Wheeling_Blues_Music_Festival

The Wheeling Blues Festival is about as close to heaven as I'll ever get. This was our second year and it looks like this will be our favorite blues festival for 2 years in a row.

Complete lineup at bottom of page.

Fun Fun Fun!

We didn't think we were going. I had taken the day off from Freedom Mailing & was doing renovation work on our farm. Miriam calls me while I'm shoveling dirt and says that her client appointments had fallen apart and we could go if we wanted.

An hour & a half later we had the camper packed, hitched up, some clothes and we took off. It was almost 2 pm and we were sure we'd just catch Friday's closing act if we were lucky. Fortunately, the whole day was running an hour behind and we made good time....so we saw 2 great bands that night. Over the course of the weekend we saw a ton of bands.

We saw friends we made last year and some others that we see frequently in our blues celebrating travels. Hats off to the blues, the people and the fun vibes that make these shows so great. Oh yeah, hats off to Bruce Wheeler for putting together such a great time!

Please enjoy the photos below and relive this great weekend if you were there or see why you should have been if you weren't.

We Love Wheela!


We're getting close. Going down the road feeling good. We made great time.	Heck yeah! We got to see my man Michael Burks - just barely...got there during his second song. He does not disappoint. Go see him if you ever have a chance.
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Michael Burks & band and other musicians. Billy the Kid, who put a lot of effort into the festival is pictured to the left of Michael. Lots of musicians hung out for the other bands.	Alvin Youngblood Hart. Very original sound. I got the impression he wasn't sure the crowd liked him. I can assure you that we did!
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Giant barges and all sorts of boats coming and going all day.	We stayed at Barcamp state park on the Ohio side of the River. I had to set up the popup after driving & then dancing until 1 am. The things you do for love, huh?

Izzy doing an acoustic set. Really liked it.	This guy - can't remember his name - was at Wheeling last year too and never put down his son. His son is quite a bit bigger but dad still held him almost the whole weekend!
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Miriam & Cheryl. We met Sherry last year. That's Rick Estrin on the harp from Little Charlies & the Nightcats band.	Jennifer Magness and her magnificent voice. She and the band are from California. She is a goodlooking granny huh?

Rick Estrin of the Little Charlie & the Nightcats band is a maniac of fun. He looks like he should be an actor playing himself if you know what I mean.	Miriam & one of our friends from last year. I don't know who Brutus is in the background.
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Above is David Gastel. Dupont employee by day and Harpman by night. Push play to hear David play.	We met David last year and I'm sure we'll see him next.

Pristine day and location.	Paul Oscher & the biggest harmonica in the world (maybe not). Anyway, that damn thing sounds like a ship horn. Paul was very talented.

That woman's red hair looks like it's almost on fire with the sunlight hitting it.	Rod Piazza & his wife. She is an amazing keyboardist.
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I just love it there. Really pretty.	Norma & Miriam. You probably remember Norma from last year.

Billy The Kid from Pittsburgh. He was the second stage band on Friday and it was his band that set up the after jam session on Friday and Saturday nights. Good guitar player and very cool voice, too. Thanks Billy. (Thanks to Ben for helping me with the facts:)	Miriam looking pretty as the day I met her (about 20 years ago) in her purple hemp hat.
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Our friend dancing with Zac	Zac Harmon having fun on stage.

A couple more friends from last year. They didn't know Miriam was sneaking in on the photo.	This is the man! The man that makes it happen. Festival Organizer Bruce Wheeler. I'm one of his biggest fans. Way to go Bruce.
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Anthony Gomes (rocking blues man), his proud parents, Miriam, me & somebody taking a picture of our backs?!	There's Anthony Gomes getting down. He is definitely a crowd pleaser!

ERIC FREAKIN LINDELL!!! He could be dangerous...	Damn he is good. Really liked his style.

Robin, Norma, Miriam, Bead boy, George, Betty, & Susan. Betty has helped me with quite a few details on this page.	Corey Harris Band - SO COOL - and loving dad with son.
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Chris Thomas King. Immensely talented musician. Piano, guitar, singing, and probably more.	Miriam and another friend from last year!

GE Smith and band waiting for Hubert Sumlin.	Bruce Wheeler saying goodnight to Hubert Sumlin.
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Norma getting down!	Playing along with her mini Harp.

Joey Gilmore's sax man.	Joey Gilmore.
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Miriam & Jazs from last year. What a cool name. Pronounced Jazz. The Big Chief is behind with Tab Benoit.	Tab Benoit closed the festival. We always liked Tab and have seen him several times but this was the most fun ever! Women jumping up on stage, Big Chief dancing about, Anders Osbourne playing guitar with a beer bottle while trying to suck the paper off a cigarette. It was a circus of fun!
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The show ended Sunday at about 11:30 PM. We both had work to do Monday afternoon. We had already packed the camper in the morning and so Miriam and I got in the truck and drove the 7 hours home. She was so hyped up by the music, she drove 5 hours straight. I finished the last leg of 2 hours. This picture was taken at about 6:30 am as we are getting ready to turn into our driveway.	BUT....THE STORY DOESN'T QUITE END THERE... Dad & mom had been taking care of Freedom and had the keys to my house. So during the wee hours of the morning, I had to shove Miriam through our bedroom window which was thankfully unlocked! I just had to get a photo.