The Town of Riverhead takes another step toward attracting big names in the music entertainment industry. Apparently, all Blues music roads lead to Riverhead. The line-up for the free admission Aug 27-28-29 Riverhead Blues Festival www.riverheadli.com/bluesfest features acts with artists that have traveled the Blues back-boulevards of America, near and far. Although 'Muletrain' Vaughn now calls Riverhead home, he was born and raised in Cape Charles, Virginia. Joyous Perrin the fiery Blues gem currently living on Manhattan's lower east side has traveled a lot of Blues Highways and will come to Riverhead via the LI Expressway, but St. Joseph's Missouri is where she's from Singer-songwriter Connie Rae still has all the inflections of her Texas drawl from her 30 some odd years of calling San Antonio home. Sam Taylor's place of birth and rearing was Mobile, Alabama.

The Riverhead Festival is somewhat of a homecoming for the "Prince of the Blues", having lived in Riverhead until about 1961. For the last 15 years, or so, Phoenix, Arizona was home plate for Taylor, but he's back on Long Island again to be near his family. Also now on Long Island from New Jersey is harmonica virtuoso "Hoochie Coochie" Bob Paolucci, featured in the Waffle Davis Band. Phil Varca, Tom Porter and Russ Stone; "The SlamJammers" are all Long Island guys, and Russ' folks live in Riverhead, so I guess Russ can stop by the house for Sunday dinner after the show. Most or all of the "Little Wilson Band" are or have been Northport residents.

Jeff Denny was nurtured in the wilds of Brooklyn and currently nests peaceably down on the south shore. Only now his music is wild. Cutchogue's Straightjacket Rick Manwaring has a short drive to the Blues Fest venue. Closest to home is life-long Riverhead Town resident Lisa Dabrowski. Lisa has just produced a sneak preview of the event that will began airing July 26 on her cable TV show "Songwriter's Studio" (Riverhead system Ch 27. 10:30 p.m. Mondays, Brookhaven Cable Ch 99, 9:30 p.m. Saturdays and Easthampton LTV Ch 27 check listings).

The program features clips of Sam Taylor, Connie Rae, and Jeff Denny in or near Riverhead. Look for Lisa at the Polish Town Fair on August 21 as Riverhead Town officials decorate her with the award of Riverhead's "Ambassador of Good Will" before her tour of Poland and Eastern Europe with her music. Yes, Lisa has a few Blues tunes in her repertoire and will make a guest appearance at the Blues Festival.

Riverhead is gearing up for the event with all kinds of side show attractions. The Peconic River Queen, the paddle-wheeler docked in downtown adjacent to the event site, will feature "Moonlight Blues Cruises' (reservations necessary) on the Peconic River after the show. The Jeff Denny Band is scheduled to play on board Friday night and 'The Straighjackets' Saturday night. Check with local night spots in downtown that will accommodate after show Blues fans by booking in Blues acts and keeping the kitchen open late to let the party continue into the wee hours.

Speaking of eats, the no doubt world famous Paula-Jeans will be serving Cajun food during the event to add that extra bit of Creole atmosphere. For a real treat, East Setauket's Paula- Jeans will host the CD release party for the Kerry Kearney Band (fresh from the Allman Brothers tour) on August 21.

By Thomas W Gahan tgahan@suffolk.lib.ny.us

More on the free Riverhead Festival here:
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990607/9.shtml
www.riverheadli.com/bluesfest

More Blues Sites:
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990621/5.shtml
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990719/4.shtml

Muddy Waters
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990719/3.shtml

Buddy Guy
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990517/10.shtml

Bo Diddley
www.GuitarSite.com/BoDiddley.htm

BB King
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990517/9.shtml
www.GuitarSite.com/bands2.htm#BBKing