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Windy City Blues Society

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

BLUES DAY @ Willow Fest JULY 26th FREE

1:00 - 1:45 (Tentative) Blues Kids

2:05 - 3:05 The Miles Minor Band featuring Young Gun Alex Olson

3:20 - 4:30 Stefan Hillisheim Trio

4:50 - 6:05 Rockin Johnny Burgin featuring Marie Martins

6:25 - 7:55 Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames

8:20 - 10:00 The Cinelli Brothers

Scroll Down for Band Videos


Mad Diggity

The Cinelli Brothers

The Cinelli Brothers live | Crossroads Festival 2024 | Rockpalast

 

2024 Blues Band of the Year,  England

The Cinelli Brothers - Save Me (Live)

 live at TAM, London 2022 


 Marco Cinelli - Guitar/Piano/Vocals 

Alessandro Cinelli - Drums/Vocals Tom JJ - 

Guitar/Harp/Vocals 

Stephen Giry - Bass/Guitar/Vocals  


Filmed by Go Out Of Tune  Thumbnail image by Riff Photos 

The Cinelli Brothers - Live in Estonia, Augustibluus (Full Set)...2022

 Follow the Cinelli Brothers: 

Instagram -   / cinellibrot.  . 

Facebook -   / thecinellibros​  Web Site - http://www.cinellibrothers.comOnline Store - http://www.cinellibrothers.com/store 

Rockin' Johnny Burgin

Ramblin' From Coast to Coast

 Title track from Johnny's latest on Straight Shooter Records, Denmark.   

I Need Something Sweet

 Big thanks to GIBSON'S DONUTS, Memphis, TN!  Donut worry, be happy!   Song from the CD "Ramblin From Coast to Coast by Johnny Burgin on Straight Shooter Records,  

Gettin' My Blues On

 Lyrics and music by Johnny Burgin, Fifty One Zero Five Music, BMI, released 2024 on Straight Shooter records  

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

Ghost Town Blues Band

"Memphis Train"   Visit their web-site  HERE

Demetria Taylor

"You Belong to Me"  Visit her on Facebook   HERE

The Hungry Williams

Find Yourself Another Fool...  Visit their web Stie...HERE

Area Map

Fest Info

The Fest is FREE

Can I bring a Cooler? My Pet ? A Lawn Chair?

The Fest is FREE

You read that correct.  The festival is free thanks to our sponsors, membership, merch sales and  The BEVERAGE sales. WE will pass a tip jar to help cover expenses, please make a donation.

Where do we Park

Can I bring a Cooler? My Pet ? A Lawn Chair?

The Fest is FREE

Look at the Map above.  There is plenty of parking. Park on the other side of Village Hall and more parking on the other side of the bridge.  PLUS there will be people directing you to parking.

Can I bring a Cooler? My Pet ? A Lawn Chair?

Can I bring a Cooler? My Pet ? A Lawn Chair?

Can I bring a Cooler? My Pet ? A Lawn Chair?

Leave your Pet at home, but bring your chair. You can bring a cooler but no outside ALCOHOL is allowed.  The BEVERAGE Sales pay for the festival.  We will confiscate your outside alcohol

Our Sponsors

Our Main Sponsor and Host

 One Village Circle
Willow Springs, IL 60480
Phone: 708.467.3700
Fax: 708.467.7010 

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

 

AFSCME Strong is a bold vision of building a strong union of committed members

  • A union that connects to all public workers.
  • A union that has power on the shop floor, at the bargaining table and at the state legislature.   Visit Our Website.

TEAMSTERS Joint Council 25

 Teamsters Joint Council 25 is America's premier labor union for Chicago, Illinois and Northwest Indiana, representing more than 100,000 men and women with 25 local union affiliates. 

The Best Water Around

 For more than 100 years, Absopure has provided an assortment of clean, crisp-tasting water products to retailers across the country, and delivered direct to homes and offices throughout the Midwest. While the needs of our customers have evolved since 1908, our goal remains the same: to provide quality products and services customized to meet your needs. VISIT THEIR WEBSITE  

Township of Lyons

 6404 Joliet Rd. Countryside, IL 60525 – (708) 482-8300 

 Lyons Township is one of 30 townships in Cook County, IL. As of the 2010 census, its population was 111,688. Lyons Township was established in 1849 and is comprised of seventeen municipalities. 

Illinois Arts Council

 A grant from the State of Illinois / Illinois Arts Council / Artstour Grant helped fund the performance of  American Blues Icon John Primer.  The WCBS  acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council 

Visit Website

TechniCraft

 TechniCraft has been serving the automotive needs of the Chicagoland area and the southwest suburbs for over a decade. It is our goal to exceed your expectations. . We are proud of the quality craftsmanship that we deliver and we are ready and waiting to show you what a difference the TechniCraft experience can make in the final outcome of your vehicle. 

Visit Website

WDCB Public Radio

 WDCB Public Radio is Chicago's home for jazz, blues, news, and more! Check us out at 90.9FM, and now also at 90.7FM in Chicago's West Loop! 

Visit Website

LACI Transport Inc.

LACI Transport Inc.

 For all your trucking needs

The National Anthem

Lily Robertson sings the National Anthem at the Willow Springs / Windy City Blues Fest July 30th 2022.

Pizza 750

Pizza 750, woodfire stove pizza business, Willow Springs, IL

501 Willow Boulevard.

Here at PIzza 750 our directives are simple, to deliver fast and consistent service without sacrificing on quality. With fresh ingredients we make all our doughs, sauces, dressings and our house sausage blend from scratch as we strive to give our best to you and your family from our woodfire kitchen."

(708) 330-5541

. Curbside pickup · Delivery · No dine-in .... 501 Willow Blvd, Willow Springs, IL 

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

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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