We are getting FESTIVAL EXCITED! With your support, we intend to present the 10th Annual Wiregrass Blues Fest “Blues, Brews & BBQ on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at The Plant in Dothan, AL. Our mission is to keep the blues alive through education and entertainment. Here are a few examples of what we provide to the community:

• Blues-in-Schools, a free outreach performance that has impacted over 8,000 public school children
• Free education programs for students
• Thousands of dollars to local public schools for instruments and music curriculum
• First-class blues music through annual music festivals and programs

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The 10^th Annual Wiregrass Blues Festival “Blues, Brews & BBQ will feature:

5 Dynamic Blues Bands

BBQ Competition

Arts & Crafts Vendors

Charity Bike Run

Car Show

Kids Activities

and more

We have a stellar lineup for you this year!

Check out the 10th Annual Wiregrass Blues Fest line-up:

King Baby –

Deft and dynamic, King Baby’s sound balances earthy R&B, simmering soul, percolating funk, and a jazz-spiked improvisational bent – with compelling original vocal and instrumental compositions as the fulcrum. Emerging from Atlanta’s fertile, diverse music scene, King Baby assemble a uniquely compelling, invigorating sound from shards of their influences, cemented by their long-standing friendship and fearless willingness to experiment, focused with clear-eyed discipline and formidable musicianship.

Composed of Rick Lollar (guitar and vocals), Danny Paschall (drums), Kevin Scott (bass), and keyboardist and WBS Honoree David Adkins), King Baby harness the energy and zeal of open-ended jams to tight, evocative songcraft, making their music at once provocative and accessible.

Sister Lucille –

Kimberly Dill / Lead Vocals
Jamie Holdren / Guitar & Vocals
Kevin Lyons / Drums & Percussion
Reed Herron / Bass

Hailing from Southwest Missouri and deeply inspired by the musical legacy of Memphis, Sister Lucille has turned the worlds of Blues, Roots and Soul on their collective head and created their own genre – Memphunk! 

Ben Flournoy Trio –

Singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist Ben Flournoy creates compelling, blues-infused pop, with nimble melodies and laid-back vocals reminiscent of icons like Eric Clapton and John Mayer.

Flournoy first picked up the guitar at age ten.  Self-taught, he plays with an intensity and agility beyond his years. His debut solo album is set for release in 2023.

With Special Guest – Tim McDonald

Tim is the current touring keyboardist for Rock Legend Rick Derringer.  His piano and keyboard talents have been featured with Pam Tillis, Hank Williams Jr., Olivia Newton John, Blake Shelton, Mark Chesnutt and more. 

Lil’ Jimmy Reed & The Legacy Band

Still playing and touring the World.

Lil’ Jimmy Reed is the last of the original Louisiana bluesmen.

Leon Atkins, better known as Lil’ Jimmy Reed, is the real deal, as will be attested to by anyone who has been privileged to hear his stinging guitar work, gritty vocals and haunting harmonica. A tall charismatic figure, Lil’ Jimmy epitomizes the classic Louisiana down-home blues tradition.

The Legacy Band is made up of seasoned musicians Marcus Hart (bass), Keith Anderson (drums), Namon Flowers (keyboard), Tony Hawthorne (saxophone). 

Big Al & The Heavy Weights –

Southern roots, bayou soul. Big Al and the Heavyweights originally formed in 1996 as the Unknown Blues Band, with founding members Al Lauro, Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule), and pianist Rick Gergen (Sweethearts of the Rodeo).  Of course, Warren is no longer in the band but Big Al has formed a solid array of musicians that features Louisiana Music Hall of Fame pianist vocalist, Wayne Lohr along with guitarist vocalist extraordinaire Marcel Anton and renowned California bassist vocalist Mark Parsons.  

Special presentation to this year’s Honorees

Living Honorees- Gil Anthony & David Adkins

Deceased Honoree – Jackie Mills

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We hope you will become a Festival SPONSOR today! Your sponsorship dollars are tax-deductible and directly support our mission to keep the blues alive in the Wiregrass Area.

Thank you for your generous support!

Festival Season is here! The 10th Annual Wiregrass Blues Fest is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023, at The Plant in Dothan, Alabama. Don’t miss this year’s Festival.

Gates open at TBA, Music starts at TBA. Our line-up is the best one yet! Come enjoy good food from our food vendors competing in a BBQ Contest!

Vendors apply here https://form.jotform.com/230118089491154

Festival MEET & GREET

Friday, March 25, 2023, 6PM – 9PM

All ticket holders are invited to attend the Festival Meet & Greet the night before the fest. Location TBA. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet our performers! Free appetizers and a cash bar will be available to all. We hope to see you at our free Pre-Fest Party!

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FESTIVAL SPONSORS

Executive Director

Director

Assistant Director

Star

Friends of the Festival

Festival Food Vendors

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festival history

1. Annika Chambers, 2017, 2. Debbie Bond & the Blues Women, Betty Fox, and Brandon Santini, 2016, 3. Sol Tree, 2016, 4. Hurricane Ruth, 2018, 5. Festival crowd, 2014, 6. Dr. Jeneve Brooks, Lenny Trawick, and Gil Anthony, 2017, 7. Brandon Santini & Band, 2016, 8. Shar Baby and Debbie Bond, 2014, 9. Packrat’s Smokehouse Band, 2019

The Wiregrass Blues Festival (WBF) began in 2011 as a tribute concert to the late blues-legend and Dothan native, Eddie Kirkland. The WBF is a celebration of the incredible blues traditions from our region. Each year, we present exceptional blues and blues-inspired performances to our community. In addition to the Festival performances, we organize public presentations of local living and deceased honorees by paying homage to those that pioneered or forged a place in the music industry during each Festival season.

Our line-up always represents the unique music culture of our region. WBF performers have spent decades shaping their craft and their performances at our Festival always reflect musical excellence.

Are you curious about past Festival performances? If so, please see our detailed listings below. Have a click, or two!

2023 Festival Steering Committee

Are you interested in joining the 2023 Wiregrass Blues Festival Steering Committee? Click the link below!

https://wiregrassbluessociety.org/2022-steering-committee/