The Wallace Blues Festival, which fills three blocks of the historic downtown area with stages and live music July 12-14, has earned a “Capital F Fun” from party-goers.
Sammy Eubanks has been an important part of the Wallace Blues Festival since its inception eight years ago, starting the party on Friday night at The Red Light Garage and ending it with his All Star Sammy Jam on the Main Stage Saturday night. This year, Eubanks takes center stage in honor of becoming the second runner-up at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Eubanks put together a band of veteran Inland Northwest players to compete against blues bands from around the world.
Eubanks brings his all-star band, Work’in Class, to the festival as headliner so local fans can hear the magic, and honor them for their achievement.
Also appearing the Main Stage is Ghost Town Blues, a modern blues band with an intimate knowledge of blues and rock and known for their improvisational jams. This Memphis-based group won second place in the 2014 International Blues Challenge. Not your grandpa’s blues band, their live show has been captivating audiences in the U.S. and Canada with a second-line horn entrance, cigar-box guitars, electric push brooms, Allman Brothers-style jams and a rapping trombone player. They’ve promised to march right through downtown Wallace!
The Main Stage will also feature the Diego Romero Band, led by a talented young rocker who has become a favorite of the Inland Northwest blues crowd; Tim Langford, originally from Spokane, and his rockin’ BMA-nominated Too Slim and The Taildraggers; and the sweetheart of the Inland Northwest, Sara Brown, with her hot band and big voice.
Other acts include Bobby Patterson, Doghouse Boyz, Tuck Foster, Zach Cooper, John Kelley, Caden Davis, the Shuffle Dawgs, many more. Montana’s Kenny James Miller Band rocks the stage Friday night, then offers an acoustic set during the Blues Breakfast on Saturday, followed by IEBS Best New Blues Artist Jan Harrison with Don Chilcott on Sunday.
The downtown area is blocked off with stages starting at the Red Light Garage on 5th, another on Cedar St. between 5th and 6th, one in the Beer Garden between 6th & 7th, and the Main Stage at the end of Cedar on 7th. Shops, vendors, restaurants and museums line the friendly streets.
Shuttle service is available all day Saturday from Kellogg, just nine miles away; or camping is available at the high school for just $10 with shower and bathroom access.
Tickets are $20-$40 ($10 for 12 and under). Learn more at www.wallaceblues.com and find updates on the festival’s Facebook page.