20th Annual Low Country Blues Bash Twelve days, 25 venues, 50 acts, Metro-Charleston The Lowcountry Blues Bash is Charleston, South Carolina's annual celebration of authentic blues music. With ten days of performances in select clubs, restaurants, hotels, and other venues, the Bash boasts some of the most innovative blues festival programming in North America.
It all started back in 1983 when a young Gary Erwin moved from his Boston home to the Charleston area and discovered that the diverse music and college type underground radio he had been accustomed to up there was not so readily available down here. A year later, frustrated by the lack of his idea of "good music," Erwin approached a local radio station and plugged his idea of a blues show and though it took a half a year to get it off the ground, the new radio host was given an hour per week on Friday nights at midnight to capture an audience. Apparently he succeeded. The show ran for the next 16 years and during that time, Erwin arranged for countless blues artists to come to the Charleston area to play for local audiences in single and small club venues. As the idea and popularity grew, the Blues Bash was born.
Participating in many facets of the music industry: a radio show, managing groups, starting a cassette label, booking agent, music critic for a Charleston newspaper and of course, playing in his own band, Gary Erwin's love for the blues and determination to bring the sound to a wider audience, the culmination of his experiences in the music industry brought him to work via committee to initiate the Blues Talent Contest and the Charleston Blues Festival.
The idea of the Blues Festival has progressed and morphed through two decades and is now known as The Lowcountry Blues Bash. Still organized by Gary Erwin, the Bash runs for 12 consecutive days at as many as 25 venues. Some acts simmer in the daytime or early evening. Not just for the juke joint anymore, these blues musicians from far and wide, share their gravelly tones and gritty riffs not only in back room bars but in restaurants and hotels as well. Many of the earlier performances are free to the public and family enjoyment is encouraged. Of course, while those daytime performances are for the family, as one would expect, other acts for the 21+-crowd sizzle during late night hours starting at 9:30pm or after, where dancing is likely and the cocktails flow.
Some 50 or more blues artists featuring exciting blues players like Big Bill Morganfield, a Chicago style blues man who only within the last decade recognized his blues roots as the son of McKinley Morganfield, better known as the late, Muddy Waters. Also in attendance will be the renowned newcomer in the blues rage, Wanda Johnson, known as the "new voice of South Carolina soul and blues". In addition to these fresh talents are also the seasoned musicians who have earned their stripes on the blues road: blues veterans Bryan Lee, New Orleans guitarist and singer and Charlie Sayles & The Blues Disciples will heat up the South Carolina scene with his smoking harmonica and signature vocals. These performers and many more of the who's who in the blues circles, will bring all styles of the genre to Charleston; jump, Chicago, Memphis, Delta New Orleans and country will cook on the South Carolina streets.
Artists will give performances and at several venues including Fiery Ron's Hometeam BBQ (two locations), A Dough Re Mi Pizza, Aromas, Isle of Palms Rec Center, Sticky Fingers (2 locations), Charleston County Main Library, and Circular Church and others, often giving more than one performance so there will likely be more than one opportunity to see your favorite artist. Erwin says, "It's all there -- from traditional to post-modern, from under appreciated down-home veterans to provocative up-and-coming talent, you will find The Lowcountry Blues Bash to be delight for blues purists and new fans alike". For more info go to Blues Bash or call 843.762-9125.
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