Riverfront Blues Festival plays this weekend in Libby

The ninth annual Riverfront Blues Festival will begin 6 p.m Friday, Aug. 11 at Riverfront Park in Libby and close after midnight Saturday with an “all-star jam”, where participating musicians come together to improvise in the spirit of traditional blues music.

Initially created as part of a plan to revitalize downtown Libby, the festival has always drawn “hard core blues fans” but is now attracting more and more locals, said board member Brent Shrum.

“I have so many people say to me ‘I didn’t think I’d like the blues,’” Shrum said. “But blues is the foundation of rock n roll, it’s a true American artform and it’s very primal music that is all about the feeling. People get up and dance, it’s very relatable.”

Shrum said the board puts a lot of time and effort into choosing acts, which include local bands Back in Five and Back Adit.

“We want a mix of styles,” Shrum said.

Shrum wants to highlight Zac Harmon, who will play on Friday from 10 p.m. to midnight.

“Zac is very old school blues, and has a wonderful sound,” Shrum said.

According to the festival’s website, Harmon, born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, is a true embodiment of the music that emanated from the city’s historic Farish Street district, home of blues legend Elmore James. Given that Harmon was exposed to a lot of music in his home, neighborhood and local culture, it’s not surprising that he turned out a blues musician. His mom played piano, and his dad, the city’s first black pharmacist, played harmonica and tended to the needs of artists such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, Albert King and Little Milton.

On Saturday, Shrum encourages everyone to stay around for Hector Anchondo, playing from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The festival website states Anchondo grew up on a farm in Salem, Missouri and began playing guitar at the age of 16.

“Hector is young, and has great energy to close on Saturday,” Shrum said. “He has a great rapport with the audience and I think everyone will be up dancing.”

Also on Saturday, the Mark May band is “all about the guitar,” Shrum said, noting there are too many performers to list them all.

Although they are a nonprofit, the festival holds a fundraising raffle during the event for connecting kids with music.

“The money raised buys instruments for kids locally who are interested in music but may not be able to pursue it because of the costs of equipment,” Shrum said. Donations to the program can be made during the festival as well.

For more information and for a full schedule of performers and times, visit www.riverfrontbluesfestival.com.