Blues-in-Schools: a complete history
2020

The 2020 Blues-in-Schools was held on February 20th at the Dothan Civic Center. The Wiregrass Blues Society partnered with the Dothan City School system in presenting the Blues in Schools program to approximately 1300 children at eight Dothan City Schools which included Highlands Elementary, Faine Elementary, Kelly Springs Elementary, Carver, Beverlye Intermediate, Heard Elementary, Selma Street Elementary, and Morris Slingluff Elementary schools. Performances and workshops were given by Teeny Tucker (the 2020 WBF headliner) and her band. Teeny Tucker was deemed the “best female Blues vocalist on the scene today” in the Blues Blast Magazine. She has headlined some of the world’s most prestigious musical festivals in North America and Europe. And, we were ecstatic to bring her experience and talent to our local public school children.

In 2020, the Wiregrass Blues Society was delighted to give a donation of $3000 for instrumentation and music supplies to the 5th and 6th graders of Beverlye Intermediate School.



2019
In 2019, The Wiregrass Blues Society partnered with the Houston County School system to bring Blues-in-Schools programming to over 1600 K-8th grade students! We enlisted local bands that are Wiregrass Blues Society members to perform at four Houston County Schools. Sinners’ Gospel played at Ashford Elementary on February 20th. Oddly Enough played on February 27th at Rehobeth Middle School. The New Canadians played for Wicksburg Elementary on March 22nd. And, Montage performed on April 18th at Cottonwood Elementary School.








2018
There were two 2018 Blues-in-Schools programs presented to five Dothan City Schools and to over 350 K-8th grade students. These performances took place at the historic Dothan Opera House. Grandview Elementary, Heard Magnet, Faine Elementary, Slingluff Elementary, and Beverlye Magnet Middle schools participated in the programming.

Unlike other years, the Wiregrass Blue Society presented $4,000 in support to local school systems. This money was given to support music education at these particular public school systems. The money is often given for instrumentation and music supplies. In 2018, we gave the amount of $1250 each to four different school systems i.e. Geneva County, Henry County, Houston County, and Ozark City Schools!







2017
The Wiregrass Blues Society presented Blues-in-Schools programming to Rehobeth Elementary and Webb Elementary Schools in 2017. Tas Cru our 2017 Wiregrass Blues Festival headliner performed for approximately 1000 students!

2016
In 2016, the Wiregrass Blues Society presented Blues-in-Schools programming to the Ozark City School, Harry Mixon Elementary School. There were about 530 children in attendance to see Debbie Bond & the Blues Women perform.

2015
In 2015, the Wiregrass Blues Society presented Blues-in-Schools programming to approximately 500 high-school students at Abbeville High School in Abbeville, Alabama. A Wiregrass Blues Festival, Debbie Bond & the Blues Women gave exciting blues performances in 2015!

2014
In 2014, we presented Blues-in-Schools programming to approximately 400 middle school aged children! Performances were given by Debbie Bond & the Blues Women at Geneva Middle School!




2012
The Wiregrass Blues Society was excited to present Blues-in-Schools performances at the Dothan Civic Center in 2012. The Society partnered with Dothan City Schools to bring performances by Festival favorites, Debbie Bond & the Blues Women and Mac Arnold to students. Moreover, we reached approximately 2000 middle school students!






2011
2011 was our first year presenting the Blues-in-Schools program to public school students! That year we reached 400 elementary students at Troy Elementary School in Troy, Alabama. Debbie Bond & the Blues Women were our first Blues-in-Schools performers! Almost ten years later and we are still going strong as we have since added new elements to the programming like monetary donations to local public schools music departments.

Tagged Alabama, blues, Dothan, festival, outreach, schools, society, wiregrass