Click Here for the Holiday 2014 Slide Show

Annual Holiday Party, Meeting
and Food Drive 2014
Good Crowd, Good Music.

Thank you to Schuller's Tavern for hosting the MnBS Annual Holiday Party, Meeting and Food Drive. The place was crowded with blues fans and musicians. After a brief meeting conducted by President, Richard Schaefer summarizing the successes and goals for the Blues Society along with Secretary, Deb Hills announcing the results of the Board election; the party got into full swing.

The Black Water Blues Band, this year's Youth Showcase Act representing Minnesota at the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, led off the music with a very impressive set of pretty much straight-ahead blues. A lot of the veteran musicians in the crowd were nodding their heads and I heard a number of favorable comments about the quality of this young group's performance.

Longtime local favorites, Inside Straight Blues Band, capped off the afternoon's festivities with a performance that got the folks out on the dance floor for numerous tunes. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped to make this event a success. What an excellent way to kick-off the Holiday Season. — Jake Jacobson

(12/07/14)

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(11/16/14)

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You may be familiar with Give to the Max Day, a day where Minnesota raises more money for charities than any other day of the year.

The Minnesota Blues Society has registered with GiveMN so that we can be eligible for public donations.

Earlier this year our board voted to share the day with a unique blues camp for youth and young adults called BluesU. A portion of the funds we raise will go to support this educational non-profit.

Last year some of your favorite local artists were involved as teachers at BluesU: Jimi “Prime Time” Smith, Jacquie Maddix (LadyJ Griot), Charles Fletcher, Jimmi Langemo and JD Steele. There was even a concert and guest appearance in class by Scott Holt. These artists steadfastly stand by this program.

We hope you will too. On Nov. 13th please consider a donation to the MN Blues Society and our young blues musicians at: Give To The Max Day - Minnesota Blues Society

Thank You! — Minnesota Blues Society Board of Directors

(11/09/14)

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(07/19/14)

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1st Lowertown Blues Festival
Exceeds Expectations

Promoter Steve Heckler announced from the stage that the estimated attendance for the Lowertown Blues Festival held in Mears Park, St Paul on Saturday, July 26 was nearly 10,000 people. This was contrary to what some people had predicted would be 200-400 people.

By all accounts this was a great beginning for what will hopefully become an annual event. There will probably have to be a few more portable toilets and food vendors next year, but other than that, this was pretty much the ideal setting for a big blues festival.

Sena Ehrhardt Band, Lamont Cranston, Hamilton Loomis and Shemekia Copeland all gave solid performances that kept the crowd on their feet throughout the day and into the night.

The Minnesota Blues Society was proud to be a part of this event and congratulates and thanks everyone who helped to make this possible. — Jake Jacobson

(07/27/14)

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Click on Poster For Links to Musicians & Sponsors

(06/23/14)

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Wasn't That A Party?

On Sunday, July 20, 2014, for the first time in the history of the Minnesota Blues Society, the Annual Members' Appreciation Picnic & Food Drive moved out of our members' backyards to a public location at the Rosetown American Legion in Roseville, MN. And a great venue it was. The weather was just about as perfect as it could be on the back patio overlooking the baseball field. The indoor space was spacious and was ideal for accommodating the potluck food tables.

The music ran pretty much non-stop all day with various musicians taking their turns on the stage. Curtis Blake, Jimi "Primetime" Smith, Lisa Wenger, Dan Schwalbe, John Lindberg and Allen Kirk were the house band for the day but were joined by many others including John Franken, Jason Medeiros, Brad Davies, Tony Houle, Jacquie Maddix and Chris Johnson. Road To Memphis Duo winners Brother Sun & Sister Moon (Dave Lambert and Donna Dahl) performed a short set as did Band winners, Jimmi and the Band of Souls.

Thanks to everyone who made this such a successful event: Marilee Blake, Christina Hoglund, Richard Schaefer, Jim Pinckney, Chad Nordstrom, Deb and Don Hills, Ellie O'Brien, Brigid Martin, the folks at Rosetown American Legion, all the volunteers and especially you, the members who showed up for the party. — Jake Jacobson

(07/20/14)

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(06/12/14)

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