An unbeatable variety of performances!

Although Paul Miles plays the guitar, piano, and bantar, just to name a few, he sticks to his roots while playing the blues. Influenced by the likes of Lightnin' Hopkins, B.B. King, Mississippi John Hurt and Furry Lewis, he uses his music to spread his message of peace to other music lovers. Miles has self-produced 10 albums of original music over the past 15 years, and has played overseas in Germany, France, and Switzerland.

Official recognition for his musical talents have come hard and heavy. Paul won the Detroit Blues Society 1st Solo Performer of the Year award in 2002, representing Michigan at the Blues First International Competition and convention in Memphis in 2003. He has been recognized by the Detroit Music Awards of 2005 for best R&B/Blues Recording as well as Best Blues Writer, as well as by "Great Stuff to Do" as Best Entertainer for 2005 - and Kid Rock, Anita Baker, Eminem, and Alexander Zonchik were among the others nominated. He was nominated for seven 2006 Detroit Music Awards for 2005 release Deep Water Blues, including Best Album in Acoustic/Folk and in Blues/R&B. In 2007, he was nominated for eight individual awards in both acoustic/folk and blues as an instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter.

Friday at BluesFest is the Day of the Guitar. Attendees get to learn from three expert guitar players during this clinic and then watch them play back to back on the main stages!

Larry McCray has received worldwide recognition for the combination of his blues-rock guitar and soulful vocals. He's released a number of albums, both as the first artist signed by Virgin Records' blues division and through his own record label. In 2000, he beat out Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and others to be named the Orville Gibson Male Blues Guitarist of the Year.

Dave Herrero has played with the best of the Austin blues scene, including Archie Bell and the Drells, and traveled the world spreading the blues while selling out shows in his home country at venues like Antone's Nightclub and the legendary Joe's Generic Bar. He helped to found the Austin Blues Society before moving to Chicago to produce blues music with his brother.

Greg Nagy was a long-term member of the well-established blues and soul band Root Doctor in 2004. After leaving the band on good terms, Greg Nagy recently released his first solo feature album, Walk That Fine Thin Line. This album, in a style combining elements of soul, R&B, rock, and gospel, earned him the honor of a Best New Artist debut nomination from the Blues Foundation.

Ever wonder what it's like to play slide guitar? This workshop will open the secrets to you, thanks to expert blues guitarist Rusty Wright.

His group, the Rusty Wright Band, is a five-piece "energized blues storm" that takes audiences on a joyful, rolling tour of music as hints of jazz, rock, country, and even gospel find their way into a veritable blues stew.

Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Dave Herrero began playing music professionally at 20 years old. Inspired by blues musicians Muddy Waters, Albert King and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, he moved to Austin, Texas. There, he played with the best of the Austin blues scene, and was the guitarist and opening act for Archie Bell and the Drells. Herrero has traveled across the world performing in countries such as Hungary, Bosnia, Macedonia and Scandinavia, while selling out shows in his home country at venues like Antone's Nightclub and the legendary Joe's Generic Bar. In 2004, a move to Chicago saw him teaming up with his brother to form TrackForce Productions, L.L.C. Known to fans as "The Hero Brothers," the two Herreros are producing music for Harpo Productions, Oprah.com, Telepictures Tyra Banks, TMZ, and Extra, among other big names. Before moving to Chicago, Dave helped found the non-profit Austin Blues Society.

Twyla Birdsong has been singing the blues around greater Lansing since 2002. She grew up listening to Z.Z. Hill, Bobby Blue Band, B.B. King and Albert King and singing in gospel choirs. Her musical progression continued with the West Side Healers, who hosted an open microphone at the (now-defunct) Temple Club in Old Town Lansing. Since then, Twyla has sung with the Red Hot Blues Band, Wise Guys, Twyla and the Night Crawlers, the Lansing Blues Divas, and Big Willy - and been honored to share the stage with such legends as Larry McCray and Freddie Cunningham.

Twyla's personal appreciation for the blues is based on the philosophy that "Everybody lives the blues but I love singing the blues. The blues is raw and honest - and that's the feeling I love giving to and receiving from the audience."

Twyla is known for her show-stopping voice and stage presence. This Lansing lady of blues is gifted with a unique, wonderfully powerful voice. She can sing sultry and seductive ballads with rasping zeal, then boldly plunge into smooth and mellow renditions. Twyla Birdsong is a unique blues singer with the passion and ability to blend in just about anywhere. Her musical roots run very deep and are combined with exceptional talent, experience and versatility. Her performances never disappoint.

Greg Nagy recently released his first solo feature album, Walk That Fine Thin Line. This album of 10 tracks, in a style combining elements of soul, R&B, rock, and gospel, earned him the honor of a Best New Artist debut nomination from the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN. Walk That Fine Thin Line has been welcomed by critics and favorably received by audiences throughout North America, Europe and Australia. Hailing from Flint, Nagy grew up around older kids who influenced him to explore soul, rock, funk, jazz and the Motown sound. After high school, college and military service he went on to become a part the well-established blues and soul band Root Doctor in 2004. After leaving the band on good terms, the release of Walk That Fine Thin Line foreshadows a bright future for Nagy's solo career.

Mike Espy, Northwestern High School math teacher and Chicago-style Memphis blues lover, and Yakity "Yak" Smith met in 1995 and have been playing together ever since. Smith, as the front man of the band, does the talking, singing, and harmonica playing, while Espy slips on a pair of shades and dons the 1950s Gibson Les Paul Special that his father left him.

Mike Espy and Yakity "Yak" Smith met in Lansing in 1995 and have been playing blues together in bands and duos since then. In 1997, Yak and Espy won the Capital Area Blues Society competition as a band, and in 2007 they won the Detroit Blues Society Solo/Duo Competition. Their first CD, Evening Sun, came out during the 1997 competition and received favorable review in Blues Review. Their second, Born in the Country, came out as a result of the 2007 competition win and appeared in the Living Blues review section. In May 2010, Yak and Espy won the Blues Duo Capital Area Blues Society championship and became finalists for the International Blues Competition to be held in Memphis.

William and Mike enjoy every chance to perform in their hometown of Lansing and promote the blues.

The first artist to be signed by Virgin Records' blues division, Larry McCray has received worldwide recognition for the combination of his blues-rock guitar and soulful vocals. Ten years and two albums later, McCray has co-established his own record company, Magnolia Records, and released his third album Believe It. Magnolia Records released McCray's first live album, Live On 75, in December 2005. In November 2006, his latest studio record was released, self-titled Larry McCray, and is gaining popularity in the U.S. from coast to coast and causing quite a stir in Europe.

From his humble beginnings as a child learning the guitar from his sister up until now, McCray sights a career highlight as being honored as the Orville Gibson 2000 Male Blues Guitarist of the Year.

"Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, like seven or eight other people were nominated, as well," stated McCray.

The Rusty Wright Band lights up the stage with an electrifying, blues-infused tour de force of rollicking musical interplay that is as much fun to watch as it is to listen to. In three short years, this band, made up of front-persons Rusty Wright and his wife, vocalist/guitarist Laurie LaCross-Wright, have made the leap from regional favorite to performing at some of North America's top blues festivals. Along with band members Dave Brahce, Pete Haist, and Andy Bavancik, this five-piece "energized blues storm" takes audiences on a joyful, rolling tour of music as hints of jazz, rock, country, and even gospel find their way into a veritable blues stew. As the husband and wife harmonize together and trade vocals on verses, their on-stage chemistry is engaging, and their good-natured banter between songs brings knowing smiles to the faces of everyone who has ever been in a relationship.

E.J. Phillips's inspiration to play the electric guitar was drawn from music he overheard emanating from a neighboring apartment into his home at the age of 21. The music was that of Jimi Hendrix, and a year later, E.J. was playing concerts in the courtyards of the Desire Housing Projects. In 1981, Phillips found a new home with a band called the Disappointed Parents, which went on to become one of the premier hardcore bands of New Orleans. After his stint in the hardcore music scene, he played with the Firehouse Station Band and was offered the lead spot. Changing the name to E.J. and the Electric Blues Band, the band played just what their title suggests. For 16 years now, their music has been blues covers, liberally sprinkled with material from early influence Jimi Hendrix. These days, Phillips adds a splash of Stevie Ray Vaughn and reggae, and he never plays his solos the same way twice. Whether holding the guitar in the traditional manner, playing off the mike stand, with his teeth, or behind his back, E.J. has proven himself to be a showman extraordinaire.

Andy Wilson, co-founder of the Lansing old-time country, swing and blues quartet Steppin' In It, started playing harmonica at a young age and soon started playing his father's Conn Constellation trumpet in his high school jazz band. Wilson is currently a student in the Michigan State University Jazz Studies Program and a longtime member of Those Delta Rhythm Kings and The Bad Gravy Blues Band, hosts of the Sunday night blues jam at the Green Door in Lansing. His involvement with the blues community also takes the form of outreach programs, teaching harmonica as part of Capital Area Blues Society's "Blues in Schools" program and receiving national recognition as a featured performer at the 2007 SPAH (Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica) convention in Milwaukee.

Big Ben, the host of "The Accidental Blues" on Impact 89FM, has invited a few of his friends to the MICA Stage for an old-fashioned throw-down session of improvisational acoustic blues.

Backed up by the likes of Big Willy, Will Rideoutt on guitar and Eric "The Rhythm Doctor" Payne on drums, and FatBoy and JiveTurkey's Ramsey Hussain on upright bass, Big Ben will welcome to the stage some of the area's hottest acoustic talent. You'll hear folk blues guitar and harmonica man Bill Richards, Steve "Doc" Yankee on piano, Andy Wilson on harp, and much more. Stop on by the MICA Stage for a greasy work camp/juke joint good time!

Proud winners of the 2007, 2008 and 2010 Capital Area Blues Society's Blues Brawls, 6 Hands Down takes Kev Nichols's songs to new heights as he leads them with his always-passionate guitar and vocal work. The band represented CABS at the 2008 (semi-finalists) and 2009 (top ten finalists) International Blues Challenges in Memphis and will be returning in 2011. Much-talked-about performances in front of thousands at the International Blues Challenges and the Old Town, Kalamazoo, St. Louis, and Mt. Pleasant Blues Festivals prove that when 6 Hands Down bring their exciting blend of original blues and rock to the stage, they leave audiences on their feet and wanting more!

Tommy McCracken was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and traveled extensively with his grandparents as a featured gospel soloist. He started singing professionally in 1974 and formed his own band, "The Force of Habit" in 1975. Tommy committed himself to the blues in 1982 and since then, he has become one of Chicago's top blues vocalists/entertainers. He has traveled to 40 states and 4 countries, playing famous blues venues and casinos. Accompanying McCracken is the multi-talented Force of Habit band, a group of veteran blues musicians led by Chicago entertainer and bandleader Bob Johnson. Tommy McCracken and the Force of Habit band deliver a high-energy brand of blues and gospel.

When: 6:00pm Saturday
Where: North Stage

Made up of musicians Brandon Santini, Elliot Sowell, Tom "Slim" Louis and Derek Bonn, Delta Highway has toured North America as well as four foreign countries bringing their colorful style of playing traditional blues to music lovers across the globe. Delta Highway combines a progressive harmonica with a strong guitar sound reminiscent of Muddy Waters and R.L. Burnside, to create music that blues fans, new and old, can enjoy together.

Memphis-based Brandon Santini is undeniably a name worthy of conversations that involve Jason Ricci, Billy Gibson, Dennis Gruenling, Rick Estrin and other frontline harmonica players. With tasteful speed, he combines with his respect to traditional blues with a present colorful style of playing. Santini in 2009 was nominated for a Blues Music Award.

Jimmy G. and the Capitols is a progressive-blues band, influenced by Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, John Lee Hooker, Freddie King, and more. This band has the energy, effort and fun that truly translates when it comes to blues music. Spreading the gospel of the blues to the masses, this four-piece band is made up of Kevin on drums, Roger on lead vocals, Joel on bass, and Jimmy G. (of former local bands The Blade Brigade, The Blues Express, and The Straight Edge Band) on lead guitar and vocals.

Shirley Johnson was born and raised in Virginia. Coming from a very religious family, she started her singing career in the church. Since then, she has gone from singing only gospel to embracing blues and R&B. She has since then opened for well-known artists such as Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler, and Z.Z. Hill. Johnson, an amazing vocalist with a passionate, strong voice, has been representing both the blues and gospel traditions for 40 years. Her albums Killer Diller and Blues Attack have both received rave reviews, as she is compared to blues heavyweights such as Koko Taylor.

When: 7:30pm Saturday
Where: MICA Stage

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Winner of the 2009 and 2008 Detroit Blues Challenge, John Latini is a veteran singer/songwriter, performer, and entertainer whose energy and presence are infused so deeply in his music that every song, indeed every style, becomes his own. Growing up in a musical family in Queens, New York, hearing everything from Hank Williams to Harry Belafonte and participating in the nightly guitar pull around the family table, seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show sealed his fate. Since that time, the journey has been long and gratifying with explorations into many musical styles and collaborations with many great bands, players, songwriters, and above all, friends. Through it all, the one constant remains John's ability to "deliver" the song. A captivating storyteller and an exciting performer, he compels you to watch and to listen.

Born in northern Wisconsin, Brian Lee has beaten the odds to secure his status of one of the most beloved blues musicians to call New Orleans home.

Losing his sight at the young age of eight, he grew up listening to the blues on the radio and eventually began playing guitar at age 13. After originally being shunned from the blues music scene because of his skin color, Lee found acceptance in New Orleans when he moved there in 1982. Lee has been playing the blues for more than five decades, releasing over 10 albums and a DVD, and earning respect from those who originally refused his talents.

However, Lee finds his struggles to be more of a blessing than a curse.

"I can focus deeper. I don't have any physical distractions. That's the grace of God. Yes, I don't have eyesight, but the good Lord gave me the gift of music and I run into a lot of people that are emotionally blind. Eyesight or insight, it's kind of an easy choice to make."

When: 10:30pm Saturday
Where: South Stage

Frog & the Lansing All-Stars brings together many Lansing blues luminaries, including Frog (of Frog & the Beeftones), Jill Messing, Mike Skory, Doc Yankee, Art "the Hammer" Phelps, and many more!

Frog and Art "the Hammer" Phelps rock mid-Michigan's nightclub and concert stages every week as part of Frog & the Beeftones. High energy, high musical proficiency and an off-the-gauge fun factor add up to a great time for both the band and their listeners. It's a 100% all beef musical menu and the audience never leaves hungry.

Jill Messing has been singing in Lansing-area bands since 1989, having performed various styles such as rock, blues, soul and jazz. She's worked with local bands such as Messing with the Kidz, Those Delta Rhythm Kings, The Surrogate Band and Aventure.

Mike Skory has been playing piano professionally for about 35 years, during which time he's worked with country, blues, jazz, swing, classic rock, and funk bands. He won the 2009 CABS Blues Brawl for solo performance.

Doc Yankee's musical career spans five decades, during which he's been part of groups including 3rd Degree, Fast Eddie & The Smooth Talkers, Union Street and the Galligan Blues Band.