NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL 2023 INFO
ALL INFO HERE! ~ ONLINE TICKETS HAVE ENDED. REGULAR PRICE AT GATE $50 SEPT. 3. SEE YOU BY THE RIVER
- SUNDAY SEPT. 3, 2023
- TICKETS AT GATE DAY OF SHOW $50
- Gates Open at noon
- Music 1:00-6:00 PM
- Bring lawn chairs, blankets, canopies, etc
- RAIN OR SHINE
- NO COOLERS PLEASE! Food & beverages available for purchase
- OUR FESTIVAL IS UNIQUELY INTIMATE, NOT TOO LARGE IN ORDER TO RETAIN THE FRIENDLY MOUNTAIN VIBE. WE THANK ALL OF OUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE ATTENDED THROUGH THE YEARS AND NEW FRIENDS WHO HELP MAKE THIS EVENT LIKE NO OTHER!
We're keeping the Blues alive in the High Country!
*SUNDAY SEPT 3, 1-6 pm River House Inn, Grassy Creek NC, near West Jefferson
*In the meadow by the beautiful New River with plenty of room for social distancing.
*Please, no coolers and no pets. Food and beverages available for purchase.
ACCOMMODATIONS
ACCOMMODATIONS: Many of you have requested info: Ashe County Chamber of Commerce can suggest many nearby accommodations ... Our venue, River House Inn, is a bed & breakfast with wonderful rooms!
VISIT US ON FACEBOOK! PLEASE LIKE US & HELP US KEEP OUR BLUES MISSION ALIVE!
IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED ONLINE TIX , YOUR NAME WILL BE AT GATE DAY OF SHOW. SEE YOU BY THE RIVER!
ONLINE TICKETS HAVE ENDED. REGULAR PRICE TICKETS $50 day of show
ARTISTS ROSTER 2023
JEFFREY SCOTT~ PIEDMONT BLUESMAN, KEEPER OF THE FLAME
THE KING BEES~ CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF STINGIN' & SWINGIN' & 21 YEARS OF NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL!
THE KING BEES~ CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF STINGIN' & SWINGIN' & 21 YEARS OF NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL!
From The Kennedy Center to performing for and meeting Queen Elizabeth, Jeffrey Scott is dedicated to spreading the Blues word. As keeper of his family's musical legacy, he has never moved from Cullpepper. This Virginia town in the foothills of The Blue Ridge Mountains has been home to Jeffrey's lineage for countless generations. The nephew and acolyte of Blues great John Jackson with whom he toured internationally, Jeffrey cherishes memories of those loved ones who helped forge his musical foundation. . " ..we had guitars, banjos, and everything. We'd play all those Blues songs on Saturday night.. Well, we played those same songs in church on Sunday morning. But it was different words.. and we changed the syncopation!" Among Mr. Scott's influences is beloved North Carolina legend, Doc Watson, with whom he shared a friendship. Multifaceted, Jeffrey Scott is a cattleman, mortician, and long-haul trucker, yet he loves playing Blues best, because it courses through his blood. Jeffrey Scott's shows are graced by his humor, colorful storytelling, and zest for keeping the tradition vibrant. His performances at the prestigious Kennedy Center and other renowned concert halls have uplifted and stirred the hearts of his audiences; they know they're witnessing precious and rare authenticity. New River Blues Festival is honored to present the true, genuine Blues as embodied in Jeffrey Scott.
THE KING BEES~ CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF STINGIN' & SWINGIN' & 21 YEARS OF NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL!
THE KING BEES~ CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF STINGIN' & SWINGIN' & 21 YEARS OF NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL!
THE KING BEES~ CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF STINGIN' & SWINGIN' & 21 YEARS OF NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL!
THE KING BEES CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF STINGIN' THE BLUES in 2023!!
The King Bees, Rob "Hound Dog" Baskerville and Penny "Queen Bee" Zamagni produce NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL. They call Ashe County home, but travel the world with their Blues and American Roots music. This year marks the 36th anniversary of the band and also the 21st 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 juke 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. Veteran drummer extraordinaire, Jim "Jimmy The Groove" Gillon will be laying down the big blues beat.
*"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
GIT SHORTY` JAMES BROWN'S GUITARIST & BLUES WILDMAN
THE KING BEES~ CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF STINGIN' & SWINGIN' & 21 YEARS OF NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL!
DIEDRA, " THE ALABAMA BLUES QUEEN" & GUITAR WIZARD KEITHEN RUFF
Back by popular demand! Octegenarain 6-string wildman displays his deep blues roots! Shorty cut his musical teeth with legends Sam & Dave, James Brown, and Johnny Guitar Watson. The young Elbert Ferguson began his career in 1958 and was soon known
for his wild acrobatics and extraordinary guitar prowess.Willie Dixon credits seeing Git Shorty perform as the inspiration behind Buddy Guy's stage persona. Git Shorty's "trickerations" and antics were like nothing Dixon had ever seen, and he advised Buddy to follow suit. James Brown was sold on the pyrotechnic guitarist and brought him into his band, where Shorty learned the ropes of professional show business, the necessary discipline, and the fact that even a great player needs to be a dynamite entertainer. A bandleader in his own right, Git Shorty can rock with the best, can tear into Hendrix licks, or make his guitar sing B.B. King style..But most importantly he has his own unbridled, soulful sound and tour de force show!
DIEDRA, " THE ALABAMA BLUES QUEEN" & GUITAR WIZARD KEITHEN RUFF
DIEDRA, " THE ALABAMA BLUES QUEEN" & GUITAR WIZARD KEITHEN RUFF
DIEDRA, " THE ALABAMA BLUES QUEEN" & GUITAR WIZARD KEITHEN RUFF
Born in Norfolk, Virginia DieDra was raised by her grandfather, an accomplished singer and composer of church music. He saw the immense talent of his young granddaughter and formed a popular family singing group led by little DieDra. By the late 1990's DieDra's career in Rhythm & Blues was taking off. She joined forces with producer/guitarist Keithen Ruff and in 2009 released the award winning "Overcoming Hurdles", and in 2010 received the coveted Blue Note Award. Soon DieDra's music was riding high on both the Roadhouse Blues and Beach Music charts. International touring followed and she and Keithen were sharing the bill with luminaries The Bar-Kays, Denise LaSalle, Bobby Rush, and Al Green. DieDra has received 24 Blues Awards and Nominations and she and Keithen have been inducted into The Alabama Blues Hall Of Fame. As the title of her debut CD reflects, the 5ft power house has triumphantly overcome many hurdles in her life and invites us to celebrate the journey through her music. DieDra's soulful,spirited performances testify to her
well-deserved title “The Alabama Blues Queen”.
BOBBY "BLACKHAT"` HARMONICA MAESTRO AND MUCH MORE!
DIEDRA, " THE ALABAMA BLUES QUEEN" & GUITAR WIZARD KEITHEN RUFF
BOBBY "BLACKHAT"` HARMONICA MAESTRO AND MUCH MORE!
Bobby "BlackHat" defines the accolade "multi-talented". This Coastal Virginia Bluesman, is an award-winning recording artist, harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, comedian, producer, and actor. He's been a harmonica maestro and exuberant showman for 50 years. Bobby is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander with 27 years of distinguished service, which included serving as Military Aide to the President and being awarded the Coast Guard Medal for Heroism. Bobby BlackHat blends the influences of Chicago, Memphis, Piedmont, and Delta blues styles along with a little Gospel into a toe tappin’, finger poppin’, hip shakin’ blues experience.
"Humorous and funky originals.. a swinging stew fit to party over." -Goldmine
"Blackhat gives the listener a taste of magic and proves that he belongs in the Blues Hall of Fame... Standout vocals, great songwriting, and harmonica that is unforgettable." -Indie Voice
DONALD CEASAR~ THE LOUISIANA BLUES EMPEROR
DIEDRA, " THE ALABAMA BLUES QUEEN" & GUITAR WIZARD KEITHEN RUFF
BOBBY "BLACKHAT"` HARMONICA MAESTRO AND MUCH MORE!
DONALD "BLUES EMPEROR" CEASAR has been a favorite at our festival and is a part of the New River Blues Festival family. An artist of exceptional versatility, performing on drums, harmonica, and keyboards while singing with gusto and laying down high-spirited dance steps. Ceasar hales from the bayous of Louisiana, in the heart of Creole and Cajun country where his grandfather, Alphonse “Bois Sec” Ardoin and other family members were pioneers and founding fathers of Cajun Zydeco music. Ceasar has been entertaining audiences since childhood with his Cajun family band and opening for and sharing the stage with legendary artists such as Rocking Sidney, Fats Domino, Dr. John, The Nevilles, B.B. King, Allen Toussaint, and James Brown. Ceasar delivers a sizzling musical-gumbo full of the succulent flavors of Louisiana.
"..possibly the hippest entertainer in the Carolinas.” Jim Otis, The State, Columbia,SC.
NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL THROUGH THE YEARS
We Thank Our Generous Sponsors
36th Anniversary of The King Bees!
All across the US and Festivals and clubs in the European capitals!
Queen Bee Zamagni & Hound Dog Baskerville
Creators & Producers of New River Blues Festival.