Other notable artists on deck for the 2014 Big Muddy Blues Festival include Tinsley Ellis of Atlanta, Goodbye June of Nashville, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials of Chicago, Kenny Neal of Baton Rouge, LA, and the Homemade Jamz Blues Band, a young Tupelo, MS, trio that prompted B.B. King to say, "These young kids have got energy, talent and do the blues proud with their own flavor. I believe they've got a GREAT future ahead."
The festival will be on solid ground this year, now that the months-long reconstruction of the famous Laclede's Landing cobblestone streets is complete. This spring, travel along Second Street between Washington Avenue and Morgan Street had been particularly bumpy from previous utility repairs, so crews ripped out the cobblestones, performed work below the surface and re-layed the original stones on a sturdier crust. New curb ramps should make the area a bit easier to navigate for all.
Big Muddy's main stage will be located at 1st & Lucas, with supporting stages at 2nd & Lucas and 2nd & Morgan. Admission is free for the supporting stages, $10 for general admission to the main stage, $50 for single-day VIP and $90 for two-day VIP. For more information, visit the Big Muddy Blues Festival website.