Bluzapalooza, the first Blues tour into a war zone, is getting saddled up and ready to head to Iraq and Kuwait to entertain the troops there. From April 2 to April 8 Bobby Rush, Janiva Magness, Billy Gibson, and an all-star band will be putting on shows at bases and in hospitals.

The tour announced this week that monster New Orleans keyboardist David Torkanowsky will be joining the band being put together by musical director Tony Braunagel.

They also announced this week that Hohner Harmonica has donated harmonicas for Bluzapalooza to take to Iraq and Kuwait so that Bobby Rush and Billy Gibson will be able to conduct Blues harp workshops with the troops.

And since you probably won’t be there, you can hear all about it as BluesWax and Blues Revue publisher Chip Eagle is filling the single press spot on the tour. Check out his updates on his blog at myspace.com/theblueswax and listen for his live coverage on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluesville channel (exit #74 on the XM Highway) throughout the tour.

Chip is also arranging a few other live radio interviews from the tour. If you are interested in arranging one, email us at blueswax@visnat.com.