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Windy City Blues Society

Windy City Blues Society Windy City Blues Society Windy City Blues Society

Arts Programmatic History Tab

Willow Springs Blues Fest 2024, 2023 & 2022

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING in 2024

The 2024 Line Up

The 2024 Line Up

The 2024 Line Up

 

12:00 - 12:25  Joe Doyle Duet

12:30 - 1:10  The John Millard Band

1:25 - 2:45  Women in the Blues - Sonia Astacio, Sheryl Youngblood, w/ Nick Manos Band

3:00 - 3:45  Robert Kimbrough Sr. Blues Connection

4:05 - 5:05  Demetria Taylor & Her Bad Boys

5:25 - 6:55  John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band

7:10 - 8:10  The Hungry Williams

8:30 - 10:00  Ghost Town Blues Band





Interesting Notes

The 2024 Line Up

The 2024 Line Up

Chi Music Live a Youtube program covering the Chicago Music scene, came out to cover the festival.  Host Elianne Nascimento did 6 episodes of their show at the fest.


 Jeppson's Malört . We partnered with Chicago's unique liquor and filmed Blues Fans Malort Face.  Here is a link to the first full video in the series.  Blues Fans Malort Face

 

The Last Willow Springs Blues Fest ?  Was 2024 the last stand alone Willow Springs Blues Fest ?  Only time will tell.  It might be the BLUES,  but it takes the GREEN to make the blues.  We are happy  to still have the blues in Willow Springs.

Volunteers, Fans & The Village

Volunteers, Fans & The Village

Volunteers, Fans & The Village

Thank You Thank You  Thank You  so much for your help, hard work, and dedication.  Thank You to the music fans for comming out to the festival and spending a few dollars with us



The Crowd

Volunteers, Fans & The Village

Volunteers, Fans & The Village

It seems like we had about 3,000 people throughout the whole day.  My nephews who walked the crowd in 2023 and 2024 selling the 50/50 cards said the crowd was larger. 


 Everyone was courteous and well-behaved.  Everybody was friendly.  People were nice to one another.  Thank you so much to all the fans who helped make this a wonderful event.

2024 Festival Photos

Melvin Smith on bass and the drummer,  John Primers rhythm section.
The headliner, Ghost Town Blues Band out of Memphis.
Pre-Game,  thank you to our major sponsors.
Dave Madlener and girlfriend Nina in front of the merchandise table

2024 Video's from the Festival

John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band

3 time Grammy Nominee, Blues Hall of Famer, multi Blues Music award Winner & Blues Legend John Primer & his band.

Demetria Taylor

"You Belong to Me"  Visit her on Facebook   HERE

Sheryl Youngblood

Sheryl sings her new hit "Every Day of Your Life"

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING in 2023

The 2023 Line Up

The 2023 Line Up

The 2023 Line Up

Between Sets:  Matt Hendricks & Bob O Walesa

1:00 - 1:45     A Patch of Blues

2:00 - 2:45    The Miles Minor Band

3:00 - 3:45    The Sean McKee Band

4:05 - 5:05    The Dave Specter Band w/ Brother John                Kattke

5:25 - 6:55    Bob Corritore's Reunion Revue Set with John Primer  in,cluding Kenny Beedy Eyes Smith, Billy Flynn Bob Stroger and Singers: Oscar Wilson, Willie Buck, Tail Dragger

7:10 - 8:10     Johnie B & Queen Iretta Sanders

8:30 - 10:00    Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues






Interesting Notes

The 2023 Line Up

The 2023 Line Up

TAIL DRAGGER,  James Yancey Jones, dies Sept 4th 2023.  So many Loved Tail Dragger.  This was his last blues festival performance.  ( The Delmark street party was his last performance.)  This show was the last time he and Bob Corritore played together.  I always wished we could have Tail Dragger play every show. Here is a clip from his performance:  https://youtu.be/x1OY0Yqr6FI?feature=shared


Billy Branch & Bob Corritore had a harp blowout, battle of legendary harp players.  Billy called Bob up to join him on "Help Me" by Junior Wells.  This could be the first time they battled it out. 

here is the video clip:  https://youtu.be/gyzn-Ajt_ZI?feature=shared



Volunteers, Fans & The Village

Volunteers, Fans & The Village

Volunteers, Fans & The Village

Thank You Thank You  Thank You  so much for your help, hard work, and dedication.  Thank You to the music fans for comming out to the festival and spending a few dollars with us



The Crowd

Volunteers, Fans & The Village

Volunteers, Fans & The Village

It seems like we had almost 2,000 people throughout the whole day.  Everyone was courteous and well-behaved.  Everybody was friendly.  People were nice to one another.  Thank you so much to all the fans who helped make this a wonderful event.

2023 Pictures

Video

Taildragger w/ Bob Corritore & Friends

James "Taildragger Jones last festival  performance and last time playing with great friend Bob Corritore.

Billy Branch & The Sons of the Blues

Headliner Billy Branch plays Invites Bob Corritore on stage.  Rare footage of these harmonica legends "cutting heads" as they call it.

A Patch of Blues

Winners of the Chicago Blues Challenge, Youth Division, open the festival. A great group of young ladies. 

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING in 2022

The 2022 Line Up

Chicago Blues Challenge Result

Chicago Blues Challenge Result

12:30 - 1:00  Brenda Taylor  & The Earth Shakers 

1:15 - 1:40    Weeds & Seeds

1:55 - 2:25    The Miles Minor Band

2:40 - 3:10    Fast Mikey Blue Eyes

3:25 - 3:50    Bill Grady

4:10 - 5:10    The CROS Band & Jeff Stone

5:30 - 6:40    Willie Buck &The Right Sound Blues Band

7:00 - 8:20     Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames

8:40 - 10:10    The Steepwater Band






Chicago Blues Challenge Result

Chicago Blues Challenge Result

Chicago Blues Challenge Result

BILL GRADY, the last performer of the Challenge, The soloist, got the highest score  and will move on to the finals in the Solo Duet Category.


BRENDA TAYLOR & THE EARTH SHAKERS, The first act of the day, got the best score in the BAND category and will be moving on to the finals in the Band Category.


The Finals were at Buddy Guys Legends on Sunday Nov 13th.  Win Noll & The Rockin' Souls won the Band Category, Bill Grady won the sol/duet Category

Tip Bucket

Tip Bucket

Tip Bucket

Thank You so much for your generosity.  You donated over $600 into the tip bucket for the Blues Challenge musicians. This money will be combined with the Tips collected at the Bolingbrook Blues Showcase and divided equitably between all 15 acts participating in the Chicago Blues Challenge.


PRIZE MONIES for the winning acts  come from a separate fund.



The Crowd

Tip Bucket

Tip Bucket

It seems like we had almost 2,000 people throughout the whole day.  Everyone was courteous, and well behaved.  Everybody was friendly.  People were nice to one another.  Thank you so much to all the fans that helped make this such a wonderful event.

2022 Pictures (the first year)

Village President,  Melissa N. Neddermeyer 

overhead crowd shot
Willie Buck

Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames

Dave "Mad Dog" Madlener & Dave Weld

The Food Truck Line

Bill Grady Chicago Blues Challenge Winner Solo category

Dave Weld playing in the Crowd

Happy Blues Fans

50/50 split the pot

Vacation Dave staying hydrated

crowd shot

Cookie Taylor & Village Manager Ryan Grace

A nice crowd for the 1st Willow Springs Blues Fest

The Steepwater Band was awesome

Folks even packed in under the bridge

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING in 2022

The 2022 Line Up

Chicago Blues Challenge Result

Chicago Blues Challenge Result

12:30 - 1:00  Brenda Taylor  & The Earth Shakers 

1:15 - 1:40    Weeds & Seeds

1:55 - 2:25    The Miles Minor Band

2:40 - 3:10    Fast Mikey Blue Eyes

3:25 - 3:50    Bill Grady

4:10 - 5:10    The CROS Band & Jeff Stone

5:30 - 6:40    Willie Buck &The Right Sound Blues Band

7:00 - 8:20     Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames

8:40 - 10:10    The Steepwater Band






Chicago Blues Challenge Result

Chicago Blues Challenge Result

Chicago Blues Challenge Result

BILL GRADY, the last performer of the Challenge, The soloist, got the highest score  and will move on to the finals in the Solo Duet Category.


BRENDA TAYLOR & THE EARTH SHAKERS, The first act of the day, got the best score in the BAND category and will be moving on to the finals in the Band Category.


The Finals were at Buddy Guys Legends on Sunday Nov 13th.  Win Noll & The Rockin' Souls won the Band Category, Bill Grady won the sol/duet Category

Tip Bucket

Tip Bucket

Tip Bucket

Thank You so much for your generosity.  You donated over $600 into the tip bucket for the Blues Challenge musicians. This money will be combined with the Tips collected at the Bolingbrook Blues Showcase and divided equitably between all 15 acts participating in the Chicago Blues Challenge.


PRIZE MONIES for the winning acts  come from a separate fund.



The Crowd

Tip Bucket

Tip Bucket

It seems like we had almost 2,000 people throughout the whole day.  Everyone was courteous, and well behaved.  Everybody was friendly.  People were nice to one another.  Thank you so much to all the fans that helped make this such a wonderful event.

2022 Pictures (the first year)

Village President,  Melissa N. Neddermeyer 

overhead crowd shot
Willie Buck

Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames

Dave "Mad Dog" Madlener & Dave Weld

The Food Truck Line

Bill Grady Chicago Blues Challenge Winner Solo category

Dave Weld playing in the Crowd

Happy Blues Fans

50/50 split the pot

Vacation Dave staying hydrated

crowd shot

Cookie Taylor & Village Manager Ryan Grace

A nice crowd for the 1st Willow Springs Blues Fest

The Steepwater Band was awesome

Folks even packed in under the bridge

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