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The Big Muddy 2002
By Dave Beardsley


Once again, in the historic Laclede's Landing region of downtown St. Louis, scores of local & national Blues artists gathered to share thier sounds with a crowd of over 100,000 music lovers! The Laclede's Landing riverfront area is where W.C. Handy is believed to have stood at the banks of the mighty Mississippi and penned the classic 'St. Louis Blues'. Standing at this same spot over 100 years later, it's easy to imagine the St. Louis riverfront as it must have been so long ago. A thriving river town, with steamboats bringing new citizens daily, St. Louis began then to develop its rich heritage of music. Ranking in the top 6 or 7 of cities in America blessed with such a strong indigenous musical legacy, St. Louis once again shared its talents with the rest of the world. Here's our review of this St. Louis Blues showcase, known as the Big Muddy.


Hired Help Blues Band
Hired Help
Hired Help Blues Band
Hired Help
Steve Pecaro greeting fans
Steve Pecaro
Hudson & The HooDoo Cats
Hudson & The HooDoo Cats
Rich McDonough Blues Band
Rich McDonough
Rich McDonough Blues Band
Rich McDonough
The Big Muddy opened with Blues skies & hot temps ruling the weekend, as STLBlues began a very aerobic weekend of covering this world class event for you! Steve Pecaro had moved to the main stage this year. Steve, as you may have know, is a virtual Stevie Ray Vaughn experience, bringing a "Texas Flood" to the Mississippi riverbanks. Hudson & The HooDoo Cats & Hired Help were bringing thier Blues to quite a crowd over on Second St. Rich McDonough was "Walkin by myself", as Rondo was singing of that "Hoochie Coochie man".

Rondo Leewright
Rondo Leewright
Big Muddy Crowd
Big Muddy crowd
Blues Society on the scene
St. Louis
Blues Society

Melissa Neels
Melissa Neels

Billy Barnett
Billy Barnett
Jim McClaren
Jim McClaren
Jim "Ribtip" McClaren of the St. Louis Social Club, Tom "Papa" Ray - also known as the Soul Selector of KDHX fame - and Arthur Williams made up the core of the Harmonica Showdown! Tom was heard singing of how he 'went to the gypsy to have his fortune read', while at the neighboring stage Melissa Neels was content to "let the good times roll". Billy Barnett, meanwhile, says it "wouldn't be a Blues Fest if you didn't serve up some King , which he then followed with some King....some Albert, Freddy and B.B. King.

Papa Ray
Papa Ray
Papa Ray
Papa Ray
Bobby Parker
Bobby Parker
Bobby Parker
Bobby Parker
Bobby Parker
Bobby Parker
Bobby Parker
Bobby Parker
Closing Day one was Mr. Bobby Parker, who has just a little history. In the 1950's Bobby Parker played lead guitar with Bo Diddley, toured with Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Paul Williams, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Laverne Baker, Clyde McPhatter, and the Everly Brothers. A great ending to a fun day of music. Time to get some rest, as Fest is just beginning!

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