COMMEMORATIVE FESTIVAL GUIDE 2015
PRESENTING SPONSOR 2015
Mazda of Midland/Odessa is comprised of Mazda of Midland and SKY Mazda of Odessa. Mazda of Midland is located on Loop 250 North in Midland, while SKY Mazda of Odessa is located on Loop 338 and Hwy 80 in Odessa, but soon to open a brand new retail facility on the corner of 52nd and Tanglewood in Odessa. The new dealership is scheduled to open January of 2016. Also exciting news for the same owner group as they have just opened a Volkswagen dealership located next to Mazda of Midland on Loop 250. “We are very excited to open the VW dealership and be able to offer another make of new vehicle to West Texans,” said Chris Robin, president of the dealerships. All three dealerships offer a large selection of pre-owned cars and trucks across nearly every make and model, as well as brand new vehicles. It is the mission of these dealerships to bring ease and integrity to the car buying process making it a quick, easy and enjoyable experience. Mazda of Midland, SKY Mazda of Odessa and Volkswagon of Midland Odessa wish you a fun-filled experience at this year’s Fest. We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of Tall City Blues Fest 2015 and a part of making it possible to showcase such incredible talent here in West Texas. 4
Letter from the Producer
It’s year five and we’re alive…more than ever! It’s hard to believe this is year five of the Fest already, but I will say that it feels amazing to be on solid ground. This thing is starting to catch on and we feel so blessed by our Presenting Sponsor Mazda of Midland/Odessa, our Founders Family, Spotlight Sponsors, Corporate Sponsors, Underwriters, Lodging Sponsors, Workshop Sponsors, our VIPs and Fest patrons. Each of you plays an important part in making the Fest come together and giving us the latitude to continue raising the bar. This year we adopted the tag line, “where the magic happens” because that is exactly what it feels like. We’ve grown our Founders Family by more than double and welcomed new sponsors on board in a year where the price of oil that drives our economy is down. Starting on page 18, you’ll find pages about the performers. I can’t even express in words how excited I feel that we can be showcasing this line-up of such incredible talent. It continues to amaze me the humility that we keep finding in such talented musicians who have every thing in the world to be boastful about and yet choose to just keep “doing their work”. That’s the beautiful thing about the blues, though. I’m thankful every day that there are souls in this world who brave the choppy waters of being a working musician and make the world a better place in the process. I truly wish you a magical experience at this year’s Fest. To indulge, behold and enjoy all that is the blues. As one of this year’s performers, Jarekus Singleton, puts it…the blues is honest music and I can’t think of a better note on which to close. In the Blues,
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CONCERT SCHEDULE Friday, July 10 (Cimarex Energy Main Stage) Gates Open at 5 PM. 6 PM Big Jim Adam (Melbourne, FL) 2012 Telluride Acoustic Blues Winner 7 PM Noah Wotherspoon (Dayton, OH) 2015 2nd Place Winner International Blues Challenge and Best Gibson Guitarist 8:15 PM Lionel Young Band (Denver, CO) 2011 Winner of the International Blues Challenge (Band) and 2008 Winner of the International Blues Challenge (Solo/Duo) 9:30 PM Brandon Santini (Memphis, TN) 2014 Blues Music Awards Nominee for Instrumentalist-Harmonica and Contemporary Blues Album of the Year (This Time Another Year) 10:45 PM Big Llou’s All-Star Jam (Chicago, IL) 2013 Blues Music Awards Recipient for Best New Artist Debut
Saturday, July 11 (Doubletree Indoor Jam Stage) Women in Blues Showcase, presented by Navarrete & Schwartz Doors open at 12 PM.
1 PM In Layman Terms (Williamsburg, VA) Named by VEER magazine as Best Emerging Artist in 2014 2 PM Lisa Mann (Portland, OR) 2015 Blues Music Awards Recipient for Instrumentalist-Bass Blue Blast Magazine’s 2014 Sean Costello Rising Star of the Year 3 PM Annika Chambers (Houston, TX) 2015 Blues Music Awards Nominee for Best New Artist Debut (Making My Mark) 4 PM Missy Andersen (San Diego, CA) 2015 Blues Music Awards Nominee for Soul Blues Female Artist
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CONCERT SCHEDULE Saturday, July 11 (Cimarex Energy Main Stage) Gates Open at 4 PM. 5 PM Darren Welch (Lubbock, TX) West Texas Invitational Act 5:45 PM Tas Cru & His Band of Tortured Souls (Syracuse, NY) 2014 Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Education 2013 New York State Blues Hall of Fame Master Blues Artist 7 PM Jarekus Singleton (Clinton, MS) 2015 Blues Music Award Nominee for Album of the Year (Refuse to Lose), Contemporary Blues Album of the Year (Refuse to Lose) and Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year 8:15 PM Anthony Gomes (Toronto, CA) #1 Billboard Charting Musician and Music Tasters Choice Top 10 Guitarists in the World 9:30 Headliner, Telarc Recording Artist Tab Benoit (Houma, LA) Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Inductee and Eight-Time Blues Music Awards Recipient 11 PM Finale Act, Mr. Sipp (McComb, MS) 2014 International Blues Challenger Winner
Sunday, July 12 (Ballroom of the Doubletree-South Tower) Sunday Gospel Brunch
Led by Big Jim Adam and Big Llou Johnson In partnership with Macedonia Baptist Church Special performances by Pervis Evans and Sue Roseberry Plus appearances by Fest Performers Brunch at 11 AM, Service 11:30 AM – 1 PM Separately ticketed from the Fest. Tickets $35/Founders, $50/Non-Founders. 7
WORKSHOPS in partnership with
In partnership with Midland College, Tall City Blues Fest presents the following workshops at this year’s Fest. All workshops will be held inside designated rooms at the Doubletree on Saturday, July 11, and are available to both Festival attendees as well as those not attending the Festival. Registration is $20/workshop and 100% of the registration proceeds are donated to provide scholarships for KIDS’ College at Midland College. SING THE BLUES Instructor: Lisa Mann (Portland, OR) Start Time: 10 AM (90 minutes) Ages: 14+ Min Enrollment: 4 Max Enrollment: 20 Location: Room 1113 If you’ve ever wanted to sing the blues or add a blues sound to your singing in other styles, this workshop will give you the tools you need. This workshop will cover many technical and melodic aspects that are rooted in the blues, but not exclusive to it. Topics covered include note-bending, singing minor-over-major, belting, and growling, as well as learning about basic blues song forms such as 12 bar, 8 bar, and 16 bar blues. We’ll listen to examples of these techniques from the very best in blues music and you’ll be singing the blues in no time. Handouts will be provided along with a suggested listening list. 8
What to Bring: An interest in singing the blues or adding the blues to your repertoire.
ADVANCED ELECTRIC BLUES GUITAR Made Possible by Peyton’s Bikes Instructor: Noah Wotherspoon (Dayton, OH) Start Time: 10 AM (90 minutes) Ages: 14+ Min Enrollment: 1 Max Enrollment: None Location: Room 1117 This workshop is an advanced A-Z workshop that will begin with demonstrating the basic blues feels on guitar including shuffles, slow blues, jump/boogie and various turnarounds, and then covering slide guitar techniques including playing slide in both standard and open tunings. General soloing techniques such as phrasing, using space while soloing, string bending and vibrato will also be covered. What to Bring: An electric guitar and small amp, along with intermediate experience with electric guitar.
THE BUSINESS OF BLUES Instructor: Big Llou Johnson (Chicago, IL) Start Time: 11:45 AM (60 minutes) Ages: 14+ Min Enrollment: 1 Max Enrollment: None Location: Room 1113 A specialized workshop led by celebrity blues man, Big Llou Johnson, this workshop is specifically designed for those who are working in the world of blues or have a desire to start. Participants will learn about the business side of the blues with topics covered including artist branding; getting, keeping and working with agents; money; marketing and social media. Big LLou Johnson owned and operated one of Chicago’s most successful talent agencies and has contributed his voice talent in both film and TV. His voice is heard by millions as the voice of B.B. Kings Bluesville Channel 70 on Sirius/XM and he is the recipient of the prestigious Blues Music Award for his debut album “They Call Me Big Llou”. Attendees will gain valuable insight into the world of blues entertainment from one of it’s best known voices. What to Bring: A notebook. 9
WORKSHOPS in partnership with
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF STAGE PRESENCE (Ages 10+) Instructor: Annika Chambers (Houston, TX) Start Time: 1 PM (60 minutes) Ages: 10+ Min Enrollment: 2 Max Enrollment: 10 Location: Room 1113 This workshop is not theory chock-full with silly tips and tricks, but rather an interactive workshop where you will learn simple changes that can bolster your confidence while performing and help you better understand how to engage your audiences. Designed for those that are already performing and would like to hone their stage presence skills or for those contemplating performing and need some basic pointers. What to Bring: Enthusiasm and an open mind.
KIDS DIG THE BLUES: SONGS AND FUN FOR KIDS Made Possible by Linn Energy Instructor: Tas Cru (Syracuse, NY) Start Time: 2 PM (45 minutes) Ages: 6-12 and Adults Min Enrollment: 3 Max Enrollment: None Location: Room 1117 This workshop is for two audiences – kids interested in guitar and those interested in providing/performing blues programs for kids. 2014 Keeping the Blues Alive recipient, Tas Cru, will teach kids that the blues is much more than just sad, old songs, but rather the foundation for most of today’s popular music. For those looking to provide kids programming, he will model how to engage kids and elicit participation by harnessing their natural high-energy. 10
What to Bring: Enthusiasm and a willingness to take risks.
ACOUSTIC SLIDE GUITAR Made Possible by Kennedy Minerals, Ltd. Instructor: Big Jim Adam (Melbourne, FL) Start Time: 2:15 PM (45 minutes) Ages: 14+ Min Enrollment: 1 Max Enrollment: 6 Location: Room 1113 This workshop will include a discussion and demonstration of basic slide guitar techniques, as well as study alternate tunings and touch on using chords in these alternate tunings. What to Bring: An acoustic guitar and a slide along with a working knowledge of acoustic guitar.
GET YOUR RHYTHM...AND BLUES Made Possible by Midland Root Beer Instructor: In Layman Terms (Williamsburg, VA) Start Time: 3:30 PM (60 minutes) Ages: All ages Min Enrollment: 3 Max Enrollment: 12 Location: Room 1117 Come explore rhythmical synergy by being a part of this percussion circle. Every participant will be provided with some type of percussion instrument whether it’s a tambourine, spoons, egg shaker, washboard, scraper or bells. Some blues history will also be woven into this workshop. What to Bring: An interest in rhythm and an enthusiasm for playing percussion instruments.
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Featured Artist
Chelsea Putman was born in Austin and works in a variety of two dimensional mediums, but has occasionally incorporated sculpture into her work. She completed a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts with honors at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 2014. While attending UTPB Chelsea had a solo show, was accepted in local shows, accepted into an international show, assisted curating in galleries and worked as a studio assistant for two years in the UTPB three dimensional art building. Chelsea has most recently been working on multiple commissioned portrait drawings and developing a body of work portraying realistic figures intertwined with geometric shapes. She and artist Gabby Fostel have just started a company called Visual West, which will be a free service available to local businesses that will allow them to contract with local artists giving them the chance to showcase and sell their work outside of a gallery setting. Chelsea is currently working as an account executive for The Midland Reporter-Telegram and resides in Odessa with her family. 12
“A festival implies that it’s more than just a concert,” said Lisa Grissom, creator and producer of the Fest. “So in addition to the showcase of award-winning talent on our stages, we also want to incorporate visual art into the Fest. We do this in two ways: One is with our Featured Artist program and the other is through our Silent Art Auction.”
About the Featured Artist Program Since its beginning in 2011, Tall City Blues Fest has commissioned an artist for $1,000 to design the Festival Guide Cover Art and Commemorative Poster each year. “We want to stimulate and encourage the creation of visual art and also provide our patrons with a piece of commemorative memorabilia that they can collect from every year of the Fest,” said Grissom. To purchase your own personal print of the 2015 Commemorative Poster or a set of all five years posters, go to the Festival Merchandise Tent next to the stage.
About the Silent Art Auction This year’s Silent Art Auction is sponsored by InWest Retirement Solutions and features 27 different works of art. Over 40 pieces were submitted for consideration this year and the art selected was juried by a selection committee to be showcased in this year’s Auction. “We’re starting to focus on more contemporary art for the Auction and I’m very pleased with the selections that were made,” said Andrew Lawson, Art Auction Coordinator. Each artist receives 70% on the sale of their work and this year’s Auction also includes a Buy It Now price. This year’s judge is Associate Professor of Arts at UTPB, Nancy Hart. She will bestow 1st place in each category, as well as a Best Overall in Show. The Auction will open for bidding at 5 PM on Friday, July 10 and will be located outside on the Fest grounds this year for easier access to bid. The Auction will close Saturday evening at 11:30 PM shortly before the Fest concludes.
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SILENT ART AUCTION
Andrew Lawson - “It’s A Trap!”
Anna Colomo - “Sonya”
Tom Noll - “Lucille” 14
Andrew Lawson & Brad King - “Depth of Pride”
Brett McElmurry - “Big Boho”
Carolyn Hobby - “Coo Wee”
Presented by InWest Retirement Solutions
Chelsea Putman - “Drinking & Driving”
Dee Kemp - “The Saxophone”
Jennifer Hagan - “Othniyel”
Chelsea Putman “Midland Fair”
Elizabeth Orani - “Music Creates the Universe”
Brad King - “Positioned”
Wallace Craig - “Mr. Sipp” 15
SILENT ART AUCTION
Jesse Trjo - “Anillo De Cobre Teapot”
Jo Turner - “Way Out West”
Jolene Ropiak - “Wax Poetic Peacock”
Julio Robles - “La casa de la playa” 16
Joe Vincent Franco “Vibrations”
Judy G. Tartt - “Satchmo”
Karen Hollowell - “Big Joe Williams”
Presented by InWest Retirement Solutions
Rene Hernandez - “Home Bound” Lauren Van Zandt - “Bone Daddy Blues”
Sarah January - “Rest”
Sunny Marler “Ammonite Study B”
Sheena Saighal - “Walk Down The Street”
Tammy Fostel A Face of Nature”
Tammy Fostel “My Duty my Honor” 17
About the Performers Big Jim Adam BIG JIM ADAM (Melbourne, FL) Performance Time: Friday, July 10th at 6 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage Acoustic Slide Guitar (Ages 14+) Made possible by Kennedy Minerals, Ltd. Saturday, July 11 @ 2:15 PM Room 1113 (inside the Doubletree) Jim is a true historian of the blues and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fest. As the 2012 Telluride Acoustic Blues Winner, he will be performing solo acoustic opening this year’s Fest on a smooth, but lively note. He will also be co-leading the Sunday Gospel Brunch along with Big Llou Johnson, as well as teaching an Acoustic Slide Guitar workshop.
Noah Wotherspoon NOAH WOTHERSPOON (Dayton, OH) Performance Time: Friday, July 10th at 7 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage
Advanced Electric Blues Guitar (Ages 14+) Made possible by Peyton’s Bikes Saturday, July 11 @ 10 AM • Room 1117 (inside the Doubletree) A prolific songwriter, Noah weaves his six-string skills and expressive vocals into original songs that possess great emotional depth. Seeing him in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge this year only solidified in our minds that we needed to get him to Midland. The fact that he took home second place out of 230+ bands competing was just the icing on the cake! While he is here Noah and his band will be conducting an Advanced Electric Blues Guitar workshop.
Lionel Young Band LIONEL YOUNG BAND (Denver, CO) Performance Time: Friday, July 10th at 8:15 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage
Lionel brings a little something different to the Fest in that his instrument of choice is the violin. The other thing unique about Lionel is that he is the only performer in the history of the International Blues Challenge to take home the title not once, but twice! So we couldn’t pass up a chance to bring this award-winning performer to Midland. 18
About the Performers Brandon Santini BRANDON SANTINI (Memphis, TN) Performance Time: Friday, July 10th at 9:30 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage Brandon embodies an “old soul” type of energy that makes his love and respect for traditional blues shine through his present and colorful style of playing harmonica that is often compared to James Cotton and Paul Butterfield. His sophomore release “This Time Another Year” debuted at #12 on the Living Blues charts and spent three months in the Top 20, as well as picking up a 2014 Blues Music Award nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. That same year he was also nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best Instrumentalist-Harmonica.
Big Llou Johnson BIG LLOU JOHNSON (Chicago, IL) ALL-STAR JAM LEADER Performance Time: Friday, July 10th at 10:45 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage The Business of Blues (Ages 14+) Saturday, July 11 @ 11:45 AM Room 1113 (inside the Doubletree) Big Llou is a celebrity not just in the blues, but also in Hollywood with his work in both film and television. He is also the voice of B.B. King’s Bluesville on Sirius/XM Channel 70. All of these things considered in addition to his 2013 Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut made him the perfect choice to lead our All-Star Jam on Friday night. He will also be co-leading the Sunday Gospel Brunch, as well as teaching a workshop on The Business of Blues. Thank you to all our lodging sponsors this year: ICON Petroleum, D. Craig Smith, John F. Watson & Co., Carolyn Hobby & Wallace Craig, The Corbell Family, Eskimo Hut, Navigator Oil & Minerals, Inc., Kennedy Minerals, Ltd., Vicki Barton-Keller Williams Realty, and Odessa Fence. 19
Women in Blues Showcase In Layman Terms IN LAYMAN TERMS (Williamsburg, VA) Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 1 PM Stage: Doubletree Indoor Jam Stage Get Your Rhythm…and Blues (All Ages) Made possible by Midland Root Beer Saturday, July 11 @ 3:30 PM Room 1117 (inside the Doubletree) This brother/sister duo fronted by sister Logan Layman was recommended to us by Vinny Marini, who hosts a weekly podcast called Music on the Couch and is also our emcee at the Fest. Their foot-stomping percussive style of music combined with their vocal harmonies garnered Logan being named Best Emerging Artist of 2014 by VEER magazine. In 2014, she was the Sea Level Singer/Songwriter’s Emerging Artist of the Year and in 2013 was named “Blues Kid of the Year” by Fernando Jones’ Blues Kids of America. Along with her brother, Cole, they will be leading an all ages drum circle workshop called Get Your Rhythm...and Blues, which is sure to be a total blast.
Lisa Mann
LISA MANN (Portland, OR) Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 2 PM Stage: Doubletree Indoor Jam Stage Sing the Blues (Ages 14+) Saturday, July 11 @ 10 AM Room 1113 (inside the Doubletree) Lisa is both a vocalist and a bass player cultivating clever blues balladry with her considerable prowess on bass guitar. She took home a Blues Music Award this year for Instrumentalist-Bass and was named the Sean Costello Rising Star of the Year in 2014. She has also won three Muddy Waters awards from the Cascade Blues Association for Contemporary Blues Act of the Year, Bass Player of the Year and NW Recording of the Year for her latest release “Move On”. She will be teaching a Sing the Blues workshop that will explore different styles of singing and how to develop your voice. 20
Presented by...
Annika Chambers ANNIKA CHAMBERS (Houston, TX) Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 3 PM Stage: Doubletree Indoor Jam Stage Unleashing the Power of Stage Presence (Ages 10+) Saturday, July 11 @ 1 PM Room 1113 (inside the Doubletree)
Annika brings an element of familiarity to the Fest, as she played last year and was a crowd favorite. She has a set of pipes that will give you chills and quite frankly is emerging as the next big blues singer along the lines of Etta James. She was named Houston’s Best Female Vocalist by the Houston Press in 2013 and her debut release “Making My Mark” was nominated this year for a Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut. “Making My Mark” reached #1 on the Blues 411 Bakers Dozen, #10 on BluesDebut.com, #16 on the Living Blues Charts and #20 on the Roots Music Report. While she is here, she’ll be conducting an informative workshop called Unleashing the Power of Stage Presence.
Missy Andersen MISSY ANDERSEN (San Diego, CA) Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 4 PM Stage: Doubletree Indoor Jam Stage We saw Missy this year at the Blind Raccoon Showcase in Memphis as part of the International Blues Challenge. She was actually supposed to represent the San Diego Blues Society in the Challenge and two months later was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best Soul Blues Female Artist and couldn’t compete because BMA nominees are not eligible to compete in the Challenge. As she said “A BMA nomination is a good problem to have”. Her 2014 release “In The Moment” has held steady on four of the Roots Music Report album charts and was named as one of the Top 50 Albums of 2014 by the Living Blues charts. She brings a soulful R&B style to the Fest that we think you will love. 21
About the Performers
Darren Welch
DARREN WELCH GROUP (Lubbock, TX) Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 5 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage The Darren Welch Group is our West Texas Invitational Act.
Tas Cru & His Band of Tortured Souls TAS CRU & His Band of Tortured Souls (Syracuse, NY) Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 5:45 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage Kids Dig the Blues: Songs and Fun for Kids (Ages 6-12 and Adults) Made possible by Linn Energy Saturday, July 11 @ 2 PM Room 1117 (inside the Doubletree) Tas is another familiar performer from last year’s Fest. He has been dubbed a master of the triple entendre with his songs of poetry crafted with rare verbal flair. His newest release “You Keep the Money” debuted at #1 on the Roots Music Report and topped the Living Blues chart at #3. In 2014, he was honored with a Keeping the Blues Alive award for his work with kids in education, in 2013 he was inducted into the New York State Blues Hall of Fame as a Master Blues Artist and in 2009 was named Blues Artist on the Rise by the Blues Festival Guide. While he is here, he’ll be conducing a songwriting workshop for kids called Kids Dig the Blues: Songs and Fun for Kids, plus he will also be the jam master for Midnight Troubadours.
Anthony Gomes ANTHONY GOMES (Toronto, CA) Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 8:15 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage Claiming a blues soul and a rock-n-roll heart, Anthony brings an an energy and sound to the stage that resembles a hair band vibe. We saw him at the Purple Haze this year in Memphis as part of the Blind Raccoon Showcase that takes place during the International Blues Challenge. He is both a #1 Billboard charting musician as well as one of Music Tasters Choice Top 10 Guitarists in the World. In addition to performing, Anthony is an award-winning blues history scholar and in 2014 his thesis was published and nominated for Best Blues Rock Book of the Year by Blues 411. He also founded The Medicine Foundation in 2010, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives through the healing power of music. 22
About the Performers Jarekus Singleton JAREKUS SINGLETON (Clinton, MS) Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 7 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage You can’t hardly tune the radio to Sirius/XM Channel 70 without hearing songs from Jarekus’ most recent release “Refuse to Lose”. For his work on that album, he garnered three Blues Music Award nominations this year including Album of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year and Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year. Formerly a basketball player, Jarekus began his music career after an injury led him back to his music roots. His rap wordsmithing combined with the music of his Mississippi heritage give his lyrics a certain cadence unique to him making them easily stick in your mind and very relevant to everyday living. As he says “Blues is honest music. I love the blues tradition and have always been inspired by the masters, but I want to create something for today’s audience that is as original and new as those blues masters were when they first started making records.” Jarekus was named Star on the Rise by “Blues & Rhythm” magazine in the UK, King of the Blues in Mississippi by Guitar Center in 2011, Best Blues Artist of the Year in 2012 and Local Artist of the Year in 2013 by the Jackson Music Awards.
Tab Benoit TELARC RECORDING ARTIST, TAB BENOIT (Houma, LA) HEADLINER Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 9:30 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage Last name pronounced “ben-wa” from the French influence of his homeland, Tab is known for his leathery, Cajun-spiced vocals paired with his solid guitar skills. He is an eight-time Blues Music Award winner for categories ranging from Album of the Year to B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. In 2010, he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and he actively works as a wetlands conservationist having received the Governor’s Award for Conservationist of the Year in 2009 from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. He also appeared prominently in “Hurricane on the Bayou”, a 2006 documentary that chronicled life in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Over the course of his 20+ year career as a recording and performing artist, Tab has released 20+ albums and in 2006 his release of “Brother to the Blues” received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album.
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About the Performers Mr. Sipp MR. SIPP (McComb, MS) FINALE ACT Performance Time: Saturday, July 11th at 11 PM Stage: Cimarex Energy Main Stage As a finale act, Mississippi Blues Child, Mr. Sipp could not be a better choice with his high-energy, crowd strolling performances. As the third act returning from last year’s Fest, both his familiarity and star-qualities make him the perfect choice to keep your energy up even after the headliner. Since taking home the title of the International Blues Challenge in 2014, he has been on a meteoric climb to stardom and remains humbled letting his Gospel roots keep him grounded. Last year, Sipp starred in the James Brown biopic “Get On Up”, received a nomination for National Artist of the Year by the Jackson Music Awards, was awarded Best Gibson Guitarist and was the first recipient of the Bobby Rush Award bestowed by the Just Blues Music Awards.
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FESTIVAL FOUNDERS FAMILY Festival Founders are a group of 100 individuals, couples and families that make a one-time contribution to the Fest in exchange for lifetime tickets, plus many additional perks and privileges exclusive to Founders. If you’d like to become a Founder, please see the back side of this page for more info or go to tallcitybluesfest.com/becoming-a-festival-founder. Once all 100 spots are sold, this will never be offered again. Founders are listed in date order: Eddie & Debbie Wallace Dan & Joan Bohannon The Kennedy Brothers John Baber Anonymous Couple Chris & Amy Robin Tommy & Laurie Churchwell Buddy & Kathy White D. Craig Smith Marc & Kay Maddox Wallace H. Craig Carolyn A. Hobby Robin & Kasey Vasicek Steve & Vicki Thomas Anonymous Individual David H. Arrington Danny & Durlene McNeese Bob Thrasher Garry Lloyd Jamie & Alison Small Ronnie & Kathy Brown David & Rhonda Hunter Jamey & Brenda Lucas Roy & Carolyn Nelson Jeff & Val Sparks Scott & Beth Dufford Edward Rowland, D.C. Richard Steinberg Jim & Nancy Sparr David & Sharon Farmer Briggs & Susannah Donaldson
Rocky & Dottie Holly The Marks Family The Dial Family of Odessa Cary & Arlene Love Family Von Blake Jeff & Sabrina Parras Mike & Cathie Party Craig & Judy Brown Kim & Vicki Barton Eulonda Everest Jane Samuelson Trinia L. Rowland Kevin & Penny Crosson Chuck & Paula Howbert Kirk & Debbie Smith Joey & Tabitha Robinson Bill & Kaye Muser Chris & Natalie Bell Earl & Lynn Freeman Mark & Jennifer Caples Mark & Kathy Coats The Makowsky Family Todd and Marihya Houck The Corbell Family Cassie Stinson & Barry Holtz Richard & Debbie Lemon Mitzi & David Thomas Ted Mowers Lou & Kathey Lint Sharla Baker Sloan Bob & Kathy Bradshaw
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Tall City Blues Festival Founder Campaign BECOME A FESTIVAL FOUNDER Being a Festival Founder means having lifetime tickets to the Fest in exchange for a one-time contribution of $1,061. On the coattails of having validated both the economic and cultural impact of Tall City Blues Fest in West Texas, we’ve launched this opportunity to become a Festival Founder and be a grass-roots part of continuing an event that embodies the type of entrepreneurial, forwardthinking energy that West Texas symbolizes. This opportunity is limited to 100 individuals, couples or families. After that, it will never be offered again.
ABOUT THE FEST Tall City Blues Fest is at the heart of the human connection. In addition to showcasing award-winning performers and creating tourism, the Fest offers a culturally diverse attraction in West Texas and enhances the community by making a quality family-friendly event available in the local region. According the Midland Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tall City Blues Fest has generated a more than $500,000 in economic impact and continues to grow into a significant event that West Texans and others look forward to annually. Tall City Blues Fest is more than just a music festival; it also offers educational and visual arts opportunities. In partnership with Midland College, educational workshops are held during the Fest and have generated more than $5,000 that was donated for KIDS’ College scholarships. Every year the Fest commissions an artist for $1,000 to design the commemorative poster and cover art of the festival guide. Additionally, the Fest also holds a silent art auction where participating artists receive 70 percent of the sale of their art. Thus far, the Fest has helped generate more than $8,600 in art auction commissions paid directly to artists.
AS A FESTIVAL FOUNDER, YOU WILL RECEIVE: • Two (2) Lifetime Weekend Festival Passes • Annual Commemorative Festival Founder Laminate • Festival Founder Insignia T-Shirt • Complimentary Admission to Wang Dang Doodles • Line-Up Release Party Special Reserve Privileges • Complimentary Tickets to Fest Kick-Off Party • Founders Exclusive VIP Pricing & Discounted Sponsorships • Founders Only Exclusive Lodging Rates & Ticketing • Festival Founders Dedication Banner at Fest • Founders Dedication Page on Website & in Annual Festival Guide
Festival Founder Contribution Form
Date
Name of Founder: I want to be listed as: I would prefer to be Anonymous.
Only individual, couple of family names; no business names. (Example: John Doe, John & Jane Doe or The Doe Family)
I’d like to take advantage the Founders VIP program and upgrade my 2015 Founder Passes to VIP for $125/each (50% discount). (Includes all VIP privileges, plus complimentary Midnight Troubadours.)
Please check amt enclosed
$1,061 (One-Time Contribution)
Please make check payable to “TCBF Founders Capital”. 26
$1186 (Incl One VIP Upgrade)
Return mail to: 3001 W. Loop 250 North Suite C-105, PMB 263 Midland, TX 79705
$1311 (Incl Two VIP Upgrades)
Your email address
Spouse or relative email address (if applicable)
MIDLAND COUNTY F A I R
Midland County Horseshoe Arena & Pavilion
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Chamber in 2015! Download the new Fort Davis app
$79 Registration fee includes:
Banding Sessions Lectures Keynote Dinner Festival T-shirt Opening Reception
www.fortdavis.com www.fortdavis.com
available on Google Play and the App Store! 800-524-3015 800-524-3015
info@fortdavis.com info@fortdavis.com
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When everyone forgets how to drive. Roy Ellis Nelson, Agent 910 W Wall St Midland, TX 79701 Bus: 432-682-2251 roy.nelson.g4ik@statefarm.com
I’m your agent for that. On those crazy days, just know that I have your back. With my help and the backing of my great team, I’ll have you back on the road and driving happy in no time. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7. ®
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State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company Bloomington, IL 31
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