Chicago Blues Festival to pay tribute to Robert Johnson, showcase Alligator Records

 

The 28th annual Chicago Blues Fest will feature a stellar lineup of entertainment, including a tribute to Delta blues legend Robert Johnson and a showcase celebrating the 40th anniversary of Chicago blues label Alligator Records.  Here is the full schedule for the festival, which will take place June 10 to 12 in Grant Park. Admission is free. More information is at www.chicagobluesfestival.us. Friday, June 10 Crossroads Stage 11:00 a.m. - Guy King and his Little Big Band 12:45 p.m. - Eric Guitar Davis and the Troublemakers 2:30 p.m. - Holle Thee Maxwell 4:15 p.m. - The Rockin’ Johnny Band featuring Smiley Tillman and Mary Lane Mississippi Juke Joint Stage 11:30 a.m. - Panel Discussion of Robert Johnson w/ Steven Johnson (family of Robert Johnson) 12:30 p.m. - Howlin’ Wolf Birthday Celebration panel discussion with Richard Shurman, Bettye Kelly, Barbra Marks & Hubert Sumlin Hubert Sumlim 1:30 p.m. - Chris Gill & Derrick Martin 3:00 p.m. - Nora Jean Bruso 4:30 p.m. - James “Super Chikan” Johnson 6:00 p.m. -  Festival Jam Session w/ Fernando Jones Band Front Porch Stage 1:00 p.m. - Blues in the Schools: Stone Academy w/ Eric Noden, Katherine Davis and Erwin Helfer 2:15 p.m. - Erwin Helfer Band featuring Katherine Davis 3:35 p.m. - Rocky Lawrence 4:45 p.m. - "Sanctified Grumblers" Petrillo Music Shell 6:15 p.m. - Eddie Cotton 8:00 p.m. - Tribute to Robert Johnson: David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Rick Sherry, Rocky Lawrence, Hubert Sumlin and Duwayne Burnside Band     Saturday, June 11 Crossroads Stage 11:00 a.m. -  Ronnie Hicks & Masheen Company Band w/ Bob Jones, Cicero Blake, Brown Sugar & Jessie 12:45 p.m. - Dave Herrero and the Hero Brothers Band 2:30 p.m. -  Duwayne Burnside Band 4:15 p.m. - George Stancell and Band w/ Willie Buck Mississippi Juke Joint Stage 11:30 a.m. - Panel Discussion of the Mississippi Blues Trail: Jim O’Neal, Rip Daniels and Alex Thomas 1:00 p.m. - Jarekus Singleton 2:30 p.m. - Dexter Allen 4:00 p.m. - Zac Harmon 5:30 p.m. - Mississippi Jam Session featuring Dexter Allen Front Porch Stage 1:00 p.m. - Fernando Jones and The Blues Kids of America 2:15 p.m. - Fruteland Jackson 3:30 p.m. - Sam Lay Blues Band 4:45 p.m. - Tribute to Pinetop Perkins featuring Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Friends Petrillo Music Shell 6:00 p.m. - Dave Specter Band featuring special guest Jimmy Johnson 7:15 p.m. - Carl Weathersby’s Blues Band 8:30 p.m. - Billy Branch and The Son’s of Blues & Friends Sunday, June 12 Crossroads Stage 11:00 a.m. - Jarekus Singleton 12:45 p.m. - Rob Blaine’s Big Otis Blues Mississippi Juke Joint Stage 11:30 a.m. - Q & A Panel w/ Bruce Iglauer and Richard Shurman celebrating 40th Anniversary of Alligator Records 12:30 p.m. - Ben Wiley Payton 2:00 p.m. - The Jimmy Burns Band 3:30 p.m. - Nellie “Tiger” Travis 5:00 p.m. - Festival Jam featuring Kenny Smith Front Porch Stage 1:00 p.m. - Nick Moss & The Flip Tops 2:15 p.m. - Memphis Gold 3:30 p.m. - Mud Morganfield Band 4:45 p.m. - John Primer Petrillo Music Shell 6:00 p.m. - Shemekia Copeland 7:30 p.m. - Lonnie Brooks with guests Michael “Iron Man” Burks, Rick Estrin Ann Rabson and Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater: 40th Anniversary of Alligator Records.