International Blues Artists set to perform at the 2012 Stratford Blues & Ribfest

The 2012 Stratford Blues & Ribfest will be hosting an array of international renowned blues artists as well as popular local musicians on the stages of the Stratford Blues & Ribfest, to be held June 22 – 24 along the banks of the scenic Avon River and in and around the historic William Allman Memorial Arena.

This year performers include Maple Blues Award winner Shakura S’Aida, a truly international artist whose involvement in the Canadian music scene has been ongoing for the almost 25 years. Along the way, she has enriched the jazz, blues and classic R&B communities with her soulful voice, enthusiastic personality and commitment to her deep soul music. In April 2012, she released her recording project, titled Time, a double CD that gives her growing international audience tastes of her different musical approaches to blues, soul and rock and roll.

British Bluesman Matt Schofield is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive and innovative guitarists to have emerged on the world scene for several generations. He is rated in the top ten British blues guitarists of all time (Guitar & Bass Magazine) putting him in the company of such iconic names as Eric Clapton and Peter Green.

Best Blues/R&B 2012 Jack Richardson Music Award winners, 2012 Memphis International Blues Challenge Semi-Finalists and 2011 London Free Press Local Album of the Year winners Robbie Antone’s Blues Machine gets its sound from the many influences of lead singer and harmonica ace Robbie Antone, who hails from the Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation, near London, Ontario.

Music legend John Till (Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band) and his band Plum Loco will also be performing at the 2012 Stratford Blues & Ribfest.  Plum Loco includes John’s son Shawn Till on bass and vocals and  Brian Pawley on guitar and vocals, Michael Short on piano and vocals and Wayne Brown on drums.

In 2011, over three thousand blues fans from all over Southern Ontario attended the Stratford Blues & Ribfest to enjoy Ontario Pork ribs and live music. This June, the Blues & Ribfest is expecting double that attendance.

Tickets for the Stratford Blues & Ribfest are $5.00 for Friday night, $20.00 for Saturday and $20.00 for Sunday. Weekend passes can be purchased for $30.00. Tickets can be purchased at Long & McQuade, Filsinger Music, Needles Appliances, Anything Grows, and Palmers Motorcycles or online at www.ticketscene.ca.

Full Line-up for the Stratford Blues & Ribfest

Brian Cober & The Nationals
Robbie Antone’s Blues Machine
Plum Loco with John Till
Dylan Wickens & The Grand Naturals
Alysha Brillinger
Jordan John & The Blues Angels
Shakura S’Aida
Matt Schofield

www.stratfordbluesandribfest.ca

For more information contact:

Stew Laing, Co-chair
Stratford Blues & Ribfest
519-271-8364
info@stratfordbluesandribfest.ca

Sarah French
Sarah French Publicity
416-566-4188
sarah@sarahfrenchpublicity.com

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STRATFORD BLUES & RIBFEST: JUNE 22, 23 & 24 2012

A NEW EXCITING COMMUNITY EVENT!!
~ A Celebration of Famed Stratford Musicians
~ A Celebration of Pork BBQ
~ A Celebration of Blues Culture

Stratford is a Southwestern Ontario hot spot for culture and the culinary arts. Stratford is also home of the famed Shakespearean Festival Theatre and the Stratford Chef School, one of Canada’s most prestigious culinary schools.

Stratford offers an award winning parks system, heritage Victorian architecture, ample fine dining on par with North America’s best, unique Bed & Breakfasts, a distinctive shopping experience, and a safe, rural ambiance.

Stratford is the Pork Capital of Ontario and home of The Ontario Pork Congress.  Much of Ontario pork is produced in surrounding Perth County.

Stratford has a fine musical heritage.  Among its luminaries are the late, great Richard Manuel of The Band, John Till of Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band, and Ken Kalmusky of Ian & Sylvia’s Great Speckled Bird.  Manuel, Till, and Kalmusky were also members of Ronnie Hawkins backup group, The Hawks, And today, we cannot forget Justin Bieber who acquaints a whole new group of music lovers with Stratford, Canada.

The 2012 Stratford Blues & Ribfest will be held along the banks of the scenic Avon River as well as, in and around the William Allman Memorial Arena on June 22, 23 & 24th. The Organizing Committee is busy planning this year’s special events and invites you to check back often and be certain to share the official Stratford Blues & Ribfest Page along to your family and friends as we prepare for an undoubtedly exciting 2012 festival!