New Name, New Venue, Legendary Lineup
Benefits The American Diabetes Association & Local Charities
at Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd., Moorpark. Gates open 10 a.m.,
music starts 11 a.m. Tickets $25 in advance, $30. day of show. Kids 12
and under free with adult. Plus food and craft vendors; guitar giveaway
signed by all the artists; special kid’s area; and silent auction
including new autographed Fender guitar signed by Johnny Rivers, and
photo opportunity (with Rivers). Info: www.venturacountyblues.com or call the Festival Hotline: (805) 501-7122. Festival proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association and local charities. Presented by the Ventura County Blues Society.
Chart Hits and over thirty million records sold, this legendary
singer/songwriter and producer continues to perform before sellout
crowds worldwide, remarkably at an age (70) when most people are happily
retired. The “Secret Agent Man” has many other accomplishments and has
made significant contributions to the history of rock ‘n roll. River’s long
list of hits include “Baby I Need You Lovin,” “Maybelline,” “Memphis,”
“Mountain Of Love,” “Poor Side Of Town,” “Rockin Pneumonia & Boogie
Woogie Flu,” “Secret Agent Man,” “Seventh Son,” “Summer Rain,” “Swayin
To The Music (Slow Dancin),” “The Tracks Of My Tears” and many more. In
2009 Rivers was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. www.johnnyrivers.com.
Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds
Legendary … a Blues/Rock institution … true innovators. These are
just a few of the ways Savoy Brown has been described over the past
forty years by music critics and fans. One of the earliest of British
blues bands, Savoy Brown, with founder guitarist Kim Simmonds at the
helm, helped launch the 1967 UK blues boom movement that brought blues
music back to the USA invigorating the style forever. In the process,
the band became part of the framework that launched the rock and roll
music of the 1970’s. Their influence now stretches into modern rock as
we know it today. www.savoybrown.com
Also Performing….
follows the triumph of his multi-award winning 2008 comeback album,
Let Life Flow. An outstanding success, the CD raked in accolades
including three prestigious Album Of The Year awards, two Song Of The
Year awards for the title track, and two Artist of the Year honors for
Neal. It was clear that Kenny touched something deep in the blues
community with his soulful guitar playing and uplifting songwriting, and
his hot streak continues. Hooked On Your Love covers the
plethora of accomplished roots styles Kenny has become known for: a
tasty musical gumbo of swamp-boogie, jazz, R&B, and straight-ahead
blues. www.kennyneal.net.
Claritan Doña Oxford earned her reputation as a top-notch keyboardist
and vocalist while playing with such legendary performers as Keith
Richards, Bob Weir, Levon Helm, Phil Upchurch, Buddy Guy, Son Seals,
Mark Termonti (Creed), Jimmy Vivino (Conan O’Brien Show) and her idol,
former Chuck Berry sideman and Father of Rock & Roll Piano, Johnnie
Johnson. www.donaoxford.com.
Preston Smith & The Crocodiles: The
2013 VCBS IBC Winner, Preston Smith has crafted his own irresistible
original songs and colorful stage show. His expressive showmanship and
varied musical influences have endeared Smith to fans all over the
globe. He keeps the crowd on its feet with eyes glued to the stage, a
bluesman to the core. Smith’s music can be heard on Movie soundtracks
as well as numerous TV commercials, and he has appeared on The Tonight
Show with Johnny Carson. His snarlin’ guitar sound blends with his
screamin’ harmonica work to produce a raw, soulful treat for any music
lover. In addition to his guitar, harmonica and vocal work, Preston
soars over the solid backbeat set by the tightly wound rhythm section
of the Crocodiles.
Michael John And The Bottom Line: Michael John, Founder
and President of the Ventura County Blues Society, is also the Founder
of the Ventura County Blues Festival and leads his band The Bottom
Line. Since the festival’s inception, Michael John & The Bottom
Line have performed and donated their music which now has become an
annual tradition for the festival kick off. When you combine family and
lifelong friends you get a special musical bond that touches the
hearts and souls of all music lovers alike. The band consists of
Michael John (lead singer, guitar, harmonica), Michael John’s son Mikey
Mo (lead guitar), Steve Nelson (electric, stand-up Bass), Eddie Z
(tenor, alto sax), Jeff Dellisanti (tenor, baritone sax), and Tom
“T-Bone” Broderick (drums, backup vocals). The group attracts people of
all ages with their blend of Swing to more contemporary rocking blues.
They have received national airplay and have won multiple awards
including placing in the top ten bands in the finals for the
International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee. In 2006 Michael was
awarded the All Access Magazine award for “Best Male Vocalist.” www.michaeljohnandthebottomline.com.
Michael John’s Ventura County Blues Festival, formerly the Simi Valley
Blues Festival, was the vision of Simi Valley resident Michael John
Basowski. John (who also recently founded the Ventura County Blues Society)
has been a musician all his life and had always dreamed that someday he
could do something which would make an impact on his community.
Being a blues musician, the idea of a blues festival was the ideal way
to turn his dream into reality. At the first festival – held in 2006 –
Michael John teamed up with the local non-profit organization
Write4Hope, who was instrumental in helping with the logistics for the
event and made it possible to hold the first three blues festivals in
Oak County Park in Simi Valley.
Valley resident musician/actor and celebrity figure Mickey Jones has
emceed the Simi Valley Blues Festival every year since its beginning. In
addition, Michael John’s family and friends have donated their time and
talent to help make this event a yearly success, with over three thousand attendees at the 2012 Simi Valley Blues Festival