The blues were played by a variety of some of Western New York’s best blues bands.  I think that it means that this is a pretty solid blues community that supports the Blues Society of Western New York.  Oh, the Singing in the Rain thing.  Well when you’re fortunate enough to have someone like Janice Mitchell, who was a member of Ray Charles’s band at one time, there probably aren’t too many songs that she can’t absolutely own.  As April Mazzone said to me; “I can’t help it.  She rocks my soul.”

And Janice wasn’t the only band or person who had people rocking.  Patty Parks and her group are pure movement.  The dynamics are awesome, and not too many folks were standing still.  Much the same can be said for Cindy Reinhardt doing vocals with Ron Locurto and the Reinhardts.  Hey, can he play that ax or what. 

And truth be known, we had some pretty damn good male vocals too.  Willie Schoelkopf with his band ain’t no slouch.  The guy can play slide along with being a pretty good picker, but can roll you under with his vocals.  It was good to see him singing lead as he so often is making other folks look good doing backup and harmonizing.  The closer has a voice that that’s been described as ‘what blues singer should sound like.’  And yes I’m talking about Rod Nickson.  Rod has repeatedly earned the respect and following that he’s had over the years. 

Not to be left out, we also enjoyed some straight forward solid blues bands too.  The former Junk Yard Dogs, now reshaped as Tumbling Dice certainly lived up to the name by keeping people dancing.  My candidate of the year for stage antics and presence, Damien Brady leading the Flyin’ Blind Blues Band, knows how to keep a crown keyed up even when they’re getting wet and cold at the same time. 

Last but not least I always enjoy it when a hard rocking band like the Bravuras slows things down.  And on that note I need to give credit where credit is due and quote someone.  I think that this sort of summarizes the day.  On Facebook John Puccio wrote; It was a Beautiful Day under the tent...full of staunch hearted Blues Fans. I loved watching you slow dance to the 'Cold woman Blues'. You are the show!

This was a solid show in a new venue, and even though it rained most of the time, and folks came and went – with some of us crazies staying for the whole thing, a good time was had by all.  If you didn’t make it you missed a good time.  If you did make it – Thanks for helping us keep the blues alive.