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brought to you by
Slipped Disc Productions
May 31st, June 1st & 2nd, 2012
at The Jackson County Airport


2010 Bluesfest Poster for Jackson



2012 Band Schedule


June 2nd (Thursday)
6:00pm - 7:00pm       Ben Moore & the Blues Express
7:20pm - 8:25pm       Jeff Maylin
8:40pm - 9:45pm       Sonny Moorman
10:00pm - 11:00pm       The Witchdoctors


 June 3rd (Friday)
5:30pm - 6:00pm       Harmonica Hounds
      The harmonica Hounds event is for the kids. The 1st 100 kids
      to register on Friday will each receive a free T-shirt,
      sunglasses and a harmonica. Then Cindy will give them all
      a brief harmonica lesson and get the kids to jam with
      Mojo Phoenix. It's lots of fun and a great photo op for parents.
 6:00pm - 7:00pm       The Derrick Boile Band
7:15pm - 8:30pm       Mojo Phoenix Blues Band
8:45pm - 10:15pm       E.C. Scott
10:30pm - midnight       Eddie Shaw & the Wolf Gang

 June 4th (Saturday)
3:00pm - 4:30pm       Bluescasters
4:45pm - 5:30pm       Automatic Blues Band
5:45pm - 7:15pm       James Armstrong
7:30pm - 8:45pm       Greg Nagy
9:00pm - 10:30pm       Chris Beard
10:45pm - midnight       Lee Lewis Band


Title Sponsor Planet Fitness of Jackson presents the tenth annual Jackson Blues Festival! It will be the best yet, with several major Blues acts expected to perform. If your company wishes to join in as a sponsor, there are many opportunities for high profile visibility to the Jackson community and beyond. Increasing the number of acts by major artists will definitely bring a much higher attendance and thus, more exposure for your company's sponsorial investment.

    Local and regional bands wishing to be considered for the 2012 Jackson Blues Festival should send their info and a CD to 6549 N. Sandstone Rd., Jackson,Mich. 49201. The way that the Festival works is a bit different from most others in that we try to raise all of the funding in advance. This way, the bands are assured of getting paid whether we are rained out or whatever and the festival doesn't go in the hole. Because of this, we are not able to book the bands many, many months in advance and we appologize for this inconvenience. If your band is interested in performing, please consider the following: We do not want bands that only play Blues music occasionally. We know that there are many bands who are capable of performing a set of decent Blues music when called upon, but we are seeking bands that are dedicated to playing the Blues and only the Blues year-round. Likewise, we are not interested in bands that are trying to redefine the music for a rock n roll audience. Another point is that we prefer that bands not play all the obvious Blues standards such as "Mojo Workin'", "Sweet Home Chicago" or "Stormy Monday". Otherwise the audience will be subjected to 10 versions of "The Thrill is Gone" over the course of the weekend. We definitely are looking for bands with an original approach to the music. But if, at any time during the year, your band would even consider playing "Brown-Eyed Girl", "Long Train Running" or "Free Bird", please don't waste your time or ours. We want to honor real Blues music at our festival. If you ever play anything by Led Zepelin, The Rolling Stones, Grand Funk, ZZ Top or any such bands who dabble in the Blues, please don't bother. Further, George Gershwin's "Summertime" is not a Blues song. Neither is "Me and Bobby McGee" or "Roadhouse Blues". We're not passing judgement on the quality of your band, we are simply trying to keep the focus on real Blues. The last thing that we wanted to do was assume the role of The Blues Police but the whole event could easily erode into something completely different than a Blues Festival if these lines become blurred. Please accept our apologies for this extended diatribe but it is unbelievable how many times we have had to explain this to bands who simply refuse to accept it. They all seem to think that they are the exception to the rule. This is a Blues festival for Blues fans by Blues musicians. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Now... the 2010 schedule appears below but just to give you an idea of the general time slots that will be available next time. The festival will take place rain or shine and the details will be posted here as they accumulate. Please keep checking. Thanks....Tom and Cindy

Ron Huiling: Planet Fitness franchise ownerPlanet Fitness: The title supporter of the Festival



Planet Fitness of Jackson proprietor Ron Huiling: title sponsor to the Jackson Blues Festival, holding a guitar autographed by all the musicians who performed at the 2010 festival.








Another major sponsor of this year's Festival:
Dave's Nissan of Jackson: a major supporter of the Festival

Just thinking about the Jackson Blues Festival celebrating 10 years is truly something. I'm so proud to have made it to this point and I'm thankful to all those who have supported our efforts.
We have certainly had our share of ups and downs - but more ups than downs though. It is difficult to string together 3 days of good weather in Michigan and the rain has definitely attended almost every year. We joke that we should call this the 10th Annual Rain Festival with some Blues during intermission. We had a scare a couple of years ago when, at the last minute, the title sponsor reneged on their commitment, but then Sharon Renier stepped up and saved the festival. We have had parking problems, electrical problems and a few other glitches along the way. But the good things outweigh the bad 10 fold. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

    Businesses from Jackson have helped keep this event alive. Without title sponsors, stage sponsors, advertisers and volunteers the festival would not have made it past the first year. Not to mention the fans that come out for the entire weekend armed with chairs, umbrellas, sunscreen, blankets and mosquito spray. (We're always ready for whatever the conditions are.)

As I look back at the list of performers we have had over the past 9 years, I must say that we have brought some of the best Blues musicians available to Jackson. Here is the list to date:

 Johnny Reed and the Houserockers, E.C. Scott, The Automatic Blues Band, Mark Arshak, Mojo Phoenix, Susie Pangborn Blues Band, Vince Reynolds and the Blues All-Stars, Al Hill and the Lover Butlers, Doug Demming and the Jewel Tones, Those Delta Rhythm Kings, Mark Hummel, Rattlebox, Blue Infusion, Bob Halverson, The Witch Doctors, Alberta Adams, Old Town Blues Band, The Blues Creators, Too Blue Feat, The Alligators, Howlin’ Mercy, The Crossroads Blues Band, Nick Moss and the Flip Tops, Parkside Beale Street Blues Band, WhoDoo, Bigfoot Bob and the Toe Tappers, The Chris Canas Band, The Martindales, Liz Mandville Greeson, Wixom Slim & the Wyze Gyze, Mississippi Heat, The Blues Rollers, Detroit Women, The Blues Owls, Shake ‘n’ Chill Band, The Motor City Sheiks, Mojo and the Boogie Man, Who Dat? Blues Band, The Out of Favor Boys, John Lee Hooker, jr., Stan Budzynski & 3rd Degree, Harry Lucas & the Lowdown, Jimi Vincent & Stallion, Phil Berkowitz, Front Street Blues Band, Sweet Claudette, The Root Doctor, Good Cookies, Frostbite Blues Band, Rusty Wright Blues Band, Billy Branch, Mess Around, Mighty Littlejohn Band, Chris Beard, Blue Lunch, Argentucky Blues, Mike Espy & Yackety Yack, Elmore James, jr., Duke Tumatoe, Carl Caballero Band, Jeff Hoagland Blues Band, C.J. Vaughn & Highway 58, Seventh Son, Motor City Injectors, Larry McCrayMatt Beesey Band, Greg Nagy, Lady Sunshine and the X Band, Tomas Esparza & The Boa Constrictors, Broken Arrow Blues Band, The Blue Moon Band, Fat Lapp Blues Band

Impressive huh?

Celebrating 10 years of anything is great, but to celebrate 10 years of success as a Blues Festival is nothing short of a miracle. And we want you to be a part of it, whether you are able to support the event through a sponsorship, advertisement in the program or volunteer work during the festival. By attending, you support the event, too. It takes everyone to make it happen.

Because it is the 10th year, we are really stepping up the level of entertainment. We have a few main acts booked already and we are actively searching for more.
So mark your calendars, block of the entire 3 days, because you are gonna have the BLUES if you miss it. All the cool people will be there, I promise.

For more info on sponsorship opportunities, see below or call 517-962 5939. Or e-mail jacksonbluesfest@yahoo.com

Sponsorship Opportunities


$3,000 level
      * Company name announced during every intermission all three days
      * Autographed guitar - signed by all performers at the Blues festival
      * Full page color ad in the festival program
      * Your company banner displayed on the stage at the festival
      * 10'x20' exhibitor booth space (canopy, table and chairs not included)
      * Company logo on the Harmonica Hounds T-shirts
      * Company logo on festival poster

$2,000 level
      * Autographed guitar - signed by all performers at the Blues festival
      * Full page color ad in the festival program
      * Your company banner displayed on the stage at the festival
      * 10'x10' exhibitor booth space (canopy, table and chairs not included)
      * Company logo on the Harmonica Hounds T-shirts
      * Company logo on festival poster

$1,500 level
      * Half page color ad in the festival program
      * Your company banner displayed on the stage at the festival
      * 10'x10' exhibitor booth space (canopy, table and chairs not included)
      * Company logo on the Harmonica Hounds T-shirts
      * Company logo on festival poster

$1,000 level
      * Quarter page color ad in the festival program
      * Your company banner displayed at the festival
      * 10'x10' exhibitor booth space (canopy, table and chairs not included)
      * Company logo on the Harmonica Hounds T-shirts
      * Company logo on festival poster

$500 level
      * Quarter page black & white ad in the festival program
      * Your company banner displayed at the festival
      * 10'x10' exhibitor booth space (canopy, table and chairs not included)
      * Company logo on the Harmonica Hounds T-shirts

$200 Options (choice of one)
      * Quarter page black & white ad in the festival program
      * Your company banner displayed at the festival
      * Company name on Harmonica Hounds sunglasses (2 spots available)
      * Company logo on the Harmonica Hounds T-shirts (15 spots available)



You can e-mail us at: jacksonbluesfest@yahoo.com

Program Ad Rates
$750 = full page color
$400 = full page black & white
$400 = half page color
$200 = half page black & white
$200 = quarter page color
$100 = quarter page black & white


2007 crowd


2006

above: 2006 fans - below: 2006 Harmonica Hounds
06 Hounds

The festival has definitely proven to be a success. I actually have businesses approaching me inquiring about sponsorships, instead of me chasing them across the parking lot. (Not really, but sometimes it feels that way). Despite mid-Michigan's economic situation, I have a good feeling about this year’s festival.
Since its inception, Jackson has embraced this event and It would be a shame to see it go away. There is no greater thrill for me than to see something that I believe in so much bring pleasure to so many Blues fans.
Tom and I work all year long raising funds, designing posters, designing t-shirts, hiring bands, arts and craft exhibitors and food vendors. The first day of the event when the crowd starts showing is our reward. So please make plans to attend, we need you.
Check this website often for a current list of bands and last minute changes.
Join us June 2nd, 3rd & 4th at the Jackson County Airport, 3601 Wildwood Ave for the 10th Annual Jackson Blues Festival.

June 2nd - Thursday 6pm – 11pm $5.00 Admission
June 3rd - Friday 5:30pm – Midnight $5.00 admission
June 4th - Saturday 3pm – Midnight $5.00 admission

Bring a lawn chair, kick back and enjoy some of the best musicians in the business.
Remember: No outside food or beverages allowed. Support the food vendors. They help to make this Festival happen.

Blues Afficionados



      This is the 10th year of the JBF and the 6th year at the Jackson County Airport. The first year (2002) it was held at Kuhl's Bell Tower parking lot and attracted over 1700 attendees. We needed more space and so we moved the 2003 festival to the Jackson County Fairgrounds where we had about 4000 blues fans come out, even though it was still taking place in a parking lot on asphalt. Although the Fairgrounds raised our rent substantially, we decided to hold 2004's festival at the fairgrounds in an effort to establish some continuity. 2004's event brought in 13,000 plus and was a big success. The festival has never made much money or, thank goodness, gone into the hole too deeply but in 2005, the Jackson County Fairgrounds chose to more than double the rent again. Our previous year's event had gone smoothly with no negative incidents and we left the grounds spotless and paid all our bills promptly. Sadly, We realized that we had to move the festival again and it took some searching but we finally found a great location at the Jackson County Airport; on a grassy lawn! It worked out beautifully. 2005's attendance surpassed 20,000 and in 2006 the numbers again jumped significantly. Now we're in our 10th year! The airport has been very accommodating and is making us feel welcome like no other venue has before now. We want to thank local businesses who contribute by taking out ad space in the festival program which is distributed to concert goers. These programs are most often kept as souvenirs and so the ads have an extended lifespan and circulation. If you're interested in helping to support the Blues Festival or other community events produced by Slipped Disc Productions, please call Cindy at (517) 796-9368 or e-mail at slippeddiscproductions@yahoo.com and ask about sponsorship opportunities. If you have any questions please e-mail us at slippeddiscproductions@yahoo.com. We will reply promptly.

Tom and Cindy (Slipped Disc Productions)