The healing power of the blues .... Project Blues was born first in the hearts of a few good men who had experienced cancer and helplessly watched loved ones struggle with the disease. The idea sprung up from the notion that there's fellowship and healing in the Blues. Visit Project Blues an evening of the blues and luncheon slideshow.

And it Feels Like Rain...almost! The sun gods blessed us this weekend with incredible weather for the Heritage Music Bluesfest faithful gathering. The lineup included none other than Mr.Buddy Guy and accompanied by the young guitar slinger Quinn Sullivan. Sharing the weekend entertainment were the Bob Margolin's Vizztone Allstar Revue with Gaye Adegbalola, Matt Hill and Mac Arnold. Bruce put on another great show and continues to draw a crowd. View the show and crowd at our slideshow.

With much success the Pennsylvania Blues Festival at the Blue Mountain Ski resort continued to provide the blues fans with fabulous blues in the oldest mountains in the country. Michael Cloeren's blues show is still intact folks and the new grounds are much more accommodating and friendly. There is an air-conditioned bar and campgrounds in close proximity of the main stage. The blues musicians revved up the heat with lively entertainment and crowd interaction on such a hot summer's day. Favorites like Shemekia, Kenny Neal and Lil Ed along with Sunday morning church with the Lee Brothers. All of the artists put their heart and soul into the show. See for yourself with the slideshow.

The heat wave hit Rockland with some of the greatest Chicago blues musicians around. The weekend was non-stop with the entire Saturday lineup on stage closing the show with "Sweet Home Chicago". Sunday's power house started off with Trampled Under Foot and leading into a hot afternoon on the Rockland pier. Robert Cray closed the show on Sunday with his signature vocals and guitar riffs for the crowds enjoyment. View the enjoyment from our slideshow

A beautiful weekend of the blues in Charleston, WV , while celebrating the Armed Forces Day. Featured artist include Joe Louis Walker and Ana Popovic taking the crowd by storm. Overwhelming attendance of the local crowd and friends from the surrounding area. Three acts along were from Columbus, Ohio, notably Sean Carney. The fabulous vocalist Shawn Booker and the blues jammin' band Mojo Theory. See the festival and crowd through the camera lens.

The mighty, muddy Mississippi that threatened Memphis's surrounding area didn't stop the Blues Music Awards and the songs that come from past delta floods. Buddy Guy was a big time winner, with Band of Year going to Derek Trucks. The slideshow begins with the pre-party and transitions into the main event.

The 20th Annual Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society's Blues Festival was held in the historic LaFayette Hotel in beautiful Marietta, Ohio where the flowing Ohio and Muskinghum rivers meet and blues fans come together for a weekend of great blues and dancing. Acoustic, electric and "Kids that Rock" were the features of the show. The 20th annual show was well attended with laughter and great blues to enjoy. The slideshow speaks for itself.

The 2011 Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society's International Blues Challenge was a successful event in both attendance and great acts. The acts were from surrounding states with the Ray Fuller Band from Columbus, Ohio taking home the 1st place purse and the opportunity to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Visit our slideshow of the event.

The 2011 International Blues Challenge hosted by the Blues Foundation, in Memphis, TN opens the door to aspiring musicians from all over the world. This year the competition introduced a new setting with the addition of quarterfinals, with semifinal rounds narrowed down to 44 bands and then onto the final competition of 8 bands and 8 solo/duo acts. The event started on Wednesday, February 2nd and wrapped up on Saturday, February 5 with the winner announcements. The Band winner for 2011 and representing the Colorado Blues Society was "The Lionel Young Band". The 2011 Acoustic Solo/Duo winners, from Germany and representing the Baltic Blues Society were George Schroeter and Marc Breitfelder. Congratulations to the winners and a round of applause to all participants. Visit our slideshow of the event.

The DustyBlues Photography Exhibit entitled "21st Century Blues Music" is a photography exhibit and fund raiser for The Museums at Marietta. The Campus Martius Museum and The Ohio River Museum. A special art reception will open the display to the public, on Sunday afternoon, January 30, 2011, at 2PM.

"21st Century Blues" is presented by The Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society of Marietta, in conjunction with The Friends of The Museums. "We appreciate the help and support," said Bill Reynolds of the museum. "We also appreciate having a nationally known photography team to work with," he said. "We thought this was something extra we could do help support our local museums during our Blues Competition and Festival season," said John Bolen, President of The Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society. "This will give all of the out-of-town visitors who come to Marietta for our events something extra to see and do while they’re here, and a chance to help support a good cause at the same time. We hope the local community will also come out to support the museums, added Bolen."People have watched Dusty and Val Scott taking pictures at our music events for years. but have never seen the finished pictures. Now they’ll be able to see," explained Bolen.

The "21st Century Blues" exhibit will run for 2-months and be available to the public through April 3, 2011.The Campus Martius Museum is located at 601 Second Street in Marietta. You can call the museum at 614-373-3750. Hours of operation, admission charges and complete details ate available on the museum’s website: search for campus martius museum Marietta Ohio.

The collection includes legendary blues artists and the heart of Clarksdale, Mississippi, along with blues artists who actively keep the blues alive with live performances.

• Giant - James Cotton [Alligator]
• Memphis Blues - Cyndi Lauper [Mercer Street Records]
• The Well - Charlie Musselwhite [Alligator]
• Joined At The Hip - Pinetop Perkins " Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith [Telarc]
• Plays Blues, Ballads " Favorites - Jimmie Vaughan [Shout! Factory}

• Buddy Guy
• Hubert Sumlin

• Pinetop Perkins
• James Cotton

• Charlie Musselwhite
• Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

• Nothing's Impossible - Solomon Burke [E1 Music]
• Tribal - Dr. John And The Lower 911[429 Records]
• Living Proof - Buddy Guy[Silvertone/Jive]
• Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook - Bettye LaVette [ANTI-]
• Live! In Chicago - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Featuring Hubert Sumlin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bryan Lee, And Buddy Flett [Roadrunner/Loud " Proud Records]

• Bettye LaVette
• Kenny Wayne Shepard
• Bryan Lee