Heavy Hitters Headline
The Scenic Hummingbird Nest Ranch In Simi Valley;
Benefits American Diabetes Association & Local Charities
(SIMI VALLEY, CALIF) - Michael John's 7th Annual Simi Valley Blues Festival, one of the most anticipated Blues festivals of the year in Southern California, takes place at beautiful Hummingbird Nest Ranch, 2940 Kuehner Drive, Simi Valley, Saturday, April 28, 2012. Gates open at 10 a.m. Tickets $25. in advance, $30. at the gate; available now at www.simiblues.org. Info: (805) 675-8668. Portion of proceeds from the festival benefit the American Diabetes Association along with other local charities. Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley.
Heavy hitters headlining this year's Simi Valley Blues Festival include renowned guitar aces Tommy Castro and Walter Trout, along with harp virtuoso/vocalist, Curtis Salgado. Also on the bill: popular longtime SoCal act The Delgado Brothers (with dynamic guest vocalist Sherry Pruitt); and former IBC Finalist (as well as festival founder), Michael John And the Bottom Line. Special Guest Emcee: Mickey Jones. Also Food & Craft Vendors, Guitar Giveaway, Kids Areas and more.
Check out an interview with Festival founder Michael John here.
The Performers....
Tommy Castro has received multiple awards throughout his career and was nominated in four Blues Music Awards categories this year: B.B. King Entertainer of the Year; Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year; Band of the Year; and Contemporary Album of the Year (for Tommy Castro Presents The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue - Live!!). www.tommycastro.com.
Curtis Salgado is widely regarded as one of the most soulful singers around who also plays an amazing harmonica. Salgado - a cancer survivor and one of the most well-liked musicians on the Blues circuit - has been nominated for the 2012 BMA Soul and Blues Album of the Year. www.curtissalgado.com.
Walter Trout may very well be the most popular U.S.-born guitarist in all of Europe, once placing #6 in a BBC poll voting on the best guitarists in the world. Trout's guitar playing is high energy, soulful, and always entertaining. His new CD is Blues For The Modern Daze. www.waltertrout.com.
Michael John And the Bottom Line: In addition to being the Simi Valley Blues Festival's founder, Entertainment Director and main driving force, Michael John fronts a pretty talented bunch of musicians in their own right. The group are past IBC finalists; their most recent album is Family and Friends. www.michaeljohnandthebottomline.com.
Watch a scintillating live performance by Walter Trout performing his song "Reason I'm Gone" here:
A History....
Michael John's Simi Valley Blues Festival, formerly the Write4hope Blues Festival, was the vision of Simi Valley resident Michael John Basowski. John (who also recently founded the Ventura County Blues Society) has been a musician all his life and had always dreamed that someday he could do something which would make an impact on his community.
Being a blues musician, the idea of a blues festival was the ideal way to turn his dream into reality. At the first festival - held in 2006 - Michael John teamed up with the local non-profit organization Write4Hope, who was instrumental in helping with the logistics for the event and made it possible to hold the first three blues festivals in Oak County Park in Simi Valley.
Simi Valley resident musician/actor and celebrity figure Mickey Jones has emceed the Simi Valley Blues Festival every year since its beginning. In addition, Michael John's family and friends have donated their time and talent to help make this event a yearly success, with over three thousand attendees at the 2011 Simi Valley Blues Festival. The 2012 presenters are the Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley. With the support of our Sponsors and the generosity of Hummingbird Nest Ranch (our Title Sponsor), the 7th Annual Simi Valley Blues Festival will be the biggest and best one yet!
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