Shemekia Copeland
Photo: Sandrene Lee
The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas is pleased to announce the headlining music acts for the 13th Annual Blues in the Natural State Music Festival starting Thurs., April 2 through Sat. April 11.
“We are pleased to expand the blues festival to an extra day in partnership with Fayetteville First Thursday,” says Roger Plourde, President of OBS. “The 2014 International Blues Challenge Winner, Mr. Sipp will open the Festival on Thurs. 4/2 with a free concert on the historic downtown Fayetteville Square.” Castro Coleman a.k.a., Mr. Sipp is the 2014 International Blues Challenge Winner, the 2014 Gibson Best Guitarist Award Winner and the 2014 Jus’ Blues Bobby Rush Entertainers Award Recipient.
“Women in the Blues” is the focus of Friday’s scheduled performances at George’s Majestic on Friday April 10. The evening will begin with NWA super group Divas on Fire, followed by Nikki Hill and Kelley Hunt. Headlining the evening is Shemekia Copeland, an American electric blues vocalist. While only in her early 30s, the two-time GRAMMY® nominee is already a force to be reckoned with in the blues. She’s opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival and numerous festivals around the world, scored critics choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic (The New York Times and The Times of London), shared the stage with such luminaries as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Mick Jagger, and Eric Clapton, and has even performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama.
On Sat. 4/11, Tommy Castro, an American blues guitarist and singer will bring his band The Painkillers to George’s Majestic to headline the second night of the festival. He has been actively recording since the mid-1990s with 16 CD releases to his credit. His music has taken him from local stages to national and international touring. His popularity was marked in 2008 by winning the Blues Music Award for Entertainer of the Year. The festivities for April 11 also include performances by Tulsa guitarist and Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame inductee Steve Pryor, Mr. Sipp and, will also feature an Allman Brothers Tribute to kick off the evening with Isayah’s Allstars. A late night session is also planned with Northwest Arkansas favorites, Earl & Them.
Tickets for the event are now on sale at georgesmajesticlounge.com. Prices for the April 10 and 11 shows are $25 for each day.
For additional details, artist information and festival schedule, visit ozarkbluessociety.org.
