{"id":52767,"date":"2017-11-16T17:37:30","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T22:37:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=52767"},"modified":"2018-03-25T12:05:33","modified_gmt":"2018-03-25T16:05:33","slug":"fabulous-thunderbirds-bobby-rush-headline-2018-blast-furnace-blues-festival-march-23-25-steelstacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=52767","title":{"rendered":"FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS, BOBBY RUSH & MORE HEADLINE 2018 BLAST FURNACE BLUES FESTIVAL MARCH 23-25 AT STEELSTACKS"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Festival to Pay Tribute to Houston-area Blues Scene; New BBQ Event Highlights Friday Schedule<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

BETHLEHEM, PA\u2014The Fabulous Thunderbirds, 2017 GRAMMY Award winner Bobby Rush and Walter \u201cWolfman\u201d Washington are among the many electrifying blues acts that will take the stage during the 7th<\/sup> Blast Furnace Blues Festival March 23-25 at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem<\/a>. Tickets for the festival, featuring nearly 20 different national and local blues acts, go on sale Nov. 17, 10 a.m., at www.steelstacks.org<\/a> and 610-332-3378<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Fabulous Thunderbirds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On March 24, 8:30 p.m., Blast Furnace Blues welcomes the Fabulous Thunderbirds with Kim Wilson. For more than 35 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American band. The group\u2019s distinctive and powerful sound, influenced by a diversity of musical styles, manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via hits like \u201cTuff Enuff,\u201d \u201cWrap It Up\u201d and \u201cLook at That.\u201d Formed by Wilson and Jimmie Vaughn in 1974, the group released its first self-titled album in 1979, and nearly 40 years later it continues to delight audiences at venues and festivals from coast to coast. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Bobby Rush – Photo Courtesy of Rounder Records<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Headlining Blast Furnace Blues on March 25, 6 p.m., is Bobby Rush, winner of the 2017 GRAMMY award for Best Traditional Blues Album for \u201cPorcupine Meat.\u201d Born in Louisiana, Rush moved to Chicago in the 1950s, and started to work with artist such as Earl Hooker, Luther Allison and Freddie King, as well as perform with blue legends like Howlin\u2019 Wolf, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed and Willie Dixon. By the 1960s, he was leading his own band, embarking on a musical journey that now spans some 60 years.\u00a0 Among Rush\u2019s many honors are being named a Blues Hall of Famer, B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and receiving 11 Blues Music Awards from the Blues Foundation. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Among the many other artists performing at Blast Furnace Blues 2018 are five-time Blues Music Award nominee Toronzo Cannon, singer-songwriter and Blues Music Award nominee Sugaray Rayford and Walter \u201cWolfman\u201d Washington, the legendary guitarist who blends R&B, blues, New Orleans funk and modern jazz into his own unique style. This year\u2019s festival also pays tribute to the Houston-areas blues scene, with seven out of 19 festival performers coming from Southeast Texas. Among them are Houston Music Hall of Famer and five-time Blues Music Award nominee Trudy Lynn, Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws, Steve Krase Band, The Mighty Orq, Brad Absher & Swamp Royale, boogie woogie piano player Ezra Charles and steel guitarist John Egan. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone knows how badly Houston and Southeast Texas were hit by Hurricane Harvey,\u201d says ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan. \u201cThis particular region has a rich tradition in the blues, and a number of artists from that area were really impacted by the hurricane. <\/strong><\/p>\n

At Blast Furnace Blues, we\u2019re going to showcase some of the amazing acts from the Houston area in an effort to provide some much needed income and exposure to its music scene, as well as help some of the artists who are still struggling to recover from the devastation of Harvey.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n

On Friday night at Blast Furnace Blues, guests are invited to enjoy a \u201cBourbon & Barbeque Tasting,\u201d featuring unlimited samplings of Cherry Wood Smoked Beef Brisket with Smokehouse Mac & Cheese; Mesquite & Black Pepper Rubbed Chicken Served over Braised Greens; and Slow Roasted BBQ Pork with House Slaw & Signature BBQ Sauce, along with samplings of Social Still\u2019s bourbon and rum.\u00a0\u00a0 Price is $50 and includes Blast Furnace Blues admission for the evening; guests must be 21 years or older for this new culinary experience. <\/strong><\/p>\n


\nThe lineup and ticket prices for Blast Furnace Blues 2018 are: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Three-Day Pass: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ArtsQuest Member Price $89; Regular Admission $99<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Festival Admission only: Member Price $18; Regular Admission $20
\n\u201cBourbon & Barbeque Tasting\u201d Ticket (includes admission to the festival on Friday night): $50<\/p>\n

Saturday: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member Price $44; Regular Admission $49<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member Price $39; Regular Admission $44<\/p>\n

Ages 6 & Under\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Single day only – $8<\/p>\n

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BLAST FURNACE BLUES LINEUP
\nFriday
\nMusikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling
\n<\/u><\/em>7 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 James Supra & Sarah Ayers Quartet
\n<\/u><\/em>8:15 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Steve Krase Band\u00a0\u00a0
\n<\/u><\/em>10 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Craig Thatcher Band <\/u><\/p>\n

Saturday
\nFowler Blast Furnace Room
\n<\/u><\/em>12 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Lesson Center
\n1 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Ezra Charles
\n<\/u><\/em>2:30 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sugaray Rayford
\n4:15 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Egan
\n<\/u><\/em>6-7:15 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 Slam Allen Band
\n<\/u><\/em>7:45 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Walter Washington<\/p>\n

Musikfest Caf\u00e9 presented by Yuengling
\n<\/u><\/em>12:30 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Egan
\n<\/u><\/em>1:45 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Slam Allen Band
\n<\/u><\/em>3:15 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ezra Charles
\n<\/u><\/em>5 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Walter \u201cWolfman\u201d Washington & the Roadmasters
\n<\/u><\/em>6:45 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sugaray Rayford\u00a0\u00a0
\n<\/u><\/em>8:30 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Fabulous Thunderbirds with Kim Wilson <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday
\nFowler Blast Furnace Room
\n<\/u><\/em>12:30 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Mighty Orq
\n2:15 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Brad Absher
\n3:45 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws
\n5:15 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Toronzo Cannon<\/p>\n

Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling
\n<\/u><\/em>Noon \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Brad Absher
\n<\/u><\/em>1:15 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws
\n<\/u><\/em>2:30 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Toronzo Cannon
\n<\/u><\/em>4:15 p.m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trudy Lynn
\n<\/u><\/em>6 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Bobby Rush <\/strong><\/p>\n

Plus additional acts to be announced. For more information on Blast Furnace Blues, please visit www.steelstacks.org<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Information and images provided to TVL by:
\nMark Demko, ArtsQuest
\nhttp:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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