Andy Biggs || Contributing writer
The fall semester is starting in Murray, and while that means many things including moving back for school, starting classes and getting back together with old friends, it also means it is time for the Hot August Blues Festival.
The Hot August Blues Festival is Friday and Saturday. The festival will be held at the Kenlake State Resort Park Amphitheater, and will have a little bit of something for everyone including food, shopping vendors and, of course, blues music.
This year the festival features eleven bands that were handpicked from more than one hundred submissions by Sam and Debbie Harris, who have been responsible for the recent success of the event since they started promoting it in 2007.
“The festival was created to bring the blues culture and to give the area a new musical experience,” Debbie Harris said.
The music festival has taken place annually for 23 years, making it one of the longest running blues festivals in the South.
Most of the blues musicians that made the cut to play at the festival are well-known around midwest and southern regions of the United States such as the John Sutton Band, the Justin Hatcher Band and Lightnin’ Rod and the Thunderbolts.
All the musicians taking the stage this weekend are passionate about their endeavors and have earned national recognition for their musical talent, according to Sam and Debbie Harris.
One musician that will be featured this weekend is guitarist Daniel “Boscoe” France of the Library Trio. He recently won the Guitar Center Battle of the Blues competition, which was a nationwide blues guitarist competition that had more than 4,000 entries.
To keep with the blues culture and atmosphere of the music, there will also be food vendors offering food ranging from Cajun cooking to southern barbecue to Philly cheese steaks, and of course funnel cakes. While there are a variety of different kinds of refreshments available at the festival, all attendees are welcome to bring their own food and drinks in personal coolers.
Along with the food, there will also be merchants selling clothing, jewelry and other blues memorabilia that can only be found at the festival.
Tickets for the festival are available at the gate and the cost varies depending on the day. Tickets for Friday night cost $12, Saturday tickets cost $17 and passes for both Friday and Saturday cost $25.
The bands will play Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight and 2 p.m. Saturday to 12:15 a.m. Sunday.
This is where I spent my Saturday night…great blues music from awesome bands. My favorite was the Terry Quiett Band. Had to buy that CD. Can't wait till next year's festival!
Glad you had a great time. Would love to hear them! Maybe I can come up one day when they are playing 😉
You are welcome here anytime!