Blues to rock Marina

Thunder Bay Blues Fest organizers are calling this year’s lineup the strongest they’ve had in the festival’s 10 year history.

The Blues Fest celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend at Marina Park and festival marketing and development chair Trevor Hurtig said over the past decade the level of performers has continued to grow.

“They’ve had some excellent performers in the first few years as well, not to discount that, but certainly this year with Buddy Guy as the headliner on Saturday, Grand Funk (Railroad) on Friday and Blue Rodeo on Sunday, that is arguably the biggest three headliners we’ve had over the history,” he said.

With about 15,000 people expected over the three days, Hurtig said there is something for everyone at this year’s show, which kicks off Friday at 4 p.m.

Friday’s headliner, classic rockers Grand Funk Railroad, are like an all-star rock group, Hurtig said.
 
The group features original band members Don Brewer on drums and Mel Schaecher on bass.

It also includes Bruce Kulick, who spent 12 years with Kiss, on lead guitar, former 38 special lead vocalist Max Carl and keyboardist Tim Cashion, who played the keys for Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.

Also slated for Friday is Les Dudek, former guitarist for the Allman Brothers and Cher.

Leading up to Buddy Guy on Saturday is Blues Brothers tribute band the Blues Brotherhood, ­feat­uring Tom “Bones” Malone on trombone and Alan “Mr. Fabulous” Rubin on saxophone.

Both were in the original Blues Brothers movie.

After Blues Brotherhood is Dana Fuchs, who not only played Janis Joplin in an off-Broadway production about the legendary singer’s life, but also had a singing role in the 2007 film Across the Universe.

And the festival ends Sunday evening with Canadian favourites Blue Rodeo.

There are also nine local acts set to rock the Marina.

“That’s part of our 10th anniversary celebrations as well, celebrating the depths of talent that’s found right here in Northwestern Ontario,” said Hurtig.

Normally the festival organizers hold a blues showcase to select a few local acts.

They did the same this year, but Hurtig said halfway through the show, he, along with Thunder Bay Community Auditorium manager Bob Halvorsen and Ken Wright from the Thunder Bay Blues Society, realized choosing the winners would be an extremely difficult decision.

“They were all very, very good in their own way,” he said. “Bob went back to his office and started crunching with the schedule a little bit and figured out we could fit all nine of those acts on the bill.”

The gates open Friday, July 8 at 3:30 p.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.