Libby's Blues Fest set to host Buster's one-man band

Libby's 16th annual Blues Festival will feature many great acts this weekend, including Brody Buster's one-man band.

Buster was nominated in Best Blues Rock Category for 2025 Blues Blast Music Awards.

"Brody Buster is one of the greatest harmonica players of our time," B.B. King said.

Buster will perform both days, including 5 p.m. Friday and at noon Saturday.

Buster's new album Redemption is nominated in the Blues-Rock best album category for the 2025 Blues Blast Awards.

"I'm super thankful for this (nomination)" said Buster.  "A lot of hard work went into this. Two years ago I was doing nothing. Then I got off drugs, and on Easter Sunday of this year (2025), I released Redemption. Now, I'm nominated in the Blues-Rock category with some real heavy hitters including Tab Benoit, Albert Castiglia, Ian Siegal, Mike Farris and Matt 'The Rattlesnake' Lesch. I also want to say a huge thank you to some musicians I consider to be true friends that helped me do this: Jackie Myers, Ian Pond, Howard Mahan, Jacque Garoutte, Terry Dry, Danielle Nicole Schnebelen-Miller. Thank you all so much."

Buster is a lifelong musician who was just seven years of age when he first picked up one of his mother's harmonicas in Paola, Kansas and taught himself to play. He quickly found himself playing alongside legends like B.B. King, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Keb' Mo' and many more. 

At the age of 12, Buster - managed by his parents - was headlining blues clubs throughout the US, playing harmonica, singing lead, and fronting a tight Los Angeles-based quartet called The Bluesbusters. Buster was featured on numerous high-profile television programs including The Tonight Show and Dateline to name a few.

Buster has played many high-profile stages, including Montreal Jazz Fest, King Biscuit Blues Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Bradenton Blues Fest and the Big Blues Bender.

In 2017, feeling the need for something different, the multi-instrumentalist (Brody plays guitar, drums, harp, and bass) began a new journey. Brody Buster’s One-Man Band was just that: Buster in full performance mode, simultaneously performing harmonica, guitar, bass and kick drums. Brody took his One-Man Band to Memphis, to compete in the International Blues Challenge, ending up with a very respectable second-place finish, as well as finishing runner-up in the Best Harmonica Player category. 

This new-found attention for Brody's music led to a cross-country tour and a well-received One Man Band album, Damn! I Spilled the Blues.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. There will be vendors, food, brews and fun! Libby's own Jay Snow and Tone Keepers perform at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Here is the rest of the weekend's schedule:

FRIDAY

5 p.m.: Brody Buster’s One Man Band

6:30 p.m.: Kenny James Miller Band

8:30 p.m.: Tyron Benoit Band

10:30 p.m.: Randy McAllister

SATURDAY

Noon: Brody Buster’s One Man Band

2 p.m.: Mudslide Charley

4 p.m.: Dirty Red & the Soul Shakers

6 p.m.: Jay Snow and the Tone Keepers

7:30 p.m.: Ghost Town Blues

9:30 p.m.: ALL-STAR JAM
Hosted by Jay Snow & the Tone Keepers