BASCOM - Money is tight and times are hard. Too many people know all about the blues - the heartache, the sweat and tears and the hope of a brighter day ahead.
First Step Healthy Family Resource Center and its clients have known the blues for years. Come Saturday, though, the agency will be set to rock, roll and soothe some souls at Soul Shine Blues Festival, its annual fundraiser.
Doors open at 1 p.m. and performers are scheduled from 2-8:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook Park Ballroom in Bascom.
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John Shetzer of Rude Mood
Headlining the festival is John Primer, a native of Camden, Miss.
The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter got his start playing in Chicago clubs. Steeped in the classic blues as well as spiritual and gospel, Primer has been a staple of the blues scene for more than 40 years. He has played with Sammy Lawhorn, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and other innovators on the Chicago blues scene.
Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers are to perform the unique combination of root-blues and rock they have performed around the country.
Fact Box
Guitar to be raffled
Festival participants also can purchase raffle tickets for $20 to win a limited edition guitar. The Taylor 416 CE electric acoustic guitar features blackwood back and sides, abalone inlays and chrome hardware, and includes a Taylor hard shell case. The retail value is $2,700.
The festival is the major fundraising event for First Step Healthy Family Resource Center in Fostoria. A comprehensive family intervention center, First Step provides individuals and families wrap-around social services and counseling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Columbus-based group includes Fuller on guitar and vocals; Mike Gilliland, harmonica and vocals; Keith Blair, piano and vocals; Manny Manuel, bass and vocals; and Mark Ward, drums.
The band has shared the stage with almost every iconic blues artist, including Dixon and Waters.
A Dayton-based group, the Reece Lincoln Band, serves up gospel-soaked blues music with a fiery stage show and a message.
The youthful trio was seen nationally on NBC's "America's Got Talent." The group includes Lincoln, 21, guitar and vocals; Brad Willison, 21, bass; and Joe Lang, 18. Their motto is "High-octane fuel for the soul."
Also representing Ohio is Rude Mood of Fremont. The group performs songs by such artists as Delbert McClinton, Tommy Castro, Steve Gornell and many originals.
The members are Russell Adkins, lead vocals, harp; John Shetzer, guitar; Gary Keaton, bass; Shane McConnell, percussion; John Calhoun, saxophone; Ed Adams, trumpet; and Ron Willamson, "the master behind the scenes."
The Soul Shine House Band, consisting of long-time favorites of the Findlay blues scene, again is to open the festival.
Admission to Soul Shine is $20 with free admission to children 5 and younger.
