STLBlues Reviews :: Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival

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Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

There's no fest like it, anywhere to be found. It's now known as the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, but we'll always call it the 'King Biscuit'! It's a mix of the culture of the Delta, and the event itself that draws so many each year. It's a genuine musical magnet! Get your rooms early, as there's more Blues lovers than hotel rooms. The one-of-a-kind establishment known as The Cotton Gin / Shack Up Inn, which sits on the grounds of the Hopson Plantation, served as the STLBlues base of operations. It's also where they hold the Pinetop Homecoming the Sunday after fest, for those who need one more day of music.....like me.

The weather drew one of the largest Thursday crowds ever, with the weekend forecast calling for more of the same.

The lineup was spectacular -
Charlotte Taylor & Gypsy Rain
Memphis Snake Doctors
Mess of Blues
South Saturn Delta
Arsen Shomakhov– 2007 Emerging Artist Winner
The Brethren – 2008 SBBS Winner
Trampled Under Foot. – 2008 IBC Winner
Mark Sallings & The Famous Unknowns w/Guest Danny Lancaster
Reba Russell Band
Webb Wilder & Beatnecks
Tinsley Ellis
The Champions of R&B featuring: Earl Gaines, Charles Walker, Johnny Jones, Al Garner, James Nixon

It's not too late to get here, Friday and Saturday promise to be amazing. Get your crew together, jump in the car, and head South! Of course, the fest is not complete without experiencing a bonfire jam session over at Tent City, which can turn into a 'who's who' of talent. Be sure to say hello to Mayor Mike! Other 'must-dos' - 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 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!

Stop and visit with Super Chikan of the Blues Berry Cafe, Super Chikan's place on Yazoo Ave. in downtown Clarksdale. Try both the muffuletta and the eggplant parmigan, both come Watermelon Slim and STLBlues recommended! If you're in need of a coffee house, try Miss Del's general store, where there's a lot more than just coffee.

Pinetop Perkins & Bob Margolin Days 2 and 3, and it was just more of the same great weather to welcome all the festgoers. The lineup is spectacular, as is the norm for this event. Multiple stages, so much great music on the stages AND on the streets of Helena.

It was great to see a St. Louis band on a stage here at the Biscuit, in the form of Arthur Williams and the Blues Masters. And the 17 year old St. Louis prodigy Marquise Knox was seen playing in a booth on Cherry St. as part of the Grammy winning Blue Shoe Project. Here's Friday and Saturdays lineups, photos are in the gallery below, enjoy!

Main Stage
12:00/1:00 - Earnest "Guitar" Roy
1:15/2:20 - Hamilton Loomis
2:35/3:45 - Sam Carr & The Delta Jukes w/ Dave Riley
4:00/5:10 - Carl Weathersby
5:30/6:40 - Pinetop Perkins & Bob Margolin
7:00/8:15 - Mem Shannon & The Membership
8:45/10:00 - Michael Burks
10:30/11:45 - Severn Records 10th Anniversary Soul & Blues Revue: Featuring Lou Pride, Darrell Nulisch, and Tad Robinson

Houston Stackhouse Acoustic Stage
12:00/1:00 - Elam McKnight & Bob Bogdal - SBBS Duo Winners
1:20/2:20 - Bert Deivert
2:40/3:40 - Samuel James
4:00/5:00 - Moreland & Arbuckle

Robert Lockwood Jr. Heritage Stage
5:30/6:40 - Freddie & The Screamers - 20th Anniversary Reunion Show
7:00/8:10 - Arthur Williams & Eric McSpadden
8:30/9:40 - Willie King & The Liberators
10:00/11:15 - Guitar Mac. We'll be reporting in tomorrow, as the fest ends, and Pinetop's Homecoming at the Hopson Plantation begins!

Here's the Saturday lineup, photos are in the gallery below, enjoy!

Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith
Main Stage - Saturday

12:00/1:00 - Shawn Kellerman
1:15/2:20 - Eb Davis w/ Nina Davis, Jay Bailey & Band
2:35/3:50 - Eddie Turner
4:05/5:20 - Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
5:40/6:55 - Janiva Magness
7:10/8:25 - Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets with Special Guests
8:45/10:00 - Hubert Sumlin & Willie "Big Eyes" Smith Band
10:30/11:45 - Bobby Rush

Houston Stackhouse Acoustic Stage - Saturday - 10/11/2008
12:00/1:00 - Davis Coen
1:20/2:20 - Roger "Hurricane" Wilson
2:40/3:40 - Ben Prestage
4:00/5:00 - Satan & Adam

Robert Lockwood Jr. Heritage Stage - Saturday - 10/11/2008
5:30/6:40 - Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
7:00/8:10 - Bobby Rush - Raw
8:30/9:40 - Juke Joint Duo - Cedric Burnside & Lightin Malcolm
10:00/11:15 - Mojo Buford & Don McMinnn