The Big Muddy Blues Festival
St. Louis 10/03-05/99

The Big Muddy had some killer names lined up for this year.
It start off with a great set by Ronnie Dawson. I had no idea
what to expect but this guy came out and played with a vengence.
He played what would best be described as what use to be played
at the places the called "teen town." Seems he had his first
hit at 17, and is now a whole lot older. He had a twenty one
year old second guitarist that was just as amazing. The next
day I caught Link Wray. I had seen Link before, and he should
probably stick to playing inside dark bars, he looked about
as outta place in the sunlight as a vampire. But so what because
he put on a show that knocked everyone out. Nothing like seeing
a seventy year old guy saying that his guitar needs to be turned
up! He showed why he was the first to do it like that, and still
one of the best. A rare treat to say the least. We then caught
local act Zito. I really like these guys and recommend picking
up their CD. If you like hot shot blues guitar you'll love it.
I'm not sure how these guys started playing Boomer's all the
time. They belong in a sleazy blues bar somewhere. On the
final day Shemika Copeland played. I had seen her at the 
Davenport festival, she was great there, and equally great here.
Her voice shows a maturity that for her years you would not
expect. As good as any of the old school blues diva's out there.
This years fest was a lot of fun, sorry I don't have more to
report, I was enjoying the beer!