FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

The concept is brilliant: Immediately following the much-loved Daffodil Grand Floral Parade, give parade watchers the various hues of blues sounds that will delight the whole family and, at the same time, all merchants — particularly the restaurants in downtown Tacoma.

Launched in 2008 by the Tacoma Events Commission, the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival will, once again, follow the Daffodil Parade, which will be held Saturday, April 13.

Gary Grape, entertainment manager of the festival and president of the South Sound Blues Association, has released the band lineup. This year's festival will include 15 bands in four venues. The Harmon Brewery & Eatery and Cutters Pointe Coffee will see the early action, followed by the headliners at The Swiss around 4 p.m., then a night show at Stonegate Pizza. Portland's Franco Paletta and the Stingers and local wonderkid Nolan Garrett will anchor the festival. Blues harpest Paletta and his band recently won the Cascade Blues Association's "Journey To Memphis" challenge at the 2012 Waterfront Blue Festival, and the honor comes with the opportunity to represent the association in February at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. Guitarist Garrett won the South Sound Blues Association's Back To Beale Street contest to represent our area at the IBC in Memphis next month. Maybe the two will hook up in Memphis to work on a collaboration for April's festival.

In addition to Paletta and Garrett, other blues musicians scheduled to perform at the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival in April include Paul Green and Straight Shot, Maia Santell and House Blend, Alice Stuart and the Formerlys, The Crazy Texas Gypsies, The Mary McPage Band, Alyx Phippen and others.

Stay tuned for more updates.

LINK: A chat with Nolan Garrett