Russian River Blues Festival

THE Sonoma County Independent presents the fourth annual Russian River Blues Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27, on the sun-drenched sands at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville.

This year’s stellar roster includes some of the cream of the blues–both Etta James and Koko Taylor won national W.C. Handy Blues Awards on May 27 as Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year and Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year, respectively–a reunion of the original Booker T. & the MGs, and a rare Bay Area appearance by Chicago bluesman Magic Slim, one of the last of the real Southside blues players.

The two-day festival includes a winetasting offered by several of the region’s finest wineries, plus gourmet food, and arts and crafts. Gates open at 10 a.m.; music runs from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tickets are $35-$65 (gold-tier seating is $75). For details, call 510/655-9471.

Here is this year’s complete lineup: On Saturday, performers are Etta James & the Roots Band, Tower of Power, Joe Louis Walker, Magic Slim & the Teardrops, and the Sy Klopps Blues Band.

On Sunday, catch Booker T. & the MGs, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Koko Taylor & her Blues Machine. Tommy Castro, and Dan Hicks & the Delta Devils.

From the June 17-23, 1999 issue of the Sonoma County Independent.