The Blues Show with Jonny Meister airs Saturday nights

                       from 7PM to Midnight on WXPN.

Coming Up On  The Blues Show  October 13, 2018:

The XPN Fall Member Drive is on! Find out more about XPN membership.

Please support the station that brings you blues music, WXPN.

In the midnight hour after The Blues Show, on Blue Dimensions: Blue Dimensions, Program #G41 — In this hour of Blue Dimensions, The Journey, the new album from guitarist/vocalist Lionel Loueke, and the strong debut album of pianist Connie Han.

News about local blues artists: harmonica player Mike Mettalia is battling ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease"). There will be a benefit show for him featuring a half-dozen bands, including his own, Sunday, October 21, 2PM-8PM at Poco's in Doylestown PA.
A film called Ask Me How I Feel is being produced about the life and music of Philadelphia blues singer Frank Bey. In addition, Frank has kidney failure and is hoping to find a donor kidney.

Now available: The Blues Images 2019 Blues Calendar which comes with a CD with 23 old blues songs on it, including a never-before-issued song from The Beale Street Sheiks and both sides of Papa Lightfoot's rarest record, plus music from Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charley Patton, Memphis Minnie, Big Joe Williams ,Leola B. Wilson, William Harris (two newly discovered songs from 1928), and more!

Shemekia Copeland put on a great performance on October 3rd at the
World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, including these songs from her
new album America's Child:
"In The Blood Of The Blues"
"The Wrong Idea"
"Would You Take My Blood?"

Follow what's happening with Gospel Roots Of Rock & Soul, WXPN's year-long exploration of the connections between gospel music and rock, soul and R&B, with concerts, films, and a radio documentary.

Links for   Local Artists  |  Venues  |  Blues Events

       • • • Area Blues Concerts & Events • • •

For blues event listings visit:
Delta Blue's Calendar
The Blues Collaborative
Bucks County Blues Society
Diamond State Blues Society
Baltimore Blues Society
Blues Society of Central PA
Lehigh Valley Blues Network
Central Delaware Blues Society

[Return To Top Of Blues Events]

• • • October • • •

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Stevie and the Bluescasters @ Longwood Gardens Beer Garden
Kennett Square PA 19348 (5:30PM-8:30PM)

Saturday October 20, 2018

Bobby Kyle and The Administers
opening Tattar, Tucker, Moog and Jackson
@ Jamey's House of Music
Lansdowne PA 19050 (8PM) $18 advance, $22 door

Patrick Sweany @ Ortlieb's
Philadelphia PA 19123 (9PM)

Judy Sings The Blues @ St. Georges Country Store
Saint Georges DE 19733 (7:30PM-10:30PM) free

Biscuit Miller & The Mix @ Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton NJ 08087 (7:30PM) $25 advance; $30 day of show

Baltimore Blues Society presents
John Németh @ Rosedale American Legion Hall
Rosedale MD 21237 (8:30PM-Midnight) $30

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Blues Benefit Festival For Harmonica Player Mike Mettalia @
Poco's
625 North Main Street, Doylestown PA 18901 (2PM-8PM) $20
with Mike Mettalia and Midnight shift, and
April Mae and the Junebugs, Christopher Dean Band
The Little Red Rooster Blues Band, Steve Guyger
James Supra Band, and special guests
including Chicago Carl Snyder, and others
This event is a benefit for harmonica player Mike Mettalia who has
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka "Lou Gehrig's Disease")

Friday, October 26, 2018

Lonnie Shields Band @ Jamey's House of Music
Lansdowne PA 19050 (8PM) $15 advance, $18 door

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Sonny Landreth @ Sellersville Theater
Sellersville PA 18960

Dustin Douglas and The Electric Gentlemen @ Jamey's House of Music
Lansdowne PA 19050 (8PM) $15 advance, $18 door

Paul Nelson Band @ Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton NJ 08087 (7:30PM) $30 advance; $35 day of show

• • • November • • •

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Rory Block & Cindy Cashdollar: Sisters of Slide @ Sellersville Theater
Sellersville PA 18960 (8PM) $21.50, $29.50

Friday, November 2, 2018

AC Steel & The Galvanizers @ Red Hot & Blue
Cherry Hill NJ (8M-12AM)

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Norman Taylor and Blue Soul @ The Twisted Tail
Philadelphia PA 19147 (9PM)

Judy Sings The Blues @ The Blue Earl Brewery
Smyrna DE 19977 (7PM-10:00PM) no cover

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Lucky Peterson (Norman Taylor opening) @ Sellersville Theater
Sellersville PA 18960 (7:30PM) $29.50 - $45

Stevie and the Bluescasters @ The Twisted Tail
Philadelphia PA 19147 (8:00PM-11:45PM) free

Friday, November 9, 2018

AC Steel & The Galvanizers @ Crooked Eye Brewery
Hatboro PA 19040 (7PM-10PM)

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Blues Bizness & Stevie and the Bluescasters @ Jamey's House of Music
Lansdowne PA 19050 (8PM)

Benny Turner @ Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton NJ 08087

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Billy Price & The Nighthawks @ Sellersville Theater
Sellersville PA 18960 (8PM) $21.50, $29.50

Friday, November 16, 2018

Reading Blues Fest 2018

— — 6:00PM Welcome Concert:
Craig Thatcher Band with special guest G.E. Smith
@ Crossroads at the DoubleTree, Reading PA 19601

— — 8:00PM A Night of Soulful Blues:
Booker T. Jones plus Ruthie Foster
featuring Doxa Gospel Ensemble
@ DoubleTree By Hilton, Reading PA 19601

— — 11:30PM Blues Jam: hosted by
Craig Thatcher Band, with special guest G.E. Smith
@ DoubleTree By Hilton, Reading PA 19601

these related events aren't part of the Reading Blues Festival package:

11:30AM Blues Luncheon: The Bluesmasters
featuring Bennie Sims, Cliff Starkey, Erich Cawalla
@ Peanut Bar Restaurant, Reading PA 19602
reservations 610-376-8500

4:00PM Blues Happy Hour: Rockman Blues Band
Sofrito Gastro Pub, Reading PA 19601 (reservations 610-373-3115)

Dave Hinkel & Nick Peetros @ Double Trouble BBQ at Double Tree
Reading PA 19601 (5PM)

Hogan's Heroes Blues Band @ Cheers Lounge at Double Tree
Reading PA 19601 (9PM)

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Reading Blues Fest 2018

— — 10:30AM Guitar Conversations: Craig Thatcher & G.E. Smith
hosted by Michael Cloeren
DoubleTree by Hilton Amphitheater, Reading PA 19601

— — 12 Noon Multi-Instrumentalist Blind Boy Paxton
@ Crossroads At The DoubleTree, Reading PA 19601

— — 1:30PM "Chicago Plays The Stones": "Chicago Plays The Blues"
featuring Ronnie Baker Brooks, Billy Branch & more
plus Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
@ DoubleTree By Hilton, Reading PA 19601

— — 6:00PM Multi-Instrumentalist Blind Boy Paxton
@ Crossroads At The DoubleTree, Reading PA 19601

— — 8:00PM Burnin’ Guitar Doubleheader:
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, plus Tinsley Ellis
@ DoubleTree By Hilton, Reading PA 19601

— — 11:30PM Blues Jam: hosted by Vanessa Collier
@ DoubleTree By Hilton, Reading PA 19601

these related events aren't part of the Reading Blues Festival package:

Benjamin Vo Blues Band @ Judy's on Cherry
Reading PA 19602 (11:30AM-2PM)

Dave Hinkel & Nick Peetros @ Double Trouble BBQ at Double Tree
Reading PA 19601 (11:30AM and 5PM)

Alexis P. Suter & The Ministers Of Sound @ GoggleWorks Center For The Arts
Reading PA 19601 (4:30PM) $10

Angie & The HoneyBeez @ Speckled Hen Cottage & Alehouse
Reading PA 19601 (7PM)

Dave Mell Blues Band @ Peanut Bar Restaurant
Reading PA 19602 (7:30PM) reservations 610-376-8500

Hogan's Heroes Blues Band @ Cheers Lounge at Double Tree
Reading PA 19601 (9PM)

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Dukes Of Destiny @ Mermaid Inn
Philadelphia PA 19118
(celebrating John Colgan-Davis's 68th birthday) 9:30PM $12

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Reading Blues Fest 2018

— — 10:00AM Blues Film Screening:
Sidemen: Long Road To Glory with
post-film Q & A session with director Scott D. Rosenbaum
hosted by Michael Cloeren
@ DoubleTree By Hilton, Reading PA 19601

— — 12 Noon Fest Finale — four concerts:
Shemekia Copeland
John Németh & The Blue Dreamers With The Berks Horns
Jazz Gets The Blues: Clarence Spady & Nick Colionne
Vanessa Collier
@ DoubleTree By Hilton, Reading PA 19601

these related events aren't part of the Reading Blues Festival package:

Blues Brunch: Josh Taylor's Next Gen Blues
@ Sofrito Gastro Pub, Reading PA 19601 (12 Noon) (reservations 610-373-3115)

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Coco Montoya @ Sellersville Theater
Sellersville PA 18960 (8PM) $21.50, $29.50

• • • December • • •

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Albert Castiglia (Judy Sings The Blues opening)
@ Jonathan's Landing
Magnolia DE 19962 (7PM-10:30PM) $20

Friday, December 7, 2018

Mavis Staples @ World Cafe Live
Philadelphia PA 19104 (8PM) $75-$85 advance; $78-$88 day of show, plus fees

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Mavis Staples @ World Cafe Live
Philadelphia PA 19104 (8PM) $75-$85 advance; $78-$88 day of show, plus fees

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Stevie and the Bluescasters @ The Mermaid Inn
Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill) PA 19118 (8PM) $10

Friday, December 14, 2018

Judy Sings The Blues @ Bethany Blues
Lewes DE 19958 (8:30PM-11:00PM) no cover

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Dave Keller Band @ Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton NJ 08087 (7:30PM) $20 advance, $25 door

• • • January • • •

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Big Bill Morganfield @ Capitol Theatre
Chambersburg PA 17201 (7:30PM)

• • • February • • •

Friday, February 22, 2019

Lancaster Roots and Blues: A Festival Of Music
Lancaster PA 17603 advance tickets now on sale

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Lancaster Roots and Blues: A Festival Of Music
Lancaster PA 17603 advance tickets now on sale

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Lancaster Roots and Blues: A Festival Of Music
Lancaster PA 17603 advance tickets now on sale

• • • March • • •

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Blast Furnace Blues Festival 2018 Day 2

      Fowler Blast Furnace Room
12Noon  TBA
1:00PM  TBA
2:30PM  TBA
4:15PM  TBA
6:00PM  TBA
7:45PM  TBA

      Musikfest Café
12:30PM  TBA
 1:45PM  TBA
 3:15PM  TBA
 5:00PM  TBA
 6:45PM  TBA
 8:30PM  TBA

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Blast Furnace Blues Festival 2018 Day 3

      Fowler Blast Furnace Room
12:30PM  TBA
 2:15PM  TBA
 3:45PM  TBA
 5:15PM  TBA

      Musikfest Café
 Noon  TBA
1:15PM  TBA
2:30PM  TBA
4:15PM  TBA
6:00PM  TBA

• • • April • • •

• • • May • • •

Saturday, May 4, 2019

Blues, Brews, & Barbecue @ Capitol Theatre
Chambersburg PA 17201 (1PM-7PM)

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival
@ Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis MD 21409
 7:15PM TBA
 5:30PM TBA
 4:05PM TBA
 2:45PM TBA
 1:30PM TBA
 12:15PM TBA
 11:00AM TBA

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival
@ Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis MD 21409
 7:15PM TBA
 5:30PM TBA
 4:05PM TBA
 2:45PM TBA
 1:30PM TBA
12:15 PM TBA
11:00 AM TBA

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Black Walnut Winery Blues Fest
Sadsburyville PA 19369

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Black Walnut Winery Blues Fest
Sadsburyville PA 19369

Friday, May 31, 2019

Western Maryland Bluesfest Day 1
Central Lot, North Potomac Street
Hagerstown MD 21740

• • • June • • •

Saturday, June 1, 2019

Chester County Blues Barbecue @ Wyndsor Farm
Elverson PA (2PM-7PM) rain or shine

Western Maryland Bluesfest Day 2
Central Lot, North Potomac Street
Hagerstown MD 21740

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Saint Georges Blues Festival
Fort DuPont Parade Grounds
Delaware City DE 19706

Blues, Brews & Barbecue
Allentown PA 18101 (Noon-10PM)

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Saint Georges Blues Festival
Fort DuPont Parade Grounds
Delaware City DE 19706

Billtown Blues Festival
Lycoming County Fairgrounds
Hughesville PA 17737

Saturday, June 15, 2019

State Street Blues Stroll
Business district in Media PA 19063
headline act at Media Theatre 8:15PM-10PM
Many other acts throughout the area within walking distance of
the Media Theatre, throughout the evening

• • • July • • •

Briggs Farm Blues Festival early-bird pricing:
Thursday, July 11th through Sunday, July 15th
1-day (Friday or Saturday): $30
1-day (Thursday or Sunday): $20
2-day (Friday & Saturday): $55
4-day (Thursday thru Sunday): $85
3-day (Friday thru Sunday) plus camping: $95
4-day (Thursday thru Sunday) plus camping: $120

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Briggs Farm Blues Festival Pre-Festival Night Back Porch Party
88 Old Berwick Highway, Nescopeck PA 18635
570-379-3342
performers TBA

Friday, July 12, 2019

Briggs Farm Blues Festival Day 1
88 Old Berwick Highway, Nescopeck PA 18635
570-379-3342
performers TBA

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Briggs Farm Blues Festival Day 2
88 Old Berwick Highway, Nescopeck PA 18635
570-379-3342
performers TBA

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Briggs Farm Blues Festival Day 3
88 Old Berwick Highway, Nescopeck PA 18635
570-379-3342
performers TBA

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Bucks County Blues Society R & B Picnic
@ Snipes Farm, in Morrisville PA 19067

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Susquehanna Folk Festival
Roundtop Mountain Resort
Lewisberry PA 17339

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Susquehanna Folk Festival
Roundtop Mountain Resort
Lewisberry PA 17339

• • • August • • •

• • • September • • •

[Return To Top Of Blues Events]

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[Return To Top Of Blues Calendar]

Regularly occurring (weekly, monthly) blues jams and events

           Weekly

• • • every Tuesday • • •

Ursula Ricks hosts "Cats Eye Blues Jam" @ The Cats Eye Pub
Baltimore (Fells Point) MD 21231 (9PM)

Nate Myers and The Aces @ Grotto Pub
Enola PA

• • • every Wednesday • • •

Mikey Jr. @ The Twisted Tail 8PM
Philadelphia PA

• • • every Sunday • • •

Blues Brunch and Jam with The Philly Blues Kings
@ Jamey's House Of Music
Lansdowne PA 19050 (11:30AM-4:30PM) $4

Mikey Jr. leads blues jam 5PM-9PM @ The Twisted Tail
Philadelphia PA

           Monthly

Fred Miller Blues Band @ The Rusty Nail
Blues Jam 8PM last Sunday of each month
Ardmore PA

    Jonny's Top Twenty-Five Blues Songs 2017

Vanessa Collier "Cry Out"
Eight O'Five Jive "Never"
David Brinston "I Drinks My Whiskey"
Linsey Alexander "Starting Monday"
Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers "Pretty Good For A Girl"
Eric Bibb "We Had To Move"
Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo' "Ain't Nobody Talkin'"
Karen Lovely "Next Time"
Chuck Berry "Eyes Of Man"
Cecile McLorin Salvant "Wild Women Don't Have The Blues"
Big Bill Morganfield "Help Someone"
Southern Avenue "80 Miles From Memphis"
Mr. Sipp "Juke Joint"
Polly O'Keary "Hard Hearted World"
Robert Cray "You Must Believe In Yourself"
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats "Dissed Again"
Reverend Sekou "In Times Like These"
Willa Vincitore "Love Looks Good On Me"
Stew Cutler & Friends "Gumbo Trane"
Ms. Jody "Where I Come From"
Alabama Mike "Meet Me In The Bottom"
James Armstrong "Old Man In The Morning (Young Man At Night)"
Eric Gales "Boogie Man"
Harrison Kennedy "Afraid To Fail"
Selwyn Birchwood "My Whiskey Loves My Ex"

[Return To Top Of Page]

[Return To Top Of Blues Events]

The ten-album series Worried Blues from Fat Possum Records reissues some
music from some wonderful albums recorded by Gene Rosenthal,
some issued on LP in the 1960s and 1970s, and all issued on CDs in the 1990s
in the "Blue Vault" series on the Genes label.
The albums in this series did not enjoy wide promotion and distribution
at the time of issue. Now in the Worried Blues series, they do.

Some of these draw from two originally issued albums, and as such, have
to omit some songs from the original releases. Others are straight reissues of original
albums in the series, and some of those lack a few tracks from those originals.
Possibly this is the result of issues around the publishing of those songs,
though it is unfortunate.
The liner notes in the series are almost all "adapted"
(significantly abridged versions of the excellent notes in the original releases).
Some of the original releases are still around, available as used discs
or ocassionally new, still wrapped. The reissues are
generally much less expensive, can be downloaded as mp3s, and will
come out on LPs for those who want that format in September.

I have found the Discogs website useful, not only for checking info on these particular albums, but also usually a good source of info about the personnel on albums, the dates and places where they were recorded, and the different editions in which they have been issued.

R. L. Burnside—Worried Blues—
straight reissue of My Black Name A-Ringin' released on CD in 1991 by
Genes Records through Adelphi label. Original had much more extensive liner notes
and photos. Reissue liner notes lack name of harmonica player Red Ramsey
who plays on several tracks.
originally issued on Genes Records - GCD 9917

Reverend Gary Davis—Worried Blues—
reissue of O, Glory - The Apostolic Studio Sessions which came out on Edsel label
in 1996, missing two cuts from the original CD. Liner notes significantly abridged,
fail to mention the name of harmonica player Larry Johnson
who plays on four songs.
originally issued on CD by Edsel Records - EDCD 482; LP "O, Glory" issued in
1973 by Adelphi Records.

Honeyboy Edwards—Worried Blues—
reissue of Don't Mistreat A Fool album released 1999 Genes label missing three songs from original release (including both that had
Big Walter Horton on harmonica); abridged liner notes
original issue on CD by Genes Records - GCD 9914

Mississippi John Hurt—Worried Blues—
original issue was issued as a double CD, and also apparently
as separate single CDs.
The reissue omits some of the songs and also omits an interview with Hurt
conducted by Pete Seeger on disc two of the original.
Abridged liner notes and art.
both albums/volumes issued together as double CD
Mississippi John Hurt Memorial Anthology
by Genes label - GCD 9906/7 in 1993
Volume 1: released by Edsel Records - EDCD 381 in 1994
Volume 2: released by Edsel Records - EDCD 446 in 1997

Skip James—Worried Blues—
straight reissue of his album She Lyin' which came out in 1993 from Genes Records.
This has all the songs on the original, though abridged liner notes. This is an album of
guitar-based songs. Skip also did a wonderful piano album for Genes, but that is not
reissued in the Worried Blues series, at least not yet.
original issue on Genes Records - GCD 9901 in 1993

Furry Lewis—Worried Blues—
this album draws some songs from two albums in the original Blues Vault series,
On The Road Again (which had come out on LP in 1969) and Take Your Time.
The album "On The Road Again" had some tracks with famed Memphis banjo player Gus Cannon and guitarist Bukka White,
but those songs are among the omitted titles.
On The Road Again originally issued on CD by Genes Records - GCD 9918
Take Your Time originally issued on CD by Genes Records - GCD 9911

Little Brother Montgomery—Worried Blues—
this is a straight reissue of Montgomery's No Special Rider CD album
for the Genes label (issued 1999 on CD; 1969 LP issue had two fewer cuts),
with abridged liner notes. On some songs
Jeanne Carroll is the vocalist. Guitarist Mike Stewart plays on some tracks.

Houston Stackhouse—Worried Blues—
reissue of the album Cryin' Won't Help You minus two of its tracks, originally
released on CD in 1994. The highly abridged liner notes are unfortunate,
as the extensive info in the original liner notes included much about the artist
that was previously unpublished and not known.
original label: Genes Records - GCD 9904.

Bukka White—Worried Blues—
reissue of album 1963 Isn't 1962
issued by Genes Records - GCD 9903 in 1994.

Reverend Robert Wilkins—Worried Blues—
reissue of Remember Me album, abridged liner notes
originally issued 1993 on Genes label (GCD 9902).

[Return To Top Of Blues Calendar]

[Return To Top Of Page]

About The Blues Show and Jonny Meister

The Blues Show airs every Saturday night from 7:00 to Midnight on XPN. Host Jonny Meister explores this music and its history not only because it is the key ingredient in later rock and pop music, but also because of its own special allure and unique power as a style of music and expression of the human soul.

The Blues Show covers the entire history of the blues from 1920 to the present, from the best-known to the most obscure blues, with focus on the present-day blues, but with an eye on the rich history of this music and its large body of timeless recordings.

Host Jonny Meister has been playing the blues on WXPN since March 1977. Meister grew up with old blues records in the house. His father played boogie woogie on the piano, which Jonny learned at about the age of 12. Later he played in rock bands and did a few solo gigs as a singer-songwriter. As his interest in blues grew, he became especially interested in the history of the music, a history not always revealed by the rock musicians and their promoters who drew heavily on the blues.

Jonny spent a week with the family of the late, great blues musician J. B. Lenoir in 1979, and he was one of the consultants for the Wim Wenders film The Soul Of A Man which featured Lenoir, in the PBS film series The Blues. He won the "Keeping The Blues Alive" award for work in Public Radio for The Blues Show in 2000 and a "Best of Philly" award from Philadelphia Magazine in 1996 for "Best Local Radio Show".

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