Blues News: Maryland Festival Donates Over $50,000The Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival continues to show it's support for the Maryland-area community, by donating over $50,000 in proceeds to four charities. According to HometownAnnapolis.com, the organizations are We Care and Friends, Special Olympics of Maryland, The Johns Hopkins Cranio-Facial Center, and Special Love. Donations will reportedly be made soon, according to the article's writer, E.B. Ferguson III. The festival is held annually, over two days each year, and features full lineups both days. The 2010 festival was headlined by Buddy Guy on May 22nd, and Chuck Berry on May 23rd. Additional performers included Shemekia Copeland, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm, Jimmie Vaughan & The Tilt-A-Whirl Band Featuring Lou Ann Barton, and many more. Annapolis, Maryland's Sandy Pointe State Park Provided the backdrop to the festival's performances. It began in 1998, and according to Ferguson's article, the festival has donated more the $800,000 since that inaugural year. Past performers have included Koko Taylor, John Lee Hooker, Jonny Lang, and The Nighthawks. On the festival's website, founder Don Hooker remarked, "It’s always a gamble, particularly in the current economic atmosphere, whether we will attain our goal or go into the red." Hooker informed Ferguson that a decision has not been made on whether the festival would continue in 2011. A decision is reportedly expected in the fall. Links:
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