Wilmington,
NC – July 2014 / Newsmaker Alert / On July 25-27, blues fans
are in for a special treat when the Cape Fear Blues Society welcomes
blues harmonica master and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee Lee
Oskar to Wilmington during the 19th
Annual Cape Fear Blues Festival. There’s no one in the music world
quite like Lee Oskar. He is a founding member and former lead harmonica
player for the 1970s funk/jazz band, WAR. His signature harp solos helped
define the WAR sound (think “Cisco Kid” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends”).
In 1976 he earned Billboard’s title of #1 Instrumental Artist of
the Year. In 1983 he created a successful line of Lee Oskar Harmonicas.
In recent years Oskar has performed and recorded solo. By his own admission
his harp playing has become more aggressive, evolving into a lead instrument.
As this year’s Special Guest at the Cape Fear Blues Festival, Lee Oskar
will perform at several events, along with touring blues artists, noted
regional performers, and talented local blues musicians performing in a
variety of genres. Wilmington’s premier music venues – the Rusty
Nail Saloon, Ted’s
Fun On The River, and The
Art Factory – will host the 2014 Cape Fear Blues Festival. The three-day
blues celebration features live concerts, workshop, jam sessions, and the
popular Blues Cruise.
Here’s a Preview of the
19th Annual Cape Fear Blues Festival:
Friday, July 25: The
blues excitement begins with the ever-popular Cape Fear Blues Cruise
(boards at 6:30pm; departs at 7:30pm) featuring 3 bands, 3 decks and 3
cash bars, with heavy appetizers and a blues-filled sunset. Blues harmonica
master Lee Oskar will preside as Guest of Honor aboard this year’s cruise.
Festival favorites The Rickey Godfrey Band will bring their “hot rockin’
blues and hip-shakin’ soul” to the main deck. Above the main deck, Randy
McQuay & RootSoul Project will delight with soulful fusions of musical
genres. Blues guitarist Harvey Dalton Arnold will entertain with acoustic
selections on the atrium level. Advance tickets are $55 each and can be
purchased online now at www.capefearblues.org/cruise.html,
or call 910-343-1611 or 910-452-7752 for more information. Afterward, the
Cruise After-Party grooves on until the wee hours at The Rusty Nail Saloon
(1310 South 5th Street, 910-251-1888) beginning at 9pm with Greensboro
blues trio “Lawyers, Guns & Money,” who will headline the blues after-party
(cover charge may apply).
Saturday, July 26:
A free Lee Oskar Harmonica Workshop for all ages will take place
at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center (2nd &
Orange streets) starting at 11:00am. This year’s featured artist is Lee
Oskar who will demonstrate techniques, method and improvisation on his
signature harmonica. Admission is free but donations are accepted. Call
910-452-7752 for workshop info. At 1:00pm, local and regional players provide
an Acoustic Blues Showcase at Ted’s Fun on the River (2 Castle Street),
featuring finger-picker Spidermike Bochey and friends (details: 910-231-3379).
At 4:00pm musicians and listeners can break for refreshments (cash bar)
and blues on the jukebox at The Rusty Nail. Beginning at 7:30pm, doors
open at The Art Factory (under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge at 721 Surrey
Street, Wilmington) which will play host to the Saturday Night Blues Concert,
featuring blues harpist Lee Oskar & Friends. Tickets are $15 in advance
(online at www.capefearblues.org)
or at the door the night of the show ($20 each). For concert details: 910-399-3793
or 910-350-8822. Afterward at The Rusty Nail Saloon, Snake Malone &
The Black Cat Bone will serve up late-night blues until 1:00am.
Sunday, July 27: The
free All-Day Blues Jam begins at 12:00 noon under the tent at The
Rusty Nail (1310 S. 5th Street) hosted by the Cape Fear Blues Society.
Bring a lawn chair. No coolers; no pets allowed. Beverages and food will
be available for sale all day. Musicians can reserve a performance slot
by calling 910-350-8822 and leave a name and phone number. At 6:00pm, the
Guitar Giveaway will feature a Big Baby Taylor acoustic guitar. Raffle
tickets cost $1 (each) with proceeds supporting projects and programs of
the Cape Fear Blues Society. Raffle tickets available at The Rusty Nail
or at any Festival event.
Wilmington,
North Carolina and its island beaches is a popular vacation destination
that’s known for its dynamic blues scene, with weekly jams, live performances,
and two signature blues festivals that provide a steady dose of blues music.
For Cape Fear Blues Festival
details and tickets, visit www.capefearblues.org
or call 910-350-8822. For a free Official Visitors Guide for Wilmington,
North Carolina and the island beaches of Carolina
Beach,
Kure Beach, and Wrightsville
Beach, visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com,
email visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com,
or call 866-266-9690.
Media
Contact:
Wilmington
and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Connie
Nelson
Communications/PR
Director
910-332-8751
866-266-9690
ext. 120
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The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches
Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization
of New Hanover County, North Carolina that stimulates economic development
through the promotion of travel and tourism.
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