BLUES BASH AT THE RANCH – PART ONE/FRIDAY
BLUES BASH AT THE RANCH – PART ONE/FRIDAY
Camping is optional. Single day and weekend passes are on sale online through 3/11/24; after that tickets are available only at the Fest. A full day of activities for children 12 and under on Saturday.
Friday night kicks off the festival at 5pm with our legendary Campers Acoustic Jam. All attendees are invited to meet at the main pavilion with their music instruments to jam together. You never know if one of our artists will be there leading it!
At 6pm, Calvin Duncan Jr. kicks off the festival; Calvin is a very powerful singer, songwriter, and musician. As a young child, he began his love of music with the piano and vocals, later taking his talents to the powerful guitar and drums. Calvin has been performing the Blues for quite some time now, continuing to make his way through the industry preserving the life of the blues. Not only is his band amazing, but they are family, all enjoying the love for music on this Blues journey. Nothing is more exciting than watching him transition through popular songs, as well as original music during his performance. He has performed in numerous, casinos, touring boats, blues festivals, and private events. Calvin Duncan Jr. has performed with artists, such as Mr. Sipp, Donnie Ray, Carl Sims, L.J. Echols, and many more. Never miss a moment to enjoy the Blues and Soul with the Calvin Duncan Jr. Band.
At 7:30pm, Tas Cru! With six albums in the last eight years , Cru is slated to release his Tas Cru Band LIVE in 2024. This album showcases his 2024 tour band performing his fan’s top-ten requested songs. To no surprise, these fan-fed songs are all rough and tumble. Gone are the frills of a studio album. The band just gives each song a best go, kicking down the fences – cage-free – loose, loud and proud!
Cru is a well-seasoned performer and entertainer. He knows how to read an audience. By intuition, Cru adjusts his sets on the fly to make sure he reaches them. While this is a skill acquired from years of performing, having a repertoire of well over 100 original songs to draw on certainly gives him a leg up on most others. Indeed, above all else, Tas Cru is a songwriter – always original and where the songs matter, lyrics speak, and melodies thrive!
At 9pm, Joe Moss! Few blues performers walk the walk to the degree of Chicago based guitarist/bandleader Joe Moss. One of the hardest working performers on the scene today. Not just an imitator of the music’s glorious past, he strives to find his own sound and material within the styles he chooses to play. And the music world is taking notice. The band is tight, featuring some of Chicago’s finest blues musicians. A talented singer, writer, and guitarist, Joe is a consistent and entertaining performer with a monster groove. 2013 Inductee into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame! A guitarist since the age of 10, Moss was given his passport into the blues world by Buddy Scott, who noticed Moss at a jam session at Rosa’s Blues Lounge in Chicago. Soon, Moss was playing seven nights a week as a member of Buddy’s Rib Tip band. Moss’ guitar skills quickly became notorious on the local scene and made him an in-demand sideman. Some of the people he had the pleasure of playing with include: Buddy Guy, Little Milton, Willy “Big Eyes” Smith, Lurrie Bell, Zora Young, Charles Wilson, Lil’ Smokey Smothers, Syl Johnson, Big Time Sarah, Barkin’ Bill Smith, Lefty Dizz, Magic Slim, A.C. Reed, Billy Branch, Walter Scott, Hollywood Scott, Mike Wheeler, James Wheeler and Little Mack Simmons. Joe has backed these artists all over the world. Joe has recorded 5 Albums with his own band The Joe Moss band.
After the last band plays, musicians from all three bands get up to jam. Always, always a great ending to the first night of the festival. Come back next week to read about Saturday’s artists.
For more information on camping and tickets, please call Roseanne at 941-758-7585 or go online: www.bluesbashattheranch.com
We can’t wait to see you at the Bash!
Greg & Roseanne
