15th Annual
New River
Blues Festival
2017

Lakota John is a young man with an old soul steeped in the blues and enbued with  Native American tradition. From Robeson County, North Carolina and born in 1997,  John Lakota Locklear is of Lumbee/Oglala Lakota heritage. As a very young child  he bagan playing harmonica and guitar; by age 10 he was becoming a protigious  slide player.He is a 2015 NAMA Nominee (Native American Music  Awards) and has opened up for or shared the stage with numerous Native American  and Blues Artists, including performances with Taj  Mahal.

*"His guitar playing places easy strumming  alongside demanding but tasteful slide work,..deeply soulful singing..  This  impressive debut establishes Lakota John as a young musician to  watch!"--Stephen D. Winick, Folklorist, Music Critic,  Editor, HUFFINGTON POST

*"Impressive.. Lakota John  demonstrates his prowess in the Piedmont blues style, as well as his seasoned  voice.."  --Writer, Jeff Hamburg, KEEPING THE BLUES  ALIVE-2015

*"His vocals have  a gritty edge that belies his youth and, together with his slide playing, enable  him to bring off a magnificent cover of Robert Johnson's Crossroads Blues...  this is a strong debut that marks Lakota John as a talent worth watching." Jim  DeKoster, LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE

 Beverly "GUITAR" Watkins the Georgia Music Legend Award Winner. started  her amazing career as a youngster when she was discovered by the  legendary Piano Red. Her incendiary guitar playing and gritty,  well-seasoned vocals have taken her all around the globe to  international adulation. Beverly Guitar Watkins has shared the stage  with James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles and many other musical  giants.This blues lady who plays guitar behind her head, belts out  powerful songs, and lays down James Brown steps, has been featured by  CNN. The Oxford American, and The Wall Street Journal. Be prepared to  have your heart stolen and your mind blown!   

  Mississippi singer, songwriter, guitarist, arranger and producer, JOHNNY  RAWLS draws on the 1950s' and '60s' soul-blues tradition in his guitar  playing, yet his lyrics and singing are timeless. Rawls got his early musical  education from his grandfather, John Paul Newson, a blind guitarist who played  all over the Hattiesburg, MS area.    Johnny has been the leader of some of the most eminent musical  groups, directing the bands of  legends Joe Tex, Z.Z. Hill and  Little Johnny Taylor.   Fronting his own phenomenal groups, he has traveled the world headlining major  festivals and thrilling audiences in the U.S and abroad. He has been featured  multiple times at the Chicago Blues Festival, The King Biscuit  Festival and festivals all over Europe, as well as in Russia.  

 Grammy nominated artists, Ike and Val Woods, have brought their joyously  soulful show throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.  Their scheduled performance at last year's fest was sadly not to be.when a major hurricane hit  their home state, Florida. We're so happy they agreed to be with us this year.Veterans of the deep-South music scene, their roots are profoundly  planted in the bedrock of gospel and blues. Ike's smoldering guitar,  Val's passionate vocals, and their sparkling showmanship all combine to  raise blues to new levels of exuberance.  Living Blues Magazine:  "..uplifting..refreshing and genuine.. ..a remarkable guitarist.. ..top  notch..".  

THE KING BEES

The King Bees, Rob "Hound Dog" Baskerville and  Penny "Queen Bee" Zamagni call Ashe County home, but travel the world with their  Blues and American Roots music. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the band  and also the 15th year of New River Blues Festival which they created and produce.

In the mid-1980's Baskerville and Zamagni began  traveling the deep-South looking for and mentoring under Blues artists of  historical, cultural, and musical significance. Many blues greats took them  under their wing and nurtured and guided The King Bees toward the sound of  authenticity. With Baskerville on guitar and keys and Zamagni on vocals, bass,  and as song smith, The King Bees honed their art with many Blues masters.  By  1990 they had been touring and recording with some of the most culturally  important of Blues artists. In the early 1990's they were signed to a European  label and began touring internationally.

The King Bees have performed on festival stages in  Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and London as well as taking their show across numerous  countries. Their love of American Roots music has taken them from Mississippi  jukes joints to several performances at Lincoln Center. They collaborated with  Rock n' Roll Hall-of-Fame member Bo Diddley and were featured on The B.B. King  Birthday Tour. Baskerville and Zamagni are also recognized as Blues historians,  represent and book Blues artists of note, and produce Blues festivals across the  South.   

*"Queen Bee Zamagni belts it out with the best,  backed by a superb band highlighted by the burning riffs of Hound Dog  Baskerville." The Charlotte Observer. 
*"Legendary Blues stylists..." The Knoxville  Journal.
*"Excellent...Queen Bee Zamagni has a strong,  swinging, slinky voice used to good effect on every number. Fine straight blues  all the way..Tasty!" Blues & Rhythm,  England

Get out of town and come to scenic natural beauty and the best in internationally-acclaimed Blues. Wade in the river, dance in the grass.. a day you will never forget