The Big Muddy Roots and Blues Fest. on 09/05-09/06/98

The second year for the Big Muddy. Having been personally
involved in the St. Louis Blues Festival for over a decade I have
mixed feelings towards this festival. However no confusion on
the music. They trimmed back the name stars this year and added
more local talent. The first day we caught Tinsley Ellis who
layed down some nice blues for a beautiful afternoon. His guitar
playing is very impressive. However in the St. Louis heat, it 
would be okay to wear shorts! Next it was over to see The Bel-
Airs. Saw them the night before. Needless to say they had a huge
crowd, and even in the heat and on the black top, people were
dancing. Later we caught Pennsylvania Slim, another local act.
He had the crowd going. I've seen him several times and he is
always fun. Kind of a Rod Piazza sound without the harmonica.
He was the suprise this year though. He really had the crowd 
going. Finally we made it over to catch Otis Rush. He put on what
I thought was a good show. A lot of people I talked to said he
wasn't that impressive. But the guy is a legend, give him that.

Day two, first up we catch the local band, The Sliders. Tony
is just an amazing guitar player. He goes from an overboard
Jimi sound to a smooth layed back rythym behind the horn players
very easily. He does a great tribute to Stevie Ray in the song
"Seven Years Gone." From there we went to see Jimmy Thackery and
the Drivers. This was the show I had waited all weekend to see.
Jimmy and his band are just amazing. He use to be with The Nighthawks
years ago. They were also an awesome band at times. He came out
and did his guitar thing that is a treat to see a long with some
great songs. He does "Mercury Blues," better than Alan Jackson
dreams of doing it. We caught some other local acts such as Patti
and the Hitmen, who has her brother Mike playing guitar with them
now. All in all the fest was fun, but most of the talent at it
you can catch anywhere here in town just about every night. So 
get out there and support them.