Wednesday, August 24, 2022

#571 > Bourbon and Blues Festival - 2022 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

McGrath Amphitheater

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 23, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Battling a forecast filled with rain and a last-minute lineup change, the first annual Bourbon & Blues Festival co-presented by Linn County Blues Society and Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery hit the ground running. The temperamental weather fizzled out early and blues fans were rewarded with a whopping dose of outstanding music. Molly Nova and the Hawk featuring Bryce Janey took the stage first and gave a riveting performance. Next up was bluesman Davy Knowles, a musician who Peter Frampton declared “gunslinger/guitarist of the 21^st Century”. He was an awe-inspiring treat to say the least. Danielle Nicole Band followed and pretty much set the stage on fire with a searing performance highlighted with a guest appearance from Kevin Burt who accompanied on vocals. Headliner Carolyn Wonderland with Shelly King closed the show in a high-energy fashion with blazing guitars and a slathering of lap steel. It really was a great festival, and I’m already looking forward to next year.

* All Photos by Phillip Smith

Kevin Burt

Molly Nova and the Hawk

featuring Bryce Janey

Davy Knowles

Danielle Nicole Band

Carolyn Wonderland

* All photos by Phillip Smith

Sunday, November 4, 2018

#360 : Bob Dorr and Friends Live @ Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery

November 2, 2018

Swisher, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Nov 4, 2018

Friday, November 2nd, the Linn County Blues Society and Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery hosted a stellar evening of blues in Swisher, Iowa. Bob Dorr and Friends (guitarist Jeff Petersen, bassist Dan ‘DJ’ Johnson, and keyboardist Tom Giblin) brought their Parlor City Jam Band out to play in a totally different setting, at Cedar Ridge Winery to a full house of blues fans.

With Bob behind the drum kit and Jeff Petersen armed with his Flying V guitar, the band played through crowd favorites such as the Hank Williams classic “Mind Your Own Business” and Freddie King’s “Have You Ever Loved a Woman”. DJ stepped up to the mic and rocked the room with “Shake Rattle and Roll”, originally recorded by Big Joe Turner. Keeping the momentum going, Petersen belted out Ike Turner’s legendary “Rocket 88”. It sounded great. When “Mustang Sally” rolled around the dance floor quickly filled. DJ paid a wonderful homage to Jimmy Reed’s “Baby What You Want Me to Do?” As the blues jams go, you never know who will appear on stage throughout the show. This particular evening, keyboardist Jeff Craft and harpist Bob Gleason made an appearance. Craft led the band on a great cover of Muddy Waters’ “Got My Mojo Workin’” with Gleason wonderfully ripping it up on harmonica. It was very cool. The music was so hot; the time quickly flew by. Before long, the jam came to its end with Bob Dorr’s traditional Limestoner Blues Jam closer, Dylan’s “Rainy Day Woman # 12 & 35”. It was a terrific night, indeed.

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* photos by Phillip Smith