Ladonna our pseudo driver and trip captain (I drove Ladonna’s car the whole damn trip) kept us entertained with her stories on the way up to God’s country, Iowa. Jay and Kathy Hensly were our other compradres for the trip. Susan Tedeschi and band opened the festival on Thursday night. She’s a young gritty blues singer who continues to impress me each time I see her. She was in this little yellow, thin, sundress that I just couldn’t shake even after her set. (See Picture)

Son Seals, Son Seals and more Son Seals. He’s just too tough with those urban, searing blues. He always has his tight band led by Red on the sax pushing him to take the show to the next level. Once again he blistered me with his stinging licks.

R. L. Burnside drank beer while performing on the stage and kept wondering aloud how come his can had a hole in it. His hypnotic Mississippi rhythm got the crowd shaking.

I thought Michael Burks put on a killer set at the band shell on Friday afternoon. (See picture) A country boy from Arkansas on the rise.

The Kansas City contingency was very proud as Jay Mcshann was honored with a key to the city and a Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday night. As the rain came down on the outside of the tent and the runoff rousted me from my seat as Jay and a host of KC musicians put on a show that harkened back to the 18^th and Vine glory years. Mcshann can tickle the ivories just as well now as ever. Another proud moment came when Jay invited our own Mary Moore to get up and sing a couple of songs. Mary did an outstanding job and the crowd responded well to her talent. Mary told me that singing with Mcshann would be a memory that she will never forget.