UPPER LAKE — The blues will get its wings at the Blue Wing Blues Festival on Aug. 2 through 4 with a follow-up date on Labor Day.
Beginning at 5:45 p.m. each evening, blues musicians will perform on the veranda of the hotel with the audience gathered in the garden between the hotel and restaurant, owner Bernie Butcher said. Headliners include David Landon, Paul Steward, Jackie Payne, Steve Lucky, Wendy DeWitt and Lara Price.
The festival features a gourmet barbecue with the price of admission
The opening act for the August events is Los Angeles-based musician in his third appearance at the festival, Barry “Big B” Brenner, Butcher stated. Brenner will entertain with acoustic and metal-bodied resonator guitars. He is originally from Chicago and focuses on the sounds of Mississippi Delta blues.
David Landon will bring his six-piece band from the Bay Area to headline the opening night.
“When I heard him in San Francisco with a full horn section, I knew we had to get him up for the festival,” Butcher said. Previously living in Paris, Landon moved to the Bay Area in 1994.
Twice as Good headlines the show on Aug. 3, with a guest appearance by Jackie Payne. The band is led by Paul Steward who ranges in guitar, saxophone and vocals, Butcher said.
The Aug. 4 show will feature Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums. Lucky will play on keyboards with lead singer Carmen Getit on guitar. The performers have been called “Instant Crowd Favorites,” by the San Francisco Blues Festival.
Sept. 2 is Ladies Day at the festival, Butcher said. Opening that evening will be the “Queen of Boogie Woogie,” Wendy DeWitt backed by Kirk Harwood on percussion. Dewitt is followed by six-piece, all-female Girls Got the Blues band led by Lara Price and featuring vocalist Pam Hawkins, Nancy Wright on saxophone and Janice Maxie Reid on keyboards.
“Our staff puts in a lot of effort but the rewards are there when the place is jumping and everyone is having a great time,” Tallman Hotel manager Susan Mesick said, “We”re really looking forward to the event this year.”
Tickets are limited to 100 each evening and may be purchased directly at the Tallman Hotel, located on Main Street in Upper Lake, or by calling the hotel reception desk at 275-2244 ext. 0. Tickets cost $50 plus tax if purchased in advance or $55 at the door. For more information visit www.TallmanHotel.com.
