A great lineup of blues musicians is slated for the KCK Street Blues Fest on Saturday, June 23.
The annual event runs from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Lavender’s Circle L Ranch, 3924 N. 49th Drive, Kansas City, Kansas, which is north of Leavenworth Road. The festival location overlooks the Missouri River valley.
According to Dawayne Gilley, one of the founders of the festival, any one of the performers could have been a headliner.
He said long-time blues musician D.C. Bellamy will be the “king” of the festival this year. Perennial favorite Danny Cox, known nationally and internationally, is on the lineup. And Millage Gilbert’s 80th birthday celebration is the closing act, he said.
Musicians who are scheduled to appear include Ernest James Zydeco, Danny Cox, Terry Bohner, Bob Simons, Joe Miquelon, Norm Liggins and Danita “Little Red” Oliver, Jason Vivone, Jaisson Taylor Group, D.C. Bellamy, 51% Blues Band, Mark and Sue Corbett, Allen Locke and Shannon Basham, Eugene Smiley Blues Band and special guest Millage Gilbert.
The annual festival began in 2000 to celebrate Kansas City’s blues and jazz heritage.
There might be a slight chance of rain on Saturday, but Gilley said, “We don’t use that ‘r’ word.” The festival will go on, rain or shine.
New this year to the Blues Fest will be a popup record show, Gilley said, that they have been trying to put together for years. Record stores including 7th Heaven Records in Kansas City, Missouri, are planning to have a table or booth.
The record sale area will probably be tailgate-style, he added.
Although music downloads have taken off over the last decade or so, vinyl records have made a comeback recently, according to Gilley.
“New vinyl outsold downloads this year,” he said. “The technology of it is so much warmer and richer than digital. Analog sound on old vinyl is very sought after.”
And there is a whole new generation to learn about vinyl records, to go with the older ones that understand them, he added.
Admission to the KCK Street Blues Festival is $10, with children under 12 free. Those attending may bring coolers with refreshments, lawn chairs and blankets.
For more information, visit kckblues.com or call 913-991-3451.