Byron Crossroads Blues Festival

2012 Festival Lineup and Schedule Set

2012-01-19T10:58:00.000-08:00

The 2012 lineup for the Byron Crossroads Blues Festival is set! Here is the exciting lineup:
1:30 PM Aaron Williams & the HooDoo
3:00 PM Harmonica Workshop
3:30 PM The Jimmys
5:30 PM The Cash Box Kings
7:30 PM Nick Moss and the Flip Tops
9:30 PM The Candye Kane Band

Volunteer Recognition Party Sunday 10/9

2011-10-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

In recognition of the fine volunteer effort in executing the 2011 BCBF, we have schedule a party from 3 to 6 PM on Sunday, October 9th at Tailgater's in Byron!

There will be snacks provided along with free beer, Mikes Hard Lemonade and soft drinks for all volunteers.

The Basement Blues Band will also be performing for the party (from start to finish!). Their unique electric and acoustic down home sound has expanded over the years, and the band is much larger than the old trio. The original members, Steve Leigh on guitar and vocals, Rich Gordon on bass and vocals, and Bob Schmitt on drums, harmonica and vocals remain. Added to the band are David Stine (guitar and vocals), Tom Dinwiddie (mandolin, washboard and vocals), and MarkThompson (percussion). They have a big, richer sound and an expanded repertoire, so volunteers are guaranteed to see and hear a great show!

Basement Blues Band Link

Over 1,500 tickets sold in advance!

2011-08-26T22:17:00.001-07:00

Wow! We did it again! Thanks to all who bought early and saved. It's only $10 at the door- still a great bargain!

2011 BCBF Tee Shirts

2011-08-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

Front

Back

Tee shirt design for 2011! Available after August 23rd at downtown Byron bars and at the festival. $15 each, 2 for $25. 2XL annd larger $1 extra each

Great Fest Food Planned from Local Restaurants!

2011-08-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

No stale frozen corn dogs and other standard fest fare at BCBF! Here's the great lineup of foods being offered:

Leombruni's Italian Village

Homemade Italian Sausage
Authentic Cajun Gumbo
Pizza by the slice
Bratwurst

Tailgater's Sport Bar

Chicken George
BBQ Spare Ribs
Pizza by the slice

Fifth Alarm

Brisket of Beef Sandwich

Spanky's Byron Inn

Pork Chop Sandwiches
Walking Tacos
Fresh Corn on the Cob

The Cave Inn

Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers
Sausage Sandwiches

Sunrise Restaurant

Gyros
Italain Beef Sandwiches

Union

Polish Sausage
Chicago Styled Hot Dogs

BCBF 2011 Update 7/26/11

2011-07-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ticket sales are hot and heavy. In Byron we are having a competition between the sponsoring bar and restaurant employees. The top three tickets sellers will win a cash prize! If you are local, support local bars and restaurants and help your favorite employees to win by buying your advanced tickets from them.
Tickets are available at:

Byron
Cave Inn
Fifth Alarm and also at:
Karla’s and Poor Pauly’s Pub
Leombruni’s Italian Village
Spanky’s Byron Inn Tavern
Sunrise II Restaurant
Tailgater’s Sport Bar

Byron Bank
Snyder's Grocery and Pharmacy
Byron City Hall

Rockford
Guzzardos Music
Adriatic Cafe and Bar

Oregon
Snyder's Pharmacy

Beloit
Paradise Guitars

Our most recent press release:

The Second Annual Byron Crossroads Blues Festival is coming up on August 27th! Byron is situated just 11 miles south of metro Rockford along IL HWY 2 and the beautiful Rock River. The format for this year's fest remains the same as last year- keep the costs low so people can have an affordable day listening to great music. At only $5 for advanced tickets ($10 at the gate), the fest remains affordable and accessible despite the economic woes of our nation and area. Food and beverages will also remain fairly priced for the event as they were last year.

Headlining this year's festival is the Braille Blues Daddy himself, Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band! They go on at 7:30 PM and featured both Bryan and the up and coming Brent Johnson on guitars. Originally from Two Rovers, WI, Bryan has been one of the top acts in New Orleans for a long time and regularly tours the globe with his fine band! This will be an awesome set of music and there are also four other bands for music lovers to appreciate. Prior to Mr.Lee and Company is the Kilborn Alley Blues Band at 5:30 PM. This band is on the move with young and talented members Andrew Duncanson on guitar and vocals, Josh Stimmel on guitar, Chris Breen on bass and Ed O'Hara on drums and vocals. These guys are hot and you won't want to miss them! After Bryan are the Jimmy's. Led by the ebullient and eloquent Jimmy Voegeli on B3 organ, keyboards and vocals, they also feature Mauro Magellan on Drums, John Wartenweiler on Bass, Ken "Birddog" Olufs on Harp/vocals, and the ever-popular Dave Potter on Guitar/Vocals; one of the keys to the band's great sound is their horn section of Bryan Husk on Sax, Chad Whittinghill on Trumpet and Pete Ross on Sax. At 9:30 PM they will start the dance party and close out the day.

The Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys go on at 3:30 PM. Rik Raven hails from Milwaukee and fronts one of the top bands in Wisconsin year in and year out. These guys are awesome and feature Big Al Groth on sax and a cast of experienced blues men backing them, they offer up some traditional Chicago blues done right! Opening the day at 1:30 PM are Glen Davis and Matt Goodwin Westside Andy Linderman on harp play together and as a trio and two different duos in addition to performing with their other bands. Respectively from Elkhorn, Beloit and Madison WI, this trio offers some great blues pulled from their vast depth of experience and talents. That's five bands and almost 10 hours of great music for one low ticket price.

Tickets are available on line at http://byroncrossroadsbluesfestival.blogspot.com/, and also at all sponsoring bars and restaurants in Byron, Byron Bank, Snyder's Grocery in Byron, Byron City Hall, Paradise Guitars in Beloit, Guzzardos Music in Rockford, the Adriatic Cafe and Bar in Rockford and from Crossroads Blues Society members.

One specialty of this festival is that the food is awesome and not the regular corn dogs and stuff you get at normal festivals. Our menu this year includes:

Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches
Brisket of Beef Sandwiches
Chicken George
BBQ Spare Ribs
Pizza
Gumbo
Jambalaya
Fresh Corn on the Cob
Brats
Hamburgers
Polish Sausages
Hot Dogs
Walking Tacos
Italian Beef
Gyros and more!

All food is sponsored by the sponsoring bars and restaurants in the festival area. Sponsored by Crossroads Blues Society and the Downtown Byron Bar Association, this festival will be held in downtown Byron at the intersection of 2nd and Union Streets. Our sponsors are:

Platinum: $1000 and up
· Commonwealth Edison Byron Nuclear Station

· Crossroads Blues Society

· The Cave Inn

· Fifth Alarm

· Karla’s and Poor Pauly’s Pub

· Leombruni’s Italian Village

· Spanky’s Byron Inn Tavern

· Sunrise II Restaurant

· Tailgater’s Sport Bar

Gold: $500 to $999

· Byron Bank

· American TV and Furniture

· City of Byron

· Byron Forest Preserve

· Byron Chamber of Commerce

· Blues Blast Magazine

· Backstage Blues Magazine

· Cumulus Broadcasting (96.7 The Eagle and WROK 1440)

· Underground Printing (Custom Printed Apparel)

· EA Jones Design

Silver: $200 to $499

· Steve and Annette Jones

· Miller Electric

· King Blacktop

· WNIJ 89.5 FM
· Area Rental

Basic Business: $100

· Kiwanis Club of Byron

· Adriatic Cafe and Bar

· Fourwinds Landscaping

· IMFS Inc. Lighting

Basic Individual: $50
· Jim and Sally Krebs

Get your tickets now. Do bring chairs,, umbrellas, sun screen and personal items. Outside food and beverages are not allowed in the festival area, and no pets please. Re-entry to the fest is allowed. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Children 5 and under admitted free. The nearest hotels are in Rockford, Oregon and Rochelle. Camping sites are available in Byron at Lake Louise and in nearby Oregon at Lowden, Rock Cut and White Pines State Parks. Call 779-537-4006 for more information.

2011 BCBF Planning in Full Swing!

2011-02-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

Ticket sales begin 3/1/11. On-line ticket sales are open, shipping orders begins 3/1/11. The lineup is solid with five great bands. We are still working on a workshop or two. Sponsorships are being accepted.

Sponsor levels:

Platinum: $1000 and up. Larger logo on tee shirt and stage banner, recognition in program/other advertising plus 10 free tickets.

Gold: $500 to $999. Smaller logo on tee shirt and stage banner, recognition in program/other advertising plus 5 free tickets.

Silver: $200 to $499. Name on tee shirt and stage banner, recognition in program/other advertising plus 2 free tickets.

Basic Business: $100. Small name on tee shirt and stage banner, recognition in program/other advertising, plus 2 free tickets.

Basic Individual: $50. Same as Basic Business but for individuals, couples and families.

Sponsorship donations for the festival are tax deductable and are used to cover the many costs of running a music festival. Costs include:

Bands

Stage

Sound and lights

Fencing

Electrical work

Portable restrooms

Insurance and licenses

Security

Interested sponsors should contact Steve Jones at 779-537-4006 or sub_insignia@yahoo.com.

2011 BCBF Lineup Finalized

2010-10-18T18:08:00.000-07:00

It's official! Keep Saturday August 27th 2011 open on your calendars for the Second Annual Byron Crossroads Blues Festival! Our confirmed guests and schedule include:

1:30 PM Glenn Davis, Matt Goodwin and Westside Andy Linderman
3:30 PM Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys
5:30 PM The Kilborn Alley Blues Band
7:30 PM Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band
9:30 PM The Jimmy’s

Bryan Lee Headlines the 2011 BCBF

We've decided to start a little later than 2010, but 2011 looks to be shaping up to be an even bigger and better event than the first one was! We are still working on workshops for the event. Gates open at 1 PM, fest runs to 11:30 PM.

Volunteer Recognition Party

2010-10-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 17th at Tailgaters Sports Bar and Grill at 117 E 2nd Street in Byron from 3 PM to 6 PM. Admission to all festival volunteers (ie those who got a blue tee shirt) and one guest is free. Pop, water, beer and hard lemonade are free and there will be free food, too. On top of that, the Barstool Bob Blues Band will be playing at the party! Thee will also be door prizes!

Wear your blue volunteer shirt and come on out- this party is exclusively for our volunteers and their guests only! Call me with questions at 779-537-4006.

Steve Jones

Photos of Inaugural Fest

2010-09-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

I posted up my pics to Facebook. Here is a link to access them whether you are on Facebook or not.

Inaugural BCBF Photos

What a great day it was and what fun we all had!

A Quick Thank You!

2010-08-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

To all the many volunteers who helped make the inaugural BCBF a success,

I am speechless. The Inaugural Byron Crossroads Blues Festival was a huge success. I don't have tallies ready yet, but it looked like at least 2,000 people came out to the fest and had a great time. The reason they had a great time was due to the dozens and dozens of volunteers who supported the effort. Ticket people at the gates, beer ticket sales, wristbands, Blues Central with memberships, beverages, tee shirts and CDs, setup, cleanup, runners, beer and pop haulers, and the many other tasks done by our volunteers were done professionally, tirelessly and above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I'm planning (I never stop, I guess) a volunteer recognition event in Byron, probably at the American Legion Hall. I'm working on a date and a band, but watch your email for an announcement about the volunteer event. I can't thank you all enough; this will be a small token of appreciation for all you have done to make the BCBF a success. Please let all the volunteers you know that I don't have email for that Crossroads appreciates their efforts and that we will have a free party for them soon!

Pictures and other info to be posted as soon as I recover fully!!!!!

All the best,
Steve Jones
Chairman

Thank you to all our advanced ticket purchasers!

2010-08-26T21:14:00.000-07:00

We blasted by the goal of 1,000 advanced tickets and are passing 1,100 now. It has to end tomorrow night at midnight in the Byron bars. Thank you all so much for letting us know that you support the blues and want to come out to our inaugural festival! We are very excited to see all of you out enjoying the music, food, beverages and fun on Saturday! Thanks again!

Steve Jones
Festival Chairman

Parking for BCBF

2010-08-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

Parking for the Byron Blues Fest is pretty easy, free and open. Here's the good gouge according to me (Steve Jones, who lives in Byron):

1. The best parking is in Byron Lot #1. This is the lot behind Fifth Alarm, Ace Hardware and Leombruni's. There are just over 60 spaces there, so early birds are likely to fill them.

2. Street parking on Second, Third and Fourth Streets (east-west) along with Walnut, Union and Chestnut will fill next with surrounding streets getting fuller later.

3. Across Blackhawk Drive IL Hwy 2 you can park on the streets but also Bemis Ford is graciously letting us use their main lot (not the lots by the Jerk Chicken or BBQ places). Also, the grassy lot just east of the Mobil Station is open for parking.

4. Motorcycles should park on Union south of the gate going into the fest by Fifth Alarm and in the Union Street Station parking lot who are closed but letting us use the lot for bikes- no cars there, please!

5. Band parking is onside the festival gate on Second Street near Tailgaters. From IL 2/Blackhawk, take Chestnut north to Second, go left around the monument and enter the fest gate and park on the south side of the street.

6. Handicappped parking inthe vicinity of the festival is plentiful in Lot #1, Second Street near the fest, Walnut Street near the Post Office after it closes at noon and many other places.

Festival Update One Week Out! Notes and FAQ

2010-08-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

It's a week from today that we will be holding this inaugural festival. We are very excited. Here are some facts and figures and info that may be useful based on people writing and calling in.

829 tickets sold in advance so far
Limited lot parking is available in Byron Lot #1 behind Fifth Alarm and Leombrunis; it's free but limited to 60 spaces
Byron Lot #2 is closed as it is part of the festival area.
Street parking is plentiful and free in Byron on 2nd street east and west of the fest,and on 3rd, 4th and 5th streets and all the cross streets running north and south.
No outside food, beverages or coolers allowed in the festival area.
No pets allowed in the festival area.
Children 5 and under free.
Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
21 and over must have ID checked and wear a wristband indiating such or they will not be served alcohol.
Attendees will wear a festival wristband. This will allow re-entry to the fest if you leave the area.
Tickets are available in advance for $5 and will be $10 at the gate. Buy early and save.
No chairs are in the fest area so bring your own.
Food choices: Leombruni's: Pizza, Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches, Brats; The Cave: Philly Cheesesteak, Sausage Sandwiches, Hamburgers; Karla's Pub: Chicago Style Hot Dogs, Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut; Tailgaters: BBQ Ribs, Pizza, Chicken George; Spanky's Walking Tacos, Corn on the Cob, Pork Chop Sandwiches; Fifth Alarm: Brisket of Beef Sandwiches, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches; Sunsrise II: Gyros, Italian Beef Sandwiches.
$3.50 for 16 ounce plastic bottles of Miller Lite, MGD 64, Coors Lite, Mikes Hard Lemonade amnd Cranberry, Bud, Bud Lite, Bud Lite Lime, Michelob Ultra and Bacardi Lemonade.
$1 for soda pop (12 ounce cans) and water (1/2 liter bottles).

Where can you get tickets?
From any Crossroads officer or board member

In Byron:
Snyder's Value Fresh Market (Felker's)
The Barber Shop
Byron Bank
Byron City Hall
Leombruni's Italian Village
Fifth Alarm
The Cave Inn
Tailgater's
Spanky's
Karla's and Poor Paluy's Pub
Sunrise II Restaurant
In Rockford:
Guzzardo's Music
Big Cities Lounge
Online (above; $1.50 shipping and handling service charge)
Call 779-537-4006 for more info.

Our Band Bios- Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames

2010-08-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

Born in Chicago in 1952, Dave was first influenced as a child when he found an old Victrola in the basement and wore out the blues 78's. In high school the Stones, Clapton and Mayall first came out but Dave traded those records for Howlin' Wolf, Lightnin Hopkins, and BB King.

After high school Weld moved to New Mexico, and studied guitar under Kurt Black, a jazz player who worked with Benny Carter, Grant Green and others in the New York jazz scene. Also he drove to Nevada and met and jammed with Gatemouth Brown.

Weld bought Hound Dog Taylor's first Alligator album, heard Howlin Wolf over the radio in the desert one night, packed up and drove back home in his 67' Ford, and made it with $10 to spare.

Dave found out the West side of Chicago in the black hood was friendlier than the North side, and started sitting in at clubs, and landed a gig with Hound Dog Taylor's band, Brewer Phillips,

Weld then moved to the 1815 Club on W. Roosevelt, owned and operated by Eddie Shaw who had Howlin Wolfs band, the Wolf Pack. Dave stayed there and played in the band with Chico Chism, Lafayette Gilbert, Hubert Sumlin, Detroit Junior, and Eddie Shaw. The going rate was $15 per night, but Dave played there with Otis Rush, Maxwell St. Jimmy, Guitar Junior, Jew Town Burks, Doug Macdonald, Boston Blackie, Tail Dragger, Little Wolf, Big Bad Ben, Little Aurthur, Johnny Littlejohn and more. The gig ended when the band was taken to the Maxwell St. lockup because of the nude dancers. Shaw bailed them out.

During this time Weld was under tutelage from JB Hutto, a Grammy awarded Blues Hall of Fame slide man from Georgia. He studied at JB's house for three years until JB introduced Dave to his nephews, Little Ed and James Young. They started the band "Little Ed and the Blues Imperials" and played every joint in the West side for ten years. About $15 a night, until Bruce Igauer from Alligator recorded them in a historic session "Roughousin'" and they started world tours.

Dave started "Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames" in 1988 with Little Ed's Blessing and they came out with their first CD "Roughrockin' in Chicago", on Parsifal Records in Belgium, and Dave toured Europe, Canada and Japan with his own band.

Little Ed joined Dave's band twice for two years each time and the second time they recorded for Earwig Music, "Keep on Walkin'", and this brought them overseas again, as well as local, regional, and national gigs. When Ed went back to his band he was replaced by the great Abb Locke, legndary sax man who is in the band today with Jeff Taylor and Herman Applewhite. They continue working every week since the band was formed in 1988, and Dave made his first UK tour in 2005, with the second to closing slot at the Maryport Blues Festival, going full circle by opening up for Hubert Sumlin and the Legendary Blues Band!

The new CD...

Created over a period of ten years, ending with the signing by Delmark, Chicago's legendary 57 year old blues label, with the help of Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames, chicago's finest blues legends, Abb Locke, Jeff Taylor, Bernard Reed, Monica Myhre, Dave Kaye, Herman Applewhite, Lil Ed Williams, Harry Yaseen!!! Inspired by real life, a lifetime of gigs with artists such as muddy waters, howlin wolf, elmore james, willie mabon, albert collins, percy mayfield, the rolling stones, earl hooker, jb hutto, little ed and the blues imperials, koko taylor, eddy clearwater, ac reed, art hodes, bb king, dave hole, jackie wilson, ramsey lewis. these are just some of the legends that these band members have worked with over the course of a lifetime in music! They tell the stories of their lives here with a party flavor that took ten years in the making.

If you ever had a sick mother, if you ever just wanted to boogie and get down, if you ever wanted to just leave town, if you ever had a true love with beautiful eyes, if she ever wanted to talk a little dirty, if you ever got fired, if your girl ever lied to you, if you ever wished you listened back to mama, if you ever wanted peace of mind, if you ever had your wife threaten to cut off your thing, if you ever stood up and said," she's mine", then this is the cd for you!!!!

Do you like the best rockin, guitar, do you like the best rockin piano, do you like the best soulful vocals, black, white and female, do you like bar room sax blowin, do you like pounding bass and drums bheind original and clever lyrics, that took ten years of hard living to make?

Do you like a record label, that has been on top for 57 years, with the same owner, bob koester, and a dream come true producer, steve wagner, from a tough as nails competition town like chicago? do you like artwork with photos from the top jazz and blues photographer in chicago, marc pokempner, who also works for time magazine?

Ths is definately the cd for you, for your party, for your family, for your friends, for your girl, for your guy, for your boss, for your workers, for your fun, for your time off, for your time on, for vacation, for work, for tax time, for relax time, for life!!

Jum on the band wagon for the rollin jam, down home low down uptempo, minor key major fun, down home, uptown, hang around get down gooood time, fun cd!! check it out, check yourself out, and at the check out, check out the low price!!!

We love you guys!!

Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band with Barrelhouse Chuck

2010-08-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

Westside Andy Bio by R.C. Harris

First off, for truth in advertising, I'm a totally biased fan of Westside Andy's harp playing. Been so since dirt was invented.

More modern facts include that Hohner, Inc. lists him as an endorser alongside Rod Piazza, Toots Thielemans, & Corky Siegel, among many other great players. Those who know who these folks are, nothing further need be said. Turn the page.

For those who haven't had that good fortune, know that these are giants on Planet Harmonica. Actually, Corky was one of Andy's most enthusiastic early mentors. In fact, the night they met during a Siegel/Schwall Blues Band set break, Corky asked him to sit in for the entire next set. Andy was 15.

That may have been the galvanizing moment when the "Westside" story really started. Meaning thousands of gigs. Probably a million miles with a trunk full of gear, and how many late nights driving home in ice and snow in the groovy winters of Wisconsin where this blues bird resides. In the process, Andy has shared the stage with James Cotton, Luther Allison, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Charlie Musselwhite, Doobie Brothers, Richie Havens, Muddy Waters, Gary Primich, Jimmy Johnson, Tab Benoit, Hubert Sumlin. Ok, you get the idea. Not to mention his current long-time collaboration with Mel Ford, a blues guitarist/vocalist/songwriter of wide acclaim. And thus, the name of the band. The Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band. Like a winter night's drink. Neat and hot.

But enough of this. Give a listen, and see if the boogie man don't dance.

Discography
Alley Cat (Westside Andy / Mel Ford Band, False Dog Records, 2007)
Side By Side (Glenn Davis & Westside Andy, Moonfish Records, 2006)
A Lil Sump'm Sump'm, (Jon Nicholson, Warner Brothers, 2005)
Handyman (Westside Andy / Mel Ford Band, False Dog Records, 2002)
Live On the Westside (Westside Andy / Mel Ford Band, False Dog Records, 1999)
Bon Apetit’ (with Glenn Davis, Moonfish Records, 1998)
Circumstance (with Chris Aaron, Tubetone Records, 1996)
Born with the Blues (with The Chris Aaron Band, Rock Garden Records, 1996)
King Dollar (with Paul Black and the Flip Kings, House of Blues, 1996)
Face to Face with the Blues (with Howard “Guitar” Luedtke and Blue Max, False Dog, 1996)
Two Happy Cowboys From Wisconsin (Waubesa Ranch Records, 1993)
Dixie Highway (with Robert J., Big World, 1992)
Don’t Make Me Get Up (Paul Black and the Flip Kings, Bone Boy, 1991)
United Mine Workers (with Honor Among Thieves, Exudel, 1990)
Heat It Up (w/ Shakedown, All Meat, 1990)
Latin with the Blues (w/ Tino Gonzales, Blues Street, 1989)

Band Bio

Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd calls Andy Linderman “one of the most dynamic electric harmonica players of our generation.” Jazz performer and producer Ben Sidran calls Mel Ford “one of the finest blues players in the Midwest if not the country.”

Put “one of the most dynamic electric harmonica players” on the same stage as “one of the finest blues players in the Midwest if not the country” and you have one of the most exciting blues groups in the country: The Westside Andy & Mel Ford Band.

Andy Linderman and Mel Ford have played together for years. But because of their “other commitments,” this is the first time they’ve made it official.

Andy’s “other commitments” include collaborations with James Cotton, Corky Siegel, Jim Schwall, Luther Allison, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Charlie Musselwhite, The Doobie Brothers, Richie Havens, Muddy Waters, Ben E. King, Tab Benoit, and The University of Wisconsin 250-piece band (Andy stopped the show).

Mel began in opening acts for Albert Collins, Freddie King, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. He played with Bo Diddley, Sunnyland Slim, Zora Young, Junior Pettis, Ben Sidran and Paul Black and the Flip Kings (with Andy). Mel also played the part of bandleader in Mel Ford and the Fairlanes.

So what is the Westside Andy / Mel Ford band? It’s part celebration of a great American music. It’s part the result of all the musicians Mel and Andy have played with. And it’s all about love. They love this music and they love to play it for you. Dan Smith

Barrelhouse Chuck Bio

Barrelhouse Chuck is the only Chicago blues pianist to have studied under Sunnyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Blind John Davis, Detroit Junior and Little Brother Montgomery. Barrelhouse Chuck draws on this distinguished lineage to create a blues, boogie-woogie and barrelhouse piano style that places him at the forefront of this celebrated tradition.

Born in Ohio (Columbus, OH - July 10, 1958) where he first learned to play the drums at the age of 6, Barrelhouse Chuck, whose real name is Charles Goering, later switched to the piano and was living Gainesville Fla when he heard his first Muddy Waters record with Otis Spann on piano. This was a major turning point in Chuck's life.

After that Chuck started buying the records of every blues artist he could find. A quick study on the keyboards, it wasn't long before Chuck had formed his own band and began opening for Willie Dixon, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters and Chuck was playing with the great Bo Diddley. It was also during this time (the middle 70's) that Chuck and some of his friends began following Muddy Waters around to get some first hand exposure to both Muddy and his then current piano player, Pinetop Perkins.

We used to follow Muddy all around down South. We would wait in parking lots for the Van with Illinois plates to roll up. Pinetop Perkins & Willie Smith would recognize me and get me into their concerts. Then invited me to be back stage with Muddy and the band. Afterward, I'd go out to breakfast with them. I was just in awe.'

Then realizing he needed to immerse himself in blues piano he deciding to go directly to the source. In 1979 he drove 24 hours straight from Florida with Right-hand Frank to Chicago and went directly to B.L.U.E.S on Halsted specifically to see Sunnyland Slim. 'I took a gamble and came to Chicago, and the first thing I did when I arrived was to go to B.L.U.E.S on Halsted. I walked in the door and there was Sunnyland Slim. I went right up to him and said, 'I've just driven 24 hours straight to see you.''

Chuck spent the next 16 years studying with the living legend, who Chuck called 'the great-granddaddy of all the blues piano players.' Through Sunnyland he met all the great blues musicians in Chicago, and often ended up playing with and hanging out with them. Piano greats Blind John Davis, Big Moose Walker, Detroit Junior and Erwin Helfer were also playing blues piano in Chicago. Chuck spent years listening, learning and became friends.

People like S.P. Leary, Smokey Smothers, Erwin Helfer and Little Brother Montgomery took Chuck under their wings, invited him into their homes and made him feel a part of their families.

Chuck formed a special bond with piano legend Little Brother Montgomery with whom he honed his piano stylings during a long internship. Chuck often lived with Little Brother spending many hours with him and Sunnyland Slim playing piano and hanging out. Other great piano players like Tollie & Joe Montgomery, Jay McShann and Lafayette Leake would come by to visit L.B. and play piano. Chuck was instrumental in arranging honorariums, driving him to jobs (and to the hospital when his health began failing) and helping him out in every way he could. Little Brother returned this favor by taking Chuck under his wing and giving him a musical education no other man has ever received. When Brother passed away Chuck lost a mentor and a true friend, but Chuck keeps his music alive when ever he plays. "Little Brother was like a grandfather to me".

The last 30 years Chuck developed his immense mastery of blues piano and went on to perform or record with most of the notable Chicago blues musicians-people like Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Kim Wilson, Hubert Sumlin, Otis Rush, Louis Myers, Buddy Guy, Big Smokey Smothers among many others. His recording credits reads like a 'who's who' of modern day Chicago blues. [CLICK HERE for Chuck's recording session & record label credits. CLICK HERE for a list of musicians Barrelhouse Chuck has played with!]

Barrelhouse Chuck is a recording artist for The Sirens Records. He participates on the classic recording '8 Hands on 88 Keys - Chicago Blues Piano Masters Detroit Jr., Pinetop Perkins, and Erwin Helfer. He has also recorded a solo disc entitled 'Prescription for the Blues' and a highly acclaimed band disc 'Got My Eyes On You' with Kim Wilson, Calvin 'Fuzz' Jones, Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith, Eddie Taylor Jr. Joel Foy.

In Feb.2008 Barrelhouse Chuck was asked by Kim Wilson, lead singer and harmonica player for the Fabulous Thunderbirds, to participate with Kim and recorded the soundtrack for Sony BMG's much anticipated new film 'Cadillac Records.' The movie tells the story of Chess Records and includes many of the gifted musicians who started there. Beyonce Knowles is executive producer. Beyonce will also portray famed blues singer Etta James. Adrian Brody plays historic Chess Records founder Leonard Chess; Jeff Wright is cast as blues great Muddy Waters; and Cedric the Entertainer plays legendary songwriter Willie Dixon. Other musicians in the session include Steve Jordan on drum, basssist Larry Taylor (Canned Heat), and guitarists Eddie Taylor, Jr., Billy Flynn and the legenday Hubert Sumlin. Previous to recording for this amazing new film, Kim Wilson and Eddie Taylor appeared on Barrelhouse Chuck's critically acclaimed recording 'Got My Eyes On You', released by The Sirens Records in 2006.

During the past Three decades Chuck has played all over the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and tours Europe regularly. He has also appeared more than a dozen times at the Chicago Blues Festival. There are only a few of those great piano players left notes Barrelhouse Chuck. Even though most of his teachers have passed on, Barrelhouse Chuck has become one of the bearers of the flame, and keeps both their spirit and music alive, passing it along where ever he plays.

Our Band Bios- The Cash Box Kings

2010-08-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Cash Box Kings are an up and coming blues band dedicated to carrying on the spirit of the 1940's and 1950's post-war blues sound. The band showcases the music of Chess Records and Sun Records luminaries such as Little Walter, Muddy Waters, the Howlin' Wolf, and Big Walter Horton as well as lesser known artists such as Robert Nighthawk, Eddie Taylor, and Luther Huff. The Cash Box Kings also delve into the Mississippi Delta sounds of blues men like Charley Patton, Son House, Fred McDowell and R.L. Burnside. The group rounds off their musical offerings with a healthy dose of original music that captures the essence of the Memphis and Chicago blues sounds of the 40's and 50's.

The Kings' music embodies the raw, stripped-down, ensemble playing that was the hallmark of the post-war Chicago blues sound. They also put on one of the most wild and raucous live blues shows around. Featuring one of the most wild and raucous live blues shows around, this band, delivers an, intense, smoldering, old-school style of blues that is rarely heard these days. Their live shows and recordings have earned the group rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic.

New CD I 94

'The Cash Box Kings have thrown together a Chicago masterpiece here [Their new release 'I-94 Blues']. These guys are students of that old school tradition. They dig for the deeper dirt to find the gold. In doing that deeper pull, the CBKs unearth old forgotten gems and also cover themselves with their own sound of raw energy, economy, and feel that fully encapsulate the sound they are trying to identify with. They are a throw back to when ensemble work was that, equal parts making a whole for the good of the blues.'

- Juke Joint Soul (Feb. 6, 2010)

'These guys play Chicago blues the way they were meant to be played. The Cash Box Kings and their friends are in synch and play together with reckless abandon. This is a great album ['I-94 Blues'] and it needs to be part of your collection if you want to hear the best of today’s Chicago blues!'
- Steve Jones, Illinoisblues.com/Blues Blast Magazine

'A red-hot set of old-school styled Chicago blues that evokes memories of the 1940s and '50s-era music of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and Howlin' Wolf. Throw in a few high-energy originals and a little ole Memphis soul and you have one of the most exciting Chicago blues bands rockin' the street today.' About.com

Our Band Bios- Filisko and Noden

2010-08-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

Joe Filsiko & Eric Noden’s first CD“Live” featured versions of early blues and roots songs by Sonny Terry, Daddy Stovepipe, Fred McDowell and the Gwen Foster. The CD’s success led to several European tours as well as festival and workshop appearances in the US.
Their new release “I.C. Special” continues to draw on American music from the 1920’s & 30’s. All 15 tunes on “I.C. Special” were written by either Joe or Eric and each represents a different branch of American roots music. This new work brings Joe & Eric into a realm that embraces their influences while blending them together in unique ways.

About Joe Filisko

Joe Filisko gets a wide variety of sounds from his harmonica including soaring melodies and driving percussive rhythms. He can make his harp cry, flutter, sing or sound like a train from one moment to the next. He is known around the world both as a player, historian and as a customizer of this often misunderstood instrument.

Filisko’s customized Marine Band harmonicas have been played by many world renowned artists including Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, Billy Boy Arnold and Wade Schuman of Hazmat Modine. Joe is endorsed by the HOHNER harmonica company USA. In addition to his recordings with Eric Joe also has a new CD of classic harmonica material coming out entitled “The History of Blues Harmonica”. The disc is collaboration with harp players David Barrett and Dennis Gruenling. for more info visit http://www.filisko.com/

About Eric Noden

Eric Noden sings, shouts and stomps while conjuring old spirits from the strings of his acoustic guitar. Varying his approach from song to song, Noden draws from a deep well of American music that fuels his high energy performing style. His right hand thumb often lays down a driving bass figure that weaves around intricate melodic parts played with his fingers. This style, favored by early bluesmen like Charley Patton and Blind Blake is rarely used by modern guitar players and difficult to capture.

Noden is known as a performer, historian and teacher of early blues music and has also starred in the musical theater productions “Grafton City Blues” and “Fire on the Bayou”. In addition to his recordings with Joe Filisko Eric has released three solo CDs “55 Highway”, “Midwest Blues” and “The Original” on the Diving Duck record label. for more info visit www.ericnoden.com

Our Band Bios- The Resistors

2010-08-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

The Resistors is a blues-based band located in northern Illinois. Although the name came about by chance, it seems to fit guys who resist taking ANYTHING too seriously. Asked, what kind od music they play, Keith says "We ain't country and we ain't rock." Which, to them, is a combination of all the influences they bring to the band: rock, blues, folk, and country. Our weaknesses are really our strengths: in an attempt to sound like other bands, we found out we didn’t, and we discovered OURSELVES. No matter what song we play, we put our own mark on it and it becomes a Resistors song.” The Resistors like cars, bikes, guitars, caffeine, and playing together. You’ll find the Resistors parked in one of Keith’s street rods at the corner of Jimmy Reed and Johnny Burnette. What’s this mean? Well, they resist definition.

Band members:
Reverend Phillip Paul, drums and vocals. The veteran of many touring bands as well as manager, sound, and lighting for Rif Raf, a national touring band. Phil is part of the Resistors powerhouse rhythm section.
Keith Benson bass, vocals, brings added thrust to the Resisters sound. Keith has been a member of several bands, including Exposed, and "a few country and rock bands."
David "The Truth" Stine, lead and rhythm guitar, and vocals has been in The Flamingos, The Shades, The Bone Crushers, Port Blues, Civilian Vibe, and Ernie and the Po’ Boys.
New member Dan Peart is an Iowan and multi-instrumentalist. He has released a solo CD entitled Truth Be Told, and he brings strong vocals, guitar, harmonica and keyboards to The Resistors.

Our Band Bios- Bartsool Bob Levis Blues Band

2010-08-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Blues guitar aficiandos all over the world have admired the body of work that Bob Levis has created over the last 30-plus years. Recognized as one of the finest rhythm guitar players in the Chicago Blues guitar tradition, Bob's first solo recording quickly demonstrates he is equally skilled as a lead guitar player.

The high points of Bob's legacy is the work he did with Lonnie Brooks and the legendary Otis Rush. Appearances on classic recordings like Cold Day In Hell and Bayou Lightning displayed the intricate lines and sensitive support that can only come from a master craftsman.

Starting with Little Sonny Wimberly, former Muddy Waters bass player,Bob honed his skills with Sonny playing the Checkerboard Lounge,Peppers Lounge,Queen Bee’s,the Sugar Cube and other venues on the southside of Chicago.

In the mid 70s thru the mid 80s Bob recorded and toured nationally and internationally with Otis Rush and Lonnie Brooks.

Bob worked locally in the internationally famous Kingston Mines house band in Chicago for 18 years where Otis Rush tapped him once again to tour and record from 1999 thru 2001.

Bob is currently playing with Ernie & the Po’Boys and his band, The Barstool Bob Blues Band.

Recording credits..
1976 - Cold Day in Hell -Otis Rush. Delmark
1977 - Let's Talk It Over -Lonnie Brooks. Delmark
1977 - Live in Europe - Otis Rush. Evidence
1977 - Lost in the Blues - Otis Rush. Sonet-Alligator
1978 - Living Chicago Blues,Vol.2 W/Lonnie Brooks.Alligator
1979 - Bayou Lightning - Lonnie Brooks. Alligator
1981 - Turn on the Night - Lonnie Brooks. Alligator
1988 - Golden Voice of Robert Covington. Red Beans
1989 - Blues Deluxe - w/Lonnie Brooks. Alligator-WXRT
1995 - Had My Fun - Karen Carrol. Delmark
1996 - Celebration of Blues - Various Artists.
1996 - Celebration of Blues;Great Guitarists,Vol 2.
1996 - Celebration of Blues;The Great Guitarists,Vols.1-2.
1996 - Celebration of Blues; Great Singers/Chicago Blues.
1996 - Live at Blue Chicago - Johnny B.Moore. Delmark
1996 - Women of Blue Chicago - Various Artists. Delmark
1997 - Deluxe Edition - Lonnie Brooks. Alligator
1999 - Essential Blues, Vol.3..Various Artists.
2001 - Love Without Trust - The Ken Saydak Band. Delmark
2003 - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues; God Fathers and Sons w/ Otis Rush.
2003 - Delmark--50 Years of Jazz and Blues.
2005 - All Your Love I Miss Loving, Live at Wise Fools Pub. Otis Rush. Delmark
2006 - Troubles, Troubles; The Sonet Blues Story W/Otis Rush.
2008 - Barstool Blues

Help us hit 1,000 Advanced Tickets Sold!!!

2010-08-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

Goal: 1,000!

Due to the wonderful blues fans and supporters of Crossroads Blues Society and the community in our area, we've sold almost 650 tickets and still have well over two weeks to go before our festival. It would so great to have 1,000 advanced tickets sold and you can help us reach that goal! By buying advanced tickets you get in for half the day of the festival price. Come out out and support the community and help keep the blues alive!

Three Weeks to Go!

2010-08-08T21:34:00.000-07:00

21 days left until the inaugural Byron Crossroads Blues Fest. Have you got your tickets yet? Over 600 people have! Things are shaping up for big and fun day! Harmonica workshop with Joe Filisko set for 2 pm. Kids get free harmonicas but supplies will be limited so get there early! Joe and Eric Noden are shown here. Below are Dave Weld and Bob Levis from recent appearances!

Where Can You Currently Buy Festival Tickets?

2010-07-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

From any Crossroads officer or board member

In Byron:
Snyder's Value Fresh Market (Felker's)
The Barber Shop
Byron Bank
Byron City Hall
Leombruni's Italian Village
Fifth Alarm
The Cave Inn
Tailgater's
Spanky's
Karla's and Poor Paluy's Pub
Sunrise II Restaurant

In Rockford:
Guzzardo's Music
Big Cities Lounge

Online (above; $1.50 shipping and handling service charge)

Call 779-537-4006 for more info.

Sponsor Close Out

2010-07-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

If you want to be a sponsor don't delay! Gold and Platinum Sponsors are listed on the shirt backs and we go to print early next week (8/4/10). To add your name or logo to this call Steve at 779-537-4006 or email him at sub_insignia@yahoo.com by August 2nd!

Tee shirt logo finalized!

2010-07-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

6-24-10 Press Release

2010-06-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

Planning for the Byron Crossroads Blues Festival is well underway and advanced ticket sales have been quite good. The lineup of the festival has also been expanded; music will now begin shortly after noon on Saturday August 28th and runs all the way to midnight. Tickets for the fest are available at participating bars and restaurants in Byron, in Byron Bank, from Crossroads Blues Society members and on line at: http://www.byroncrossroadsbluesfestival.blogspot.com/ for only $5 in advance ($10 at the gate).

Opening the festival will be the Barstool Bob Blues Band. Headed up by Bob Levis, this band plays traditional Chicago blues. Levis toured the US and the globe for many years with the legendary Otis Rush. He later toured as the rhythm guitar player with the great Lonnie Brooks. He was also in the house band for Kingston Mines for 18 years, one of the top Blues clubs in Chicago. Levis now lives in Rockford and produced his first solo CD recently. The Resistors play their brand of rocking blues at 2 PM. Another local band with pop and power, they will impress the listener with their gutsy authentic Chicago sound.

The music switches to acoustic blues at 4 PM with Filisko and Noden. Joe Filisko is a noted harmonica virtuoso who also custom build harps (the blues term for harmonicas). Eric Noden is an accomplished acoustic guitar player, solo artist and blues music educator. He and Filisko often team up as a duo for performances around the country to great acclaim. Crossroads has used them many times for school and local performances. The Cashbox Kings are at 6 PM. These young guys play a straight up and clean sounding old style Chicago blues. Their recent CD entitled “I 94” on Blue Bella Records has received high marks from critics and a lot of airplay on radio stations nationwide. Guitar legend and Grammy winner Billy Flynn will be joining them as they perform for the festival!

Next up is the Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band from Madison at 8 PM. These guys perform a jumping and swinging sounding blues and have a huge following here in the Midwest. Andy’s harp and Mel big guitar sound pack venues every time they perform, and an added treat will be Barrelhouse Chuck accompanying them on keyboards. Chuck learned to play piano at the feet of legends like Sunnyland Slim and Little Brother Montgomery; his barrelhouse piano and organ work is truly amazing! Closing out the night will be Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames. Chicago and Rockford favorites, this band lacks national exposure because Dave has stayed in the area to attend to his Mother who was ill. She unfortunately passed away recently, but now he has completed a new CD long in he making and is touring again. “Burnin’ Love” is his new release on Delmark Records and it has run up the charts fast! Dave learned guitar from Chicago Westside blues hall of fame legend J.B. Hutto and delivers a raucous and hot brand of blues. With Howlin’ Wolf’s sax man Abb Locke, the sweet sounding Jeff Taylor on drums, Brother Dave K on bass and the ebullient and soulful Monica Myhre assisting on vocals, these guys and gal will please the festival crowd with their great sound.

This is a super lineup of music and a superb value for $5 advanced tickets and $10 at the gate. A kid’s oriented music event will be held at about 4 PM in the festival. The first 50 kids 12 years old and under who arrive at the Crossroads tent at 4 PM will receive a free harmonica and harmonica lesson from Joe Filisko! Parents can listen to the harmonica lesson or enjoy the Cashbox Kings on the main stage while Joe provides his students with their first harp lesson.

The festival is being run by the Crossroads Blues Society. They are a non-profit organization in the Rockford area that runs Blues In The School programs to educate area youth about the blues and roots of American music. Since 2002 they have run 81 school programs that have reached out to over 23,000 students. They are running this festival with the assistance of the Downtown Byron Bar and Restaurant Association. The members of the association will provide all the food served at the festival, highlighting the great fare available at their Byron restaurants. The Association is comprised of The Cave Inn, The Fifth Alarm, Leombruni’ Italian Village, Karla’s and Poor Pauly’s Pub, Sunrise II Restaurant, Spanky’s Byon Inn Tavern and Tailgaters Sports Bar and Grill. Food will be served outdoors in the festival area and in their establishments; they are all within the festival area and access to their restaurants and bars is available to fest patrons. Beer and other malt beverages will be available at three location in the festival area, centered at the crossroads of Second and Union Streets in downtown Byron. The local bars will remain open late until 2 AM, some with live music. You can find out more information at: http://byroncrossroadsbluesfestival.blogspot.com/ or call festival Chairperson Steve Jones at 779-537-4006.

Sponsors for the festival are still being accepted. Sponsor levels vary from $50 to over $1,000:
 Basic: Individuals $50, Businesses $100. 2 free tickets and name in the program.
 Silver: $200-$399. 2 free tickets, name in program and on banner near stage with list of silver sponsors.
 Gold: $400-$999. 5 free tickets, name in program, individual banner near stage with name of sponsor, small logo on rear of festival tee shirt.
 Platinum: $1,000 and up. 10 free tickets, name in program, individual banner near stage with name of sponsor, large logo on rear of festival tee shirt.
All sponsors will also be acknowledged and recognized during announcements prior to each band playing.

This is going to be a great community event and a fun day for all attendees. It will be held rain or shine; bring your own chairs, no coolers or outside food and beverages are allowed but plenty of food, soft drinks, and beer will be available at very reasonable prices! Beat the recession blues by coming out for an inexpensive and fun day with some great blues music and support the Crossroads Blues Society and their Blues In the Schools Program!

Hotels Near BCBF

2010-06-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

Byron has no hotels, motels or bed and breakfasts directly in or near the city limits. There is a small motel outside Byron called the Blackhawks Trails Lodge (815-234-5544) but it was full over a month and a half ago. Oregon IL is 10 miles to the south and has the Paddle Wheel Inn (815-732-4540) but all the regular priced rooms have been sold out for over a month; they did have suites and higher priced rooms when we checked. If you Google or Bing search you will see hotels on 11th Street in Rockford being about 11-12 miles away. It is close but sometimes I worry about the area and clientele. A little futher away you will find virtually every hotel chain at the State Street Exit off I90 in Rockford. There are about 20 hotels, maybe more, there. Oregon IL has several nice bed and breakfasts. Rocheller IL has many chain hotels near the IL38 exit off Interstate 39. Contact Steve Jones at sub_insignia@yahoo.com with questions. Camping is available at Lake Louise in Byron and in Oregon IL's state parks.

Volunteers Needed

2010-06-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

We need a few more volunteers for the latrer shifts of the fest to work the gates and a couple of booths. Email Steve Jones at sub_insignia@yahoo.com or cal 779-537-4006 to volunteer your time. All volunteers get free admission and a free tee shirt!

Barstool Bob Added to Lineup

2010-06-08T21:19:00.001-07:00

Otis Rush and Lonnie Brooks had this guy as their guitar player for decades. Plus he played for 18 years in the Kingston Mines house band. Barstool Bob Levis is the consumate guitar player. He will play with his own band after the opening ceremonies at noon!

Proposed Festival Shirts

2010-05-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

Festival shirts and tank tops will be available in limited supply prior to and the day of the festival. Shirts and tanks will be available in black in small adult through 3XL for $(price TBD) (2XL and 3XL $1 more). Special orders paid in advance may be available on a case basis. Shirts will be limited. Volunteers will have a neon green or neon yellow shirt. Volunteers who work one shift get free admission and a free volunteer shirt. The fest shirts will have band and sponsor info on the rear.

Reverend Keith's Blues Blog Highlights BCBF!

2010-05-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

Reverend Keith's Blues Blog Highlights BCBF!

Byron Crossroads Blues Festival 2010

Wednesday May 5, 2010

Hey blues fans, looking for something to do in August? Yeah, I know that the date is still three months or so away, but if you're in the Byron, Illinois area in late August, you might want to plan on attending the first annual Byron Crossroads Blues Festival.

The Byron Crossroads Blues Festival will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2010 in Byron, a beautiful small town about 12 miles southwest of Rockford, and a mere 88 miles northwest of Chicago. The festival will be held noon to midnight, rain or shine, at the corner of Union and Second streets in downtown Byron, and tickets are an absurd bargain at $5 advance, $10 on the day of the show.

It's all about the music with the Crossroads Blues Society of Northern Illinois, the festival's sponsors, and they've gone out of their way to put together a solid festival. "Despite the economy," says the society's Steve Jones in an email, "we are trying to go local, Chicago to Madison bands, and keep costs as low as possible and produce a day of great music."

Who do you get to see for your fiver (or a tenner if you were silly enough to wait)? How about the Resistors, who kick out Chicago-styled blues with a Northern Illinois flavor? Acoustic-blues duo Filisko and Noden; Madison's Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band and the Cash Box Kings will lead up to the major league headliner, Chicago blues stalwarts Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames.

Local restaurants will have food for sale at the festival, and drinking/eating establishments will stay open late for post-festival customers. Part of the festival proceeds support the Crossroads Blues Society "Blues in the Schools" Program. "Working with a number of local pubs and restaurants, we're trying to make this a success and turn it into a larger event every year," says Jones. Check out the Byron Crossroads Blues Festival blog for more info on this great event.

BCBF Band Has Brand New CD!

2010-04-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames just released their brand new CD entitled "Burnin' Love" on Delmark Records. Dave and his band will be filling the 10 PM time slot at the Inaugural BCBF. The CD is available online at CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com/cd/dwatif), Amazon.com (www.amazon.com/Burnin-Love-Dave-Imperial-Flames/dp/B0037FFB4U) and from other music retailers.

Blues guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and bandleader Dave Weld got his start on Chicago's west side in the late 70s. At the 1815 Club on Roosevelt Road, Dave was in the house band with Chico Chism, Shorty Gilbert, Hubert Sumlin, Detroit Junior, and Eddie Shaw. Dave played there with Otis Rush, Guitar Junior, Tail Dragger, Little Arthur, Johnny Littlejohn and more. Weld was under the tutelage of Grammy winning slide guitarist JB Hutto. JB introduced Dave to his nephew, Lil Ed. They started the band 'Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials' and played every joint in the West side for ten years. Burnin' Love is Weld's Delmark debut and it features Lil Ed on guitar and the legendary Abb Locke on saxophone.

Byron Mayor Chris Millard purchases first two BCBF tickets; Crossroad set to meet April 30th for fest planning

2010-04-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

Byron Mayor Chris Millard was first in line and purchased the first two BCBF tickets (ticket numbers 1 and 2) to kick off the festival ticket sales. Pictured with fest chairperson Steve Jones, Mayor Millard told the Byron Bar and Restaurant owners at the event how excited he was about the festival coming to fruition and that he thought their working together was a great thing to help promote themselves and the community.

Ticket sales kicked off last weekend and have been brisk. There is a buzz of excitement around the local community and beyond about the festival. Blues societies around the entire midwest have picked up on the event and TV and radio stations have expressed an interest. The Crossroads Blues Society is excited about the response and is having a meeting to work on festival planning on Friday, April 30th at 730 PM at Big Cities Lounge at 905 E State Street in Rockford. They are putting together a volunteer schedule for the event and are working on all the details. To find out more about the festival or Crossroads, come on out to the meeting. After the meeting stay around and listed to the act that will be closing the festival- Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames. Their new Delmark CD "Burning Love" was just released and they are celebrating that with a Rockford CD release party! Band member Monica Myhre and others are providing a free buffet, too. It will be a great night with a little work followed by a lot of fun!

Byron City Council Approves Festival!

2010-04-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

The final hurdle has been overcome! The Byron City Council last night unamimously approved the festival to be held on August 28, 2010 and simultaneously approved a late closure for the bars and restaurants (2 AM instead of 1 AM). Thanks go out to Mayor Chris Millard and the entire City Council for their vote of support! We will make this a great day for Byron and for the Blues!

Individual Sponsorships Available

2010-04-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

Funding a Blues Festival is a big task but all of the sponsors don't have to be big! We certainly are looking for major corporate sponsorship but we are also looking for small individual ones, too. Small businesses can participate and sposnor the festival for only $100 and individual sponsors can sign up for only $50. Individuals and small businesses who sponsor the fest will get two free tickets to the festival and will be recognized in printed informational materials for the festival. We're working on some other potential perks that may be available, but don't delay as all individual and small business sponsors will get any added perks! Contact Steve Jones at sub_insignia@yahoo.com or call 779-537-4006 to become a sponsor today! Donations to Crossroads Blues Society are tax deductable! Sign up today and be forever rememebered for all eternity as a sponsor for the inaugural, first ever Byron Crossroads Blues Festival!

Thank you to Exelon Nuclear - Byron Station!

2010-03-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Exelon Nuclear – Byron Station for being our first festival sponsor. They are sponsoring the stage for the Byron Crossroads Blues Festival!

Exelon Nuclear - Byron Station Web Site

We're Listed in the Blues Festival Guide Online!

2010-03-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.bluesfestivalguide.com/festivals/2010.shtml#8

Draft Festival Poster

2010-03-24T12:05:00.001-07:00

A cooler one is coming!!!

Tentative Date Set for Festival

2010-02-12T14:44:00.000-08:00

Saturday, August 28, 2010 is the date to set aside for the inaugural Byron Crossroads Blues Festival. Stay tuned for more info!

Tentative Schedule of Events:

8:00 AM Setup festval area

12:00 PM Gates open

2:00 PM The Resistors

3:30 PM Set 1 ends; breakdown and set up set 2

4:00 PM Filisko and Noden

5:30 PM Set 2 ends; breakdown and set up set 3

6:00 PM Cashbox Kings

7:30 PM Set 3 ends; breakdown and set up set 4

8:00 PM Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band

9:30 PM Set 4 ends; breakdown and set up set 5

10:00 PM Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames

11:30 PM Set 5 ends; breakdown and end outdoor beer sales

12:00 AM Festival over

2:00 AM Bars Close

Dave Weld shown in picture.