NORWICH – The final arrangements are being made for the Friday start to the 17th Chenango Blues Festival at the fairgrounds in Norwich, and it promises to be a great weekend of music, food and fun.
Organizers of the event are excited about this year’s stellar lineup. “Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings have spent this year on the main stages of some of the nation’s biggest music festivals, and everyone raves about their high energy show,” said Blues Association volunteer, Carrie Larsen. Combine that with blues legend, Charlie Musselwhite and you have a potent one- two punch on the Sheffield Pharma Main Stage.
“The two of them are reason enough to come,” added Steve Palmatier, “but you have Chris Cain, Harper, and the Honey Island Swamp Band playing up there, too. Those guys are coming from San Francisco, Australia, and New Orleans, so you know they want to put on a show.”
A unique aspect of the festival is its Nelson & Flanagan / Grouse Ridge Acoustic Tent. Every year artists on this stage seem to steal the show, so don’t be surprised if it happens again this year. Supervised by long time stage manager, Tim Andrews, and ably assisted by Greg Grosvenor, this big tent will feature Eden Brent, who recently won this year’s Blues Music Awards for best acoustic recording and best new artist. “If it’s possible to kick it up a notch from there, Bobby Rush is one of the few who could manage it,” said Andrews. “He recently returned from touring Iraq to entertain the troops and his solo show was unbelievable,” according to Chip Eagle, the editor of national blues magazine, “Blues Revue.” Also appearing will be Harper and his band playing a stripped down acoustic show.
Another great feature of the festival is the terrific selection of food and craft vendors. There is an art to getting people like Dinosaur BBQ and Timis Greek to travel from out of town to work in Norwich, but vendor Queen, Eileen Andrews makes it look easy. From local vendors to dessert, from palm reading to fine jewelry, there is something for everyone’s taste. The festival also has a free children’s activity area, which makes the event very family friendly.
