"... I couldn't
get to see you due to work, I was told that you were the best
act of the weekend so I just had to get your cd." - email
Blues festival a smash
By Special Correspondent - The Chronicle-Journal
July 08, 2002
"WE'LL be driving
out of Thunder Bay with tears in our eyes and warm spots in our
hearts." Those are the parting words of Reverb Rockers member
Glenn Brandt and their sentiment is identical to that of all the
musicians who played at the first annual Thunder Bay Blues Festival.
As Osee Anderson remarked while sitting backstage on a stool that
once belonged to John Lee Hooker, "Man, I can't believe these
guys (the organizers) haven't been doing this for 33 years."
More! I had a long conversation
with Winnipeg singer Tracy K and she leaned forward in the air-conditioned
trailer and said with pointed sincerity, "I'm so impressed
- the hospitality of the people of Thunder Bay is overwhelming.
I've been treated just absolutely wonderfully. And you know, the
accolades are going to come pouring out of this festival across
North America. I think (the Blues Society) is going to have a
monster on their hands." In short, as a city we done good.
In a lot of ways, an artist like Tracy K is what music festivals
are all about. Your Colin Jameses, your Jeff Healeys, your Rita
Chiarellis are proven commodities. They will only truly surprise
those very few who have not heard them before. That's why they
are the headliners. But the festival audience was blown away by
the bold voice and harmonica playing of Tracy K. When she broke
into Janis Joplin's classic Piece of My Heart, the aforementioned
Anderson growled admiringly, "That girl's got chutzpah."
excerpts from some fan e-mail:
"My wife and I enjoyed your performance at the Thunder Bay Blues Festival. You were easily our favorite performer and quite an unexpected suprise, keep up the good work." "....i was VERY!!! impressed with your talent & performance...you're everything i wanted to be in my "dreams"... ..everyone i talk to says the same praises." ".... I LOVED your show at the BluesFest. I can tell you I'm a fan now! You started into "Piece Of My Heart" ..and i thought "it can't get better than this""Being a TBay artist I had the double privilege of listening to your music and sketching you in the scene at the same time! Brian Nieminen."
