Sunday, February 16, 2025

#731 : Winter Blues Fest 2025 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Downtown Marriott

Des Moines, Iowa

February 15, 2024

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 16, 2025

Original source: phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I made the trek to Des Moines this weekend for my second visit to the Central Iowa Blues Society’s Winter Blues Fest, and had a spectacular time. Although the festival runs for two days, I was only able to make it over to the Saturday shows again. Acts I was able to catch included Hudspeth & Taylor, Cedar County Cobras, Duke Robillard, Altered Five Blues Band, Orphan Jon & the Abandoned, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, John Nemeth & the Blue Dreamers, and Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets featuring Big Joe Maher.

* All Photos by Phillip Smith

Hudspeth & Taylor

Duke Robillard

Cedar County Cobras

Altered Five Blues Band

Orphan Jon & the Abandoned

Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal

John Nemeth & the Blue Dreamers

Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets feat. Big Joe Maher

w/ Duke Robillard

* All photos by Phillip Smith

Sunday, October 27, 2024

#712 > Cedar County Cobras / McMurrin and Johnson / Illinois John Fever at The Ideal Theater 10/26/24

Cedar County Cobras / McMurrin and Johnson / Illinois John Fever – Oct. 26, 2024

Ideal Theater & Bar
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 27, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I'm always happy to experience live music, and it makes me happier to experience it with like-minded music lovers. The Ideal Theater and Bar in Cedar Rapids, Iowa hosted an absolutely astounding three-act show headlined by Cedar County Cobras. Illinois John Fever kicked the evening off with a very cool set of country blues. This was my first time to hear these artists. They played a quite impressive set and are certainly on my radar now. It was great to see Dennis 'Daddy-O' McMurrin and Dan 'DJ' Johnson again. I have been a fan of them both since I moved to Iowa just over thirty years ago, The Cedar County Cobras, finished off the evening with an outstanding-as-usual performance. They are always a delight to hear. After winning the 2024 Iowa Blues Challenge recently, the band earned an entrance to participate in the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee which will take place in January. I wish them my very best on their journey.