Kris Edem is not only a world class journalist who has written articles for other Northwest publications for years, but she brings to the table a sense which only a working musician, particularly a guitar player who sings the Blues, Rock, R & B with passion and conviction. Her guitar work is way above average and she would shine in any professional recording act. In fact Kris Edem fronts a popular Seattle Washington area band which has recently released a new CD. A woman dedicated to her family, a successful business owner, Kris Edem is a rare and shining jewel who is a dynamic individual. We are very happy to have Kris on board here at damngoodtunes! Oh, and also I must ad, I can't wait to get the guitars out again and jam with Kris!
Bruce J Maier



www.wisecrackerband.com

of people through the gates for each of the six-day duration and provides live music on four different stages. Many, many fabulous acts have played here over the years. Five star hotels surround the festival grounds for fans in need of such amenities. Numerous workshops and activities are also on the daily schedules for those who can break themselves away from the live music for a bit. Large, multi-decked boats take the festival out onto the Willamette River for scheduled cruises offering live bands on each deck, along with food, spirits and plenty of mojo.

In sharp contrast to that setting is the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival. Winthrop is a charming historical little town in northern Washington State. Located far from any major city, it lies in the beautiful Methow River Valley of the north Cascade Mountains. Once a year this town generously opens it’s doors and offers its hospitality to a three-day blues invasion. This festival claims to be Washington State’s longest running blues fest with a twenty-year history. The Winthrop Music Association operates this party through a combination board of directors, volunteer staff, and sponsors. Several thousand people now flock to this event each third weekend in July. The official festival site is located one mile from town on a fifty-acre field called The Blues Ranch. It sits amid some of nature’s finest scenery. The festival hosts a single stage for all of the scheduled acts, while well-organized stage crews minimize time between sets. This festival may be small in size comparison and its setting may be a long way from the mainstream venues, but the entertainment lineup is first class. In 2007 they hosted such greats as Eddie ‘Devilboy’ Turner, Grammy Award winner John Lee Hooker Jr. (yes, the son of blues legend John Lee Hooker), harp man Charlie Musselwhite, and Eric Burden…and that was just for half of one day! Guests can opt to bring their own tent or RV for the unique opportunity to camp all weekend at the Blues Ranch itself. For the many that choose this option the blues party goes on long into the night, well after the festival shows are over each evening.

As you can see, there are different ways to experience a festival. And there are so many to choose from, they can be found nearly everywhere in the world. So try to make the time to attend one and enjoy a blues experience like no other. Use the Blues Festival Guide to find out where the festivals are scheduled and located. www.bluesfestivalguide.com It will link you to the festival websites for more specific information such as directions, show times and activities. Don’t forget to take your lawn chairs, blanket, backpack, and lots of friends. Get there early, find yourself a spot on the lawn/landscape to call home for the day, and enjoy. Let me add that I have always felt safe and secure at these events and I find them to be clean and organized. It will be a wonderful treat to yourself….and to your soul.

by Kris Edem

Blues Festivals
If you have never attended a blues festival, let me encourage you to add it to your list of “must do’s” this year. It is such a great opportunity to bear witness to some high quality live blues music in a forum that caters to all of the senses. It will be well worth a day of your time and is always a great bang for your blues buck.


Highlighted by the outstanding live music from top-notch performers, the blues festivals are amazing events produced by committed sponsors and hardworking event planners. Fans are offered a unique opportunity to catch the acts of legendary blues artists along with top quality regional blues acts, altogether in an open casual setting. The sheer number of different musical acts that entertain over the course of a day, weekend, or week long fest is sensational. Each entertainer brings their own personal style to the stage, enriching the whole musical experience with multi-layers of blues definition.

Festival planners work hard to create the right balance of entertainment, atmosphere, vendors, facilities, sponsorship, and support staff for blues fans. However, no two are alike and that is what gives each festival a personality of their own. Success for them is rewarded with return and growing attendance year after year. A number of blues fests have been annual events for decades. Festivals come in all sizes, durations, and locations, too. Some even offer music workshops, blues cruises, and after hour jams. As you can imagine, there’s a lot more than music going on at these gigs. A wide selection of vendors help to keep everyone fed, hydrated, and happy as they help sooth the soul with satisfying food and beverages, artwork, music sales, memorabilia, clothing, and more.

Just to give you a feel for differences between blues festivals, let me share my experiences from two that I visited last year:

I’ve been attending the Waterfront Blues Festival in downtown Portland, Oregon for a number of years. It is put on by the Oregon Food Bank and numerous sponsors. The donated admission proceeds of cash and food go to the state’s
hunger-relief programs. It claims to be the largest blues festival on the west coast and just celebrated its twenty-year anniversary. Held at Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the location is gorgeous with manicured lawns sloping right down to the Willamette River.
It draws tens of thousands