Sam Carr (1926-2009)

Sam Carr, blues legend, passed away yesterday.  Here’s an article we found about Sam that we thought we would share.  He is certainly going to be missed by us all…

Sam Carr, has lived the blues. His father, ledgendary Blues Man, Robert Nighthawk would take Sam along on his gigs. He was 8 or 9 years old dressed up to the nines and looking sharp. Sam would dance and perform in front of his father’s band and during breaks.

Sam is an energetic man, even at 71 he can out work many men half his age. The first thing you notice about Sam is the way his face changes when he smiles. It’s like the sun came out.

Sam Carr has worked with Frank Frost for so many years that they are a team. Their names have become inseperable to a lot of blues fans. Sam and Frank have made music together since they were kids. While doing gig’s up and down the “Blues Highway” they joined up with Sonny Boy Williamson and became his last band. Sam has consistently been chosen as the best blues drummer in “Living Blues”. The Jelly Roll Kings which also included Big Jack Johnson is probably the best known incarnation of Frank Frost and Sam Carr.

If you attend the four big delta festivals you have seen Sam Carr on stage. He is also one of those drummers that is called when you are going into the studio to cut your CD and you need a great blues drummer. Catch Sam on the latest Jelly Roll Kings release out on Mercury Capricorn.

Lockwood Stackhouse Stage Lineup Announced

Be sure to check out the Lineup page today for the Lockwood Stackhouse Stage lineup!! If you have any questions or concerns, please call us, email us, or leave a comment on the website. Thanks so much!!!

2009 ABHF Ticketing Update

Over the last several weeks, we at ABHF  have spent countless hours working to ensure that all logistics were put in place before making the announcement, and we are very sorry for not informing you of our progress.  Listed below are the complete details for ticketing at this year’s event:

1. Ticketing will only be done at the Main Stage. Tickets for this year’s event will cost $5 a day and $10 for a three-day pass.
2. All other stages and areas of the festival, including vendors, will be open to the general public.
3. Tickets are available for presale online starting today (24 August) and in Food Giant and Tobacco Warehouse stores starting September 15.

Those who purchase tickets online will pick up their tickets at the ABHF ticket booth upon arrival at the festival. We ask that you present a photo ID at the ticket booth in order to redeem your tickets. This year’s presale tickets are sponsored by Food Giant. We hope that this answers most of your questions about ticketing. If you have any concerns, please call the festival office, and we will be happy to speak with you and hear your ideas on ways to make this festival and the experience better. Thank you for your support and most importantly, your patience, in this matter. We look forward to seeing you in October.

2009 5K Run Application Now Available

Applications for the 2009 Kenneth Freemyer 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk are now available for download. Time is winding down before the festival kicks off on October 8, so don’t delay, reserve your spot in this year’s event now!!  This year’s run will begin at 8:30 am!!

Click on the form below to download:

• 2009 Kenneth Freemyer Memorial 5K Run/2-Mile Walk application (pdf)

SBBS Announces ABHF Executive Director and Associate Director

Sonny Boy Blues Society officials announced today the return of Munnie Jordan as the executive director of the annual blues celebration, and newcomer Daniel Sims as associate director. Jordan, a native of Helena-West Helena, served as festival director for the then King Biscuit Blues Festival from 1992 to 1997, when the event was owned by Main Street Helena. The Sonny Boy Blues Society (owners and producers of the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival) board of directors approached Jordan in June to assist with the coordination, execution, and fundraising for the annual three day festival. At the time the society approached Jordan, she was reluctant due to the scope of the festival and the limited time to logistically and financially execute such an event, but with Jordan’s passion for the festival and community, she accepted the task and has “hit the ground running.”

When asked what made her return to the festival leadership position, Jordan responded: “I watched the festival grow from a Main Street Helena creative idea into one of the largest blues festivals in the country. I have a passion for this festival and our community. It has given our community and state worldwide positive publicity and has allowed us to brand our region as the home of the blues and allow us to capitalize on our heritage.” Associate Director Daniel Sims is also a native of Helena-West Helena, and came on board with the festival in early April in an attempt to help the organization with grant-writing efforts. He took on his current position when Jordan agreed to return to the helm of the event. Sims stated: “This festival has put Helena on the map in a very meaningful way over the last 23 years. The only way that we can ensure its continued success is to come together as a community, and it is my goal to bring everyone to the table and work towards that goal.”

For more information, contact the festival at 870.816.1106 or 314.580.3764. The festival can also be reached by email at ds@bluesandheritagefest.com or mj@bluesandheritagefest.com

Hats Off To…

This week’s long overdue Hats Off To is dedicated to Reba Russell and her band. They were very kind to perform during the SBBS fundraiser held on June 11. Everyone had a fantastic time and enjoyed great performances. SBBS would also like to give a special thanks to Stan Street, Darryl Starks and Rico Smith for accompanying Sterling Billingsley during his performance. Be on the lookout for a full story with photos from the event soon!

Hats Off To….

Happy Monday!! This week we will start a series of salutes to local organizations and citizens who are helping make this year’s festival possible. Today’s Hats Off is to Kathy Dulaney and the Arkansas Delta Arts Partnership (ADAP). They have taken over the judging of our annual poster contest and have done a phenomenal job at judging the entries. Look out for more information on the unveiling of this year’s winner later on this week!!!

SBBS Benefit (06/11/09)

SBBS has a benefit on June 11, 2009 at Horses and Harleys in West Helena at 8:00.  Reba Russell and the Reba Russell Band will be playing as well as Sterling Billingsleys Band and other surprise guests.

Partial Lineup Announced

We posted a partial lineup of performers that are scheduled to appear at this years festival, you can find our running list of performers here…  Stay tuned for more updates!!!

• Hubert Sumlin
• Willie “Big Eyes” Smith
• Reba Russell
• Dave Thompson
• Anson Funderburgh
• Sam Carr
• Bob Margolin
• Michael Burks
• Lucious Spiller
• Bobby Rush
• John Hammond
• Cate Brothers
• John Primer
• Hamilton Loomis
• Pinetop Perkins
• Billy Boy Arnold
• Red Holloway
• Dave Riley

Follow Us on Facebook…

We have set up an official Facebook page for the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival.  If you are on Facebook, be sure to become a fan of the festival.  We plan to post updates to Facebook from our website in the very near future.  Also, if you are on Facebook, you can share content on our website with your friends in Facebook by clicking on the Connect with Facebook button in the right hand column.  Facebook users can also use their Facebook login to post comments to our website.  Our Facebook page can be found here.

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