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"Standing 15 feet away from Johnny Winter playing Highway 61 from the front edge of the [Billtown Festival] stage was a moment I will always cherish" -- a comment from Tim Rienhard, just one of the 16 local musicians expected to entertain at the 33rd Annual Billtown Blues Festival.
The "Grandaddy of Pennsylvania Blues Festivals" opens its gates at 5 p.m., Friday, June 9 at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville and again at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 10.
Music continues until 10:30 p.m. both evenings.
According to a news release, the organizers of the Billtown Blues Festival have always considered it important to include local talent among the major national acts on the festival bill.
"It is often stated how fortunate we are here in the Susquehanna Valley to have such a vibrant music scene, especially with so many local musicians devoting their time and talent to the blues art form," the news release said. "Friday and Saturday will feature three local bands and 16 musicians."
When asked how hard it is to really play blues which is known for its simplistic structure and predictable sound, most musicians agreed playing the blues "properly" is very difficult. Being an improvisational art form, it must be played with honest feeling, passion and from the heart.
"The blues needs to come from your heart to be able to play it right. You can tell when it ain't real, but when it is, it will move you," said Daryl "Stretch" Blair.
Cheryl Miller, also known as Miz Ida, found the blues in the early 90's at a friend's, Terry Bachierri's, "local" juke joint.
"I had no idea what it was, but immediately liked it," Miller said, according to the news release.
Jay Short, a Mississippi native, found his way to the blues through the early music of Lightening Hopkins and Sonny Boy Williamson II. Dave Thompson was bequeathed Muddy Water's "Hard Again" and BB King's "Live At Cook County Jail" albums, by an Air Force buddy who was forced to downsize his record collection. Chris Carithers discovered the blues by the way of psychedelic rock and bands of the 60's -- Cream, The Doors and the Rolling Stones. After researching their songs, Carithers discovered they all led to the blues.
"Prior to joining (the Uptown Music Collective,) I had heard blues music but didn't know how important it was to the history and evolution of music," Uptown Music Collective student and member of the UMC Blues Band Cassidy Lutz said, according to the news release.
How does one explain blues music to an inquiring mind?
"I kinda look at it like an empathetic expression to communicate complex issues in a simplistic approach that will speak to universal audiences," Shawn Strickland said, according to the news release. "Plus -- it has a good groove!"
Mike Mummey looks at the blues as "stories passed from one generation to another: history, legend and mystery."
"It really was like a coming-of-age thing for me seeing other musicians play that stage as a young kid," Jossian Lilly said, when asked what the local blues scene and especially the work of the Billtown Blues Association means to these musicians.
The BBA volunteering experience "made me realize how important blues has been in my path as a musician." Lilly said.
Lilly, who, like many UMC kids, has volunteered and assisted the BBA stage crew and other festival production assignments.
Firing up the Friday, June 9 slate of talent is the Uptown Music Collective's Blues Band featuring Jossian Lilly, Abby Calone, Gabreon Godin, Cassidy Lutz, Cali Mahoney and Connor Evans. Saturday, June 10, opens with Blues and Gasoline, a special reunion performance with Cheryl Miller, Jay Short, Dave Krempasky, Daryl "Stretch" Blair and Mike Mummey, followed by the Dirty Mojo Blues Band with Shawn Strickland, Tim Reinhard, Chris Carithers, Jimmy Lovcik and Mark Peterson.
Joining this slate of local talent is Central Pennsylvania's Music Award winner, blues/rock band of the year, Ben Brandt and Soul Miners Union. National touring artists scheduled are Tony Holiday from Memphis, Laurie Morvan from Los Angeles, Ben Levin from Cincinnati, Lil' Jimmy Reed from Louisiana, Las Vegas based Jimmy Carpenter from San Francisco, Mark Hummel with Dallas, Texas based Anson Funderburgh. JP Soars is coming north from Florida and will be joined by Chicago artist Anne Harris. Friday night's headliner is Friends of the Brothers and closing the 33rd Annual Billtown Blues Festival coming in from Wisconsin, the Altered Five Blues Band.
The Billtown Blues Festival offers onsite camping packages for RVs, campers and tents. Free onsite parking and free round-trip bus service provided by Susquehanna Trailways from our host hotel, the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport and Walmart in Montoursville. Food and craft vendors are on the grounds, and new this year, two local brewers, New Trail Brewing and Bullfrog Brewery.
Advance discounted tickets are on sale now through the BBA website with options for internet sales or mail order by check. Starting today, area ticket outlets for cash sales are returning with outlets at the Genetti Hotel and the Community Arts Center Box Office in Williamsport, The Lockard Agency in Hughesville and Music One in Lock Haven. Lewisburg fans can purchase tickets by appointment. All ticket purchasing information, the bus schedule and all other festival details are available at www.billtownblues.org.