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Lots of blues, but not a sad face at Blues Festival

Rich Gillette Cloudy skies hang over the Lebanon Blues Festival held Saturday, Aug. 1, in downtown Lebanon.

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Rich Gillette Ty Jones prepares pork in a cooker Saturday, Aug. 1, during the Lebanon Blues Festival.

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Photos: Lebanon Blues Festival

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 4:41 PM Saturday, August 1, 2009

Grey clouds were rolling in and out at the Lebanon Blues Festival, today, Aug. 1, but performers Bekah Williams and Ricky Nye decided to tempt fate by singing the standard “Stormy Monday” to the crowd of eager blues fans.

“I was a little concerned, but I like to tempt fate sometimes,” said singer Williams after her performance. “Besides, we’re playing on a Saturday afternoon, not a Monday.”

Eight groups performed in downtown Lebanon Saturday as part of the eleventh annual event. The Lebanon Optimist Club, which sponsors the festival as a fund-raiser for their work with Warren County children, was hopeful that 10-12,000 people would attend.

“It’s great to look out and see everybody having fun, bouncing along with the songs,” Nye said.

“I like the small-town feel of this festival,” said Williams, who had never played the Lebanon Blues Festival before. “It’s a quaint little town, but everybody seems to love the music.”

Blues aficionados came from far and wide for the festival, which also featured a classic car show with nearly a hundred preserved automobiles and nearly as many food vendors.

Michael and Connie Schmidt, die-hard blues fans, drove nearly an hour from Edgewood, KY, for the festival. Next weekend, they will be in Cincinnati for its blues festival.

“We never miss a blues festival,” Connie said. “It’s just a style of music we love.”

“I love music but I also love watching other people react and get excited,” said Lebanon native Phil McCullough. “It’s a really positive relaxing environment.”

“Barbecue and blues — you can’t beat it,” said Ray Faler of Middletown.

Crowds were met with the occasional raindrop as the afternoon progressed, but few seemed to let them get the blues. Following Nye and Williams, Middletown native Sonny Moorman took the stage, playing a rock blues style solo.

“It’s a great day,” Moorman said to an approving roar from the crowd. “Let’s hear some blues.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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Saturday August 2nd? HELLO?? Today is August 1st!! Sonny is also playing at Blue Goose in Middletown with some other Great Bands for a Benefit for Aneisha Fugate. Started at Noon, goes til late. Doc Brown, Southern Comfort, "3 of a Kind" The Exploding Toads, & Catch 22. Come out, I'm sure you will hear some blues, and all other genres..

johnnyrock
4:05 PM, 8/1/2009

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