29th FREE celebration scheduled August 12-13-14 in downtown Clarksdale
CLARKSDALE – “Approaching our third decade as one of America’s most distinctive music festivals, we are committed to remain FREE and to present only the best entertainers worthy of our blues and gospel heritage,” emphasize Melvita Tillis Presley and John Sherman, festival co-chairs.
“We are excited over our lineup plus the expansion of cool and smaller daytime stages on Saturday to avoid blistering 105-degree temperatures experienced last year,” continue the two leaders.
The main stage dedicated to festival co-founder Melville Tillis will continue late afternoon and evening music backed by premiere sound and lighting and its adjacent VIP tent.
On Sunday afternoon and evening, the air-conditioned Civic Auditorium will host the gospel celebration headlined by super star Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs.
Kicking off Friday afternoon will be the Delta Blues Museum Band that earned standing ovations in the White House, master vocalist Josh “Razorblade” Stewart, a mentor shepherding dozens of young musicians, and Heather Crosse: Heavy Suga & The Sweet Tones.
Guitar virtuoso Vasti Jackson, long overdue following his early Sunflower performance with Katie Webster on Soldier’s Field will be followed by Stax Museum sensation Toni Green of Memphis and Paris, and Friday night headliner James “Super Chikan” Johnson.
Multi-talented James “Jimbo” Mathus, music phenom Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, the Bill Abel Band, and Terry “Big T” and the Family Band will dominate the main stage Saturday before last year’s unforgettable Sweet Angel in blue singing and playing her saxophone and headliner Lonnie Shields, a Helena native once nurtured by Sam Carr and seasoned into today’s top Pennsylvania entertainer.
Dozens of musicians from Leo “Bud” Welch, Pat Thomas, David Dunavant, Lucious Spiller, Marshall Drew, Terry “Harmonica” Bean and Anthony “Big A” Sherrod to Kenny Brown, Jimmy “Duck” Homes, Bill “Howlin’ Madd” Perry, and Sharde Turner and the Rising Star Fife and Drum, Band sparkle during the day on acoustic stages.
For updates and a complete lineup, view the festival’s website: www.sunflowerfest.org
Toni Green
Super Chikan Johnson
Lonnie Shields
Lee Williams
