Clouds part for Gray Sky Blues Music Festival (April 10, 2010)

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Clouds part for Gray Sky Blues Music Festival (April 10, 2010)
April 1, 2010
By Jill Russell
Tacoma Weekly

“No sun in sight (ba ba, ba ba). ‘Cause I’m in Tacoma (ba ba, ba ba). Some musicians found a way (ba ba, ba ba). To shake the winter coma – it is called the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival.”

All right, so that may have been a sorry attempt at singing the blues, but Gary Grape, event production coordinator for the Tacoma Events Commission, said locals will be more impressed by the range of talent at this year’s event.

The festival was inspired about three years ago as a fun way to usher in spring. This year, the event will be held on April 10 in downtown Tacoma. Performances begin around noon after the annual Grand Floral Daffodil Parade. Participants can catch live music performances at The Harmon Brewery, The Swiss Pub, Cutters Point Coffee, Indochine Asian Restaurant and Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub. More than 15 Northwest acts will entertain throughout the day at 10 or more downtown venues. Look for more updated information on the event’s website.

Grape is happy to announce this year’s headliner, Sean Carney from Columbus, Ohio. Carney won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. in 2007. He was also presented the Albert King Award for best guitarist the same year. The Sean Carney Band will perform at The Swiss Pub at 6 p.m. This will be Carney’s first performance in Washington.

“It’s a big deal that Sean is performing here this year,” Grape said. “He’s a national act.”

Organizers have tried to book Carney for about two years, but the performer was busy touring. Grape was lucky enough to book Carney last fall for this spring’s event.

“He’s very well known in the blues scene and community and throughout the country,” Grape added.

During the festival, the Harmon Brewery will be hosting the first annual Rod and Custom Car Show between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. After the festival, the music continues at Stonegate’s after-festival party at 8 p.m. in South Tacoma. Blues Redemption, who represented the South Sound Blues Association at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, will provide live music at the after-party.

Some people would not necessarily peg the Northwest as a blues hub, however Grape said there is “a big blues fan base” in the region. He refers to various blues associations in British Columbia, Walla Walla and Portland (with a membership topping 5,000) as proof. The South Sound Blues Association, based in Tacoma, has around 400 members.

“There is blues going every night of the week somewhere in the city.”

And for those that need more evidence of Tacoma’s booming blues scene, Grape suggests checking out a few performances around town.

“Come out and hear some great music from some phenomenal musicians,” he said.