Meet the Riverfront Blues Festival 2011 Bands!

Check out the lineup that performed at the 2011 Riverfront Blues Festival.

2011 Riverfront Blues Festival Performers

THE SMOKEHOUSE BLUES BAND

The unique blend of hard driving Texas-style blues and rock has become a favorite of a huge fan base in the Valley. The members of the Smokehouse Blues Band have come together in North West Montana by pure chance. Stumbled together from all corners of the US, and all genres of music, Smokehouse has found roots in the Blues, and the Flathead Valley is their home.
Currently performing in the N.W. Montana, Flathead Valley and living near Glacier National Park, Smokehouse feels what they play & play what they feel. Watch out, ’cause their music is contagious in any room or at any event & guaranteed to get everyone up on their feet! Unique and High Energy blues is a favorite in all the songs they do and in their original songs.
The combined years of talent and dynamic personalities are evident when Smokehouse gets together to share their love of music and the incredible energy in professional performance.
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BIG DADDY AND THE BLUE NOTES

Steve “BIG DADDY” Kelley and the BLUE NOTES play upbeat Chicago style blues, and ‘Hold-on-to-Your-Hat’ Boogie-Woogie that puts their audiences into a dancing frenzy!!!
Steve Kelley is respected throughout the region as a performer, song writer, producer and promoter. BIG DADDY’S devotion to the blues has attracted national and regional artists to Montana. You could say he is the “Ambassador of the Blues” for Montana.
It all adds up to be one world class blues band! TREAT YOURSELF TO MONTANA’S PREMIER BLUES BAND.
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THE RED HOT BLUES SISTERS

The Red Hot Blues Sisters who toured from Seattle USA to Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, France, The Netherlands, and Canada and now
to Libby, Montana, are the featured headliner at this year’s Riverfront Blues Festival.
You’ll hear the gutsy, melodic blues guitarist, Teri Anne Wilson
and the powerful world-class vocalist, Suze Sims. Add to that, class musicians on drums, bass, and horns (Washington Blues Society Best Band of2008) and you have an evening you won’t forget.
The one two punch of brilliantly burning vocal genius and blazingly sweet blues guitar licks will demand your attention and get you dancin’.
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THE MEADOW BLASTERS

The Meadow Blasters are an unlikely combination of fishermen and fugitives banded by their common passion for electro-bluegrass music and lively dance floor action. Their foot-stomping, skirt-raising, traditional yet rebellious sound will lure you out on the dance floor and conjure up your True Inner Redneck Spirit. Come party with the MBs and let them show you what a REAL hoedown is – and don’t forget your dancin’ shoes !
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CARL REY AND THE BLUES GATORS

This 32-year veteran of the jazz and blues scene is a jumpin’ swingin’ machine know for his strong vocals and clean harmonica sound.
Carl Rey has received the Inland Empire Blues Society award for best harmonica several years running, as well as awards for best male vocalist. They have played together and separately with the likes of B.B. King, Boz Scaggs, Jimmie Rogers, Taj Mahal, Commander Cody, Elvin Bishop, Greg Alman, Norton Buffalo, Johnny Winter and many more. They will be on stage Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.
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PHIL GATES BACKED BY THE RED HOT BLUES SISTERS

“Phil Gates takes the storyteller’s approach to the blues, and brings his characters to life through his heartfelt playing and singing.” – Nashville Blues
The term “funky” has come to mean “the real thing” as well as having the style and feeling of blues. Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Phil Gates is as real and funky as it gets. Mix Chicago Blues, with the energy of a power plant, and you have Phil Gates.
“…Sweetly gritty vocals, blistering guitar with blues expression, distinction, and grate stage presence…” The Golden Gate Society
On stage Saturday evening at 5 p.m. with the Red Hot Blues Sisters.
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THE FAT TONES

Do you wanna dance? Then don’t miss this act! Performing at 7 p.m. on Saturday, this rockin’ blues trio will have you on your feet dancing and cheering.
The Fat Tones play an eclectic mix of catchy original songs in styles ranging from “rock/funk/blues” to “1950s rockabilly” to “smooth jazz.”
After releasing five hit albums of original music and being recognized for multiple categories of regional awards, this band is very much one of the hottest acts around! For the past two years Kootenai Riverfront Blues fans have been saying, “You’ve got to have The Fat Tones” This year we’ve got em! Don’t miss it!
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Riverfront Blues Archives

Experience a "Blast from the Past" and see who has played the Libby Riverfront Blues Festival in previous years! Check out bands and band bios all the way back to 2011.

Get Your Tickets!

Make sure you reserve a place by purchasing your tickets ahead of time. Tickets can be easily purchased at a local retailer in Libby or Eureka!

Camp at the Festival!

We offer camping in a beautiful park for only $15 for one night or $25 for both Friday and Saturday nights. Bring your trailer, RV or tents! We provide restrooms and showers as well as a free shuttle to and from the Riverfront Blues Festival venue!