33rd Rollin' on the River Blues Festival lineup is set!
Starting Friday on stage will be Sally Weisenberg & Her Famous Sidemen. With roots in Western Illinois this band offers a combination of Jump Blues & Texas Swing, with a little 50's bawdy note as well.
Second up Friday is the Ivas John Band. This Folk, Jazzy, Blues picker is a true musician's musician. Songwriter Magazine describes him as Gifted, Lyrical, and Soulful, Solid Stuff. Headliner Friday is famous Chicago blues musician Lurrie Bell. Lurrie Bell is the son of famed blues harmonica player Corey Bell. Lurrie picked up his father's guitar at the age of five and taught himself to play. By the age of seventeen, Bell was playing on stage with greats such as Willie Dixon, Billy Branch, and Koko Taylor, among others. At last count Lurrie Bell has appeared on 50 plus recordings as leader or featured sideman. His elegant and intense guitar playing and passionate vocals have made him a favorite around the world and has earned him a reputation as one of the "Leading Lights" in the future of the blues.
The Saturday Stage begins with Acoustic Blues Singer Songwriter, Catfish Keith, known as an exponent of the Resonator Guitar. The Guardian describes him as a solo revelation. Blues Review calls him offbeat,
original and uncommonly satisfying.
Second up Saturday is yet another long time Blues Player, Craig Erickson. Playing since age 11, Erickson offers an upbeat act of modern electric Blues & Funk.
Headliner Saturday and back by popular demand is the energetic, exciting, Jason D. Williams. Jason D gives it all up with raw, vintage, boogie, backed up with a lifetime behind (and on top of) the Piano. Connecting with Country and Rock & Roll Greats he creates a persona that's 100% original.
Young Peoples Saturday afternoon tent activities and workshops will begin at 1PM. Sponsored by Keokuk Community Fine Arts Council!
Once again on Saturday afternoon there will be a Percussion Workshop, and new this year, a Blues Guitar Workshop. We are planning an additional workshop, check back for details.
Tickets at the Gate are $15 per night. $25 for the weekend. Advance tickets are $22 and will be available at Hy-Vee at 3111 Main in Keokuk, Iowa and Conn Communications at 3360 Main in Keokuk, Iowa.
Our festival is located at Victory Park in Keokuk, Iowa.
Victory Park is located on North Water St under the Mississippi bridge.
Keokuk Area Convention and Tourism will once again be providing Shuttle service from local hotels. Info and schedule will be coming soon.
Local taxi's are available through 319-524-5555
The first Rollin on the River Festival in 1989 featured Buddy Holly's
Crickets. In the second year, the festival moved downriver to Keokuk's
Hubinger Landing and featured a reunion of hometown bands. The third
year, the festival received a grant from the Iowa Department of Cultural
Affairs, which gave organizers a much-needed financial boost and the
blues was chosen as the primary music format. The festival was moved to
historic Victory Park, where it remains today.
The event is the longest running blues festival and the only one of
its kind in the Tri-State area. Through the years, Rollin' on the River
has presented some of the finest blues musicians around, including Magic
Slim, Jimmy Thackery, Studebaker John, Joanna Conner, Lonnie Brooks,
Bernard Allison, Buckwheat Zydeco, and Doyle Bramhall, just to name a
few.
In addition to stage performers, ROR presents musical workshops and
young people's activities on Saturday afternoons, along with offering
scholarships and a used instrument lending program for local students.
