{"id":3266,"date":"2014-10-10T23:24:21","date_gmt":"2014-10-11T04:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/?p=3266"},"modified":"2014-10-10T23:24:21","modified_gmt":"2014-10-11T04:24:21","slug":"king-biscuit-blues-fest-day-3-storms-on-the-horizon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/?p=3266","title":{"rendered":"King Biscuit Blues Fest: Day 3 Storms on the horizon"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is Friday.\u00a0 Does that mean that vacation is halfway over?\u00a0 A week just isn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n

Even though I stayed up late last night, I still got up around 8:00 this morning.\u00a0 We got up and dressed for breakfast downstairs.\u00a0 This hotel isn\u2019t known for their breakfast and I see why.\u00a0 At least they had coffee.\u00a0 Tomorrow, we will know better.<\/p>\n

We talked to housekeeping before we left.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t see any need to prep the room.\u00a0 We are just here for 3 days.\u00a0 The lady seemed concerned about not cleaning the room, but I\u2019m sure that was just the tip.\u00a0 I\u2019ll remember to leave her a tip for doing as I asked.\u00a0 We won\u2019t be really dirty anyway.<\/p>\n

I wanted to drive to the festival down old Hwy 61.\u00a0 So we pulled out from the hotel and headed toward the river to catch the old road.\u00a0 I thought it might be interesting and it was.\u00a0 We went through some of the older towns that are still standing.\u00a0 We drove through downtown Tunica, which is very nicely updated and kept up.\u00a0 There were parks, flowers, and wonderful architecture.\u00a0 The road was hard to figure out, but we finally made it out of town.<\/p>\n

Now the smaller towns on the old highway are sad and rundown.\u00a0 I would expect that with the loss of population that I see around them.\u00a0 That gave way to a discussion on the situation of farming in this country and how it is being controlled by foreign interests.\u00a0 Too bad we aren\u2019t interested\u00a0 We\u2019ll be buying food from the Chinese pretty soon.<\/p>\n

We arrived in Helena a little after 10:00 in the morning.\u00a0 I expected to see the college kids out in front of their school selling parking spaces.\u00a0 They weren\u2019t there.\u00a0 So I drove around the block to the first parking area I saw.\u00a0 As I was pulling in, Rich spotted the kids on this of their building.\u00a0 Too late.\u00a0 We parked and got our stuff together with our chairs.\u00a0 The walk was only a couple of blocks to the main strip for the festival.<\/p>\n

As we walked down Phillips Street, I noticed a Blues Trail sign outside of a set of doors.\u00a0 The sign was telling me that Sonny Boy Williamson and some of his friends came to play at a club in the location called The Hole.\u00a0 It looked like they were renovating the building.\u00a0 Hopefully it can reopen to share more of its history.<\/p>\n

As we walked, a man with a Chihuahua came by.\u00a0 I was kidding him because the dog was calm and seemed to have purpose about walking down the street.\u00a0 He was with the local humane society.\u00a0 The dog was going down to the booth as window dressing.\u00a0 He told me she was the pretty one at the booth.\u00a0 At least she was calm, cool, and collected.<\/p>\n

We got into the main stage area so we could leave our chairs.\u00a0 Luckily, we got spots right on the path so we wouldn\u2019t have trouble getting in and out.\u00a0 Then it was off to get coffee from the local coffee house, Westrock.\u00a0 While Rich was ordering up his coffee, I was looking through the art work on the walls.\u00a0 It was very open and the works were grouped by artist.\u00a0 There was some very nice stuff there.<\/p>\n

We walked around the main drag and checked out a couple of stores.\u00a0 I checked Grammy Dee\u2019s across from the coffee house as a possible place to eat breakfast.\u00a0 We talked to the young lady stationed outside of the doors.\u00a0 There was promise of a good southern breakfast here.<\/p>\n

I have to apologize for my description of the festival attendees.\u00a0 They aren\u2019t just old, white men.\u00a0 There are a lot of old, white women, too.\u00a0 These do seem to be throwbacks to Woodstock and free love.\u00a0 You see a lot of braless women, but now they hang a lot lower.\u00a0 There are few perky young girls out here.<\/p>\n

One thing that got was the dress code.\u00a0 It was 85 and sunny.\u00a0 I was baking in a tank top and shorts.\u00a0 I saw women dressed in high leather boots and all manner of dress.\u00a0 There were several sweaters out in the crowd.\u00a0 I was melting just looking at them.\u00a0 I guess high fashion has more to do with dress than actual comfort.\u00a0 We did come away with sunburns even with all the lotion applied.<\/p>\n

We headed back to the main stage and took up our places on the path.\u00a0 We managed to sit right next to a couple we had sat behind yesterday.\u00a0 It almost looked like people had left their chairs overnight to hold their spots.\u00a0 I saw a lot of people in the same places.\u00a0 But then again, I saw several people who had moved from our location yesterday to better spots closer in.\u00a0 By the time I figure out the method, it will be all over.<\/p>\n

The first act that came on was Erneste \u201cGuitar\u201d Roy.\u00a0 We had seen Guitar at the last Blues Fest in Chicago that we attended.\u00a0 He was pretty good then and was still good to watch now.\u00a0 Turns out, he is from the area and had played rhythm guitar for one of the big names in blues here.\u00a0 I was impressed.<\/p>\n

Between shows we wondered around.\u00a0 We went to the souvenir building and picked up t-shirts for the event.\u00a0 It was time to replace a couple of very worn shirts.\u00a0 After looking through some of the vendors, we once again headed back to our seats.\u00a0 Keven Purcell and his band were on stage.\u00a0 I was impressed with this guy also.\u00a0 I have to say that all of the talent was up to par with the festival.<\/p>\n

Next up was Toronzo Cannon.\u00a0 Toronzo is from Chicago and we\u2019ve had the great privilege of seeing him play a couple of times already.\u00a0 We felt honor bound to let those around us know that he was a great guitar player and storyteller.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t disappoint us either.<\/p>\n

He came on stage wearing overalls with a crisp, white dress shirt and nice tie.\u00a0 He explained that he was wearing the shirt and tie because he meant business.\u00a0 The overalls were because he had work to do and expected to get dirty.\u00a0 He did.\u00a0 It was a wonderful show from him and the band.<\/p>\n

I had heard Reba Russell on the radio and wanted to see her.\u00a0 They took the stage and jumped right into.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t realize she was more soul blues.\u00a0 That and the fact that her favorite word was asshole.\u00a0 She even had a song about someone being one.\u00a0 She had a good voice, but I\u2019m not sure I cared for the soul take on the blues.\u00a0 It was different.<\/p>\n

We snuck out to get some food.\u00a0 Rich was going for the ribeye poorboy sandwich at the Texas vendor.\u00a0 While we were there, I spied the alligator sausage and decided on that.\u00a0 It was spicy and good.\u00a0 It\u2019s been a while since I\u2019ve had anything alligator.<\/p>\n

I have to tell you about all the music going on around on the strip as well.\u00a0 They allowed people to set up at specific spots and play.\u00a0 We saw and heard some really great music.\u00a0 I liked the one tent someone had set up and the band was playing away very loud.\u00a0 They started to play, \u201cMidnight Special\u201d as we walked by.\u00a0 I stopped to listen.\u00a0 It was very appropriate for the surrounding.<\/p>\n

We got back to our seats as Kurt Fletcher and his band were playing.\u00a0 Josh Smith was the rhythm guitarist and he was great as well as Kurt himself.\u00a0 We really enjoyed listening to them play.\u00a0 Rich decided to buy a CD and went off to purchase it as well as to get a signature.\u00a0 He came back with an exasperated look on his face.\u00a0 Apparently, the people in the store couldn\u2019t sell him the CD until the band got there. \u00a0We waited a bit and wondered back down.\u00a0 It took a bit to find them in the store.<\/p>\n

Rich talked to Kurt and Josh for a bit.\u00a0 He presented his Sharpie and told the story about being prepared.\u00a0 Kurt laughed and said he hadn\u2019t been prepared himself.\u00a0 Someone had to find a marker for him to sign CDs with.\u00a0 Interestingly, a DJ came up and asked Kurt to do a spot for his radio show.\u00a0 They did the takes right there.\u00a0 That was cool to watch and listen to.\u00a0 Too bad I don\u2019t know what station or show!<\/p>\n

We walked down to the end of the strip to the Lockwood stage as the Funky Butt Brass Band was playing.\u00a0 This was a guitar, drums, trombone, sax, and sousaphone.\u00a0 They were wonderful.\u00a0 The band had a great sound and they were having a great time on stage.\u00a0 Even the heat didn\u2019t hold them back from jamming and having a great time.<\/p>\n

We got back as Anson Funderburke was taking the stage with his band.\u00a0 This turned out to be a jam session with several people.\u00a0 John Mayer came out and did songs.\u00a0 An Austrian guy was playing the synethezier and accordion.\u00a0 Dana Robinson from Delbert McClinton\u2019s band came out with her saxophone.\u00a0 A couple of guitartist joined the group and everyone got to do a spotlight piece.\u00a0 It was pretty cool and great tunes.<\/p>\n

By now, we had been tracking some bad weather headed toward us.\u00a0 It was after 7:30 and I was exhausted.\u00a0 I figured I wouldn\u2019t make it to 9:30 to see Delbert McClinton.\u00a0 I just stayed up too long the night before!\u00a0 We decided to pull up roots and head out.\u00a0 We\u2019d stop by Church\u2019s Chicken for some late dinner and hang out.\u00a0 I still had this blog to write.<\/p>\n

We got back on the Mississippi side of the river and had just gotten into the building at Church\u2019s when the storm was unleashed.\u00a0 The rain was lashing the building and lightening was cracking all over the place.\u00a0 That turned out to be a good decision.\u00a0 I can\u2019t image trying to leave Helena in a storm with all those people who had been drinking all day long.<\/p>\n

We got our food and headed to the hotel.\u00a0 We ate and discussed our day.\u00a0 Rich was telling me about his conversations with the guy next to him.\u00a0 Yep, Rich made another friend today.\u00a0 The guy is a widower from Northern Arkansas.\u00a0 He had been coming to the festival for the last 3 years.\u00a0 He normally camped out at the state park during his time.\u00a0 This year, he had to come on his own when his friend couldn\u2019t make it due to a bad knee.\u00a0 We said good-bye to the new friend, who tried to convince us to stay and hear the next act.\u00a0 We declined and told him to enjoy it in the rain.\u00a0 Apparently, he was there to stay and see the day out.<\/p>\n

So here I sit writing up our adventures of the day.\u00a0 Soon, I\u2019ll have this posted with pictures and then I can go to bed.\u00a0 I\u2019m tired.<\/p>\n

\"Cotton<\/a>
Cotton field on our drive down old Hwy 61 to the festival.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Blues<\/a>
Blues Trail marker on Philllips Street for The Hole club where some of the early bluesmen played.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cotton<\/a>
Cotton used for decor on Phillips Street.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kevin<\/a>
Kevin Purcell and his band jamming on stage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rich<\/a>
Rich walking down the main strip at the festival.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"I'm<\/a>
I’m not sure what the raccoon was doing out here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Toronzo<\/a>
Toronzo Cannon and his band on stage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Toronzo<\/a>
Toronzo Cannon in his shirt and tie for business and overalls for getting dirty and to work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rich<\/a>
Rich getting his ribeye poorboy sandwich and my alligator sausage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"This<\/a>
This lady sat next to us. Actually, she danced most of the day away. I was tired just watching her.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Earnest<\/a>
Earnest Guitar Roy playing with his band on the main stage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Anson<\/a>
Anson Funderburke and his band with a lot of others out there to jam with them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"BBQ<\/a>
BBQ competition is underway for Saturday tastings and judging.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Standing<\/a>
Standing on stop of the levee looking down on the main stage and park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"One<\/a>
One of the many street bands or buskers. She was singing “Midnight Special” for us.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is Friday.\u00a0 Does that mean that vacation is halfway over?\u00a0 A week just isn\u2019t enough. Even though I stayed up late last night, I still got up around 8:00 this morning.\u00a0 We got up and dressed for breakfast downstairs.\u00a0 This hotel isn\u2019t known for their breakfast and I see why.\u00a0 At least they had […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3266"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3266"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3284,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3266\/revisions\/3284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}