Since 1982 we've been in St Louis all but four (while on assignment in Texas).  In those 17 years I cannot remember a Labor Day weekend this wet.  It was wet enough for the Festival organizers to move all the acts inside for the final day. For those who did brave the weather it turned out to be a real blessing, though.  The "crowds" were much smaller in each venue and everyone could find a place to sit, relax and groove to artists who seemed all the more motivated after battling the elements to unpack their gear and set up for their performances.

With four venues operating there was still a lot of blues variety and plenty of talent to please our blues stalwarts.  One very talented group, The Uncle Albert Band, from the Metro East Side of St Louis, played what many of their regular followers claimed was one of their best shows ever.  It was my first time hearing them live; I just thought it was a great performance by an extremely entertaining band.  If you listen regularly, you're already familiar with their piano-playing singer, Lisa Campbell - don't miss our Festival Recap shows, Lisa's version of "Hard Drivin' Mama" will be the lead tune.  If Uncle Albert ever ventures out of the Midwest, Marcia Ball (in my opinion, a blues goddess) will have to stay on her toes when crowds hear Lisa belt 'em out.

A new group, The Bottoms Up Blues Gang, continued to "wow" their fast-growing fan base with their set.  They've been together only a few months but already have their first CD and not too many copies of it remaining at that.  We should have their CD later in the week and I'm anxious to share this very high-energy young group with you.  Their vocalist, Kari Liston, never lets up for even an eighth note during the entire show - that's high-energy. And, the guitar player, Jeremy Segel-Moss, is right there with her all the way.

Rob Garland and The Blue Monks were closing the evening at one venue when I stopped in for a few numbers.  They were tearing it up with such ferocity I almost decided to "stay longer at the fair" but today's show still was lacking even the first song or announcement and I was already exhausted.  But, then, Rob and his gang always deliver dynamite blues whenever they take the stage and I have their schedule.

The main stage moved into the large eatery/watering hole next door to the outdoors venue.  It's the flagship of a local "chain" called  The Trainwreck Saloon.  None of them are trainwrecks at all but it is a catchy name, right? In fact, all of their locations are immensely popular any time of the day.  Try their bison burgers, if you're ever in town!

On the "main stage" the Albert King Tribute Band got things rolling. From the first drumbeat, the blues and good times didn't stop until they closed the doors.  The Tribute Band is comprised of all alumni of various iterations of Albert King's bands throughout his career.  Unless one witnesses this unique combination in person, the best I can describe it as would be the dream team of blues bands.  With so many alumni reporting for duty when the dream team gets together, it's only natural that no one solo instrumentalist or singer could monopolize the spotlight. So, audiences are always treated to a wide variety of the best of the best of veteran bluesmen who worked and learned the blues from the master who shaped so much of contemporary blues in St Louis and Memphis (half the blues "capitals"). They don't play often because the band really isn't a band as much as it is a family reunion. But, if you're bound for St Louis or the surrounding area, be sure you check our local definitive source for blues news to see if they're playing at some special event (festival, etc) and make your plans accordingly.

After the Tribute Band we were treated to Sam Carr and the Jelly Roll Kings.  Sam Carr and the late Frank Frost evolved the Jelly Roll Kings some time in the late 50s/early 60s after they'd worked and toured together since 1954. What a show!  At 77 years young, Sam Carr still has the energy and drive of entertainers a third his age.  Some of our local talent sat in with Mr. Carr and he kept them all extremely busy.

One of Sam's nieces lives here in St Louis. Earlier in the evening she was chatting about her Uncle Sam and just said her uncle would be showing up later and she'd love for me to meet him.  Later she came to the lobby, where I was greeting folks for the Blues Society, to drag me off to meet her uncle.  Imagine my surprise when that Uncle Sam turned out to be Sam Carr himself.  He'd just finished his show and was sitting with his St Louis family members so I didn't want to overstay my welcome. But, we did talk long enough for him to remind me it was he who hired Frank Frost originally and not the other way around.  Before I took my leave, Mr. Carr did exact a promise that the next time I'm in Helena (Arkansas) I'll stop by and visit - an invitation any blues lover would be only too anxious to take. Hmmm. My birthday is in October and so is Helena's 18th Annual King Biscuit Blues Festival ...