Inspired after attending the River City Blues Festival in Marietta, Jim Kolbe created the first
Acoustic Blues Festival (as it was then named) in 1994. The first festival's headliner was a then 78-year-old
David "Honeyboy" Edwards!
The mission of the festival is to further the appreciation of blues music in its original format, being
mostly acoustic (or at least traditional). Acoustic/traditional practioners are far fewer than electric/modern
musicians and it is rare for an acoustic performer to travel far or get to perform for a large audience.
We're proud to present one of the very few festivals in the county focusing on blues in its traditional form!
Past festivals have featured performances by:
Robert Lockwood, Jr., John Hammond, Paul Oscher, Ann Rabson, Paul Geremia, Roy Bookbinder,
Little Toby Walker, Biersdorf & Kolbe, Slick Ballinger, Henry Gray, Steve James, Rev. Robert Jones,
Alvin Youngblood Hart, Big Joe Duskin, Liz Pennock, Sean Carney, Catfish Keith, Mr. Downchild,
Richard Johnston, Paul Rischell & Annie Raines and Spencer Bohren.
