Bluesfest 2009 - News Update - Essential Reading

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Dear Nate, It's Bluesfest time, welcome everybody. Please enjoy and remember, we are an aware event - recycling and having compassion for Byron residents by celebrating appropriately when you return to your accommodation is a big part of the reason our town supports the festival - please help to keep it that way. We have been fortunate that the rain that devastated Coffs Harbour and back of the Sunshine Coast last week has not been near as torrential in Byron. We have received moderate rain over the past week, however it is fine today, and the forecast is for sunny days with typical north coast showers now and over Bluesfest. The festival site is in very good condition. For those camping - the ground may not have fully dried out by the festival - please bring appropriate ground cover - and if you can set up your camping so you do not lay on the ground, it is a very good idea. The car park has received the worst of the rain, and we may not be able to sell much parking at the fest, as those who have already bought parking tickets will receive priority. You should strongly consider using our bus shuttles - they work brilliantly. Have a great festival, Peter Noble, Festival director. ... The Bluesfest team wish to remind you that should you still wish to drive there will be parking in Byron Industrial Estate. This is approximately 15 minute walk from the Bluesfest. During last year's Splendour in the Grass festival at Belongil Fields a gang of thieves targeted cars parked in the Byron Industrial Estate and stole items from cars by smashing windows. Do not leave anything in view in your car. Our security will patrol this area but we cannot guarantee the security of your vehicle. The fantastic indigenous band BANAWURUN has just been added to the Bluesfest InDIG Stage on Sunday night. Times The Bluesfest Ticket Sales Box opens at 10am daily. You can pick up your pre-paid tickets from the Pre-Paid Pick-Up window in the Ticket Sales Box. We will be wrist banding at the Ticket Sales Box from 10am Thursday and Friday. Day Gates Open Gates Close Thursday 9th 2pm Midnight Friday 10th 11am Midnight Saturday 11th 11am Midnight Sunday 12th 11am Midnight Monday 13th 11am Midnight Festival Entry There are two entrances to the festival at Belongil Fields. The main entrance is easily accessible from Ewingsdale Road and is also the drop-off point for the shuttle buses that will be operating during the festival. The Melaleuca Drive entrance should be used by those wanting to use the parking facility. There is a Ticket Sales Box at both entrances to the festival. Age Bluesfest is a 15+ event. All patrons wishing to purchase beverages from the bars must show photo ID (valid passport, drivers licence or proof of age card). Ticketed patrons under 15 are welcome but must be accompanied by a Responsible Adult at all times. Wristbands Upon entry you will be fitted with a wristband representative of your ticket type and age. Take good care of your wristband. It is not transferable and once it is removed it becomes invalid. You will be required to present your wristband to security upon request. Please Note: We will be wrist banding on site from 10am Thursday and Friday from the Ticket Sales Box. Passouts As Bluesfest is a 5 day event, you are welcome to come in and out of the festival. Your wristband acts as your pass out. Shuttle bus Blanch's Bus Company will be running buses from Ballina, Lennox Head, Suffolk Park, Sunrise Beach & Mullumbimby. Ph: 02 6686 2144 or visit www.blanchs.com.au. Brunswick Valley Coaches will be running buses from Ocean Shores, New Brighton and Brunswick Heads. Ph: 02 6680 1566 or visit www.brunswickvalleycoaches.com.au. Price is $3. Share & Ride To Bluesfest Take our shuttle bus and not your car. The service is excellent at all times and will get you to Bluesfest and back again to Byron Bay and Suffolk Park areas faster as well as cheaper than your car will. You will help everybody by keeping traffic movements to a minimum. A continuous regular shuttle bus service will operate back and forth between the festival front gates, the bus stop in front of the Byron Bay Tourist Centre and Suffolk Park. You will find the bus service is fantastic and delivers you almost to the festival front gates - and even at peak times it should take no longer than 20 minutes to get to your home in Byron Bay. Phone Blanch's on 02 6686 2144 or visit www.blanchs.com.au. Parking The patron car park is accessible from Melaleuca Drive: Temporary "No Stopping" signs will be installed in Ewingsdale Road in front of the site Please DO NOT park in the Sunrise Residential area Council Parking Rangers will be on patrol throughout the weekend Please do bot leave your valuables in the car Disable Persons Pick Up/Drop Off There will be a drop off area for disabled persons adjacent to the front festival gate. An area of the Day Parking Area will be set aside for disabled parking. Please call the Bluesfest Hotline (02) 6685 7920 to clarify these arrangements. Traffic Changes After working closely with Byron Shire Council and Byron Bay Police, our consultants have formulated a traffic management plan to manage and minimise traffic in proximity to the Bluefest site at Belongil Fields, Ewingsdale Road to Byron Bay. The following changes will take place from Wednesday 8th April through to Tuesday 14th April 2009. Temporary Sheltered Right Turn Intersections will be constructed at Ewingsdale Rd/Belongil Fields main entrance and Ewingsdale Rd/Melaleuca Drive. They have been designed to assist the steady flow of traffic and will be managed by RTA accredited traffic controllers. However, please be prepared for a possible delay. Temporary Pedestrian Crossing For all those wanting to walk across Ewingsdale Road, please use the PEDESTRIAN CROSSING we have set up near the Belongil Fields entrance. Traffic controllers will ensure the safest and most efficient passage for both vehicles and pedestrians. Camping Camping is not allowed in the Melaleuca Drive Day Parking Area or on local beaches, parks or roadside. Camping is only allowed in official campgrounds. Please observe regulations or you risk being fined. Please do not leave valuables in your tent. Lock them securely in the boot of your car out of sight. We have both Camp Marshalls and security patrolling the area. Should you see anyone in your camp area who is not wearing a camp wristband please report them to a Camp Marshall or security guard. Exit Please respect the local residents, the environment and our town when leaving the festival. Bring with you Your ticket (e-ticket or normal ticket). Photo I.D Enough cash to get you through the day (there will be 5 ATM's on site). Protection from the elements (hat, sunscreen, raincoat, something warm for when it gets dark, gumboots are a great idea when it has been raining) Leave at home Alcohol Illicit substances - Drug Detection Dogs will be present at the festival Unsealed bottles Glass Professionals cameras Video or audio recorders Umbrellas Animals Bars There are 3 bars and 1 VIP bar at Bluesfest serving a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. A bar ticket system will be operating. You will need to purchase drink tickets and exchange them for drinks at the bar. Water is available from the bar as well as at water refill sites around the festival. Bluesfest promotes responsible consumption of alcohol. Please be aware to drink responsibly. Be wise and take a bus to and from the festival. Please respect the good order of the neighbourhood and minimise noise when coming to and leaving the festival. Smoking areas As a result of smoking laws in NSW, cigarettes will not be sold inside the festival and you must refrain from smoking inside the tents. Please dispose of your cigarette butts thoroughly in the bins provided or pick up your free 'Bin You Butt' container from the information stall. Info & safety The Bluesfest information stall is there to help you with all enquires you may have. St John's Ambulance will be operating throughout the Festival to assist you with any medical condition you may have. In the event of an emergency, please make your way to one of the emergency exits and follow the directions from Bluesfest Management and security staff. If you are camping we advise that you all leave valuables in your car out of sight. Security will be present in the campground for your safety. Green initiatives Bluesfest only allows recyclable packaging and plastic on site from stalls and suppliers and we provide clearly marked recycling stations placed around the site for you to use. Our waste wise message is "Waste Wise- Refuse, Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle". Food Stalls This year the Blues will showcase a total of 32 food outlets offering a delicious range of fresh meals and snacks foods from South American to Portuguese, Middle Eastern or Indian, a good old Ozzie Burger, crepes or corn on the cob. Your taste buds will be satisfied wherever you go on this amazing festival site. This year the food hall will be located in the Crossroads area with plenty of seating and don't forget your picnic rug to sit down in the Mojo & Jambalaya areas whilst you wait for your favourite band to come on stage. Whether you search for your favourite or try something new, come hungry and don't forget to use the correct recycle bins once you're finished. Market Stalls The Jambalaya area will be the highlight for those with the shopping blues with33 market stalls displaying clothing and jewellery designs, hemp products, rainbow flags, artworks, bags, silk clothing, hats and many beautiful items from all over the world. Keep an eye out for the original locally made designs and when you're finished shopping cruise over to the Crossroads area for a massage and to watch the Sandology creation come to life before you. Mullawar Aboriginal Gallery & Didge Workshop For the first time Bluesfest welcomes Mullawar Aboriginal Gallery & Didgeridoo Workshop, the very artists and workshop co-ordinators who have made themselves famous at Woodford Festival. They will be located besides the InDIG Stage. Join them to create your very own didgeridoo over the 5 days of the festival and see artwork on display. Charity Stalls This year Bluesfest proudly supports seven charities, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be raffling the famous Gibson Guitars and Bay FM 99.9 Byron Bay, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue, Save the Kimberley's, Landcare Australia, Marine Wildlife, The Dreaming Festival and The Yaowiwat School will also be there in need of our support. Please show your support generously. Recycling Bluesfest is proud to say that more recyclables were collected in 2008 than any other year at the festival. We thank you for contributing to Bluesfest's success at being a leader in waste management. This leadership has been recognised by numerous "green" organisations, most notably by winner the International "A Greener Festival" award 2007 and 2008. In 2009 Bluesfest will continue our green campaign by providing substantial recycling facilities around the festival. We ask you to use these facilities where ever possible. Together we can decrease the volume of waste that ends up in land fill and divert it to be recycled. You will notice that all food stalls provided 100% recyclable containers and cutlery. If you bring any food or drink into the festival please try and use only 100% recyclable containers. Food stuff - organics If your eyes are too big for your belly then please use the smaller grey bins for your paper plates and food scraps. We will compost this waste and it will be used in locally grown organic gardens. Bin-ya-butts The BIN-YA-BUTT program is still in force in 2009. We encourage smokers to pick up their free BIN-YA-BUTT film canisters from the Information Stall. Please contain your used cigarette butts in them and not discard them on the ground. Ring pulls Last year we noticed a significant amount of aluminium ring-pulls from beer cans discarded on the ground after the festival. Please do not detach ring pulls from your cans. Most people live with a domestic recycling program in their home town. The same ideals and principles apply to the Bluesfest. A clean festival is a safe and fun festival! Remember to "Green the Blues"! NO SMOKING inside Festival tents. Please respect the comfort of others. Thank you for your co-operation. InDIG Stage Bluesfest with the support of Events NSW are proud to present the InDig Stage, showcasing creative work of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Rim artists. They include Saltwater Band, Christine Anu, Te Vaka, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. Cabaret Stage Visitors to the Cabaret Stage should except to be amazed with sight of eye-boggling stunts. There will be stunts, acrobatics, fire and entertainment of the wackiest kind. Bluesfest Hotline: (02) 6685 7920 Very important Please read the below message and help us live in harmony with the residents of Byron Bay. We also ask all festival goers to be mindful when travelling to and from the festival. Do so quietly and when you reach your accommodation please respect the citizens of our town and to keep good order through peace and quiet of our neighbourhoods. Member Suburb Janine Steedman Suffolk Park Rosa Evans Byron Bay Michelle Harris Burleigh Heads Fergus Cowper Morisset Paul Savage Vaucluse jade morrison Ballarat

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RISING FROM THE BUSHES - Music From Willie Dixon's Grandson

“RISING FROM THE BUSHES”
Available April 28th, 2009 on iTunes!

Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones…what do they all have in common? They have all recorded songs written by legendary bluesman Willie Dixon. But there is only one who can claim the distinction of being taught and tutored by Willie Dixon himself…his grandson, Alex Dixon! The Alex Dixon Band is releasing their debut CD titled “Rising From The Bushes” on April 28th on iTunes! This is the most anticipated album to come out of the Dixon catalog since his grandfather’s 1970 release of “I Am The Blues”.

Just as “I Am The Blues” produced the hits “Back Door Man,” “Hoochie Coochie Man,” and “Spoonful,” Alex’s “Rising From The Bushes” will generate some hits of its own. Alex called on some musical greats to complement his piano melodies. Included is James Gadson, one of the greatest timekeepers of the past forty-plus years, and one of the most sought out studio drummers who played on over 300 gold records. Vocalist Marcella Detroit (aka Marcy Levy) who is no stranger to chart toppers herself, is famed for her amazing vocal talents with Eric Clapton (”Lay Down Sally”), Shakespeare’s Sister (”Stay”) and Bob Segar. Bassist Gerald Johnson, who recorded and/or toured with Greg Allman, Dave Mason, Steve Miller, and Crosby Stills and Nash, is another amazing talent that added to the rhythm section. Gerald has an undeniable presence, an irresistible groove, and thick, funky bass lines laid down by one of rock music’s most unique voices of the bass guitar. Additional rhythm section talents include drummer Alvino Bennett (Koko Taylor, Dave Mason Band, L.T.D), and guitarist/vocalist Alan Mirikitani (aka BB Chung King). David Dills, who offered his vocals on several of the tracks, is another one to look out for.

Check out the bio’s of the artists that played on the “Rising From The Bushes” album and get a taste of this bands fine music by visiting their website:
http://www.dixonlandingmusic.com/albums/rising-from-the-bushes/

Alex Dixon
James Gadson
Gerald Johnson
Marcy Levy (aka Marcella Detroit)
Alvino Bennett
Alan Mirikitani (aka BB Chung King)
David Dills

THE ALEX DIXON BAND - “Rising From The Bushes”…Available April 28th 2009!!!

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ALEX DIXON

Alex Dixon was born in 1975 on the South Side of Chicago. He was taught at a very early age how to play the blues by legendary bluesman, Willie Dixon, who also happened to be his grandfather and who raised him. He learned to play the piano with teachings from Leonard “Baby Doo” Caston, Lafayette Leake and his uncle Arthur “Butch” Dixon, all which had played in bands with Willie Dixon. The spirit of Little Brother Montgomery also came into play as he was a huge influence on Willie Dixon. Alex was being groomed to play with his grandfather on the stage at an early age. He was also a part of the first Blues In Schools programs put on by Blues Heaven Foundation, in which Alex would play different styles of blues while his grandfather narrated.


Alex accompanied his grandfather on piano in shows across the country, including many festivals and clubs throughout Los Angeles and Chicago. He co-wrote with his grandfather on the Grammy award winning album “Hidden Charms”, produced by T-Bone Burnett, which was the last album recorded by Willie Dixon. Alex was raised among the “Who’s Who” of Blues, including Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Chuck Berry and Koko Taylor. He was featured in Willie Dixon’s autobiography “I Am the Blues” and in his songbook. He has co-written over 40 songs with his grandfather, some of which will be released in upcoming projects. He was also recently featured on the cover of Southland Blues Magazine and was a spotlight article in the European blues magazine Blues Matters!.


Alex, in his young thirties, is currently the only musician in the Dixon family to have written, produced, arranged and recorded since his grandfather, who was a producer, arranger, and writer for some of the most famous rock/blues songs ever. His first CD titled “The Vintage Room” was his take on the Chicago Blues sound, led by vocalist/guitarist Cash McCall. His upcoming CD, due out April 28th, 2009, titled “Rising From The Bushes” by The Alex Dixon Band, is a mixture of blues and rock, and really showcases his many musical influences. Accompanying him in the studio was legendary drummer James Gadson (Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye), bassist Gerald Johnson (Steve Miller Band, Crosby Stills & Nash), vocalist Marcella Detroit (aka Marcy Levy – Eric Clapton, Shakespeare’s Sister), drummer Alvino Bennett (Koko Taylor, Dave Mason Band) and guitarist/vocalist Alan Mirikitani (aka BB Chung King), to name a few.

Alex, who is also currently Vice President at Blues Heaven Foundation, is doing his part to continue the legacy of the Dixon family and to ensure that the world will know about the “Roots of all American Music”…the blues.

PLAYLIST: The Blues Room (NZ) 1 April 09

The Blues Room
Community Radio Hamilton, NZ
Wednesday 9pm to 10pm
AM1206 & FM106.7
And LIVE online http://www.communityradio.co.nz/

1 April 2009

2009 Byron Bay BluesFest Countdown Session

In this episode you'll hear music and interviews from featured artists at this years BluesFest in Byron Bay. Only so much can be put into an hour show so Nate selects some of his favorites to spin. To hear the rest of whats on offer at BluesFest 2009 get your ticket at http://www.bluesfest.com.au/ and get along to the 20th BluesFest in Byron Bay. Big Ups to Gaynor and Peter for supporting the Blues Room on Community Radio Hamilton (NZ). And to all the BluesFest crew and those of you going to BluesFest 2009 have fun and make good memories.

1. The Original Five Blind Boys of Alabama : Oh Lord, Stand By Me

2. Ben Harper with the Blind Boys of Alabama : Take My Hand

3. Interview with Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite (Thanks NPR radio!)

4. Seasick Steve Steve : Started Out With Nothing

5. Sonny Landreth : Taylors Rock

6. Lucinda Williams : Come To Me Baby
7. Ruthie Foster : Cuz I'm Here

8. Angeline Kidjo : Voo Doo Child

9. Jason Mraz : I'm Yours
10. Alpha Blondy : Cocody Rock

11. James Hunter : She's Got A Way

12. Blues Traveller : Maybe I'm Wrong

13. Watermelon Slim interview (thank you mystery interviewer!)

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To listen to a podcast of tonight's show please visit:

http://huffa_puffa.podomatic.com/
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For more info about the East Coast Blues and Roots Music Festival aka Byron Bay BluesFest visit:
http://www.bluesfest.com.au/
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Look, listen and learn about The Blues Room
http://www.communityradio.co.nz/index.asp?PageID=2145835508

Wizard and Oz Tour Update for Tauranga - New Zealand this Easter, Our first original CD on sale now and April Show Updates

Breaking News:

· Tauranga, New Zealand Easter Show Update – yes we are back!

· Our First Original CD is on sale now

· April Show Updates

Our first Original CD

Our 1st ALL ORIGINAL CD is on sale now.

· To take a full test drive of the CD Click Here!

· To order now click here and get a personalised signed copy from Dave & Andrew!

· You can even go to You Tube to see How Many Days with Dave (OZ), son Kailen and unexpected guest Bert www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3eWpfBQcPw

Tauranga, New Zealand Easter Show Update

During Easter we will be returning to Tauranga to play 4 very special shows at the Bureta Park Motor Inn, Vale Street Otumoetai, Tauranga. Bureta Park Motor Inn is less than 5 minutes drive from The Strand. The performances will be $49.95 which includes the "World Famous in Tauranga" 3 course buffet:

· Friday 10^th April 6pm Dinner and Show

· Saturday 11^th April 12pm Lunch and Show

· Saturday 11^th April 6pm Dinner and Show

· Sunday 12^th April 12pm Lunch and Show

For bookings ring TicketDirect 0800 4 842 538 or book online at http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/.

April Show Updates

Apr 4	Sat	3:00p -5:00p NSW - Blackheath	Blue Mountains Food & Wine Fair Gardners Inn Blackheath 3:00pm - 5:00pm Details to be advised. For more information about Gardners Inn to go www.gardnersinn.com.au
Apr 5	Sun	2:30p -5:30p NSW - Gundagai	Show 2:30pm - 5:30pm, antipasto and a drink $35. For more information about Gundagai Wines go to www.gundagaiwines.com.au
Apr 10	Fri	6:00p NZ - Tauranga	Bureta Park Motor Inn During the Tauranga Jazz Festival Vale Street Otumoetai Tauranga 6:00pm Less then five minutes drive from the Strand in Tauranga. $49.50 Dinner and Show from 6pm (a 3 course buffet known to be "World Famous in Tauranga"). Tickets available from TicketDirect 0800 4 842 538 or http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/ To view a map click here
Apr 11	Sat	12:00p NZ - Tauranga	Bureta Park Motor Inn During the Tauranga Jazz Festival Vale Street, Otumoetai, Tauranga 12:00pm Less then five minutes drive from the Strand in Tauranga. $49.50 Lunch and Show from 12:00pm (a 3 course buffet known to be "World Famous in Tauranga"). Tickets available from TicketDirect 0800 4 842 538 or http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/ To view a map click here
		6:00p NZ - Tauranga	Bureta Park Motor Inn During the Tauranga Jazz Festival Vale Street, Otumoetai, Tauranga 6:00pm Less then five minutes drive from the Strand in Tauranga. $49.50 Dinner and Show from 6pm (a 3 course buffet known to be "World Famous in Tauranga"). Tickets available from TicketDirect 0800 4 842 538 or http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/ To view a map click here
Apr 12	Sun	12:00p NZ - Tauranga	Bureta Park Motor Inn During the Tauranga Jazz Festival Vale Street, Otumoetai, Tauranga 12:00pm Less then five minutes drive from the Strand in Tauranga. $49.50 Lunch and Show from 12:00pm (a 3 course buffet known to be "World Famous in Tauranga"). Tickets available from TicketDirect 0800 4 842 538 or http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/ To view a map click here
Apr 17	Fri	8:30p -11:30p QLD - Noosa Heads	Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club 69 Hastings Street Noosa Heads 8:30pm - 11:30pm Details to be advised. For more information go to www.noosasurfclub.com.au
Apr 19	Sun	2:30p -5:30p QLD - Currimundi	Sunshine Coast Jazz Club Currimundi Hotel/Motel Function Room 32 Buderim Road Currimundi 2:30pm - 5:30pm Meals available 12.30pm - 2:00pm. Doors open at 1:00pm for show. Visitors $20.00 - Members $15.00 - students with ID $5.00. To book contact Helen 5438 1976 or Ted 5491 6017 or email scoastjazz@bigpond.com .
Apr 24	Fri	VIC - Mount Beauty	Mount Beauty Music Muster Mount Beauty Details to be advised For more information about the festival go to www.musicmuster.org.au/index.htm
Apr 25	Sat	VIC - Mount Beauty	Mount Beauty Music Muster Mount Beauty Details to be advised For more information about the festival go to www.musicmuster.org.au/index.htm
Apr 26	Sun	VIC - Mount Beauty	Mount Beauty Music Muster Mount Beauty Details to be advised For more information about the festival go to www.musicmuster.org.au/index.htm

See you there!

Wizard & Oz

wizzyoz@nznet.gen.nz

http://www.wizardandoz.com.au/

3 Fantastic Bluesfest Offers for "MEMBERS ONLY"

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Greetings Nathan, Here's 3 fantastic Bluesfest "MEMBERS ONLY" offers. If you have been dawdling to get your hands on tickets to Bluesfest 20th Birthday celebrations, now's the time to buy! To show how much we want you to come we are offering you the chance to win the "Ultimate Bluesfest Experience". For more information on this fabulous offer click here. If you want to save money on Bluesfest Artist Music CDs, The Music Shop is offering members reduced prices and Complimentary Shipping on your orders. FREE "JAMES HUNTER" MUSIC DOWNLOAD Free "James Hunter" Music Download Bluesfest and Universal are offering members a complimentary download of Bluesfest performer James Hunter's new track 'Carina'. You also have the chance to listen to music from other new artists emerging from Universal labels. If you download the tracks before April 1st and you will go into the draw to Entry tickets for Sunday April 12, Entry to the VIP area plus a meet and greet with James Hunter and band before their performance! Click here for your free download and to enter this great competition! http://www.emcpay.com/emcCampaign/emcMailTransaction.aspx?nID=5573&mID=8249&emcURL=http://www.getnewartists.com.au/

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Bluesfest sells first ever ticket in Antarctica!!

Now over 100 artists with 200+ performances on 6 stages over 5 days!

Easter Long Weekend 9th – 13th April 2009, Byron Bay March 30th 2009 – Bluesfest has sold its first ever ticket to an music fan traveling to Byron Bay from Antarctica, as the festival provides the numbers on its local and international audience for the first time.

The iconic festival – which celebrates its 20th birthday anniversary this Easter – has to date sold tickets for this year’s Bluesfest through its Venue net ticket outlet to attendees in a total of 25 Countries and Territories of Australia.

While the Antarctica gig goer comes from Australia’s Mawson Station, a permanent base in Antarctica, the highest number of individual ticket buyers to date come from New Zealand - with 168 people planning to cross the ditch. This is followed by the USA with 77 people attending, the UK with 56 and New Caledonia with 18.

Other counties and territories with Bluesfest ticket buyers include Ireland, Singapore, Japan, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Canada, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Belgium, Norfolk Island, Cook islands, Venezuela, Brazil, Israel and – of course – Antarctica.

But Australia is certainly holding its own with attendees coming from every state and territory. To date, more than six thousand individual tickets have been bought by residents of the NSW North Coast alone, and festival director Peter Noble has stated that it looks as if last year’s record of almost 6,500 tickets sold to North Coast residents will almost certainly be beaten this year.

Peter Noble said, “We’re really looking forward to a great anniversary edition of Bluesfest this year, as are our many Australian festival goers. Interestingly – there will once again also be a disproportionate attendance of Northern Territorians – based on gross population – who seem to come in ever larger numbers yearly, with over 150 coming so far. South Australian's have bought over 600 tickets to date, Tasmanian's over 250, and West Australian's over 200 so far.”


The list of Bluesfest 2009 headliners includes:
BEN HARPER and RELENTLESS7, John Butler Trio, Missy Higgins, Jason Mraz, Lucinda Williams, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, Xavier Rudd, Zappa Plays Zappa, Angelique Kidjo, Paul Kelly, Blind Boys Of Alabama, Drive-By Truckers, Booker T and the DBTs, Augie March, Seasick Steve, Tinariwen, James Hunter, Ruthie Foster, Eric Bibb, Tim Finn, Toni Childs, Tony Joe White, Ayo, Blues Traveler and Fishbone.


For more information, please visit: http://www.bluesfest.com.au/
For further MEDIA information please contact
Gaynor Crawford on (02) 6699 3437, or gaynor@gaynorcrawford.com

Shayn Wills - Hurricane Blues, playing at a place near you.

Sat 4th April "The Bob Dylan Show" Shayn Wills and Bullfrog Rata play the songs of our man Bob Dylan at The Bent Horseshoe Cafe in Tokumaru-$25 for dinner and the show- 8pm start Bookings-06-329-8808

Sun 5th of April - The Te Ra School Fair. Shayn does a set of originals and sits in with Johnny Wraight of "The Fat Teddy's" fame at about 1pm-130pm

Fri 10th April - Traffic Bar-1 Arthur St Otaki - Shayn solo- 730pm - 930pm-Its FREE Baby!- This is my last show here for a while as they slow things up for winter so would be awsum to catch you there!

Fri 24th April - Finns Bar - Paikakariki -730pm - 930pm-FREE!-This ones for all you paikakarikians! "The Zephyr Hunters" This is the name of anyone who plays with me that isn't A: a swampdigger or B: a Handsome Giant, in this case its a duo with myself and Ian Parker on drums. I haven't played with Ian before but anyone who's seen "Shaken Not Stirred" the wellington jazz band will know that he's up for the challenge!

Fri 1st May - Lembas Cafe- Poplar Ave - Raumati Sth-8pm-11pm- $10. Prolly my favourite gig on the coast, Great vibe Great people Great cawfie Great beer etc etc. "Shayn Wills and the Zephyr Hunters" This time with Bullfrog Rata on Bass and Earll Pollard on buckets (drums). Always a Great night, get tickets early to be indoors!

Sun 3rd May - Lembas Cafe- Karen Clarkes Acoustic Lounge-4pm-6pm-FREE- this is a Free show on the first sun of every month at Lembas run by Karen who does a set first and gets guests in for the second set. This time being lill ole me doing a set of originals.This is for all those who love live music but maybe don't have the $ to fork out or cant get the elusive baby sitters nailed down - great community initiative from Karen!

Thanks for supporting our old mate mr LIVE MUSIC! lets keep it rollin!

SHAYN WILLS

Ph +64-04-293-8993

Mob 021-164-4548

http://www.mrwills.co.nz/

http://www.youtube.com/shaynmo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5whohy1-VM8

The Jukes - Good Honest Blues

The Jukes were formed in 2006 with the vision of bringing something different to the increasingly popular New Zealand blues scene. The premise of the band is uncompromising authenticity, as faithful to the original Chicago blues style as possible.

The classic “Chicago style" was developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s, taking the Delta blues, amplifying it and putting it into a small-band context. By adding drums, bass, and (sometimes) piano, the genre created the now standard blues band lineup. Grasping the value of playing as a solid unit,

The Jukes don’t try and reinvent the wheel or take the blues to the next level or in another direction, The Jukes just play the blues with the classic Chicago ensemble feel.

The Jukes sound is the balanced sound of classic “South Side” and “West Side” blues tunes. Propulsive shuffles, some fierce slow blues and a few funkier grooves are the hallmarks of a Jukes performance. The band consists of vocals, harmonica, guitar, bass and drums in the classic Chicago tradition. The set list includes classics from such legends as Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed and Slim Harpo and a couple of original tunes have also found their way onto The Jukes set list.

If you can’t be in a Juke Joint, being at a Jukes performance is the next best thing.

The Jukes are available for Festivals, Pub Gigs, Corporate Events and Private Parties.
For bookings or enquires please click here:

http://www.thejukes.net/

www.myspace.com/thejukesnz

Blind Boys of Alabama

I'm getting my tickets now for BBofA, they play Tauranga Jazz Fest over Easter!!!

Hey people I'm still alive!

Yeah wanting to say, yip I'm still alive and kicking !!!