Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’: “The Bluesmasters Concert” Comes to Nebraska
Hey Chicagoans, are you looking for something to do this Labor Day weekend? Feel like getting out of town, maybe taking a road trip? Are you a lover of Blues music like me? Maybe you have an old friend, or some family you’ve been meaning to go visit in Omaha or Lincoln, Nebraska. But you’ve been lacking the motivation to make the drive. You’ve needed an additional reason, just that extra little spark. Perhaps an appealing event to draw your interest.
Well, Friday, August 31st, The University of Nebraska and the Lincoln Saltdogs are sponsoring what we hope will one day be known as “The Inaugural” bluesfest called “The Bluesmasters Concerts”. The concert, which in a very classy gesture I might add, honors the memory of the late Hubert Sumlin and Pinetop Perkins. Pinetop of course was the longtime piano player in Muddy Waters Band, while Hubert played for more than 20 years in Howlin’ Wolf’s band. The two of them collaborated on an album in 1999 called “Pinetop Perkins & Hubert Sumlin: Legends. They both passed away in 2011.
The lineup for the one day blues festival is worth the drive. Hosted by Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood, the performers include Eric Gales, Otis Taylor, Leon Russell, Elvin Bishop, and the headline event, The Allman Brothers Band. Maybe Elvin will join the Brothers onstage for a version of Drunken’ Hearted Boy as he did in 1970? Once every 42 years like clockwork.
A portion of the proceeds from the night of music will benefit The Nebraska Legends Scholarship program. For more information, you can visit The Allman Brothers site (www.allmanbrothersband.com). Facebook users can go to: www.facebook.com/TheBluesmastersConcert . For ticket information, go to www.etix.com. So gas up the buggy, point it west, and come join us for a memorable day of music. And drive safely.