On Line Membership Renewal

If you are a new member, bring your receipt to a Crossroads event and get a free CD!  Two for family members!

Type of Membership

Individual, Email Newletter $15.00 USD    Individual, Mail Newsletter $20.00 USD    Family, Email Newsletter $25.00 USD    Family, Mail Newsletter $30.00 USD

Special Instructions

9th Annual Crossroads Christmas Party

Bobby Messano Unplugged

Blues Across the Ages

Crossroads Awarded 2014 Affiliate Keeping the Blues Alive Award

News Release
Crossroads Blues Society
POC: Steve Jones, President 

Crossroads Blues Society was notified that they were selected for the 2014 Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Blues Foundation Affiliates!  President Steve Jones stated, "To be seriously considered for such an award is an honor and our selection for this award is truly humbling.  I am elated that we have been selected and thank the many people who have made this possible since Crossroads began their efforts in 1994!"

Summarized from the Blues Foundation’s web site: “Each year, The Blues Foundation presents the Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Blues world. The Blues Foundation will present the 2014 KBA Awards during a recognition lunch Friday, January 24, 2014, at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The KBA ceremony will be part of the International Blues Challenge (IBC) weekend of events. 

Unlike the Blues Music Awards, the award recognizing the past year's best in recordings and performance voted on by thousands of The Blues Foundation's members, the KBAs are awarded to non-performers strictly on the basis of merit by a select panel of Blues professionals. 

Noted educator, author, journalist, and KBA Chairman Art Tipaldi notes "The KBA may be awarded for the recipient's work in the past year but most often reflects a lifetime of work; we don't view the recipient as the winner of a 'best of the year' category. Consistent with this philosophy, the committee generally refrains from awarding the KBA to an individual or organization more than once. Rather, we select a new deserving winner each year, except in rare cases when a significant period of time has elapsed since the first award." 

Crossroads has been working at this since 1994; for 20 years the blues have had great stewards here in the Northern Illinois area.  The group was incorporated in 1994 and held a festival in Lanark in 1995.  They hosted many shows and benefits in Freeport and published a newsletter that continues today.  In 2000, the group became centered in Rockford and in 2002 they began their focus on Blues in the Schools.  Crossroads is proud to be recognized for the body of work that they have accomplished to help keep the blues alive and they thank the Blues Foundation for this honor! 

Here is a list of some of their accomplishments that contributed to their selection: 
·         20 years of publishing a blues newsletter with great articles and music reviews.  It has been in full color since 2007 and is distributed to over 500 people and organizations.
·         They hold two annual major blues festivals in both Byron and at Aviators Stadium with fantastic lineups of talent.
·         They have conducted 122 Blues in the Schools programs for 38,000 students since May 2002
·         Crossroads has produced a multitude of live blues shows in clubs and public venues that were open to the public and have brought talented artists to our area that might not have ever performed here without Crossroads involvement.
·         They also maintain a dedicated on-line presence with:
·       Music Review blog with over 750 reviews since 2007
·       News blog with all Club activities 
·       Strong Facebook presence

·       Web site with BITS info and links to our other sites

·       2 Festival sites/blogs

Crossroads will be honored at a luncheon in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday, January 24, 2014 along with other Keeping the Blues Alive award winners in other categories.  This will be held as part of the week of festivities during the annual International Blues Challenge held by the Blues Foundation each year.

CrossroadsBlues Challenge Winner Alex Wilson at the Adriatic Sat Nov 16th

Crossroads Blues Challenge winner Alex Wilson and his band will appear at the Adriatic Bar on 327 W Jefferson St in Rockford on Saturday night, November 16th at 9 PM.  Alex will be competing in the International Blues Challenge January 21-25th in Memphis representing Crossroads Blues Society!

Saturday Blues at the Hope and Anchor

Starting in January 2014, Crossroads has worked an agreement with the Hope and Anchor English Pub in Loves Park, IL, to host a monthly blues night one Saturday a month.  Generally on the 2nd Saturday of each month (with some exceptions), we will help the Hope and Anchor will bring in a great blues act to the Rockford Area.

Here is the tentative schedule:

January 11 The Jimmy's
February 15 The Alex Wilson Band

March 8  Bobby Messano

April 12 Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys with Westside Andy

May 10 Tweed Funk

June 14 Aaron Williams and the Hoo Doo

July 12 Joel Patterson with Jim Liban

Web Link to the Pub:  The Hope and Anchor

Hope & Anchor Pub 5040 N. Second Street
Loves Park, IL 61111

Phone 815.633.2552

Admission to these shows is free!  The Pub offers a great selection of beers and traditiponal pub fare.  Showtime for each show will be 8 PM.

Al McNary Benefit November 3rd in Rockford!

Donate now to help Al!

Trampled Underfoot Coming to Rockford!

What a show!  Pictures coming here and on FB.

Crossroads Blues Challenge Schedule of Events

Come out and support live music on the road to Memphis! Crossroads first ever blues challenge- winner goes to the 2014 IBC in Memphis!

Sunday, October 13th 2013

Adriatic Live Music Bar

Corner of Jefferson and Church St

Rockford IL

2 PM doors open, $5 admission

230 PM Jimmy's set up

3 to 330 PM Jimmy's play

330 PM Jimmy's break down, Mark Avey Band sets up

4 to 430 PM Mark Avey Band Plays

430 Mark Avey break down, Alex Wilson Band sets up

5 to 530 PM Alex Wilson Band plays

530 PM Alex Wilson breaks down.

Winning band gets door $ and entry fees plus CBS will assist in fundraising to help defray winners costs to go to Memphis.

Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band Return for BITS

Hawkeye Herman Returns for Blues in the Schools

Crossroads Blues Challenge

See rules below

CBC Rules

Gerry Hundt and Ronnie Shellist BITS 9/25/13

Crossroads Blues Society Volunteer Party 9/22/13 at 3 PM!

The festivals are over and it is time for our volunteer appreciation party.  If you volunteered at Byron Crossroads Blues Festival or even the Field of Blues Festival, this party is to honor you!

3 to 6 PM, Sunday, September 22nd, 2013 at the Byron American Legion!  Australia's top blues and root music band, first American tour!

Sample of their music videos: Storm Cellar Videos.   It is a very cool mix of blues and roots with a rocking feel.

Free food for volunteers provided by our bar and restaurant partners.  Others can attend the show with a $5 cover, no food included.  Cash bar- very low prices.

50-50 raffle and other prizes!

Crossroads Blues Challenge

Sunday October 13th 

Crossroads Blues Society

presents the

2013 Crossroads

Blues Challenge

RULES

1.      Open to all bands who live within 150 miles of Rockford AND who have played within 50 miles of Rockford at least twice in the last year (September 2012 through August 2013).

2.      Entries must complete the entry application and provide a photograph of the band.

3.      Entries must be accompanied with a $25 entry fee which will be returned only if the band is not selected to compete in the Crossroads Blues Challenge (CBC).

4.      Entries must be accompanied by a three song sampler of the band.  If more than three songs are provided, the first three songs on the entry sampler will be used, 

5.      The band must be willing and able to perform in the Crossroads Blues Challenge on Sunday, October 13th at the Adriatic Bar in Rockford and if they win they must be able to perform at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) held in Memphis, Tennessee from January 21-25, 2014.  If the winning band does not compete in Memphis they will forfeit and refund all travel expenses raised by Crossroads Blues Society back to Crossroads.

6.      If a  band was ever nominated for a Blues Music Award (or the former W.C. Handy Award), the act or band is ineligible to compete in the CBC and IBC.

7.      A band is limited to two consecutive appearances at the IBC and must then sit out at least one year before being eligible to compete again. Any act under the same name will not be allowed to compete three consecutive years.

8.      An individual may not compete in more than one act in any capacity.  A musician cannot compete in the Band Division and the Solo/Duo Division, even if that musician represents a different Affiliate in each. 

9.      The CBC and IBC adhere to the following criteria for what constitutes a band:  any act with three or more musicians. Vocalists are counted as musicians for the purpose of this competition. Both electric and acoustic instruments are allowed..

10.   The signature on the entry form signifies that the above rules are understood and will be complied with.  Failure to perform in Memphis as agreed to will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of all privileges and prizes.

The winners of the 2013 CBC (1 band) will receive:

1.      The total of all entry fees received for the 2013 CBC.

2.      A paid engagement at either the 2014 Field of Blues Festival in Loves Park or the 2014 Byron Crossroads Blues Festival in Byron.  The band will paid at least $600 (negotiable).

3.      Crossroads will assist with other fundraising efforts to be agreed to after the CBC.

All judges decisions are final.

 Entry Form (must be submitted with entry fee by 10/9/13)
Mail to Crossroads Blues Society
c/o 1043 Kingsway Lane
Byron, IL 61010

Band Name _____________________________________________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________         

Contact Information:

Band Leader ________________________________________ 

Phone _____________________

Other Contact _______________________________________ 

Phone: _____________________

E-mail: ____________________________

Website: ___________________________________________

2013 BCBF

 

Advanced tickets on line $7 plus $1 service charge.

 

Selwyn Birchwoodat at the Adriatic

Inaugural Field of Blues Fest

It's here!  Saturday June 22nd is the Inaugural Field of Blues Festival!

Field of Blues Festival Link

 

Reminder- Ana Popovic at the Adriatic May 24th!

Friday May 24th at 9 PM at the Adriatic Live Music Bar on 327 West Jefferson St in Rockford.  Advanced tickets are $20 and are expected to sell out, so get yours soon!  Tickets are at the club, available through Steve Jones and at CD Source on State Street.  When they are gone they are gone.  Admission at the door (if any tickets are left) will be $25.  Can you stand the heat???????

Linda Valori to Make First Rockford Appearances

Press Release

Crossroads Blues Society is proud to be bringing Italy's female blues sensation Linda Valori to Rockford for two great shows.  Linda has a brand new CD entitled "Day's Like This" with some scorching hot vocals that amazes all listeners!  She was "discovered" in 2005 at Italy's huge San Remo Festival and has gone on to fame in Italy's music and television scene.  This new CD introduces her to the American market and Crossroads is proud to be among the first to host her here.

"Linda's voice is huge and expressed," noted Crossroads President Steve Jones.  "She reminds me a little bit of a young Ruth Brown, with hints of Sarah Vaughn and Martha Reeves woven into the textures of her voice.  I was floored when I put this CD on for the first time and I remain impressed every time I hear her sing."  The two shows are on Thursday, April 18th and Friday April 19th.  Thursday's show is at the Adriatic Bar on 327 West Jefferson Street (the former Jacks or Better Club) at 7 PM with a $5 cover charge.  On Friday night, Linda appears at the Venetian Club on 2180 Elmwood Road with an 8 PM start.  The show is open to the public and is free of charge.

Linda hails from San Benedetto del Tronto of the Province of Ascoli Piceno in the Marches region on Adriatic side of Italy. Her guitar player and mentor for the American blues music scene is Luca Giordano, who was born in Teramo (Province of Teramo in the Abruzzi region) and now splits his time between a home on the Adriatic and Chicago. Luca will join Linda for both of these shows, and backing both of them will be Barstool Bob Levis and his band. Bob lives in Rockford and garnered fame touring and playing guitar for several decades with blues greats Otis Rush and Lonnie Brooks.

Here is a sample of Linda doing Etta James' classic "At Last."

There shows will be huge events and a great opportunity to hear this great vocalist for some of her first shows in the US.  You will not want to miss them!  Call 779-537-4006 for more information on either show.

Goal 800

Goal 800 

What that means our goal is to sell at least 800 advanced tickets for the FOB festival between now and June 1st.  Can we do it?  I don't know but you can help.  Go to our  Field of Blues Festival Web Site.  and purchase tickets on line or send a check for tickets and a SASE to 1043 Kingsway Lane, Byron, IL 61010 to buy tickets on line or by mail.

You can also stop by the Adriatic  Live Music Bar on W Jefferson Street or Kryptonite on W State Street to buy tickets in Rockford.  CD Source on East State also has tickets available now as do many Crossroads members.

Tickets will also be available at the Aviators Box Office and other locations that will soon be announced.

$10 advanced seats. What a deal!

Bobby Messano Returns to the Forest City

Mark Hummel Joins Westside Andy at the Hody March 21st

 Westside Andy will be joined by West Coast harp master and road warrior Mark Hummel at the Thursday show at the Hody Bar and Grill in Middleton WI.

Andy and his bands have been a fixture there at the Hody on Thursday nights and I know that Mark Hummel and he will put on virtuoso harmonica show together. They are also appearing with Billy Flynn on guitar. This should be a great night of blues! The show starts at 9 PM. Bar doors open at 8 AM (it is Wisconsin, after all) so you can go early (even breakfast) and get a good seat.

 Andy is excited about the show and I know it's going to be great as both he and Hummel are fantastic harp players.

 Andy's web site: Westside Andy

Mark's website: Mark Hummel

Hody Bar web site: Hody Bar

It should be a lot of fun. Mark does not get out to the Midwest too often. He's got a couple of nights up in Minnesota after this and his calendar shows nothing nearby for the remainder of the year. Take advantage of this opportunity!