2023 Schedule Main Stage Schedule
FRIDAY
Friday, July 14th – 4-7 PM – Bluestime!
House rockin’, juke joint jumpin’ electric blues played by folks that grew up listening, watching and learning from the Golden Age Blues Masters. After connecting only a few short years ago, BLUESTIME! has become a standout in the local/regional scene.
Friday, July 14th – 7:30 to 10:30PM – Billy the Kid and The Regulators
AWARD WINNING BLUES
2014 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE 3RD PLACE WINNERS
2013 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE BEST SELF PRODUCED CD TOP 5 FINALIST
2013 BLUES SOCIETY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 1ST PLACE WINNERS
2007 WEST VIRGINIA BLUES SOCIETY 1ST PLACE WINNERS
Billy the Kid and The Regulators are a high powered, guitar driven, rhythm and blues band based in Pittsburgh. Lead singer Billy Evanochko is widely-known across the Steel City for his impassioned lyrics, seductive vocals, and stinging guitar riffs. Together with his band, The Regulators they deliver a well-balanced dose of funky rhythm and blues, with heart and soul being the main ingredient, playing countless clubs and festivals throughout the country. The band attracts fans with their fresh mix and interpretation of the iconic R&B experience.
SATURDAY
Saturday, July 15th – 11AM to 1PM – Don and Sarkastics
Don & The Sarkastics is a local high energy blues rock band with a bit of funk mixed in. Guitarist, vocalist Donald Lee Shough, a Wildwood native plays a Jeff Beck inspired style with a bluesey feel. He has toured with country artist Doug Stone out of Nashville. Don is a former member of the late great Frank Bey’s band& has played with countless musicians from both coast’s including Jack Pierson whose played with The Allman Brothers. Also, Don has done shows with Neil Young’s daughter Astrid.
Drummer & Vocalist Blue Eagle was mentored by Tommy Campbell, who toured with Dizzy Gillespie & John McLaughlin. He has also played with Philly bassist Steve Green. As a young vocalist he has also done 2 world tours with The Philadelphia Boys choir& has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel & Conan with Donny & Marie Osmond.
Local Sarkis Damirjian, A.K.A.”Sark on the Harp” was harmonica player for the late “Southern Gentleman of the Blues & Grammy nominated singer Frank Bey as well as sharing stages with many local & national acts & is no stranger to this wonderful festival.
Local bass player Walt Sapsai Jr. mentored by Mike Maiorano, has played with James Bradley Jr. from Chuck Mangione’s band & with the “Turnstyles” opened for “The Whailers” & ” Live”.
Saturday July 15th – 1:30-3:30 PM – James Day and the Fish Fry
Based in the Mid Atlantic, James Day and the Fish Fry perform at festivals and venues in Canada and along the East Coast. On any given night, one can hear all styles of New Orleans Music: A Gumbo mix of Street Parades, Cuban Rumbas, Swamp Pop, Zydeco, and New Orleans Classics.
Saturday July 15th – 4-7PM – Billy Walton Band
Billy Walton is an accomplished guitar master from the vibrant New Jersey Shore music scene. He earned his stripes in the rock & roll trenches, playing lead guitar for many years with Jersey icon, Southside Johnny. He has also shared the stage with music legends; Little Steven, Gary US Bonds and Steven Tyler, to name a few.
Saturday July 15th – 7:30-10:30PM – Chris O’Leary Band
Chris’s musical background includes duties as lead singer and front man for rock and roll hall of famer and Grammy award winner Levon Helm’s band, The Barnburners. During the 6 years that Chris and Levon played together they toured across the US and Canada lighting up stages everywhere they went. Chris has appeared on stage with: Legendary Rolling Stones sideman Bobby Keys, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmy Vivino, Jeff Healy, Dan Akroyd, Albert Lee, Dave Edmunds, Dave Maxwell and the great James Cotton to name just a few. Chris has also recorded with Bill Perry and Hubert Sumlin, among others.
SUNDAY
Sunday July 16th – 11:00AM-4:30PM – BC Blue and Friends
New Orleans sent the Northeast a Queen, and her name is Bev Conklin. Bev has an extraordinary compassion and grace that compliments her broad range of vocal styles and effortless power in voice that gets the party started. BC has been bringing her signature style and brand of Blues for over 30 years along with an international touring band to include “Chicago” Carl Snyder who has toured and led over 60 of Chicago’s Blues royalty like Jimmy Johnson, Son Seals, Byther Smith and more on keys. Carl tells all in his book TEN THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS. From Chicago and having toured with Nature’s Divine, Joe Mac brings his crowd-pleasing rhythm, soul and Blues on lead guitar. From Philadelphia, Bobby Soul brings funk and rhythm on bass, guitar and vocals. And from Orange NJ, retired fire fighter, Glenn Spadone keeps our feet moving and heads bobbing on the drums.
Special guests include Bobby Soul who leads his band Filet of Soul and Charlie Brown who retired his band during the pandemic. Charlie Brown will have his full band Notorious Groove with Bobby Soul on bass, Joe Mac on guitar, Dennis Weiand on keys and Glenn Spadone on drums. Bobby is Charlie’s life-time best friend. Bobby brings the soul and funk to the Blues and Charlie delivers his heart on R&B and Soul. What better way to feature the heart and soul of BC Blue than to feature its own members and long-time friend, Charlie Brown.