UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant in Upper Lake have announced the lineup for their seventh annual Blue Wing Blues Festival, which takes place Friday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 4, with a followup date on Labor Day, Sept. 2.
Starting at 5:45 p.m. each day, top blues musicians will perform on the veranda of the hotel with the audience gathered in the intimate garden between the hotel and restaurant.
Headliners this year include David Landon, Paul Steward, Jackie Payne, Steve Lucky, Wendy DeWitt and Lara Price.
“It’s a nice time of day and a great spot to enjoy world-class music,” said hotel and restaurant owner Bernie Butcher, who has put Lake County on the blues map with live music in the restaurant on Monday nights in addition to the annual festival. “With a gourmet barbecue dinner thrown in with the price of admission, people really seem to enjoy the festival.”
Opening each evening for the August headliners will be Barry “Big B” Brenner, making his third appearance at the festival.
“Barry’s a great guy and a lot of fun,” said Butcher. “We’re lucky to have him up here again from his base in Los Angeles.”
Originally from Chicago’s South Side, Brenner plays his 6- and 12-string acoustic guitars as well as metal bodied resonator guitars that amplify the sound mechanically. Brenner’s music channels the authentic sounds of Mississippi delta blues.
With five popular CDs to his credit, David Landon brings his full six-piece band from the Bay Area to headline the opening night Friday, Aug. 2.
After attending college in Boston, Landon moved to Paris where he and his band became a fixture on the club scene. He has built a strong Bay Area reputation since moving here in 1994.
“David has stirred the crowd a few times with his three piece band at our Monday Blues,” said Butcher, “but when I heard him in San Francisco with a full horn section I knew we had to get him up for the festival.”
Local audiences are familiar with the high energy danceable blues of Twice As Good, who will headline the show on Saturday, Aug. 3.
Led by Paul Steward on guitar, sax and vocals with his dad Rich on rhythm guitar and Frankie J on keyboards, this group has moved from its local base to travel nationally and produce award-winning CDs. The band has invited Jackie Payne to do a guest appearance for this show. A seasoned blues personality with a voice reminiscent of Otis Rush, Jackie has headlined shows and festivals around the world.
The show on Sunday, Aug. 4, features Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums with Steve on keyboards and lead singer Carmen Getit on guitar.
Called “Instant Crowd Favorites” by the San Francisco Blues Festival and “Consummate musicians and entertainers” by New York City’s Lincoln Center, Lucky and Getit really shine before a live audience, bringing an intense energy and sheer personal magnetism to the stage. The band tends to dress 1940s be-bop style, so ticket holders may follow suit if they wish.
Labor Day Sept. 2 is Ladies Day at the Festival. Opening that evening will be the popular “Queen of Boogie Woogie” Wendy DeWitt backed by Kirk Harwood on percussion.
Then a wild night at the Blue Wing with the six piece all-female Girls Got the Blues band led by Lara Price and featuring such female stars as vocalist Pam Hawkins, Nancy Wright on sax and Janice Maxie Reid on keyboards.
“I’d like to thank many local businesses for helping us to support quality live music in Lake County,” said Butcher.
Winery sponsors of the Festival include Brassfield, Chacewater, Glamazon, Gregory Graham, Moore Family, Rosa d’Oro, Shannon Ridge, Six Sigma, Steele and Wildhurst.
Other sponsors include Radio Stations KNTI and KXBX, Allora DaCar Productions, Electric Birdland Studios, Blues Express Records, Economy Propane, Kelseyville Lumber, Lake County Record-Bee, Lincoln-Leavitt Insurance and UCC Rentals.
Tallman Hotel Manager Susan Mesick summed up the 2013 Blue Wing Blues Festival this way: “Our staff puts in a lot of effort to book the best entertainers, offer great service to hotel guests, come up with a special barbecue menu and set the place up so everyone can enjoy the show. But the rewards are there when the place is jumping and everyone is having a great time. We’re really looking forward to the event this year.”
Tickets are limited to 100 each evening and may be purchased directly at the Tallman Hotel, located on Main Street in Upper Lake, or by calling the hotel reception desk at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.
Ticket prices are $50 plus tax if purchased in advance and $55 at the gate. The Web site is www.TallmanHotel.com .