13th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, SoCal's Longest-Running Yearly Big Blues Event, Dedicated to the Late Mickey Jones

13TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL, SOCAL'S LONGEST-RUNNING YEARLY BIG BLUES EVENT RETURNS TO LOVELY CAMARILLO; EARL THOMAS, JOHN NEMETH HEADLINE THIS YEAR'S STRONG LINEUP  **Festival Also Dedicated to the Late Actor/Musician, Mickey Jones**                                  Saturday, April 28, 2018 - Gates Open 10am, Music Starts 11:00 am     (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." -----------------------------------------------------------   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.                                                     venturacountyblues.com facebook.com/VenturaCountyBluesFestival Join us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter       Send us an Email

12th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, A Spring SoCal Tradition, Keeping the Blues Alive

ANNOUNCING THE 12TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL, A SPRING SOCAL TRADITION, KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE SINCE 2005; YEAR #2 AT BEAUTIFUL STUDIO CHANNEL ISLANDS IN CAMARILLO, CA                                  Saturday, April 29, 2017 - Gates Open 10am, Music Starts 11:00 am

(Camarillo, CA)  - Announcing the 12th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, a Spring SoCal Tradition, Keeping the Blues Alive for a dozen consecutive years, taking place Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 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 and other Ventura County area charities (please bring a food item to donate). Info: (805) 501-7122 or visit venturacountyblues.com/.   "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."  Two-Time Grammy Award winners, Phantom Blues Band, are    one of the 12th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival headliners.   HEADLINERS AT THE 12TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL      Phantom Blues Band: The Phantom Blues Band was formed as a studio band to back up Taj Mahal on his CD, Dancing The Blues. Their association with Taj led to headlining clubs, theaters, and festivals throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan, as well as being honored with two Grammys and a W.C. Handy Award. At heart, the Phantom Blues Band's sound is a cross-breeding of numerous musical styles which includes blues, jazz, r&b, gospel, rock 'n' roll, and reggae. Inside Out, the band's thirds album, features band members Tony Braunagel, Larry Fulcher, Mike Finnigan, Darrel Leonard, Joe Sublett, and Johnny Lee Schell, with help from renowned session players Lenny Castro (percussion) and The Crusaders' founding member and keyboardist, Joe Sample. www.phantombluesband.com/.    Debbie Davies: "She wields an electric guitar as if it were a wand." — LOS ANGELES TIMES   Debbie Davies is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and guitar player.  A professional musician since the early 1980s, Davies has received ten nominations for Blues Music Awards, and in 1997 and 2010 won the award for Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist. Davies cut her teeth playing in blues and rock ‘n roll bands in the San Francisco Bay area before returning to her hometown Los Angeles in 1984, where she landed the lead guitar spot in Maggie Mayall and the Cadillacs, an all-female band led by wife of British blues pioneer, John Mayall. Davies 2015 release, Love Spin, is at once funky, rocking’, and bluesy. It’s  collection of all original tunes showcases an artist at her peak, and will no doubt put smiles on the faces of long time fans and bring many new ones into the fold. www.debbiedavies.com/.   Chris Cain: Chris Cain's jazz-tinged, blues-soaked guitar and deep, warm vocals have the maturity and authenticity of bluesmen many years his senior. His expressive style is the result of a lifetime of study and the relentless pursuit of music mastery. His passion and intensity for music was ignited early in life by his mom and dad's deep love for blues and soul. Cain's debut recording, Late Night City Blues (Blue Rock'it Records-1987) garnered four W.C. Handy Blues Award nominations, including Guitarist of the Year. Dan Forte of Guitar Player wrote, "An impressive debut album by a top notch guitarist." The combination of his blues upbringing and his jazz studies melded to form the searing guitar style that sets Chris Cain apart and has moved him to the top ranks of the blues music scene. www.chriscainmusic.com/.     R.J. Mischo: RJ Mischo is considered by critics and fans worldwide to be in the upper echelon of today’s great Harp players and singers. RJ’s vast discography features twelve of his own releases on several record labels. He also appears on at least twenty-five CDs as a guest or on compilations with Jimmie Vaughan, James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Candye Kane, G.Love, and John Mayall, to name a few. Mischo's original songs “King of a Mighty  Good Time” and “Two Hours From Tulsa” previously topped the playlist at No. 1 on SiriusXM Radio BB Kings’ Bluesville. RJ Mischo’s CDs, Knowledge You Can’t Get in College and Make It Good, have made the top 50 list of Living Blues Magazine’s Albums of the Year. He has contributed to two Mel Bay harmonica instruction books, and is acknowledged in The Encyclopedia of Harmonica. www.rjblues.com/.   Michael John & the Bottom Line Featuring Mikey Mo: Michael John, Founder and President of the Ventura County Blues Society (and) Founder of the Ventura County Blues Festival, leads his band The Bottom Line. Since the Festival’s inception, Michael John & The Bottom Line have performed and donated their music. When you combine family and lifelong friends, you get a special musical bond that touches the hearts and souls of all music lovers. The band consists of Michael John (lead singer, guitar, harmonica), Michael John’s son Mikey Mo (lead guitar), Steve Nelson (electric, stand-up Bass), Eddie Z (tenor, alto sax), Jeff Dellisanti (tenor, baritone sax), and Tom “T-Bone” Broderick (drums, backup vocals). The group attracts people of all ages with their blend of Swing/contemporary rocking blues. They've received national airplay and have won multiple awards including placing in the Top Ten bands in the Finals for the International Blues Challenge. www.venturacountyblues.com/info/michael-john/.   Crooked Eye Tommy: Purveyors of deep-seeded Blues and smoky Southern rock, “Brothers Marsh” Tommy and Paddy feature big guitars and even bigger vocals. Behind the strength of the group's CD Butterflies & Snakes, Crooked Eye Tommy has won “Best Blues Band” three consecutive years at the Ventura County Music Awards. www.crookedeyetommy.com/.    Jim Gustin & Truth Jones: Jim Gustin is a blues singer and guitarist from Santa Clarita, California. He has a distinctive, powerful voice; soulful and deep with a smoky rasp, he is a passionate and energetic performer. He has well-written catchy songs that reveal his many varied influences to his groove-oriented blues. Gustin is also a solid guitarist with great tone and a funky feel. Jeri Goldenhar, a/k/a Truth Jones, has been singing since she was a little girl, although at over six feet tall, it’s hard to imagine her as a knee-high, little red-headed child. She has a big voice to match her impressive stature. She can belt out gospel and soul rarely heard from suburban white girls. www.facebook.com/jimgustinandtruthjones.

12TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL SHOW PASSES AVAILABLE.                                                     venturacountyblues.com facebook.com/VenturaCountyBluesFestival

Excitement Building For 10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival

10TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL BLENDS AWARD-WINNING ACTS, POPULAR FESTIVAL PERFORMERS FROM THE PAST; SPECIAL 'BENEFIT RIDE' FOR MICKEY JONES; NEW "SECOND STAGE" OF CONTINUOUS LIVE MUSIC; BENEFITS THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY              Saturday, April 25, 2015  - 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.    (MOORPARK, CALIF) - Excitement is building for Southern California’s longest-tenured Blues festival, the 10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, taking place Saturday, April 25 on the grounds of beautiful Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd. in Moorpark, California. Gates open 10 a.m.; music begins at 11 a.m.   “The tenth year is truly a year of celebration of this charity event with repeat performers who supported our festival the very first year, in addition to multi-award-winning acts,” says festival founder/Ventura County Blues Society President, Michael John Basowski. “Also new this year: a Second Stage to insure a full day of continuous live music. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society along with community charities.”   Scheduled to perform on the Main Stage:  The VCBS All-Stars;  Delgado Brothers; BB Chung King & The Buddaheads; Deanna Bogart; John Nemeth; and the legendary Coco Montoya. The all-new Second Stage features top SoCal talent including Guy Martin Band; Barry G and Grease Fire; Chase Walker Band;  Jim Gustin and Truth Jones; Kelly’s Lot; Crooked Eye; Blues Bullet;  and additional special guests. Also avaialbe that day is a wide array of food vendors, artisans, and much more.   This year also features a special Benefit Ride for Mickey Jones, longtime VCBF Festival Emcee and the “face” of the festival the previous nine years. The well-liked musician-turned-actor has always been there to lend a hand to help so many in need, and now needs a little help himself. His recent bout with a prolonged illness has taken a toll on his finances. Due to insurance restrictions, the next crucial step of his recovery will be impossible without some outside help.    The 10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival is both family-friendly   and affordable; a Pre-Sale ticket amounts to paying less than $2.00 per band! Pre-Sale tickets online are $26.00 (includes $1.00 convenience fee). Tickets are $35.00 at the Gate. All Pre-Sale ticket purchases available for pickup at Will Call - bring Confirmation Email and your ID. An amazing deal is the all-new VIP Experience at $125.00 per ticket (with no additional fees) that includes early festival entry at 9:30 am; your own private shaded seating area with tables and chairs; catered lunch; private bar; private restrooms; (2) drink tickets; (1) event t-shirt; (1) event poster and complimentary bottled water. These VIP tickets will sell out as there are only a limited amount -  now is the time to go online and purchase yours at:  www.venturacountyblues.com. Festival Hotline: (805) 501-7122.                                                                     10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival  - Music Itinerary 11:00AM – 11:45AM  VCBS All Stars: A gathering of top SoCal blues musicians showcasing their talents. Featuring Mikey Mo; Ray Jurique; Sandy Scott; Tommy Marsh; Michael John; Eddie Z; Mark “Pocket” Goldberg;  and many others.                                              HEADLINERS 12:00PM – 12:55PM/Delgado Brothers: Driven by fierce independence, unified by family, and fortified by the brotherhood of music, the L.A.-based Delgado Brothers deliver the musical goods with topical anthem-worthy songs complemented by call-to-action lyrics, and East L.A. Soul.  http://www.delgadobrothers.com/. 1:10PM – 2:10PM/BB Chung King & The Buddaheads: Grammy- nominated song writer, producer and one of the hottest rockin’ blues guitarists on the planet.  The Buddaheads' songs have been featured in several movies and television shows. Tye put on a live show you will not want to miss! http://www.buddaheads.com/. 2:30PM – 3:45PM/Deanna Bogart: Multiple award-winning multi-instrumentalist and multifaceted musician whose fans value the diversity of her genre-free zone.  As a bandleader/singer/songwriter/producer/pianist/sax player, Deanna combines the best of boogie-woogie, contemporary blues, country and jazz into a splendid blend she calls “blusion.” http://www.deannabogart.com/. 4:05PM – 5:20PM/John Nemeth: Celebrating six BMA nominations and a new CD titled Memphis Grease, Nemeth is a celebrated electric blues and soul harmonicist, singer, and songwriter. “Classic soul and R&B styles have been revitalized in recent years by a cadre of young and relatively young artists such as James Hunter, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, and Sharon Jones. You can include John Németh on any list of the best of them.” - Nick Cristiano, Philadelphia Inquirer 5:40PM – 7:10PM/Coco Montoya: Legendary guitarist who played the festival during its first year is coming back to celebrate our tenth year. Guitar One Magazine calls Montoya “the hottest southpaw in the blues” and raves about his “master touch and killer tone.” Montoya earned his status through years of hard work and constant touring, starting with a chance meeting in the mid-1970s with legendary bluesman Albert Collins, who offered Montoya a gig as his drummer. Albert took an immediate liking to Montoya, becoming his mentor and teaching his new protégé the secrets of Collins’ “icy hot” style of blues guitar. Five years later, British blues icon John Mayall happened to catch Montoya at a jam session and was blown away. Mayall recruited him as his guitarist in the legendary Bluesbreakers, and Montoya spent the next ten years touring non-stop, proving himself to be a world-class guitar master in one of the most renowned blues bands in existence. Coco and his band will close the festival. 10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival Media/Photo Passes Available.                                            www.venturacountyblues.com

Ventura County Blues Festival

General Admission tickets: Presale $20 (Limited Time Only) $30 at Gate Kids 12 and under are FREE with paid Adult VIP Tickets: $100 (Online Only) all ages For ticket info CLICK HERE!