2011 Mississippi Valley Blues Fest 4th of July Weekend Blast

FIRST PERSON | The blues was alive and kicking 4^th of July weekend at the 2011 Mississippi Valley Blues Fest in Davenport, Iowa. The 27^th annual music festival featured a talented bunch of bands from the old timers to young folks we want to hear more from, plus workshops and BluesKool passing on the tradition of America's native music. There was a little something for everyone.

Funky Family Fun

"It's a beautiful day!" festival goer Adam Robnett commented. Robnett's 5-year-old son, Hayden, said he was having fun while burying his face in honorary grandmother Melinda Rudish's side. Rudish agreed that it was great to spend time outside together and expose Hayden to different kinds of music.

You couldn't ask for a more beautiful place to be outside with the family than the venue at LeClaire Park. The mighty Mississippi rolls along one side of the park, old trees shade the river walkway and a green lawn stretches from the classic band shell to the tent stage.

Everywhere you looked there were people enjoying themselves, playing Frisbee, dancing or sitting in lawn chairs with toes tapping while wailing harmonicas, guitar riffs, horns and smoky voices singing out the blues filled the air.

Welcome to Iowa

The MVBF had its mojo on this year. A line-up of 28 acts filled the two stages for three days of outstanding roots music.

Musician Ryan McGarvey made a real splash in river town. "I've never been to Iowa before," the talented young guitarist said as he greeted the audience. Judging from the reaction, many new fans are hoping he comes back.

Mississippi Heat was a crowd favorite with their fun blues and Chocolate Thunder's stage presence was mesmerizing. The Mississippi Blues Society awarded soul/blues/gospel great Otis Clay with the RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Award before he wowed the crowd with his fiery performance on the tent stage.

There was also a Koko Taylor tribute, the 2011 Iowa Blues Challenge winners - The Candymakers - and much, much more. From classic blues to zydeco to modern blues, there was something for everyone.

Passing on the Tradition

Workshops and presentations were held Saturday and Sunday covering everything from blues violin to blues photography.

Over at the BluesKool tent, giggles and smiles abounded as the engaging David Berntson gave the kids (including the big "kids") harmonica lessons. Around 250 free harmonicas are given away every year at the fest.

Hal Reed and Ellis Kell appeared with the BluesKool winter all-star kids. This is the third year Kell and Reed have moderated the BluesKool program together, taking kids with natural talent and turning them into blues artists in a series of winter workshops. The all-stars of the sessions then get to appear at the MVBF. The kids performed on the tent stage Sunday afternoon.

A glorious weekend, glorious venue and glorious music made the 2011 MVBF a great way to spend Independence weekend in the Quad Cities.

See pictures of the 2011 Mississippi Valley Blues Fest.