The Big Johnson Blues Band Plays The Fleet Blues Festival... Next Stop, Memphis?

Taking the stage for the first time as part of the 8th Annual Fleet Blues Festival, held "At The Plaza" in Albany, NY, is the Big Johnson Blues Band. As excitment mounts for the July 11th opening to the Festival, the pressure is on to be selected from among the three competing bands to participate in the 2004 International Blues Challenge.

CONTACT:
Enrique Johnson
The Blueshift Group :: Talent Division
PO Box 5481, Albany, NY 12205
518.229.1548
E-mail: enlightblue@yahoo.com
Web Site: http://www.blueshiftgroup.biz

Albany, NY – July 5, 2003 – The Blueshift Group is pleased to announce that the Big Johnson Blues Band will take center stage at this years Fleet Blues Festival on Friday, July 11, 2003 with a chance to participate in the prestigious International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. The Northeast Blues Societys Battle of the Bands, referred to locally as the "Colossal Contenders", takes place at the Festival and gives the large, sun-drenched audience a chance to determine who will represent the region in Memphis. Big Johnson's opportunity to join a worldwide sampling of great Blues musicians will only enhance the experience of playing in front of this large festival audience.

Born in January of 2001, The Big Johnson Blues Band quickly made a name for themselves, being voted Best New Blues Band" of 2001 by WZMR 104.9 and releasing their debut CD, Collectors Item," early in the following year. Lead by the vocals and guitar of New York Blues veteran Dan Yacobellis, The Big Johnson Blues Band combines unique styles to create a full-bodied mix of traditional and contemporary Blues. The Big Johnson Blues Band experience could not happen without Paul Cooke, on harp and percussion, as well as the drum work and strange sounds" of Mad" Mike Rozicki. These elements, combined with Bass from Big Jim Robinson and Guitar from Greg Drake, brings new life to the Blues art form. This year will find these eclectic musicians bringing their Blues sounds to new people in, what promises to be, a very busy year.

For more information on The Big Johnson Blues Band and audio samples, please visit their website at http://www.bigjohnsonbluesband.com. For scheduling of interviews or bookings, contact The Blueshift Group by phone at 518-229-1548, or e-mail at enlightblue@yahoo.com. The year 2003 is The Year of Blues" and information on the numerous celebrations of this great American art form can be found at the official website http://www.yearoftheblues.com. Information on the 8th Annual Fleet Blues Festival may be obtained online at http://www.ogs.state.ny.us. Headlining opening night and finals of the band competition is Albert Cummings, past winner of the Northeast Colossal Contenders Contest and local guitarist frequently tapped to open for BB King. Bo Diddley headlines on Saturday, July 12th, with a line-up that includes the 1st and 3rd place winners of the 2003 International Blues Challenge.

About The Blueshift Group:
The Blueshift Group, headquartered in Albany NY, is a multifaceted agency established in 2001, to provide promotional and developmental support to artists and businesses. Establishing a synergistic approach to connecting with the audience of each client is a primary objective of the agency. Our ever expanding Talent Roster includes Blues, Blues-influenced, Christian and Pop Music Bands and Artists from California and the UK, as well as from the Northeast region of the USA. Some of the artists can be heard on the Blueshift Music Gallery Page: http://www.cdbaby.com/blueshiftgroup. For additional information, or to be included on Media Mailing and Performance Guest Lists, send an email to Regina Tillman at blueshiftshowcase@yahoo.com.
                                
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