2019 Greeley Blues Jam Artists
Greeley will be turning blue this June as the Greeley Blues Jam brings some of the best Blues music from across the country to Greeley for two days of music.
To kick-off the party on Friday, June 7, the Greeley Blues Jam will be taking over downtown Greeley in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority with a free concert at the 9th Street Plaza followed by free live music in many bars and businesses. Headlining the party downtown is Australian born Blues singer, Kara Grainger.
The following day, Saturday, June 8, the party moves to the Island Grove Arena for non-stop Blues music. In the arena, there will be two stages for the artists. While one is playing, the other will be setting-up to ensure the party doesn’t stop! This year’s headliners not only are some of the best Blues artists, but they also represent many different styles of the Blues. The headliners include:
-Shemekia Copeland: Shemekia Copeland never holds back. Her instantly recognizable voice—capable of being sultry, assertive and roaring—delivers every song with unparalleled honesty and passion. Her wide-open vision of contemporary Americana roots and soul music showcases the evolution of a passionate artist with an up-to-the-minute musical and lyrical approach. Recently nominated for five Blues Music Awards to add to her collection of awards and nominations.
-Larkin Poe: Rebecca & Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe are singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist sisters creating their own brand of Roots Rock 'n' Roll and blues: gritty, soulful, and flavored by their southern heritage. Originally from Atlanta and currently living in Nashville, they are descendants of tortured artist and creative genius Edgar Allan Poe. Larkin Poe was recently nominated for Band of the Year by the Blues Music Awards.
-Mr. Sipp: Castro Coleman aka Mr. Sipp, “The Mississippi Blues Child”, is a native of the Mississippi Delta. Castro was born in the small town of McComb, Mississippi to Johnell and the late Vera Coleman. He is a husband and father of four daughters. He has been around music all of his life. His parents and aunt had a gospel quartet group. He was influenced by BB King at the age of 6 which is when he started playing the guitar. In 2014 Castro was the winner of the International Blues Challenge (Band), the Albert King Gibson Guitar award, BMA Best New Artist Album winner 2016, The Spirit of Little Walter Award 2016.
-Cha Wa: From the funk-laced beats and bass-heavy sousaphone blasts that kick off their album, “Spyboy”, to the gritty warmth of singer J’Wan Boudreaux’s voice, New Orleans brass band-meets-Mardi Gras Indian outfit, Cha Wa radiates the fiery energy of the best features of the city’s street culture. Lead signer J’Wan Bourdeaux is the grandson of award winning legendary Big Chief Monk Bourdeaux of the Wild Magnolias and HBO’s Treme. On December 7th, the Recording Academy announced the nominations for the 61st Grammy® Awards, which included Cha Wa’s Spyboy in the category of Best Regional Roots Music Album.
-Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings: Born in Redding, California in 1950, Roy began playing guitar at twelve years of age. A year later at age 13, he was performing in a rock 'n' roll band that wore gold lame jackets and played Little Richard and Chuck Berry tunes. He discovered the great blues players early on, especially when his older brother brought home an album by Robert Johnson. Thus began his love of the blues, slide guitar in particular, which had an immediate effect on Roy, who was indeed named after the King of the Cowboys. Through the years he developed a distinctive style of playing slide guitar that not only emerged, but one that is instantly recognizable.
-Watermelon Slim: Watermelon Slim & The Workers have garnered 17 Blues Music Award nominations in four years including a record-tying six in both 2007 & 2008. Only the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray have landed six in a year and Slim is the only blues artist in history with twelve in two consecutive years.
-Kara Grainger: Her music career began in a small suburban town of Sydney Australia and since then has taken her on an incredible journey throughout the globe. Combining tasteful blues and slide guitar, soulful vocals and a heartfelt approach to songwriting, Kara's truly unique sound will leave you uplifted, inspired and always wanting more.
-Taylor Scott Band: An international touring guitarist and singer/songwriter based in Denver, Colorado. He has consistently toured all over the US, Canada, and Europe with both the Taylor Scott Band and trance-blues legend Otis Taylor. Most recently he has been opening and playing with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Los Lobos.
-Mojomama: They were a semi Finalist in 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis and have been selected to return for 2019 representing the Colorado Blues Society. In 2015 Mojomama won best self-produced Cd and favorite female vocalist for 2015 and 2018 from the Colorado Blues Society.
2019 Greeley Blues Jam Ticket Outlets
Call 970-356-7787 or visit the Greeley Stampede Ticket Office in Island Grove Park at 600 North 14th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631, open Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm.
Online at www.greeleybluesjam.org
Any Colorado King Soopers location
Call TicketsWest 24/7 at 866-464-2626 or online at ticketswest.com
Tickets for Saturday, June 8 at the Greeley Blues Jam are $30. Tickets prices increase the day of the event to $40. This is an all-day pass to the festival.
Friday, June 7 is a free event. No tickets needed to attend.
More to Come!
We will be announcing camping opportunities at the Greeley Blues Jam as well as beginning to sell the sod from the arena at a later date.
ABOUT THE GREELEY BLUES JAM: The Greeley Blues Jam, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, attracts 4,000+ appreciative fans each year and has grown to be one of Colorado’s largest blues festivals. We have the capacity at this venue to handle as many as 6,000. Although taking place in a large outdoor arena (which we sod for the event), we have the benefit of a large indoor event center at the festival area and can guarantee a rain or shine event. One of Colorado’s best sound and production companies provides the finest audio experience for our bands and their fans. We guarantee that you will experience one of the best music festivals in the west at the Greeley Blues Jam—voted Best Blues Festival in Colorado by the members of the Colorado Blues Society. For more information about the Greeley Stampede visit www.greeleybluesjam.org.