Home of the Live Music Calendar Follow STLBlues on Twitter Follow STLBlues on Facebook Home of the Live Music Calendar Live Music Is Better, Book It Here!! Live music is better, book yours now!
STLBlues at the 2009 Arkansas Blues Heritage Festival
Big DaveBy Big Dave

The Cate Brothers
The 2009 Arkansas Blues Heritage Festival (AKA the King Biscuit) just ended, and even with grey skies, rain, and enough mud to suck your shoes off, it was a great one, earning a 5 on the STLBluesometer.

There's something about the King Biscuit that's a magical music magnet, pulling music fans from the farthest reaches of the globe. From the main stage to the street musicians, the atmosphere everywhere taps into the rich blues history of the area, which spawned legends like Sonny Boy Williamson, or 'Sunshine' Sonny Payne of KFFA radio - still on the air today!


Festival highlights included the St. Louis talent of Arthur Williams, and the Cate Brothers, Michael Burks, Bobby Rush, Hamilton Loomis, Deak Harp, John Primer, Reba Russell, and of course the elder of the Blues, Pinetop Perkins!

Part of the entire experience includes some visiting over in Tent City, where Mayor Mike oversees a fun-filled group of campers and RV'ers, and countless campfire jams featuring so much talent. You may not know that Michael Burks creates as much pleasure from his grillmaster skillls as he does his music, but the residents of Tent City know!
ABOUT THE FEST

The Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, formerly known as the King Biscuit Blues Festival, is one of the nation’s foremost showcases of blues music. Held for three days annually in October, tens of thousands of blues enthusiasts converge on historic downtown Helena, AR to hear stirring and uplifting performances of an American art form on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Founded in 1986, the first festival was a one-day event, with a small gathering of local residents and a flatbed truck as a stage. Since then, the festival has grown to a three-day event, with three stages and several activities, such as the Kenneth Freemyer 5K Run, the Blues in Schools program, and the Tour da’ Delta bicycle tour



While you're in Helena for the fest, wander down Cherry St. and visit 'Sunshine' Sonny Payne of KFFA Radio fame, and the Delta Cultural Center. Venture over to Clarksdale, MS. for some stops you must make - The Riverside Hotel and 'Rat', the Delta Blues Museum, Ground Zero Blues Club, Red's Juke Joint, The Depot Blues Club, Sarah's Kitchen, Cat Head, Abe's BBQ, the list goes on and on. The base of operations for STLBlues is just outside of Clarksdale at the Cotton Gin Inn, part of the well known Shack Up Inn - featuring the Juke Joint Chapel

The Crossroads sign at the intersection of Hwys 49 and 61 is always a good kodak moment, and no, it's not the true crossroads, but the turista's sure love it!

Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon (music promotion, media relations & marketing communications) was on the scene, and of course the gang from the Blues Foundation drove down from Memphis. As a Blues Highway travel adventure, just point yourself south from Memphis on Hwy. 61, past the casinos of Tunica, and you're there.

It's a world class Blues adventure. Make it your own journey, or hook up with someone like Amanda and the Delta Music Experience, and let her be your guide! Either way, it's a spectacular way to experience the roots of this art form we call the Blues. Kudo's to Bubba, Jerry, Rosie, and the folks who make this festival one of the finest you'll find anywhere. Mark your calendars now to attend the
2010 Arkansas Blues Heritage Festival, and tell them STLBlues sent you!

Publishers note -- Still need more festival in 2009? Join us for the Blues City Deli's 5th Anniversary Street Festival, and be sure to stop by our booth!

The STLBluesometer
Enjoy our image gallery of the 2009 Arkansas Blues Heritage Festival
Click on buttons below, drag the thumbnail panel where you want, and enjoy the show
!

  
 
Move
Cates Brothers
  • Cates Brothers
    Cates Brothers Band
  • Cates Brothers Band
    Cates Brothers Band
  • Cates Brothers Band
    Cates Brothers Band
  • Cates Brothers Band
    Cates Brothers Band
  • Cates Brothers Band
    Cates Brothers Band
  • Cates Brothers Band
  • John Primer
    John Primer
  • John Primer
    John Primer
  • RJ Mischo with the Cates Brothers Band
    RJ Mischo with the Cates Brothers Band
  • RJ Mischo

  • Biker Bluesman
    Biker Bluesman
  • Billy Boy Arnold
    Billy Boy Arnold
  • Bobby Rush
    Bobby Rush
  • Bobby Rush
    Bobby Rush
  • Bobby Rush
    Bobby Rush & dancers
  • Bob Stroger
    Bob Stroger
  • Michael Burks Band
    Michael Burks Band
  • Wayne Sharp of the Michael Burks Band
    Wayne Sharp of the Michael Burks Band
  • Michael Burks
    Michael Burks - Guitar Master
  • Michael Burks - Grill Master
    Michael Burks - Grill Master
  • Street Music
    Street Music

  • Anson Funderburgh
    Anson Funderburgh
  • Anson Funderburgh
    Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets
  • Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets
    Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets
  • Blind Mississippi Morris
    Blind Mississippi Morris
  • Bluesboy Jag
    Bluesboy Jag
  • Deak Harp
    Deak Harp
  • Hamilton Loomis Band
    Hamilton Loomis Band
  • Hamilton Loomis
    Hamilton Loomis
  • Hamilton Loomis
    Hamilton Loomis
  • Hamilton Loomis
    Hamilton Loomis
  • John Hammond
    John Hammond
  • John Hammond
    John Hammond
  • Mitch Kashmar
  • Mitch Kashmar Band
    Mitch Kashmar Band
  • Mitch Kashmar Horns
    Mitch Kashmar Horns
  • P1160090
  • P1160143
  • P1160145
  • Pinetop Band
    Pinetop Band
  • Pinetop Perkins
    Pinetop Perkins
  • Reba Russell
    Reba Russell
  • Reba Russell
    Reba Russell
  • Reba Russell Band
    Reba Russell Band
  • Reba Russell Band
    Reba Russell Band
  • Stackhouse stage
    Stackhouse stage
  • Street Music

  • Hopson
    Hopson Plantation
  • Bluesmobile
    Bluesmobile from the "Blues Brothers"
  • Arthur Williams and Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith
    Arthur Williams and Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith
  • Michael Burks
    Michael Burks
  • Super Chikan & Michael Burks
    Super Chikan & Michael Burks
  • Cotton Gin Inn
    Cotton Gin Inn
  • Cotton Gin Inn
    Cotton Gin Inn
  • Deak Harp and Big City Blues Magazine
    Deak Harp and Big City Blues Magazine
  • Pinetop Perkins Band
    Pinetop Perkins Band
  • Shack Up Inn
    Shack Up Inn
  • Shack Up Inn
    Shack Up Inn

Cates Brothers
 
 
    
      
Enjoy our Blues reviews
STLBlues CD Reviews :: By band/artist first name
St. Louis based bands & musicians
More National Bands
A-B
C-H
I-K
L-N
O-R
S-T
 Live Music Calendar | Send Blues News | © STLBlues 2000 | Privacy Policy