Blues Foundation News

1. Bill Wax Leaves Bluesville
   Bill Wax, the program director at SiriusXM's B.B. King's Bluesville channel has left the building. He issued this statement yesterday. "This may come as a surprise for some, but I have left Sirius/XM. Partly due to my health, which given a bit of time will be fine and partially due to that this is no longer a good fit with the company. I want to thank all of you for your support over the past 12 years. Thanks to all the great musicians for helping us deliver a channel I am very proud of."
2. Raise the Roof! Thermometer!
   Thanks to the following members who have joined what we are calling the 250 Club. 250 members pledging $250 a year for 4 years to help us Raise the Roof! We appreciate your help in making the mercury in the thermometer climb higher and higher! You can join the 250 club here. Each person that does will be: (1) listed on our website and recognized within the Blues Hall of Fame. Beginning May 25, while supplies last, ...
3. Sin City Raises the Roof!
   THANKS to Sin City Soul and Blues Revival for giving away a Ticket-Hotel Package to their big event this September 15-17 at The Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas! Tedeschi Trucks Band, Robert Cray, Los Lonely Boys, Tab Benoit, Ruthie Foster, and 30 more top acts will perform at two indoor stages and one at the pool, and it will all be just an elevator ride from your suite. Follow the link below for more information on how you can win your Free Ticket-Hotel Package to The Revival b...
4. Foundation Member Teeny Tucker Brings Blues to Penn State
   Teeny is a long-time member, a 2003 IBC 3rd place finisher and a 2011 Blues Music Award nominee. Check out the video here when she recently met with Penn State students.
5. Tommy Castro Raises the Roof!
   While out on tour the past month, Tommy Castro conducted a raffle for a cabin for two on the January 2014 Caribbean Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise to Raise the Roof!. His effort netted $6750 to fund the construction converting our office into the Blues Hall of Fame. Thanks so much Tommy. This shows what one person can do who really cares! The winner is Michael Lingler from the Cincinnati area.
6. 46 Affiliated Blues Societies Raise the Roof!
   Thanks to our affiliated blues societies that have pledged to Raise the Roof! To date, 46 affiliates have pledged over $60,000 to build the Blues Hall of Fame. The largest pledge has come from the Memphis Blues Society with a pledged of $10,000. They include Atlanta Blues Society, Billtown Blues Association, Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast, Blues Lovers United of San Diego, Blues Society of Central Pennsylvania, Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania, Canal Bank Shuffle, Capital Area Bl...
7. 34th Blues Music Award Photos
   Award-winning photographer Ronald C. Modra has now posted his shots from the 34th Blues Music Awards. they are mostly black and white and includes some shots on the way to Memphis and in Clarksdale afterwards. Check them out here. Joe Dempsey has completed his gallery of photos from the 34th Blues Music Awards. Gallery 1 feat...
8. Blues on the Radio
   Looking for Blues music on your radio dial. A very helpful website for finding Blues radio programs is Mary4Music. When you go to the Blewzzman's site, you might just find something more of bluesy interest to you. Smokin' Bluz out of Charlotte, NC is the sponsor of the Smokin' Bluz Youth Showcase each year at the International Blues Challenge. Check out Rick Ballew's Smokin' Bluz 24/7 at
9. Blues Festivals
   For information on summer blues festivals, check out these magazine sites: Big City Rhythm and Blues; Blues Festival Guide; or Blues Revue.