BRAD ALLEN: NEW BLUES FESTIVAL >>>

The producing team behind the Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival have parted ways.  Trumpeter and band leader Rich Wetzel grabbed the festival name and tentatively plans a two-day festival May 23 and 24 in downtown Tacoma.  His former producing partner Doug Miller has announced a festival of his own.  He and his Tacoma Events Commission will present the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival immediately following this year’s Daffodil Parade at noon, Saturday, April 12. 

With two venues loaded with blues on board â€" all ages at the Harmon and 21 and older at The Swiss â€" the free Gray Sky Blues Music Festival will also sport a classic Mustang car show, sponsored by The Harmon Bicycle Club, across the street from the Harmon, and a Corvette car show on Jefferson Street in front of The Swiss Pub.

Seven Northwest bands will perform including The Michal Miller Band, the Randy Oxford Band and Maia Santell and House blend.

The featured artist of the festival will be Teddy Lee Hooker from Long Beach, California.  Teddy Lee was voted best blues artist of the year in 2005 at the South Bay Music Awards and was one of the top ten finalists in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn., in 2007. 

For more information contact Gary W Grape at 253.230.6851.