I Dare You
You Won't
by David Klockau
The annual MVBS BluesSkool drew over 50 participants and audience members during the 2021 MVBS Blues Festival on September 18th. Since 1990, the MVBS has sponsored the interactive workshop so people of all ages can learn the history of Blues music, listen to the Blues, and learn to play the Blues. This year’s BluesSkool was led by Iowa Blues Hall of Fame member, Hal Reed, Music Educator, David Berntson, and Ben Schwind, Education Coordinator at River Music Experience.
“The annual MVBS BluesSkool is a very important part of our community education mission,” said Vicki Ingles, MVBS Education Committee. “To see the spark of interest in a young person’s eyes when they first pick up an instrument is very gratifying” added Paul Magnuson, also on the MVBS education committee who coordinated the event.
Hal Reed and Bret Dale at Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
David Berntson gives harmonica lessons during Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
Ben Schwind and Bret Dale at Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
Ben Schwind gives a discussion at Dr V’s Blueskool workshop Saturday, September 18, 2021, during the 2021 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Images by John T. Greenwood 
The 34th Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival was held July 5 & 6, 2019 at Murphy Park at The Bend, East Moline, due to flooding at LeClaire Park in Davenport. Hal Reed and Mississippi Journey performed Friday afternoon on the Pedigo-Jones Stage. Hal Reed, vocal and harp, Zach Harris, lead gtr, Ethan Good, keyboards, Roger Alexander, bass; On drums- 
The 34th Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival was held July 5 & 6, 2019 at Murphy Park at The Bend, East Moline, due to flooding at LeClaire Park in Davenport. Hal Reed and Mississippi Journey performed Friday afternoon on the Pedigo-Jones Stage. Hal Reed, vocal and harp, Zach Harris, lead gtr, Ethan Good, keyboards, Roger Alexander, bass; On drums- 2017 MVBF Saturday, July 01 In the Tent: Avey-Grouws Band Chris Avey, Jeni Grouws, Andrew Durham, sax, Bryan West, dr, Ian Farmer, bass (?) 
2017 MVBF 07.01.17 Blueskool David Berntson with Bobby ‘Greenshoes’ Parker – harmonica lessons 
2017 MVBF Saturday, July 01 In the Tent: Avey-Grouws Band Chris Avey, Jeni Grouws, Andrew Durham, sax, Bryan West, dr, Ian Farmer, bass (?) 
07.01.16 MVBF Friday _ Live (30 minute) music in between sets in the beer tent. Rick (Ricardo) Burris, vocals, Chris Avery, gtr., 
The 34th Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival was held July 5 & 6, 2019 at Murphy Park at The Bend, East Moline, due to flooding at LeClaire Park in Davenport. Music educator and performer David Berntson teaches harmonica lessons Saturday. The 34th Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival was held July 5 & 6, 2019 at Murphy Park at The Bend, East Moline, due to flooding at LeClaire Park in Davenport. Music educator and performer David Berntson teaches harmonica lessons Saturday. The 34th Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival was held July 5 & 6, 2019 at Murphy Park at The Bend, East Moline, due to flooding at LeClaire Park in Davenport. Music educator and performer David Berntson teaches harmonica lessons Saturday.
Hal Reed
Hal Reed is a former resident of the Quad Cities and a member of the Iowa Blues Hall of fame, now living in Mississippi. Hal Reed delivered a show based primarily on the influence of his Delta blues upbringing. He took us on a short trip through the blues, from the drums of West Africa to today’s contemporary and urban blues. From the chanting of slavery to the field hollers of the delta. From juke joints to blues clubs of the city.
David Berntson
David Berntson is an educator and musician based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is a recipient of Blues Foundation’s “Keeping the Blues Alive in Education Award.” Participants received their very own Hohner harmonica and an instruction book that had them playing their way to big fun in no time at all. Participants brought a teachable attitude, an open mind, and a willingness to have a good time.
Ben Schwind
Ben Schwind is the Education Coordinator at the River Music Experience. He grew up in the Quad Cities been coming to the RME since its infancy, participating and later teaching at the Winter Blues and Kidsock camps. He did a version of the River Currents Tour they do at RME. A brief history of the blues and its impact on American music while giving an introduction to standard blues forms and styles.
Posted in Oct 2021
Out of here
without Singing
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