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POMEROY, OHIO -- Two nights of live blues, roots and rock music will highlight the 23rd annual Big Bend Blues Bash, which takes place Friday and Saturday, August 4th and 5th, at the Pomeroy Riverside Amphitheater in historic, downtown Pomeroy, Ohio.
Affectionately named "The Bash" by music lovers nationwide, this home-grown music festival along the Ohio River has blossomed into one of the premier events for performers of live blues, rock, roots, and world music. Conceived by Jackie Welker, Pomeroy Blues and Jazz Society president and owner of legendary local juke joint, Court Street Grill, the festival has been going strong for 22 years and this year's event will continue with the rich tradition of world-class performances and jam-packed audiences.
"We're very excited for another year of the Blues Bash," said Welker. "The overwhelming support we've received from festival attendees and the community over the years has been unbelievable."
"The tremendous economic impact the festival has had on both our town and Meigs County is truly immeasurable," added Welker. "From a financial standpoint, knowing how the Blues Bash has helped our friends and neighbors, it's an additional incentive to keep going."
Welker also cited the COVID pandemic as another reason why the festival continues. "As a nation, we've recently been through some extremely difficult times," said Welker. "This year, the Blues Bash will be a celebration of those dark times coming to an end."
Headlining the festival on Saturday, August 5 will be Blood Brothers, a supergroup collaboration featuring Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia, two of the biggest names on the contemporary blues scene. With over 45 years combined in the music business, Zito and Castiglia continue to entertain audiences all over the world with their jaw-dropping guitar acrobatics, poignant songwriting and eclectic stage show. Having each won numerous musical awards during their careers, Zito and Castiglia are true "Blood Brothers" in life and in the music they create both individually and collectively, joining forces in a collaborative effort to create a total sonic listening experience greater than the sum of its parts. In addition to their own hits, Zito and Castiglia will feature a number of songs from their recently released Blood Brothers album.
Award winning blues-rock/ R&B sensation Eliza Neals is set to mesmerize the crowd with her unique style of soulful songwriting and from-the-heart live performance. Hailed as the "last great Motown trained R&B vocalist from Detroit," Eliza's sultry vocals and passionate piano accompaniment sets the stage for a must see show that continually has fans coming back again and again.
Also on Saturday, festival favorites, the Chris O' Leary Band, will once again bring their harmonica-driven blues and roots show to the masses. The group's high-energy performance, which blends the unique sounds of Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans, will have concert goers jumping from their seats and dancing the night away. Other artists scheduled to perform throughout the day will be punk/Americana one-man band phenom Rink Fink (of Gas House Gorillas fame), and local sensations the Stone Quillen Band, The Codgerz and Wicked Trixie.
On Friday, August 4th, American/Canadian guitar virtuoso Phillip Sayce headlines a blistering night of electric blues and hard rock music. Sayce, known by many as the "hotshot guitarist who slays audiences with a revved-up mixture of electric blues, hard rock and tough psychedelia," has been burning up stages across the land with his explosive guitar style, powerful vocals and introspective songwriting. It's this level of expression that gives Sayce's playing such depth and integrity, making him truly awe-inspiring to both listen to and mind blowing to watch.
For southern rock connoisseurs, Revival: A Tribute to the Allman Brothers will take concert goers on a nostalgic trip back in time when they honor one of the most famous bands in American blues-rock history. Fronted by Detroit-based guitarist singer/songwriter Brett Lucas, this ensemble of top-shelf musicians craftily maneuvers through the vast catalog of the Allman Brothers Band with ease, playing the biggest hits and rarest of jams.
Kicking off the Blues Bash on Friday will be local hard rockers, Dragons Eye, followed by regional rock n' roots powerhouse the Renee Stewart Band.
For music fans who prefer a bit more of an intimate, up-close environment, Kentucky's high-energy rockers with southern harmony, Mojo Thunder, will be playing Friday night at Court Street Grill (112 Court St.), located one block away from the main festival area. The Chris O'Leary Band will be pulling double duty on Saturday as they follow-up their festival performance during the day with another high-energy show at the Grill later that night.
Free camping and boat docking on the Ohio River will be available for those attending the festival. Festival admission: Friday only, $30 per person; Saturday only, $40 per person; $60 for weekend pass; and VIP weekend pass, $175. Children 12 and under will be admitted free of charge. For more information, and to purchase tickets/passes online, please visit bigbendbluesbash.com