2010 Welcome

2010 PRESS RELEASE

The Orillia Spring Blues Festival moves to the waterfront!

June 11, 12 and 13th 2010

May 5, 2010 (For immediate release) ORILLIA – The Orillia Spring Blues Festival  announces it’s exciting list of performers for the FREE main stage event. The festival runs Friday, June 11,  Saturday, June 12 and Sunday afternoon June 13th.

The main stage outdoor event will be held on the waterfront all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon.  With the festival moving to Couchiching Beach Park, in partnership with Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Boat, Cottage & Outdoor Show at the Port, visitors to Orillia can enjoy two exciting events at the same time.

This year we have two of the most popular Blues headliners in Canada. Chuck Jackson is Canada's 'Ambassador of the Blues.' After 14 years of singing with the legendary Cameo Blues Band, Chuck landed the lead vocalist job with The Downchild Blues Band. Nineteen years of touring across Canada, North America and the world has earned him multiple Junos, Maple Blues Awards (including the prestigious 'Blues with a Feeling' award) and legions of fans. Chuck Jackson and the All Stars 'jump' style Blues will keep the place rockin' and dancing.

David Rotundo is a Blues harp player in the tradition of Little Walter, James Cotton and his mentor Lee Oskar. In 2001, David exploded on the Canadian music scene and won the Maple Blues 'Best New Artist of the Year' award. Since then, he has toured internationally with his extremely dynamic and high energy show. He is a young man with a passion for the Blues, and knows how to entertain a crowd. This is Chicago style blues at it's finest. He will headline the Sunday afternoon program.

Shawn Kellerman is the next 'guitar wizard' to come down the pipe. This Kitchener based Bluesman spends more time touring the USA, where he has become a sensation. Shawn is recognized as one of the most powerful stage performers on the festival circuit.  Expressive, dynamic and technically outstanding, Shawn continues to build on his past experiences and push the boundaries of traditional blues into modern territory by adding in some soul, funk and rock influences. Sitting up close at a live performance is truly an awesome, jaw dropping experience.

Last year Steve Strongman won both the 'Blues Recording of the Year' at the Hamilton Music Awards and The Mel Brown Blues Award in Kitchener. Steve Strongman's searing, blues soaked guitar and warm soulful vocal harmonies evokes the emotion, maturity and authenticity of classic blues themes like lost love, truth and hard times. Listening to him is guitar paradise.

Paul Reddick is one of this country's best songwriters. How many “bluesmen” do you know who are passionate about early American music; love bird watching and draw inspiration from the language of poetry? Paul Reddick listened closely to Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin’ Wolf, and picked up the harmonica at the age of 12 — and had mastered the instrument by the time he was 15. He has received numerous awards and writes for both film and TV. Colin Linden produced his lastest CD 'Sugarbird'.

Johnny Max is entertaining. From his droll scots humour to his stage antics, he will get you involved in his show. But don't count him out as one of the hardest working bluesmen and singers in the country. The Johnny Max Band was nominated for a Juno award in 2008, and played our first Main Stage that year. He was a crowd favourite, and we are glad to be able to invite him back.

Harrison Kennedy is the real deal. That's all you need to know. From deep south Mississippi Delta Blues, to field hollers and gospel inspiration and soul. This man has the voice of the Blues. In the '70's he was lead singer of the Detroit based 'Chairman of the Board'. (Their TOP 10 hit was 'Gimme Just a Little More Time"). This Hamilton based performer now draws on his roots, and performs the blues to soothe your soul. Skip church, your soul won't mind.

Saturday afternoon will feature two area performers. Orillia's own Steven Henry Band and Erin McCallum. They will perform their rockin' blues from noon on Saturday to warm up the boaters for a truly rockin' Saturday night.

Lance says, "This year's line-up has some of the best from the past, with the best of Canada's new crop of Blues performers. Being on beautiful Lake Couchiching, will only inspire everyone, and makes this a festival to remember.

For a complete list of performances, times and venues go to www.orilliaspringblues.com

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Media Contact: Lance Anderson, Artistic Director  327-3363  makeitreal@sympatico.ca