July/August Blues News
Friday July 25th @ 6pm, thanks to District 8 City Councilor Carol Clarke there is a free showing of the "Tuxedo Junction: The Almost Lost Story". If you are interested in Birmingham's music history this is a must attend event. Venue is HF Enrichment Center, 2001 19th Street, Ensley, AL 35218
Saturday July 26th its the 40th "Tuxedo Function in the Junction" from noon to 9pm. Venue is Erskine Hawkins Park, 1900 Ensley Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35218. There will be food trucks with music all day and its free! Headliner is Ms. Jody one of the best blues and southern soul artists & a personal favorite of mine.
Mark your calendars for our upcoming events at Elysian Gardens. August 3rd will be New Orleans band Big Al & the Heavyweights. Always a fun time with this great band.
Saturday August 9th the MCBS will team up with Alabama Distillers Guild for a B-B-Q & Blues Fundraiser at Pelham Civic Complex. Bands will include KidSly, Clarence "Bluesman" Davis, Jock Webb and Earl "Guitar" Williams & band. $50 tickets include delicious BBQ meal & Bourbon tastings and more. Free sample tastings provided by Dread River, John Emerald, Irons One and Sweet Home Spirits. There will be a BBQ sauce competition with sauces made from distilleries whiskey. Whiskey University will teach an associate level class (with samples) on the history of Alabama whiskey from 3-4pm. Doors open 3pm, blues 4pm - 8pm. Get your tickets here Tickets
Sunday August 10th @ 8pm Lance Lopez will be at The Nick. Lance has been influenced by Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Gibbons and Johnny Winter. He is widely recognized as a "very exciting and intense blues guitarist", as he was described by British Guitar God, Jeff Beck. Critics often laud his "fire-breathing, post-SRV-meets-Hendrix blues-rock" style, noting his raw, technical, and soulful solos. Lopez has been mentored by legendary figures like Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and Johnny Winter and has opened for blues and rock greats such as B.B. King, Steve Vai, Jeff Beck, Def Leppard, Rod Stewart, and ZZ Top. Lopez has also shared the stage and opened for many of his contemporaries as well, including Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang. He's considered one of the best guitarists of his generation and an heir to the Texas blues tradition. Lance Lopez
Saturday August 23rd BSG and his band with special guest Detroit's BB Queen will be at Jim's Juke Joint. Doors open 5pm, show 7pm. $20 donation. It is BYOB. Address: 513 LaSalle Ln., Birmingham, 35210 This event is limited to 50 attendees. Get your tickets now before they are sold out.Tickets BSG & his band w/ BB Queen
Sunday September 21st, at 3pm - 6pm we have a BlueStages concert with Ryan Lee Crosby for some great Mississippi style blues. “Ryan Lee Crosby is one of the best up and coming blues players in the world.” - Ben Martin, The Blues Guitar Show. Ryan Lee Crosby YouTube Register now Registration Ryan Lee Crosby - 9/21/2025
Sunday September 28th will be Blues at the Ballpark. Headliner is the award-winning bluesman, Bobby Rush. Bobby Rush
Tentative schedule:
Gates open at 2:00pm
MC - MZ Aretta
Hurricane Elaine Hudson 3:00PM 4:00PM
Garry Burnside Band 4:05PM 5:05PM
Mz. Lowe 5:15PM 6:00PM
Bobby Rush 6:00PM 7:00PM
Sunday October 12 @ 2pm, is our Battle of the Blues Bands. Our host venue is the Woodlawn Theatre. This will be a great afternoon of blues music, so come out and support your local bands. Here is the link to purchase tickets BOBB TICKETS . Use code MCBS2025 to receive member advanced purchase discounted $10 tickets. $15 at the door. All Alabama blues musicians and bands are welcome to enter. The winning band and solo/duo will receive a stipend to travel to Memphis in January 2026 to compete in the International Blues challenge. See below for more information and registration.
Remember our monthly open jams:
1st Friday Jam at Ranelli's - Friday August 1st @ 7:30pm
3rd Thursday Jam at True Story Brewing August 21st @ 7:30pm