Kootenay Blues Society

The Kootenay Blues Society’s first year in operation was a huge success and year two is keeping pace with lots of great shows coming up.  We’d like to thank the Board of Directors, all our volunteers and our members for their dedication to keeping the blues alive and live.

Upcoming Kootenay Blues Music Events

Every Saturday 4pm Balfour Beach Inn (BBI)

Sam Hurrie

 

Sat, Feb 23 Vallican Whole

Lazy Poker Blues Band

Tix $15 adv. $20 door. Avail at Otter Books, Nelson; Gaia Tree, Winlaw; Evergreen, South Slocan

 

Fri, Mar 1 6:30PM Balfour Beach Inn, (BBI)

Mystery Train, Featuring Wayne Berezan (Guitar, Dobro and Vocals) Marvin Walker (Drums and Vocals) Kelly Fawcett (Guitar and Vocals) Mark Spielman (Bass)

Sam Hurrie opens the show.

 

Sat, Mar 2 7:00PM Finley's, Vernon St., Nelson, BC 

The Annual Blues Brews and BBQ featuring Flaming Ardvaark Quartet and Mystery Train with Wayne Berezan (Guitar, Dobro and Vocals) Marvin Walker (Drums and Vocals) Kelly Fawcett (Guitar and Vocals) Mark Spielman (Bass) and Clinton Swanson (Sax)  This is a fundraiser for Kootenay Co -op Radio 93.5FM and the KBS

(scroll to bottom for Mystery Train bio)

 

Fri, Mar 15 7:30PM Finley’s, Vernon St, Nelson, BC 

Judy Brown plays Finley’s Afterwork Dance Party, with her Nelson Band, featuring Clinton Swanson (sax), Ralf Buschmeyer (guitar), Mark Spielman (bass) and Steven Parish (drums)

 

Fri, Mar 22 7:30PM Finley’s, Vernon St, Nelson, BC 

Baker Street Blues Afterwork Dance Party

 

Sat, Mar 23 Sage Restaurant/Finleys Vernon St. Nelson, BC

The Kootenay Blues Society’s First AGM followed by The KBS Blues Jam

4-5pm KBS Annual General Meeting (at Sage Restaurant) All KBS members (current, lapsed or new, are WELCOME – RSVP info@kootenaybluessociety.com

6pm – The KBS Blues Jam (no charge)  (at Finleys)– come and play some blues with the house band, solo, or bring your own band – all levels welcome!

 

Fri, Apr 12 7:30 pm Finleys

Holly Hyatt "Wild Heart" CD Release show: Finley's

 

2019 KBS Sponsored "Shows in the Works"

The KBS Events Committee is hard at work finalizing show dates for 2019 - here is a taste of what's in store (show dates and times are all to be confirmed)

• Golden State/Lone Star Review with Anson Funderburgh, Mark Hummel and the Whole Damn Allstar Band!
• Andy-T Band with Alabama Mike and Anson Funderburgh –VIDEO
• Ce'cil Doo -Kingue and Band – VIDEO
• Sue Foley – VIDEO
• Terry Hanck –VIDEO

"Make Room for the Blues" on KCR

Live on Fridays 7-9 and re-broadcast Saturday 12-2

Favourite Albums of 2018

No particular order

Our Boy's and Girl's

• Jack De Keyzer - Check Mate
• Judy Brown - Say it
• Sue Foley - Ice Queen
• Sugar Brown - Calling all Blues
• Kat Danser - Goin Gone
• David Vest - David Vest
• Suzie Vinnick - Shake the Love Around
• Steve Dawson - Lucky Hand
• J.W. Jones - Live
• Manitoba Hal - Blues in the Water 

And Non-Canadian

• Barbara Dane - Hot Jazz, Cool Blues, and Hard Hitting Songs
• Jody Williams - In Session , Diary of a Chicago Bluesman
• Andy-T Band - Double Strike
• Beth Hart - Front and Center
• John Mayall - Three for the Road
• Buddy Guy - The Blues is Alive and Well
• Paul Thorn - Don't let the Devil Ride
• Lurrie Bell - Tribute to Carey Bell
• The Nick Moss Band - The High Cost of Low Living
• Tony Joe White - Bad Mouthin
• Boz Scaggs - Out of the Blues
• Jon Cleary - Dyna-Mite
• Walter Wolfman Washington - My Future is My Past
• James Harman - Fineprint
• Billy F Gibbons - The Big Bad Blues
• Bob Corritore and Friends - Don't Let the Devil Ride

Save The Date

KBS First Annual General Meeting followed by

Blues Jam

Saturday March 23, 2019 at Finleys

That’s right folks, the KBS is one year old this year and to celebrate the KBS will be hosting a Free Blues Jam following the AGM on Saturday, March 23^rd, 2019. 

The AGM will be your opportunity to:

• find out how we did in our first year
• learn what we have planned for 2019
• run for a position on the board if you wish, and vote
• sign up for volunteer opportunities (see below for more info)
• have a complimentary snack afterwards
• renew your membership

All active members will receive the AGM package and details by the end of February and are invited to attend the AGM.  The First Annual KBS Blues Jam will follow and we look forward to playing some blues with ya’all.  And please consider serving on the board of directors – we have a very exciting Year Two ahead – including a Strategic Planning Session in the spring.

WE ENOURAGE ALL MEMBERS TO ATTEND AND ASK YOU TO PLEASE RSVP TO info@kootenaybluessociety.com

Come and Help the KBS - Volunteers Welcome

The KBS is a non-profit society run by volunteers and we are always looking for people to help.  There are many ways to volunteer, ongoing as well as event specific.  If you have any of the following skills and are interested in volunteering please contact us at:  info@kootenaybluessociety.com

• Board/Committee Members
• Social Media person
• Bookkeeping/Financial
• Selling memberships and merchandise at events
• Putting up posters
• Live event photography
• Talent accommodation/billeting and/or driving to/from gigs

Blues Announcements

Blues Summit 9 - Toronto Feb 1-4

BS9 is Canada’s not-to-be-missed biennial forum for all members of the blues music community including artists, presenters, agents, festival bookers, event organizers, radio hosts and industry representatives of all kinds. The conference provides an opportunity for members of the blues community to connect as well as for artists to showcase in front of blues industry professionals.

Our KBS Interim VP Judy Brown performed at the summit this year, showcasing her new album :Say It" with her Toronto recording band backing her up.  "This is a great event for the KBS to attend, as it provides the opportunity to network with and learn about artists, event organizers, other societies.  I will be recommending the KBS send a delegate at the next summit, scheduled for February 2021. It was an honour to be selected to showcase at the summit and I was glad I could introduce the Kootenay Blues Society to the other delegates. And I finally got to meet Holger Peterson!  It really is a who’s who of the national and international blues community.”

Warner ‘Country Pete’ McGill

Warner “Country Pete” McGill Jr., lead singer and guitarist of the Cotton Fields Blues Band, died on Dec. 6, 2018, in San Ramon. He was 72.

Texas Bluesman “Country Pete Mc Gill” first came to perform in the Kootenay region about 15 years ago with his good friend and fellow Texas Bluesman, Sonny Rhodes. Pete's outgoing and fun loving personality was evident on stage and in person. Pete quickly made friends with local blues lovers and fellow musicians here over the years. He played here many times with Sonny and on his own, where they were both backed by some of our local blues musicians. Some of the local folks and musicians whom Pete touched with his warm, humble approach to music and life were: Janice and Richard Metzner, Howie Ross, Bill Wilson, Vince Curley, Johnny Tornado, Bill Lynch, Jerry Hamilton, Marvin Walker, Clint Swanson, Steve Wilson, Jon Burden, Ray Lemelin and all those who came to see and hear him play his blues. Pete was all about the blues and referred to himself as a “Bluesician “. He was much loved and will be truly missed. - Jon Burden and Richard Metzner

McGill was born on Oct. 17, 1946, to Warner, Sr. and Gladys McGill in Jasper, Texas. He was the first child out of six born to this union. He became a member of the Dixie Baptist Church at an early age. He attended G.W. Carver Elementary in the Dixie Community and J. H. Rowe High School, class of 1965. After graduation, Country Pete married his high school sweetheart, Gertie Barlow, and started a family. He worked in the logging/ pulpwood industry and at the chicken factory until he and his family relocated to Oakland, Ca, in 1969.

Once in California, Country Pete attended Oakland Hospital and became a respiratory therapist, where he worked until 1974. After leaving Oakland Hospital, McGill became an entrepreneur owning several different independent businesses which allowed him to follow his passion for performing and playing blues music.

Throughout his career, Country Pete and his Cotton Field Blues Band played at several Bay Area clubs, and had an impressive 11-year, Thursday night run at the Fifth Amendment in Oakland. He was a bona fide blues musician and often partnered with the West Coast Blues Society to perform at the Annual Russell City Blues Festival.

Country Pete loved playing the blues and delivered show-stopping performances at private parties, street fairs and for fans in England and Canada. He last partnered with the Kootenay Blues Society for a series of shows in Canada this past September with his brother in blues, Alabama Mike. Country Pete had a way with words and one of his favourite expressions was “If you don’t like the blues, your soul has a hole in it and I feel sorry for you!”

Country Pete leaves to cherish his memory his wife in love, Denise Thompson; children Anthony Wayne (Nell) McGill and Allen Thompson of Stockton, Ca., Jacqueline McGill and Leisha Surrell of Oakland, La Sondra McGill Baker and Roderick (LeNetta) McGill of San Antonio, Texas, and Germaine Lewis of Jasper, Texas;. two brothers Joe Cecil (Eva) McGill of Pflugerville, Texas, and Gerald McGill of Jasper, Texas; two sisters Wanda Payton and Deloris McGill of Jasper Texas; 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; Uncle C.L. Larkin, a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, extended family and his faithful dog, Scrappy.

He was preceded in death by his son Anthony (Pam) Land of Jasper, Texas; sister Bertha Marie McGill, granddaughter LaQueshia and great grandchildren Shuntae and Tristan.

Services were held December 17, 2018, in Oakland CA and Dec. 22, 2018 in Jasper, Texas.

Mystery Train

Mystery Train was first conceived in Nelson BC in 1993 by Marvin Walker, who was already a seasoned veteran of the Canadian Blues scene before he settled in the Kootenay’s to raise his family. Previously, Marvin had spent his years touring as the drummer for The Powder Blues Band, Bo Diddley, The Lincolns, and very early on, as an original member of KD Lang’s band, The Reclines. Marvin was looking for an outlet to continue his musical journey and found the perfect fit with fire brand guitarist Wayne Berezan, who had also just come off the road after years of touring and writing with Harp Dog Brown and the Bloodhounds. They added a young guitarist and Dutch Mason alumni, Kelly Fawcett on bass guitar and vocals. The final piece of the puzzle to fall into place was a magical elf-like individual by the name of Aylie Sparkes. Well known in Nelson as a street performer, he played his Dobro with the raw energy of a young Johnny Winter and possessed a huge field holler voice that seemed an unlikely match for his slight frame.

Mystery Train started a musical residency at the “Royal On Baker” every Thursday night. Playing an eclectic mix of jump blues, swing, Chicago blues and funk, they quickly developed a rabid following of enthusiastic blues lovers who were quick to fill the dance floor. During that time, the Royal rebranded as a Blues club, became one of Western Canada’s destinations for established touring Blues acts who were more often than not, backed by the band members. Mystery Train went on to become a favourite on the festival scene, sharing the stage with Jim Byrnes, Amos Garrett, and Ellen McIlwaine, just to name a

After 4 very successful years the band members went their separate ways… Marvin is still a Nelson mainstay, though he lives and works on the coast for a good part of the year. Wayne currently holds court at the Dewdney Church of the Blues every Sunday, fronting All Star Vancouver lineups. Kelly works non stop on Vancouver Island with various projects such as his Tom Waits tribute “The Beautiful Maladies”; Maple Blues nominee, Deb Rhymer Band and pianist, Kenny Blues Boss Wayne. Aylie Sparkes went on to become one of the Yukon’s brightest stars, recording an album “Beautiful and Deranged” which became the focus of a documentary, also titled “Beautiful and Deranged”, about Yukon musicians. Sadly, Aylie passed away in 2005 at the age of 38, but not until leaving an indelible mark on the musicians and musical communities he touched.

Kootenay Blues Society and Kootenay Co op Radio are proud to present a reunited Mystery Train for two shows: The Balfour Beach Inn on Mar 1 and Blues Brews and BBQ at Finley’s on Mar 2. With Kelly Fawcett and Wayne Berezan trading off on slide guitar and guitar and Marvin Walker on drums, they will perform a tribute set to some of Aylie Sparkes original songs, as well as the blues covers he made his own. They will be joined by Nelson musicians and long time musical friends, Mark Spielman on bass and Clinton Swanson on tenor saxophone.

Coeur d'Alene Blues Festival March 29-31st, 2019

Another great blues festival coming up is the Coeur d'Alene Blues Festival March 29-31. Approximately a 3.5 hour drive from Nelson, this year the festival features The Fabulous Thunderbirds.  Not to be missed!

Enjoy the rest of the winter, and feel free to share this newsletter widely with all your Kootenay blues music-lovin' friends!

Regards,

The KBS Board

 

The Kootenay Blues Society’s first year in operation has been a huge success and we’d like to thank the Board of Directors, our volunteers, all 170 members, the venues that continue to host blues music, the blues artists – regional, national and international – and most of all, the folks who flocked out in droves to witness the healing power of the blues.

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Recent Events

World class entertainers, Alabama Mike and Country Pete McGill arrived in Nelson from California on Sept 2nd , and after three days of rehearsal with some of our local blues musicians, they hit the road with a couple of KBS members in tow for a five night run through the West Kootenay, Okanagan and Shuswap. These two ambassadors of the blues, one from Alabama the other from Texas, testified to the unifying, transcendental power of the blues and had no trouble transporting every member of the audience to a Mississippi juke joint on a Saturday night. After the last show at Lorenzo’s in Enderby, Mike and Pete headed south on 97 and drove non stop to Oakland, California where Alabama Mike soon embarked on a tour of the Southern states with the Andy T. Band.

For our last show of the year, we were lucky to present JW-Jones on Oct 26th at Finley’s in Nelson. JW and band, on a North American tour to promote their new live album, put on an energetic and highly entertaining show which culminated with all the band members trading instruments and eventually all playing JW’s guitar at the same time. JW is a consummate professional and an exceptional guitarist who appears to have a boundless supply of energy. During two long sets of high energy blues/rock he paid tribute to all of his major guitar influences from Hubert Sumlin and Magic Sam to Jimmie Vaughan, with a tip of the hat to Clapton and Keith Richards. One of the highlights of the night was the Magic Sam West Side Boogie and a dynamic version of the Jimmy Rogers slow blues, That’s All Right. Holly Hyatt’s opening set was a flawless performance where she showcased her new single, the Memphis soul inspired, River Flows. All in all a great night of music and a perfect way to end the Kootenay Blues Society’s first year.

Click the link for the Art Joyce 

"Jamming the Blues - Interview with JW-Jones"

 

photo by Diane White

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Planning for 2019

Already in the works for 2019: the annual Blues Brews and BBQ, co hosted by The Kootenay Blues Society and Kootenay Coop Radio, set for March 2, 2019 - SAVE THE DATE . Performers will be announced shortly. Also, we will hold our first AGM in mid March and will pass on the details to members once we get it all arranged.

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Don’t forget to tune in to Kootenay Coop Radio for Make Room For The Blues, with your host, Richard Metzner Fridays at 7pm and re-broadcast at noon on Saturday

MAKE ROOM FOR THE BLUES

More favorite blues albums from 2018

C = Canadian

• JW-Jones - Live - C
• Colin James - Miles to go - C
• Lindsay Beaver - Tough as Love - C
• Jack De Keyzer - The Best Of - C
• Tony Joe White - Bad Mouthin'
• Walter Wolfman Washington - My Future is My Past
• Andy T Band - Double Strike
• Bob Corritore and Friends - Don't Let The Devil Ride
• Larkin Poe - Peach
• Paul Thorn - Don't Let The Devil Ride
• Marva Wright - Marvalous
• Billy F Gibbons - The Big Bad Blues

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Stay tuned and may the blues be with you always. . . 

**Last Live Blues Show of the Year for the KBS**

7:30pm Friday, Oct 26th at Finley's in Nelson

JW-Jones, along with 2018 Maple Blues Award Bassist of the year, Laura Greenburg and the inimitable Will Laurin on drums are touring North America in support of the JW-Jones new album “Live”. The Kootenay Blues Society is honoured to present this young, up and coming blues man at Finley’s in Nelson on Friday Oct 26. Show starts at 7:30 with Holly Hyatt Band opening. Tickets are $20 and available at Finley’s.

JW-Jones - Video

Holly Hyatt - Video

About JW-Jones

Billboard Top 10 Blues Artist, IBC Winner and JUNO Nominee JW-Jones, based out of Ottawa, Ontario, is known for his high-energy shows and his searing axemanship has been praised by Blues Revue Magazine: “A fluid amalgam of T – Bone Walker’s big, bright chords; Johnny Guitar Watson’s slashing leads and Clarence “Gatemouth’ Browns jazzy sting.” Buddy Guy, the world’s most famous living bluesman, says “This young man is one of the people who will keep the blues alive”.

About the KBS

The Kootenay Blues Society - a newly formed, non profit society- has presented over ten shows in venues throughout the Kootenay/Shuswap region in 2018. The upcoming JW-Jones show will be the last presentation of the year. KBS has had a highly successful first year and would like to thank all the volunteers, venue owners, managers and staff and most of all, the blues artists and all the people who came out and supported live blues music.

With five highly successful events under its belt, the Kootenay Blues Society is off and running!

 

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RECENT EVENTS

 

KBS FUNDRAISER

On May 28^th the KBS fund raiser at Finley’s in Nelson started the ball rolling with stellar sets from four West Kootenay blues bands. The house was full, the dance floor packed and everyone wore a smile. It was great to see the blues community come together in support of the newly formed society.

 

SONNY RHODES

July saw the Sonny Rhodes Blues Band play three great shows in the Koots. The highlight of the three-night run, being the show at The Balfour Beach Inn, where Sonny wowed the capacity crowd in the sunshine on the large patio underneath a huge tree.  As the lead off track on Sonny’s latest album testifies, “Sonny Rhodes is the blues”.  He is one of the last of the old school blues men - still out there beating the highway – and mentor to so many younger players.

Click --->  HERE to an article and interview that Sonny did with local writer, Sean Arthur Joyce, while he was in Nelson.

 

SUE FOLEY

The three Sonny shows were quickly followed four nights later by an incredible, high energy, inspiring performance by one of the protégé’s. Sue Foley’s sold out show at Finley’s on July 26th was nothing short of spectacular. Backed up by only a bassist and drummer, Sue tore the place apart. From the opening strum of her paisley telecaster, played through a rented Fender Blues Deville, you could tell this was going to be a performance to be remembered. Playing with a thumb pick and bare fingers in a stripped down, Texas style, Sue made no bones about turning the amp up and going for it. She is definitely a guitar hero, but also an enjoyable singer with a sultry vocal style that suits her traditional approach to the blues.  

 

photo - Art Joyce

Writer and journalist, Art Joyce did a great interview with Sue Foley which you can view ----> HERE.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Alabama Mike and Country Pete McGill

Upcoming Blues Society events to feature Alabama Mike and Country Pete McGill in September, with five shows scheduled, including the Slocan Trading Centre on the 6^th, Balfour Beach Inn on Sept 7th, Finley’s in Nelson on Sept 8^th, The Fire Valley Concert Series in Edgewood on Sept 9^th and Lorenzo’s in Enderby on the 10^th.

• Alabama Mike from Talladega, Alabama, is the lead singer, harmonica player and front man for the Nashville based Andy T Band. He has also just released a new album of his own, featuring The Fabulous Thunderbird’s front man Kim Wilson; and is the recipient of several past blues music awards including New Blues Artist Of The Year (2010) and Traditional Blues Male Artist Of The Year (2011).

• Country Pete McGill from Texas has toured all over North America and Europe as a bassist, guitarist and singer and is one of the most sought-after bass players in the Bay area. He also fronts his own band, Country Pete McGill and The Cotton Field Blues Band. Together, these two real deal blues men put on and engaging and entertaining show.

 

JW Jones

In October KBS presents JW Jones at the Flying Steamshovel in Rossland on the 25th and Finley’s in Nelson on the 26th. JW, from Ottawa, has received 6 blues music awards and has been nominated over 20 times. He has released 10 albums - featuring the likes of Kim Wilson, Colin James, Larry Taylor, Hubert Sumlin and Charlie Musselwhite - and has played in 23 countries on 4 continents.

JW Jones will be bringing his trio with him, which includes the 2017 Maple Blues Bassist Of The Year award winner, Laura Greenberg. One of the highlights of a JW Jones show is the Grande finale, when the three musician’s trade instruments and all end up playing JW’s guitar at the same time.

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FAVOURITE BLUES ALBUMS OF 2018

from “Make Room for the Blues " on KCR, (no order , C - Canadian )   

• David Vest - David Vest (C)
• Sean Poluk - No More Hate (C) 
• Sue Foley - Ice Queen (C)
• Judy Brown - Say It (C)
• Suzie Vinnick - Shake the Love around (C)
• Boz Scaggs - Out Of The Blues
• Ry Cooder - Prodigal Son 
• Buddy Guy - The Blues Is Alive And Well
• Beth Hart - Front And Center
• John Mayall - Three for the Road
• James Harman - Fine Print 
• Victor Wainwright - And The Train 

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LIVE MUSIC LISTINGS IN THE KOOTENAYS

 

Aug 1:  Bill Lynch and Jon Burden: Nakusp Summer Concert Series, Nakusp, BC

 

Aug 1: Baker Street Blues: Concert In The Park, Kinnaird park, Castlegar, BC

 

Aug 2: Holly Hyatt, Jon Burden and Clint Swanson, Gyro Park, Trail, BC

 

Aug 11: Various local artists: International Blues Day, Finley’s, Nelson, BC

 

Aug 18: Blues Brothers In Law: Prestige Lakeside, Nelson, BC

 

Aug 18: Judy Brown and band: Balfour Beach Inn. Balfour, BC

 

Aug 18: Holly Hyatt and Jon Burden: Grizzly Plaza, Revelstoke, BC

 

Go to the KBS Live Music Listings ----> HERE

 

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THE KBS NEEDS YOUR HELP

 

As a new non-profit society, the KBS needs help from the community at large to help with growth and development.  We are currently seeking volunteers with non-profit experience including administration, grant writing, minute taking, event coordination, financial and bookkeeping.  Please consider attending one of our monthly meetings (www.kootenaybluessociety.com) or email us at kootenaybluessociety@gmail.com if you or someone you know would like to volunteer, 

 

See you at an upcoming events - it's Blues In The Koots!

 

Dear KBS members and blues lovers!

Heads up on 3 great show coming up....

Texas blues legend and blues hall of fame recipient, Sonny Rhodes rolls into the Kootenays for three shows in July. The Kootenay Blues Society presents the Sonny Rhodes Blues Band featuring Greg Smith at the Flying Steamshovel in Rossland on Thurs July 19, Show time 8:30, Tickets $20 at the door ~ Balfour Beach Inn on Friday July  20, Show 6-9, Tickets $15 at the door, ~ Finley’s Bar and Grille on Sat. July 21, Show time 8pm, Tickets $20 at the door, $15 for KBS members. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.. -

SONNY RHODES: THE LAST OF THE HARDCORE TRAVELLING BLUES MEN

Texas blues legend and blues hall of fame recipient, Sonny Rhodes rolls into the Kootenays for three shows in July. The Kootenay Blues Society presents the Sonny Rhodes Blues Band featuring Greg Smith at the Flying Steamshovel in Rossland on Thurs July 19, Show time 8:30, Tickets $20 at the door ~ Balfour Beach Inn on Friday July 20, Show 6-9, Tickets $15 at the door, ~ Finley’s Bar and Grille on Sat. July 21, Show time 8pm, Tickets $20 at the door, $15 for KBS members. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.

Lap-steel guitarist and singer Sonny Rhodes was born and raised in a sharecropping family in Smithville ,Texas and has been playing music professionally since the 50s. He made his recording debut in 1958 and continues to record to this day, with his latest recording released in 2017. He has recorded over 200 songs: "I'm what you call a self-proclaimed Disciple of the Blues!" said Rhodes about his years playing and singing for fans of blues around the world. He has been nominated 15 times for blues music awards and won in 2011 in the instrumental category. Rhodes also recorded “The Ballad of Serenity”, the theme music for the television series Firefly.

Sonny first started playing around Austin, Texas before moving to the San Francisco bay area, where he played bass accompanying guitarists Freddie King and Albert Collins. 

He has played the San Francisco Blues Festival 6 times, the Musicamdo Jazz and Blues Festival in Italy, as well as festivals in Spain as recently as 2015 and the Kaslo Jazz Fest in 2017.

Sonny Rhodes has toured North America and Europe countless times and is one of the last of the hardcore travelling bluesmen, thinking nothing of driving from Calgary to Helena, Arkansas then on to San Franscisco to spread his brand of Texas blues to appreciative blues lovers.

Be sure to get your KBS membership, only $10 and purchase one of our awesome KBS t-shirts while you're there. $25 ~ Members $20 ~ See you on the dance floor!

Check out kootenaybluessociety.com for more details.

Thx, KBS