well known
artists, including The Drifters, The Shirelles, Bobby Day of Rocking’ Robin fame, Otis Day and the Knights,
Jimmie Rodgers of Country and Western fame. Alvon sought out, and learned, at the feet of many icons of the
blues, including: John Lee Hooker, Pee Wee Crayton, Little Joe Blue, Harmonica Fats, Sonny Green, Frankie Lee,
Guitar Shorty, Lowell Folsom, and Buddy Ace. Alvon has performed on the international level as well as
nationally in such places as Malaysia, China, France, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, The
Bahamas, Australia, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City and many other cities all across the United States.
Caravan of Allstars
is 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 Bill Graham Presents New Orleans by the Bay,
special appearance at the California Music Awards, AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, Portland Waterfront Blues
Festival, Monterey Bay Blues Festival, command performance for President Bill Clinton and first fundraising
performances in Thailand for tsunami survivors. The Caravan released their second CD on 50/50 Records
entitled The Music They Played on 7th Street. The band consists of Ronnie Stewart, lead guitar; Dalhart Johnson
& Henry Williams, bass guitar; Rich Forman and Rob Gordon, keyboards; Donnie Kountz, drums; John
Middleton, Carl Green and Sahar Miller, the “Sweet Meat Horn Section”. Vocalists include Wylie Trass, Teddy
"Blues Master" Watson, Edldrige "Big Cat" Tolefree, Terrible Tom, and a host of other great bay area artists .
is 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 Bill Graham Presents New Orleans by the Bay,
special appearance at the California Music Awards, AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, Portland Waterfront Blues
Festival, Monterey Bay Blues Festival, command performance for President Bill Clinton and first fundraising
performances in Thailand for tsunami survivors. The Caravan released their second CD on 50/50 Records
entitled The Music They Played on 7th Street. The band consists of Ronnie Stewart, lead guitar; Dalhart Johnson
& Henry Williams, bass guitar; Rich Forman and Rob Gordon, keyboards; Donnie Kountz, drums; John
Middleton, Carl Green and Sahar Miller, the “Sweet Meat Horn Section”. Vocalists include Wylie Trass, Teddy
"Blues Master" Watson, Edldrige "Big Cat" Tolefree, Terrible Tom, and a host of other great bay area artists .
Ron Thompson & the Resistors
Not many living blues musicians can say they have performed with and recorded for legends like Big Mama
Thornton, Sonny Rhodes, Luther Tucker, Jimmy McCracklin, Pee Wee Crayton, Carla Thomas, Booker T.
Jones, Percy Mayfield, Etta James, B.B. King, and Jimmy Reed. Ron Thompson is a legendary rhythm and blues
guitarist, vocalist, and master keyboardist whose career began in the rough and tumble world of East Bay
nightclubs and bars in the early '70s.
Not many living blues musicians can say they have performed with and recorded for legends like Big Mama
Thornton, Sonny Rhodes, Luther Tucker, Jimmy McCracklin, Pee Wee Crayton, Carla Thomas, Booker T.
Jones, Percy Mayfield, Etta James, B.B. King, and Jimmy Reed. Ron Thompson is a legendary rhythm and blues
guitarist, vocalist, and master keyboardist whose career began in the rough and tumble world of East Bay
nightclubs and bars in the early '70s.
Funky Bus and the U-Turns
is a 12-piece student-directed band fromBerkeley High School. The band features a full rhythm section, a
6-piecehorn section, and four-part vocal harmonies. They are an example ofup-an-coming local talent, playing a
mixture of funk, swing and R&B,including original compositions and arrangements. We are well known in the
Berkeley community, having played at the Solano Stroll and Spice of Lifefestival for two years; they also play at
school celebrations such as theJefferson school Mayfair and many shows alongside the Berkeley High
Jazzprogram.
is a 12-piece student-directed band fromBerkeley High School. The band features a full rhythm section, a
6-piecehorn section, and four-part vocal harmonies. They are an example ofup-an-coming local talent, playing a
mixture of funk, swing and R&B,including original compositions and arrangements. We are well known in the
Berkeley community, having played at the Solano Stroll and Spice of Lifefestival for two years; they also play at
school celebrations such as theJefferson school Mayfair and many shows alongside the Berkeley High
Jazzprogram.
