Held at River's Edge on the picturesque Apple River in Somerset, Wisconsin, the Apple River Blues Festival, sponsored jointly by River's Edge and the Bayfront Blues Festival returns for its second year with an all-star musical lineup. Nationally known River's Edge Supper Club, founded in 1946 by Jack and Alice Raleigh, has remained a family business and grown into a major attraction in western Wisconsin over the past half a century. Just a short drive from the Twin Cities, River's Edge helped pioneer the river tubing industry in 1967, added a spectacular water park in 1983, and a full service camping resort in 1985. Serving as the host to many major rock and country festivals since 1982, last year, River's Edge teamed up with the Bayfront Blues Festival to introduce the blues as a major attraction to this superb setting. This year’s exciting lineup features local favorites Ross William Perry, Big George Jackson, the Joel Johnson Band, Howard "Guitar" Ludtke, Jack Knife and the Sharps, West Side Andy & the Mel Ford Band, and the Jay Stulo Band. Returning to his home stomping grounds is harp ace R.J. Mischo and direct from the blues clubs of Chicago are Ronnie Baker Brooks, Billy Branch, Sam Cockrell and the Groove, and legend Eddie C. Campbell. From south Florida you will be treated to the steaming gumbo and screaming slide guitar of Bill "The Sauce Boss" Wharton. From Michigan we are honored to present the grand dame of Detroit blues, Miss Alberta Adams. Be prepared to jump to the raw, hill-country, Delta blues of R.L. Burnside and stomp to the scathing slide guitar attack of John Mooney. What festival would be complete without some dance-party Zydeco music and who better to deliver it than one of the worlds most highly recognized Zydeco figures, Buckwheat Zydeco. And finally, get ready to rock out to rock and roll icon Eric Burdon and the New Animals, and America’s quintessential rhythm and blues band The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Apple River Blues Festival
June 23-25, 2000
Somerset, WI
Lineup
Brochure Bios
Bayfront Blues Festivals Website