The Blues Society of The Ozarks was formed to keep blues music alive in our community through various missions, including the Blues In The Schools Program. The Society's biggest annual money-raising event, the Greater Ozarks Blues Festival, is scheduled for September 5 & 6 at American Legion Post 639, 2660 S. Scenic.
Pat Warford from the Blues Society says that if it wasn't for the American Legion, "there would not be a Blues Festival this year." The problem wasn't in finding a performance venue (as has been the case in years past); rather, Pat notes that the Blues Society has lost money the last few years. "If you don't have money for the infrastructure and the talent, it's hard to put a festival together. In fact, we put this together in about six weeks. Thanks to the American Legion as well as all the local musicians that are donating their time this year, we're going to have a festival! Well worth the $5.00 that it's going to cost you to get in. We've got four bands on Friday and six bands on Saturday," including headliner John Nemeth, returning for the second year in a row.
The lineup Friday Sept. 5th starting at 5:30pm includes the Kentucky Gentlemen; JD & the Mudhounds featuring Tom Wittrock; the ABS Band; and Nathan Bryce & Loaded Dice. Things get underway Saturday Sept.6th at 1:00pm with Riff Raff, then Kaps & Stems at 2:00pm; Powerglide around 3:30; Sister Lucille at 5:30; the Brenda Meyer Band at around 7:20; and headliner John Nemeth around 9 or so. Admission is $5.00 each day, with kids under 12 admitted free with paid adult admission. Tickets will be available at the gate. For more information visit www.greaterozarksbluesfest.com or see their Facebook page.
