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(CAMARILLO,
CA) - The 13th Annual Ventura County
Blues Festival, Southern California's Longest-Running
Yearly Big Blues Event, returns on Saturday, April 28, to Studio Channel Islands,
2222
E. Ventura Blvd., in Camarillo. Gates open 10:00 am, music begins
at 11:00 am. Tickets $30. (Pre-Sale), $40. (Day of Show). Kids 12 and under,
free with paid Adult General Admission. V.I.P. Tickets $125. (online
only). Festival proceeds benefits Food Share, Safety Harbor Kids and
other local charities (please bring a nonperishable food item to donate
to Food Share). Info: (805) 501-7122 or visit venturacountyblues.com/.
Benefiting Safety Harbor Kids and other local charities. Donations
welcome.
"We
look forward to carrying on this tradition for many years to
come," says Michael John, Ventura County Blues Society President.
"Because of the support of sponsors and the generosity of all the
volunteers donating their time, we anticipate the Ventura County Blues
Festival will continue to grow as it has each year."
The Festival is dedicated to the late
musician and actor, Mickey Jones.
Statement About Mickey
Jones's Passing From VCBS President, Michael John
"The Passing of our dear brother and friend
Mickey Jones will leave an empty place in our hearts. Anyone who ever
had the honor to meet Mickey knows what a very special human being he
was. Not just because of the incredible life he lived, but the person
he was. He was always there for anyone that needed a helping hand, all
you had to do is just ask. He worked as hard on charity events as he
did on his long successful career as a professional musician and actor.
I met Mickey several years ago at a charity event which we were both
involved in, we talked for a while and realized we both lived in the
same town, Simi Valley. We became very close friends as we had a lot of
common interests, the love of family, friends, music and a bond that
lasted for many years working to support our community. There will
never be another person like Mickey, he has touch the hearts of so many
people.
"I believe things happen for a reason
and our paths crossing was meant to be, to call him a brother and
friend to me and my family was a blessing. I think it is only
fitting that The 13th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival is dedicated
to the man who truly made a difference in the lives of so many. We will
have an all-star jam to close the festival this year which will have
many very special guests. In addition, there will be an silent auction
which will help the Jones family through these hard times. I ask all
music fans to come out and join us in the celebration of Mickey’s life
for the whole day of great music and some great surprises. This
will be an amazing day, come out and celebrate this day with us while
doing something positive for our community. Thank you Mickey for all
you have done, your love, your friendship, your humor and your wisdom.
We will always love you and keep you in our hearts forever."
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This year's lineup features multiple former Grammy
nominee, vocalist Earl Thomas; harpist-vocalist extraordinaire, John
Nemeth; SoCal native daughter and longtime festival favorite, Deb
Ryder; past International Blues Challenge semi finalists, Alan Wright
Band; Sandy Scott & Blues to The Bone, featuring powerhouse
vocalist, Sandy Scott. As per yearly tradition, the Ventura County
Blues Society All-Star Jam closes out the festival, with special,
unannounced guest performers.
Former Grammy nominee/four-time San Diego Music Award
winner Earl Thomas is one of the
13th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival headliners.
HEADLINERS AT THE 13TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES
FESTIVAL
Earl Thomas:
is an American blues singer/songwriter, with songs covered by artists
including Tom Jones, Etta James, Solomon Burke and Screamin' Jay
Hawkins among many others. He has twice been nominated for a Grammy
Award and has won the San Diego Music Award four times.
He started out playing the Arcata (Ca) clubs in the early
1980s while attending Humboldt State University. He was at an
Open Mike Night at and sang a Jackson Browne number, "Something
Fine" which was the start of his performing career. In the early
1990s, he moved to San Diego, California.His Blue...Not Blues
album was released in 1991 and received favorable reviews, and he was
referred to by one reviewer as "a pleasant surprise". His
self-penned song, "I Sing the Blues", was a hit for Etta
James. in 2016 he released Crow (Earl Thomas Music).
John Nemeth: Don’t try to snatch him back and hold him, he’s a man on
the move. John Németh had already established himself among the very
top ranks of blues musicians and modern soul singers when he decided to
break the mold with his new record, FEELIN’ FREAKY. Németh
fearlessly crushes all barriers of style and genre with an album of
original songs that defies all the usual pigeonholes. Drawing from his
strong influences in blues and R&B, as well as contemporary sounds
in hip hop and rock & roll, John creates music that is personal as
well as universal, and owes its origin to no one but John Németh.
John’s songs are groove and melody-driven, laced with thoughtful lyrics
and nuanced humor, and cover themes from social issues of gun violence
and class values to the pure hedonistic joy of dancing, sexuality and
marijuana. He creates his songs from melodies and phrases he draws from
the sounds of life, from early-morning Memphis songbirds to the din of
the city. For this album John brought his new songs to his great
touring band, the Blue Dreamers – Danny Banks on drums, Matthew Wilson
on bass and guitar, and Johnny Rhodes on guitar – so they could hone
the groove and finish building the album as a group. Under the
simpatico guidance of Grammy-nominated producer Luther Dickinson (North
Mississippi AllStars), FEELIN’ FREAKY emerges as a modern
personal masterpiece.
Deb Ryder: Born outside Chicago, Deb began appearing on stage as a
young teen at her step father’s famous nightclub The Topanga Corral,
where she opened for such blues legends as Etta James, Big Joe Turner
and Taj Mahal to name a few. Deb’s vocals have been described as big,
devastatingly powerful, whiskey-soaked, a force of nature, reminiscent
of her major influences Etta James and Koko Taylor. Ryder's stage
presence is captivating, while her amazing vocals take the audience to
new levels of enjoyment. Her standout performances have garnered awards
and critical acclaim at festivals and venues throughout the US, Canada
and Europe. She writes all her own material and the lyrics paint a
gritty, personal picture of life, love and trouble with just a well
crafted touch of whimsy. Deb has her eyes and her talents fixed firmly
on the future. “I am excited about my career and the successes I have
had, and it just keeps getting better”! Don't miss Deb Ryder live, it's
well worth the effort! "Glorious vocals by Deb Ryder - Let It Rain
is a treat from start to finish, and well worthy of your
attention!" GRAHAME RHODES - BLUES IN THE NORTHWEST.
Alan
Wright Band: Alan Wright
is a humble man with deeply passionate music style that's
reminiscent of the blues-based rock styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric
Clapton, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs, as well as traditional electric blues
styles of the many great legends, yet a style all his own. Wright began
playing guitar at the age of nine and has never stopped. The Alan Wright
band performs at clubs and major music venues throughout the U.S. A
local jem with major talent, you don't want to miss this act!
Sandy Scott & Blues
To The Bone: This rising Southern California ensemble
consists of Sandy Scott (lead vocals/songwriter), Pat McClure
(guitar/vocals), Pete Gallagher (drums/backing vocals), and Teddy
Andreadis (keyboards/harp/arranger/backing vocals. The band performs original
music influenced by modern and traditional blues. In the past Scott has
toured as an opening act for Joe Walsh, The Beach Boys and Sammy Hagar,
among others.
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