Maple Blues Awards Features Best Blues Artists from Winnipeg, Orillia, Kitchener, Kingston, Montreal and Toronto- Feb. 3 2020, Toronto

I don’t typically cut ‘n’ paste news releases, but Sarah French does me right so only fair I spread the word. Gala Hosted by Toronto’s Persian HeritageMulti-Instrumentalist Raha Javanfar aka Bad Luck Woman! The Maple Blues Awards will be the blues party of the year as the performers for the gala event are some of…

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Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, 2019- San Francisco, CA

Over at Fervor Coulee Bluegrass at Country Standard Time, I reflect on my weekend at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. I had a great time, but there were too many acts that presented style over substance, in my opinion, and not nearly enough bluegrass. Click for my thoughts.

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Ten Takeaways from Blueberry Bluegrass 2019

The festival has never been so appealingly eclectic. While it was once billed as “& Country Music Festival” and as such included some very questionable lineup choices (look no further than Trick Ryder and Dirt Road Angels), Blueberry is now decidedly and positively heterogeneous in its ‘big tent’ approach to bluegrass and acoustic roots music.…

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Blueberry Bluegrass photos on Bluegrass Today

I was thrilled when Bluegrass Today decided to publish several of my rather poorly constructed snaps, taken at Blueberry Bluegrass 2019. Here is the link: https://bluegrasstoday.com/photos-from-the-2019-blueberry-bluegrass-festival/ Thanks to BT for helping spread the word about this great festival in Alberta.

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More Blueberry Bluegrass Festival, 2019- Stony Plain, Alberta reflections- Day Two

The second day of three-day fests are the most difficult, I find. The novelty of day one is over—the renewing of acquaintances, the excitement of once again celebrating great music in a community—and by the end of the day, no matter the quality of music, I am bagged. Proof in point—in bed by 10:30 last…

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Blueberry Bluegrass Festival, 2019- Stony Plain, Alberta reflections

Blueberry Bluegrass Festival, held annually for now 34 years in the central Alberta community of Stony Plain, is a highlight of my calendar. Where I once attended up to four multi-day music fests annually—and once, in 2003, I believe I hit seven—it is now the only festival I attend. Blueberry Bluegrass just suits me, and…

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Blueberry Bluegrass- The Little Festival That Always Does

My preview of this summer’s Blueberry Bluegrass Festival, August 2-4, 2019 in Stony Plain, Alberta has been published at Country Standard Time as part of the Fervor Coulee Bluegrass blog. Find it here, if interested: http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/fervorcouleebluegrass/entry.asp?xid=1140 Appearing at Blueberry this year are a trove of performers from the more traditional- Joe Mullins & the Radio…

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Claire Lynch- Coming close to us in the west

I don’t normally reprint press releases here at Fervor Coulee, but…I don’t mind promoting the (increasingly bleedin’) rare top-flight bluegrass act making their way to Alberta and western Canada. I don’t have time to do a real article, so here are the details: September 27th through October 10th Western Canada Tour For Bluegrass Grammy Nominee Claire…

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Blueberry Bluegrass, 2018- in review

The 32nd Blueberry Bluegrass Festival delivered. While featuring several acts well-familiar in Alberta due to regular appearances over the last several years—Slocan Ramblers, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado—these groups brought their expected ‘A’ game while other, less-frequently encountered performers including quality area  and regional artists  also quickly enamoured themselves to the…

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Blueberry Bluegrass, 2018: Day 1

The first day of the 32nd Blueberry Bluegrass Festival in Stony Plain, Alberta was as successful as anticipated. All acts were well-received, but it wasn’t acutely apparent which of two acts was the fan favourite. With an emphasis on show,The Kody Norris Show, a four-piece making their Canadian debut, performed a Jimmy Martin-inspired set of…

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