Riverfront Blues concert this weekend

The Riverfront Blues Festival has become a crossroads for blues music in the American northwest, attracting musicians and attendees from over the mountains, plains and country borders.

And it’s been no small diddley, as the event board and chair members began booking bands and planning the festival nearly six months ago.

“We’ve met almost every single Thursday since the first of February to begin planning this year’s event,” said Peggy Oelberg.

Oelberg has taken charge of selecting nine bands to present to the committee from the hundreds that applied through the website and mailed in press packages and CDs hoping to join the lineup. Oelberg said she is especially excited for this year’s composition of bands exhibiting varying flavors from the blues genre, including musicians from Canada, Mexico, even a handful of Washington State teenagers, The Skivees, who rocked the Mineral Avenue Art Fair just last month.

As well as a dynamic array of musical acts, the Riverfront Blues Fest committee is anticipating an outstanding headlining show from Bill Magee, a former bandmate of the late, great Jimi Hendrix. The guitarist has been jamming since the ‘60s, perfecting his low-down groove sound that has become a favorite among blues fans across the Southwest.

Oelberg said she takes pride in bringing the festival to Libby where locals and out-of-towners can enjoy the wide-open space, ringing with music.

“Our whole purpose is to bring people to Libby and let them see our town. To promote Libby,” said Oelberg.

Another member of the board previously created a unique local connection with the event, as three high-school students will receive new band instruments by donation from the festival’s proceeds.

High school band directors from Libby, Troy and Eureka chose the students to receive the instruments, hoping to inspire futures in a musical career.

 “Parents have a lot of expenses, and you hate to see a kid not be able to participate because of the expenses,” said board member Johnette Watkins. “Its so rewarding to open up music to kids.”

 The recipients of the instrument donations have increased from only two students last year, and the event committee doesn’t plan on slowing their support back into the community.

“We’d like it to continue to grow into a scholarship fund for musical and artistic kids,” Watkins said. “I think the locals are getting more and more involved. Locals businesses give very generously to make the event happen.”

Other new names in the festival include audio technician Lennie Anderson of LA Audio, who helped set up and maintain the professional sound for a Cajun and bluegrass street dance on July 20 in Somers, Mont.

Red Hot Blue Chips open the Riverfront Blues Festival at 6 p.m. on Friday. Music will play until midnight before starting back up at noon for a 13-hour day that will culminate with the All Star Jam, a compiled lineup of musicians drawn from this year’s event, as well as a few previous appearances. The All Star Jam will end their set and the festival around 1 a.m.

“If you think you may not like blues, just try it once, there’s all kinds of blues,” Oelberg said.

For more information on the 5^th annual Riverfront Blues Festival, contact Trent or Peggy Oelberg at 293-5900 or check out the event website,  www.riverfrontbluesfestival.com.