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Starting at 5:45 each evening, two great headliners will perform on the veranda of the hotel with the audience gathered in the intimate garden between the hotel and saloon.
It’s a great time of day and a great spot to enjoy world-class music with a tasty barbecue dinner thrown into the $45 price of admission.
Tickets are limited to 120 each evening and may be purchased directly at either the hotel or saloon, located on Main Street in Upper Lake, or by calling the hotel reception desk at 707-275-2244.
The festival lineup, along the sponsors who have helped to make each evening possible, follow below.
Opening each night starting at 5:45 p.m.: Barry “Big B” Brenner
Barry Brenner is a favorite on the Southern California blues circuit and he wowed the crowed at the Blue Wing Festival two years ago. He’s from the South Side of Chicago and plays authentic Chicago and Mississippi Delta blues on his 6 and 12 string guitars as well as the classic metal-bodied resonator guitar so popular in the Delta. A great solo blues personality.
Wed., Aug. 5 – “Mighty Mike” Schermer with Guest Star Lara Price
Presented by Moore Family Winery, High Valley Vinemards, Allora DaCar Productions, Lake Event Design and Windrem Law Firm.
Mike Schermer and his band have been fixtures on the Bay Area blues scene for 20 years. He’ll be playing the Blue Wing after three prior appearances and before heading out on a national tour with Elvin Bishop.
“Every time I play with Mike,” says Elvin, “my booty hurts from him kicking it all night.”
Tommy Castro says he’s “probably the best blues guitarist, singer and songwriter you’ve never heard of.”
Lara Price is an all-American singer with a sultry stage presence and a voice that demands your attention – smoky, lonely, sexy, and powerful. As one reviewer commented, "Lara can belt out a song, purr through a ballad, knock you out with her sensuality and make you want to get up and dance." She’s made four CDs with her own band and is working on a fifth with Mike Schermer.
Thurs. Aug. 6 – The Chris Cain Band
Presented by Shannon Ridge Wines, Radio Station KXBX, Strong Financial Network and Vintage Antiques.
Chris Cain’s passion and intensity are the product of his mother’s Greek ancestry and his father’s soulful black heritage. The combination of extensive jazz studies plus a blues upbringing have melded to form the searing guitar style that sets him apart and has moved him to the top ranks of the blues music scene.
As a San Jose Mercury News reviewer noted, “More than anyone else, anywhere, Chris Cain represents the future of the blues.”
Last year’s Blue Wing star Patrick Ford produces most of Chris Cain’s CDs on his Blue Rock’it Records label.
Friday Aug. 7 – Bettie Mae Fikes and the Levi Lloyd Band
Presented by Brassfield Estate Winery, Max Design Studio and Jonas Heating & Cooling.
Bettie Mae Fikes is a fabulous singer and entertainer who has had the audience dancing in the aisles at previous Blue Wing Festivals.
Born in Selma, Alabama, Bettie Mae participated in the Civil Rights struggle there and has toured with the Freedom Singers in the decades since. She has performed at Carnegie Hall and at prime blues venues worldwide.
Now based in Los Angeles, Bettie Mae visits Lake County often and has many friends and fans here.
Levi Lloyd and his band play all the major blues venues from the Bay Area northward and they make frequent appearances at our Blue Wing Monday Blues. A guitar and vocal virtuoso, Levi puts a pulse in every performance.
Sat. August 8 – Bottle Rock Blues and Rhythm Band plus Twice as Good with Guest Star Curtis Lawson
Presented by Six Sigma Wines, Radio Station KNTI, Blues Express Records, UCC Rentals, ReMax Realty.
The Bottle Rock Blues Band is a group of top musicians from Lake County led by veteran guitarist and vocalist Mike Wilhelm and featuring the explosive vocals of Neon Napalm. Mike’s distinctive baritone has been heard around Northern California since the 1960’s, when he was a founding member of the popular Charlatans. His guitar blends beautifully with the vibrant voice of Neon.
Twice as Good, featuring the Native American father and son team of Rich and Paul Steward, have been favorites at the Blue Wing since it opened in 2005.
Since its formation six years ago, the group has released three CDs and toured all over the country. Whether Paul is diving off the stage, doing the splits, or dancing his way through the audience, he’ll have a big smile on his face as he’s out to entertain as well as to create great music.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Curtis Lawson has been singing his brand of authentic down-home blues at all the top spots in the SF Bay Area since 1958. A master showman, Curtis has written over 300 songs, headlined many festivals and appeared on stage with all the greats of the blues genre.
