The O-town Scene

Continued from Page 16 "Typically we don't bring back artists often. In 19 years, we have repeated art- ists, but this year, other than the Honey Island Swamp Band (who played the free Friday show last year), all the artists are new from last year. We really try to bring a diverse lineup each year." That last point is important. Larsen stresses the diversity in choosing the artists. Blues isn't just a small sect of music. It incorporates a lot of styles and influences. The lone holdover from 2010 – Honey Island – is a perfect example. Playing at 1:40 p.m. Saturday, their music ranges from old country to soul songs by the likes of Otis Redding. There's the North Mississippi Allstar Duo, who learned what they know in the deep South, where gators and swamps are common. Then there's Yu- goslavian trans- plant Ana Popovic, playing at 3:50 p.m. Saturday, who was intro- a great piece of blues, but it's not the whole experience and we really try to bring a bit of everything to the stage." Larsen likes to point to the phrase, "Blues had a baby, and they called it rock 'n' roll." Many musical enthusiasts credit the blues as the foundation for contem- porary American music. Greats like Eric Clapton were inspired by the music and started out doing covers of blues. "When Keith Richards came to the 'People think of a guy bemoaning life on the duced to blues by her father through the radio and has created her own brand of electric blues/blues-rock. Also in the lineup at 5 p.m. Saturday, James "Super Chikan" Johnson, another Mississippian, is a major deviation from the Duo because he creates his own instruments out of found objects. "A lot of people pigeon-hole blues," Larsen said. "I've had a number of people who come up to me and tell me, 'You know I thought I knew what blues was, but I had really know idea.' People think of a guy bemoaning life on the back porch with a guitar, and that's back porch with a guitar, and that's a great piece of blues, but it's not the whole experience and we U.S., he wanted to see Hubert Sumlin," Larsen said. "The Rolling Stones hired James Cotton to play harp when they toured America. It was their way of pay- ing homage to their heroes." Cotton, a Grammy winner and Missis- sippi native, is another example of the great talent that will be on display up close and personal. The festival will also include crafts and vendors, and food options ranging from Thai to Greek and even Dino- saur Barb-B- Que. "Artists really try to bring a bit of everything to the stage.' — Eric Larsen, Chenango Blues Association love to come here to play," Larsen said. "We are a very family- friendly event, and they don't often see that. So they like to see new and younger fans getting exposed to the music." Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on Saturday with children 17 and younger ad- mitted for free. Parking is free with a donation to the Chenango Food Pantry. Tickets can be bought in Norwich at The Blarney Stone Pub, the Chenango County Council of the Arts and First Edition Book Store, and in Oneonta at The Eighth Note. For information visit www.chenangoblues- fest.org or to inquire about group rates, call (607) 334-5653. Chenango Blues Fest Schedule Friday, Aug. 19 FREE concerts 6-7 p.m. Doug MacLeod at the Guernsey Library 7:15-8:15 p.m. Tas Cru, tent stage 8:30-10 p.m. Mississippi Heat, tent stage Saturday, Aug. 20 $20 advance/$25 day of noon-1 p.m. Gina Sicilia, infield stage 1-1:40 p.m. Suspicious Hats, acoustic stage 1:40-2:50 p.m. Honey Island Swamp Band, infield stage 2:50-3:50 p.m. Doug MacLeod, acoustic stage 3:50-5 p.m. Ana Popovic, infield stage 5-6:10 p.m. Super Chikan, acoustic stage 6:10-7:30 p.m. James Cotton Superharp, infield stage 7:30-8:40 p.m. John Hammond, acoustic stage 8:40-10:10 p.m. North Mississippi Allstar Duo featuring Luther Dickinson and Cody Dickinson, infield stage TICKETS | (607) 336-2787, chenangobluesfest.org Aug. 18, 2011 O-Town Scene 17

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