Squaw Valley, CA – This summer, Bluesdays are back at The Village at Squaw Valley. Every Tuesday in July and August, music lovers can enjoy regional and national blues acts in a spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain setting. Blues lovers will be treated to blue plate food specials like sushi and pizza from local restaurants and kick back with a cold brew, glass of wine or cocktail from the Blues Bar.
Bluesdays performances will take place in the Village Events Plaza from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m every Tuesday in July and August.
For the full Bluesday experience, guests can enjoy discounted rides on Squaw Valley’s Aerial Tram all day on every Tuesday this summer. Squaw’s Aerial Tram rises 2,000 feet to High Camp, where families can can enjoy mountaintop activities such as paintball, roller skating, hiking, disc golf, swimming, poolside dining and views of Lake Tahoe. Bluesday discounts include $10 off adult Tram tickets, and $5 off child, youth and senior Tram tickets.
Featured blues acts for summer 2012 include:
July 3 – Chris Cain
Chris Cain, a master of blues guitar, blues vocals, blues keyboards and blues vocals. Cain has been called “blues guitar at its finest, a must see.”
July 10 – John Nemeth
John Nemeth is a rising blues star; a singer steeped in the tradition and reminiscent of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity. His decade long career has found him opening for Robert Cray, Keb Mo’, and Earl Thomas. Performing major music festivals around the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia has brought him critical acclaim.
July 17 – Ron Hacker & the Hacksaws
Ron Hacker sings from experience having been married three times and having served time as a youth in a juvenile detention center. Known for a raw, gritty and soulful sound – Hacker’s slide work is pure Mississippi Delta, with vocals that sound like Howlin’ Wolf.
July 24 – Hamilton Loomis
“Innovate. Don’t imitate”. Hamilton Loomis took his mentor, Bo Diddley’s advice. It speaks volumes when the likes of Diddley, Johnny “Clyde” Copeland, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and Albert Collins take you under their wings. The Texas sensation is at the forefront of bringing roots music into the 21st century and redefining it for a contemporary audience.
July 31 – Guitar Shorty
Guitar Shorty is an American blues guitarist well known for his explosive guitar style and wild stage antics. Billboard magazine said, “his galvanizing guitar work defines modern, top-of-the-line blues-rock.
August 7 – Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers
Originally a co-founder of the Nighthawks, the Washington D.C. based blues and roots rock ensemble, Jimmy Thackery has been on the road as a solo musician for 15 years proving each night that he is still the guitar powerhouse in the blues. Whether headlining a festival in South Dakota or jaming for hours in one of numerous blues bars that dot the musical landscape, Jimmy Thackery will always unleash an intense volley of rockin’ blues guitar guaranteed to leave crowds emotionally spent.
August 14 – Coco Montoya
Coco Montoya an American blues guitarist and singer and former member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. GuitarOne magazine calls guitarist/vocalist Coco Montoya “the hottest southpaw in the blues” and raves about his “master touch and killer tone.” The Boston Globe succinctly states that Montoya’s music is “hot, blistering soul.”
August 21- Kenny Neal
Kenny Neal is known as a moden swamp blues master and multi-instrumentalist, that draws musically from the sizzling sounds of his native Louisiana. His trademark brand of blues, featuring a combination of Louisiana swamp blues, funky rhythms and soul-deep vocals, powered by his slashing guitar playing puts him at the forefront of contemporary blues players.
August 28- “Tribute to Fallen Legends” The Blues Monsters & Friends
The Blues Monsters & Friends will play a tribute to some of the great Blues Legends that have passed away since last summer including Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins and Etta James. The Blues Monsters will pay respects with this rockin’ concert.