Come Saturday, the city of Thomson will once again be happy to have the blues.
The 15th annual Blind Willie McTell Blues festival, which pays tribute to Thomson's native son, has over the years attracted the best and brightest of blues artists to a (normally) quiet pasture just off Interstate 20.
This year's festival features a guitar hero or two, a man on a musical mission and an authentic legend of gospel and soul. Here's a look at this year's lineup.
Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.
Duke Robillard
BORN: Oct. 4, 1948, in Woosocket, R.I.
A practitioner of all forms of traditional electric guitar music, including rock, blues, jazz and rockabilly, Mr. Robillard formed the still-active Roomful of Blues Band in 1967 and has been nominated for the Blues Music Awards Guitarist of the Year award seven times in the past 10 years, and won four.
HAS PLAYED WITH: Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and the Fabulous Thunderbirds
MOST RECENT RELEASE: A Swingin' Session with Duke Robillard
Mike Farris
A former secular singer who has dedicated his life and music to God, Mr. Farris combines aspects of rock, gospel and soul into songs that sound very little like the Contemporary Christian norm. After his Blind Willie appearance, Mr. Farris will play at the monolithic Bonnaroo festival in June.
PLAYED WITH: Double Trouble, the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Salvation in Lights
Anson Funderburgh
BORN: Nov. 15, 1954, in Plano, Texas
Mr. Funderburgh plays a fusion of the taut Texas jump and more traditional Delta blues with his band the Rockets. He's best known for his work with longtime collaborator Sam Myers. Initially inspired by the music he heard in Texas blues joints, he formed the Rockets in 1978 and brought Mr. Myers into the fold in 1982.
PLAYED WITH: Lightnin' Hopkins and the Fabulous Thunderbirds
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Which Way is Texas (2003)
Mavis Staples
BORN: July 10, 1939, in Chicago
Ms. Staples began her career as a member of the famous Staple Singers in 1950. Closely associated with the civil rights movement, the group is often remembered for songs that value message as well as music, including Walk to D.C. and When Will We Be Paid? Ms. Staples has been making solo records since the early 1970s and remains a fan favorite, particularly in Europe on the festival circuit.
HAS PLAYED WITH: Booker T and the MGs, Curtis Mayfield, Prince and Ry Cooder
MOST RECENT RELEASE: We'll Never Look Back (2007)
Mary Flower
HAILS FROM: Delphi, Ind.
Although she first garnered notice for her finger-picking prowess with the Denver-based Mother Folkers collective, in recent years Ms. Flowers has given herself over to the blues. She plays a traditional acoustic style reminiscent of the Robert Johnson.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Bywater Dance (2005)
Geoff Achison
A self-taught guitarist, Mr. Achison developed his style listening to blues records while growing up in rural Australia. Discouraged with the music industry, he went on to release his music on his own Jupiter 2 label.
PLAYED WITH: Hot Tuna, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Acho Solo (2007)
The Crosstie Walkers
This Thomson-based act formed in 1992 has released a steady stream of albums over the years. Combining elements of country, power pop and rock, the band swims in much the same waters as Wilco and Ryan Adams.
PLAYED WITH: Chuck Leavell, Guadalcanal Diary
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Headed Home (2006)
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