Chenango Blues Festival Finalizes Lineup for 30th Anniversary Celebration

The Chenango Blues Festival recently finalized the lineup for its 30th Anniversary Celebration, with the addition of two-time Grammy winner, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience. Traveling from Louisiana and long-time area favorites, the band will kick off the two-day festival, which begins on Aug. 18 and concludes the next day, with a free admission show. Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience will anchor what promises to be a memorable 30th-anniversary celebration.

Chenango Blues Festival
The stage at Chenango County Fairgrounds. Credit: chenangobluesfest.org.

The Chenango Blues Fest is a family-friendly event run by an all-volunteer staff. Their motto is “by fans, for fans” and they really mean it. If there is an opposite to the high dollar, corporate festivals proliferating around the country, this is it.

John Primer, who was just announced as an inductee to the Blues Hall of Fame, will follow. Primer is one of the last Chicago bluesmen to have played with legendary artists like Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Magic Slim. The show will close with Curtis Salgado, the Portland, Oregan based blues and soul man who is a past Blues Music Award winner as Artist of the Year. 

The celebration will continue with a headlining set by Charlie Musselwhite on the Infield Stage, sponsored this year by Norwich Rehab; Kerry, Inc., and the Raymond Foundation. Musselwhite has received numerous awards, been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, and performed with several musicians. Preceding him on the infield stage will be Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, a dynamic mix of 1960s-influenced guitar blues, Memphis soul, and Latin-tinged East San Jose funk. 

Leading up to those acts is Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds hailing from Brooklyn, who has built a loyal following on the strength of Arleigh Kincheloe’s dynamic vocals, a rock-solid rhythm section, horns, and a keen sense of fun. Kicking off the festival at 11:30 a.m. is Gabe Stillman, fresh off rave reviews for his performances on the recent Blues Cruise. Following is ace saxman Jimmy Carpenter, who, when he isn’t touring the world or sitting in with a who’s who of blues players he is the musical director of the Big Blues Bender – one of the premier events in the blues world.

These are just a few of the acts scheduled to perform, and this year’s 30th Anniversary Celebration is sure to be one you won’t want to miss. Friday’s show is free, and Saturday’s is free for those 17 and under. Tickets for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Chenango Blues Festival are now available.

Friday Schedule 

Tent Stage
Parking opens – 4:30 p.m.
Festival gate opens – 5:00 p.m.  
5:30 – 6:45 – Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience
7:15- 8:30 – John Primer
9:00 – 10:15 – Curtis Salgado

Saturday Schedule

Infield Stage
Parking Gate Opens – 10:00 a.m.
Festival Gate Opens – 11:00 a.m. 
11:30 – 12:25 – Gabe Stillman Band
12:45 – 1:45 – Jimmy Carpenter
2:45 – 4:00 – Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds
5:15 – 6:30 – Tommy Castro & the Painkillers7:40 – 9:00 – Charlie Musselwhite

Tent Stage 
1:45 – 2:45 – Guy Davis
4:00 – 5:15 – Melody Angel
6:30 – 7:40 – Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
9:00 – 10:15 – Honey Island Swamp Band

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