The Sedalia Blues Festival returns July 10th with its sanctioned Blues Competition in the afternoon, followed by performances by headliners Big Bill Morganfield and Rory Block.  

William Morganfield is the son of McKinley Morganfield (Muddy Waters) and has emerged in the past few years as one of the top young blues talents in America. Bill has played all over the world in the past 11 years, bringing pure joy to those who have had the pleasure of seeing his live performance. 

Many men try to fill their father's shoes when they join the family business. Few, however, must prove they are up to the task in front of an audience as large as the one that watched Big Bill Morganfield.  

Morganfield didn't take up the challenge until several years after his dad passed away in 1983. The blues world mourned the passing of Muddy. Muddy leaves not only a gaping hole on the blues scene but also a grief-stricken son who is contemplating how to handle the loss. Bill buys himself a guitar and retreats into a private world, intending to teach himself how to play and then pay homage to his famous father. Indeed, this was the beginning of Big Bill Morganfield as a Bluesman and the start of his blues journey. Click here to read more about the evolution of the great blues talent of Big Bill Morganfield.

Aurora "Rory" Block has staked her claim as one of America's top acoustic blues women, an interpreter of the great Delta blues singers, a slide guitarist par excellence, and also a talented songwriter. 

The Sedalia Blues Society will sponsor the 13th Annual Blues Talent Competition as part of the Sedalia Blues Festival.  Entries are no longer being accepted and the competing performers have been announced:  

Solo/Duo Category: TOM HUNTER & JON GUNVALDSON; JACK ROY & JASON WARD; and PROFFITT & SANDIDGE
Bands Category:  BIB OVERHAUL; BAD LUCK BLUES BAND; THE RAINSTEALERS; THE BUSH LEAGUE; and THE COYOTES.

(Order of appearance will be determined on the day of the event.) 

Definitely the hottest blues ticket in Virginia, this is a must on your summer calendar!  Beer, wine, and food available.  

Admission:  $15 in Advance, $20 at the gate, children under 12 free

Advance tickets are available through Friday, July 9, on this web site or by calling our office.  Event takes place rain or shine. No pets, no coolers! 

13th Annual Blues Talent Competition

The 13th Annual Blues Talent Competition will kick off at 1pm. Winners will be named in both the Solo/Duo Category and the Bands Category, and both winners will receive cash prizes. Both winners will also go on to represent the Sedalia Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2011.

EQUIPMENT

Acts will be provided with drum kit, bass amp, keyboard amp, two guitar amps, and stage monitors. No effects may be used and no personal amps may be used. Harmonica players may use their own amps and mics but no harmonica effects may be used. There will be NO individual sound checks.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Please send a recent photo (minimum size 3" x 5"), audible cassette or CD recording (no video tape) to Sedalia Center at 1108 Sedalia School Road, Big Island, VA 24526. Entries must be received no later than 5pm (EST), May 31, 2010. All entries must be received by mail; no electronic entries accepted.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Only one act per entry, and only one entry per category. An individual may not compete in more than one act in any capacity.
• An act that has won 1st place is ineligible for re-entry into this competition for a period of 3 years from date of winning.
• Entries will be determined by The Blues Festival Committee. Space is limited. All applicants will be notified at least 2 weeks prior to the competition date.
• All acts must arrive at the competition site no later than 12:00 Noon the day of the competition.

Download a copy of the competition information

Questions? Please email the Blues Festival Chairman

Vendors

Would you like to vend at this event?  We invite quality craft vendors to apply.  The set-up fee for vendor sites (approximately 12' x 12') is $50 each.  

• The Sedalia Center reserves the right to accept or deny any application.
• Vendor fees are non-refundable except in cases where applicataion is denied.  
• Vendor merchandise is not covered by The Sedalia Center, Inc. insurance.  
• Vendors are responsible for furnishing all equipment needed to operate their booth, including tent, tables, chairs.
• Vendors are responsible for cleanup of their site prior to departure.  Trash must be deposited in trash dumpster.
• Vendor set-up time is from 10 am until 11 am.  All vendor vehicles are to be unloaded and removed from the festival area to the parking lot by 11:30 am.

Download a copy of the Vendor application

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