NORTHLAND'S FAVORITE HITS » bayfront blues festival

Beverly McClellan Stops By Rayman's Show On Kool 101.7

Rayman — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:01:46 +0000

Beverly McClellan stopped by my show Friday, on her way to the 24th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival. Beverly gave me a great interview (hope you heard it live), and after the interview decided she’d sing a little, and we captured it on video for you. Afterward, we talked music, and I mentioned to her one [...]

Brooks Family Blues Dynasty, Bayfront Bluesfest Artist Spotlight [VIDEO] + AUDIO

Rayman — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:35:50 +0000

They don’t call them a Dynasty for nothing. The Brooks Family Blues Dynasty is Chicago’s first family of Blues. The head of the family is Lonnie Brooks whose been playing, recording, and writing for close to sixty years. His oldest son Ronnie started playing when he was only 9 years old, and in 1998 earned [...]

Please Sign The Big Walter Smith Tribute Banner At Bayfront Blues Festival

Rayman — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:56:01 +0000

For all those attending the 24th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we're asking you to sign the Big Walter Smith Tribute Banner located close to the Kool 101.7 tent, by the main entrance. All we need is a signature, and the goal is to have the entire banner fully signed from Bluesfest attendees who enjoyed and were entertained by Walter over the past 23 years.

Ana Popovic – Bayfront Blues Festival Artist Spotlight [VIDEO] + AUDIO

Rayman — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:35:13 +0000

Ana Popović’s father first introduced her to the blues through an extensive record collection. Popović founded her first band at age nineteen and within a year she was playing outside of her home country Yugoslavia, and opening shows for American blues musicians. She then formed the ‘Ana Popovic Band’ that became a fixture on the [...]

Bayfront Blues Must Know What To Bring List By Chris Allen

Chris Allen — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:42:55 +0000

Bayfront Bluesfest promises to be the biggest and best year ever, and they have never let anyone down. People wonder what should I bring for the weekend. Here’s a little list I’ve prepared for you. Do-Bring a rain poncho or small umbrella. Don’t-Bring a tent. Do-Bring a lawn chair, fold up chair, camping [...]

Royal Southern Brotherhood – Bayfront Blues Festival Artist Spotlight [VIDEO + AUDIO]

Rayman — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:29:30 +0000

Royal Southern Brotherhood came together in New Orleans during the summer of 2011. Reuben Williams, manager to both Cyril Neville and Mike Zito, had the idea for the band. Zito mentioned Devon Allman, and then, as described by Allman, “we went from talking about the idea, to me and Cyril writing a tune over email, to being in rehearsals, all in two months.”

Rayman Asks Bayfront Blues Festival Owner Four Important Questions [AUDIO]

Rayman — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 21:00:26 +0000

I have a lot of respect for Chris the owner of Bayfront Blues Festival. Lord knows it's a difficult task putting together an event with one or two bands. Can you imagine hosting an event with 31? He's been doing it for 23 years, and starting next week he'll do it all over again for the 24th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival kicking off Friday August 10th.

Tinsley Ellis – Bayfront Bluesfest Artist Spotlight [AUDIO]

Rayman — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 22:43:16 +0000

Take some smokin rock n roll, combine it with some heavy blues, stir well...and you get Tinsley Ellis, the subject of this weeks Bayfront Blues Festival Artist Spotlight. Tinsley has mastered an art that has eluded so many artists, great blues infused with rock n roll..and he does it without tarnishing either rock n roll or blues. His is a perfectly executed blend of the both.

Walter Trout, Anna Popovic, Bayfront Blues Festival Artist Spotlight [VIDEO]

Rayman — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:54:05 +0000

Walter Trout will be appearing at this years Bayfront Blues Festival on Sunday, August 12th. Walter is a "must see" at Bluesfest. Not only a blues legend, but a guitar virtuoso as well.

Trout spent five years in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and was a member of Canned Heat, two of the style's supremely influential bands. He's also supported a slew of classic artists including John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton and Joe Tex.As a front man the six-string virtuoso developed a reputation for tornado-strength live shows that led famed BBC disc jockey Bob Harris to call him "the world's greatest rock guitarist" in his influential book The Whispering Years and won Trout the sixth spot on BBC Radio One's list of the Top 20 guitarists of all time.

Memorial Service To Be Held For Big Walter Smith

Rayman — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:08:34 +0000

Since yesterday I’ve had numerous inquiries concerning final arrangements for Big Walter Smith, longtime Blues Fest performer, who died yesterday at the age 82. Get complete details after the jump if you would like to pay your respects. The family has set a memorial service for Aug. 5, 4-7 p.m., at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, 5125 [...]

Rayman's Interview With Bluesfest Owner Chris Mackey On The Death Of Big Walter Smith [AUDIO]

Rayman — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:37:47 +0000

Just in case you've not heard the news of the passing of blues legend Big Walter Smith, you may want to read the earlier post from this morning.

Upon being notified of Big Walter's death, I phoned Bayfront Bluesfest owner Chris Mackey. We remembered some stories we each had of Big Walter, and Chris tells me how a chance meeting with Walter, inspired Chris to start this wonderful event called Bayfront Blues Festival. Enjoy the audio.

Death Of A Blues Legend, Big Walter Smith Dies This Morning

Rayman — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:04:59 +0000

Some sad news came into the KOOL 101.7 studios this morning from our friends at the Bayfront Blues Festival, long time Blues Fest performer and regional blues legend Big Walter Smith died at 3:30 this morning. According to his website Big Walter Smith.com, Big Walter’s music career began long before he landed in Minnesota. Born [...]

Rayman Talks to Vicci Martinez and Beverly McClellan, Both to Appear On 'The Voice' Tonight [AUDIO]

Rayman — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:04:36 +0000

Last years finalists on ‘The Voice’, Vicci Martinez and Beverly McClellan will make a special guest appearance on”The Voice” tonight on NBC at 8 p.m. You’ll remember them both from last years Bayfront Blues Festival where they entertained blues lovers until well after closing time. Vicci will be singing “Come Along” with Cee Lo, that [...]

When is The Bayfront Blues Festival?

Kool Staff — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:09:32 +0000

Blues fans, get ready for the best 3 days of the year! The Bayfront Blues Festival is back in 2012 with a world class lineup of blues acts in one of the best and scenic outdoor venues in the country.

Get all the details after the jump and keep it on your exclusive Blues Fest station for more announcements and details.

Beverly McClellan From 'The Voice' Joins Bayfront Blues Festival Lineup [AUDIO INTERVIEW]

Tony Hart — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:34:32 +0000

Another finalist from the NBC hit show ‘The Voice’ has officially joined the lineup for this weekends Bayfront Blues Festival, she’ll be joining fellow ‘The Voice’ finalist Vicci Martinez on stage Sunday night as the finale to the 23rd annual Bayfront Blues Fest. The bald headed belter called in and talked with the Rayman yesterday [...]

Listen to Rayman's Interview With Vicci Martinez About Her Loss On 'The Voice'

Rayman — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:23:14 +0000

This morning I interviewed Vicci before she left L.A. We talked about her not winning “The Voice”, and much more. It’s a straight from the heart interview from both of us. It’s my hope after listening, you’ll discover another side of this wonderfully talented young lady. Enjoy.

Vicci Martinez "The Voice" Performances With Interviews

Rayman — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:55:07 +0000

Tonight's final performance of the four finalists on The Voice will yield one winner to be announced on Wednesday evening's final episode. It's my hunch it will boil down to a battle between Vicci Martinez and Beverly McClellan. Both are extremely talented, however of the two, Vicci is more flexible vocally then Beverly, and for that reason I'll bank on Vicci Martinez squeezing out the victory (although it will be close).

I've included audio interviews I've done with Vicci, links to Vicci's last few performances (video), and interviews with Miki Mulvehill van Tyn, one of her managers.

Vicci Martinez From "The Voice" At Bayfront Bluesfest August 14th

Rayman — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:38:33 +0000

If your a fan of NBC's "The Voice", you know Vicci Martinez won her "Battle Round" on Tuesday. Yesterday (Thurs) Vicci confirmed her only Minnesota performance will be at the 23rd Annual Bayfront Blues Festival, Sunday, August 14th.