Alpena Blues Festival - June 20-21, 2014

The Alpena Blues Festival is one of Michigan's best kept secrets.

This years acts were no exception to the great line-up that has historically been the case. Ellie Lee & Blues Fury from Florida came out in hurricane force and rocked Friday night. Also on Friday were The Smokin' 45's Rock and Blues Revue, and the young in age but old in soul Pett Crow.

Saturday had shows starting at 1:00 PM. Wild Rose and the Thorns, Kathleen & the Bridge Street Band, The Bobby Murray Band, Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers, Ghost Town Bues Band and The Selwyn Birchwood Band closed out the night. The Ghost Town Blues Band and Selwyn Birchwood band were both IBC Finalists and winners in first and second place. I was not about to pick my winner as all bands were amazing and authentic in sound, in great ways.

I loved seeing the young members of Pett Crow just have a blast and yet exude so much professionalism and talent. Ray Fuller's keyboard player has a few tricks up his sleeve, I will leave it to you to find out- lets just say he is a good competitor to Edgar Winter's antics on that keyboard! The Smokin 45's just never eased up on energy, and Bobby Murray was strong and steady as she rolls.

So many to talk about- check out the Alpena Blues Coalitions Festival page and join up to support this local festivals- they are a non-profit. Click on this LINK.

Here is a shot of Matt Isbell from the Ghost Town Blues Band taking a load off as he walked through the stands at the festival.