Showing posts with label Chris Avey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Avey. Show all posts

Sunday, August 3, 2025

#762- > Bluesmore Festival 2025 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa~ PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com

 

Bluesmore Festival 2025
Brucemore Mansion
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
August 2, 2025
 
By Phillip Smith; August 3, 2025
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

It has been twelve years since the Linn County Blues Society from Cedar Rapids, Iowa has produced an event on the front lawn of the historic Brucemore Mansion. It felt really good to be back where our blues festivals began in 1994. The weather was perfect, and the tribe of blues fans which made the pilgrimage was a most impressive one. Three amazing bands played yesterday for a total of over six hours, making for an extraordinary music-event. The first act was Buckmiller/Schwager Band from Des Moines, Iowa comprised of Tom BuckmillerBrian Schwager, bassist Eric Smidt drummer Drew Salim, and special guest Tom ‘T-Bone’ Giblin on keys. Next was Quad-Cities-based Avey Grouws Band with Chris AveyJeni Grouws, bassist Randy Leasman, and drummer Bryan WestDes Moines-based multi-instrumentalist Heath Alan made an appearance to perform with the band toward the end of their set, before playing the rest of the evening with the headliners Ghost Town Blues Band. Fronted by guitarist/vocalist Matt Isbell, this Memphis-based band is comprised of bassist Matt KarnerGrayson Smith on keys, Garrett Marshall on drums. Heath Alan and Michael Peloquin both performed on sax. I could not have asked for a better evening of music. It was an absolute blast.

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·       *All photos by Phillip Smith

Buckmiller/Schwager Band 














Avey Grouws Band














Ghost Town Blues Band

   






    















      *All photos by Phillip Smith

 

For more info on Buckmiller/Schwager Band, visit their website at https://www.buckmillerschwager.com/

For more info on Avey Grouws Band, visit their website at https://www.aveygrouwsband.com/

For more info on Ghost Town Blues Band, visit their website at https://www.ghosttownbluesband.com/

For more info on Linn County Blues Society, visit their website at https://www.lcbs.org

 

 

Read my previous reviews for Buckmiller/Schwager Band > https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Buckmiller+Schwager

Read my previous reviews for Avey Grouws Band > https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Avey+Grouws

Read my previous reviews for Ghost Town Blues Band > https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Ghost+Town+Blues+Band

 


Sunday, November 5, 2023

#643 : Avey Grouws Band w/ The Wilted at Wildwood Saloon - Nov 3, 2023 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

Avey Grouws Band w/ The Wilted

Live at Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon – Nov.3, 2023

Iowa City, Iowa

 

By Phillip Smith; November 5, 2023

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

After nearly a year and a half, I was finally able to catch Avey Grouws Band again this weekend.  When I saw they were going to be playing at the Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon in Iowa City, I knew I had to go.  They are absolutely one of my favorite live acts to see.  The show was the perfect mix of favorites, rarities, new songs, and covers.   

Opening for Avey Grouws Band was Iowa City-based band The Wilted.  They played a most impressive set.  When this band releases their first album, I’ll certainly be buying a copy.  

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* photos by Phillip Smith

 The Wilted

 












 

 Avey Grouws Band


























                          * Photos by Phillip Smith