Hmm, maybe I could mentioned it here before hand--well check it out for next year once they announce it.

Last weekend I found myself in Chilliwack (Well intentionally actually, for the Back to the Blues Festival--well actually I missed Friday & Sunday--but made it for all 8 bands Saturday--and it was great.

It was a great deal--with so many concerts costing mega bucks we got 8 bands for $30--or $35 at the gate. (And advance tickets were $70 for all three days)
That's great--but then add Phil Keaggy to that--and even better.
Then for those who know of him--Glenn Kaiser was there too, with the Glenn Kaiser Band.
Very cool.
Then after their own sets, they closed the show playing together for about 35 minutes.

Here's the line up that day-
James Ponak
Dusty Shoes
First Born Live
Vytal Sygns
Steve Delamar
John Lee Sanders
Glenn Kaiser Band
Phil Keaggy

Other than Keaggy, GKB and John Lee Sanders--killer keyboard player--the other acts were primarily local ones from BS or Washington state--but some excellent playing and songs.

I got to meet Phil Keaggy and Roy Montroy (Of GKB) for the first time, and also to see Glenn Kaiser again--I met him a few years ago--although, as I expected, he didn't remember me.

The weather was blistering hot, but with lots of water, some salty food and an umbrella for shade it was doable.
I had previously seen Glenn Kaiser play a solo acoustic concert (Which I thoroughly enjoyed), but had never seen GKB live.

Phil Keaggy was another highlight. He played an incredible set using a looper for some songs in very inventive ways. Les Paul would have been proud.

All in all a wonderful day.
Here's a link to a video I didn't take--but I was there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VthHaMejPUw

I didn't take this picture, but here is Phil.
To the right is his road manager.
Here Phil is explaining how he lost most of a finger on his right hand as a small child.
I was standing to the left across the table from Phil.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

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Its good to be Zontar!

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Mona
"Music is What Feelings Sound like"

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Here's the location from their website (Beyond saying it was in Chilliwack BC-
"The Back to the Blues Festival is held at the Threshermen's Village beside the Chilliwack Heritage Park at Lickman Road and Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada."

Here's the Schedule for the three days--
Friday Aug 3/2012
5:50 Welcome opening with Acting Mayor: Ken Popove
6:00 - 6:55 Chop Liver Band
7:15 - 8:30 Greg Sczebel
9:00 - 10:30 Newworldson

Saturday August 4
9:00 - 12:00 Motorcycle Rally to Fort Langley
12:00 - 12:50 James Ponak
1:10 - 2:00 Dusty Shoes
2:20 - 3:10 First Born Live
3:30 - 4:15 Vytal Sygns
4:40 - 5:30 Steve Delamar
6:00 - 7:00 John Lee Sanders
7:30 - 9:00 Glenn Kaiser Band
9:30 - 11:00 Phil Keaggy

Sunday August 5
11:00 Motorcycle Show n' Shine set up (voting done by 1pm)
11:30 - 1:00 Jason Latreille and Liberty Band w/ guest speaker: Herb Larsen
1:30 - 2:30 Dr. Bones
2:50 - 3:50 Brad Fry Band
4:10 - 5:10 Russ Rosen
5:40 - 6:40 Chop Liver Band
7:00 - 8:15 High Valley

So basically the headliner was Phil Keaggy--but Glenn Kaiser Band is my favorite band, and they were sort of co-headliners.
After they had both played full sets they jammed for about 35 minutes or so--
so first Glenn Kaiser Band, the Phil Keaggy, then both!

I loved it!

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

Cool. Do not even recognize a name besides Keaggy & GKB.
Toppscore

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Other than GKB and Keaggy, John Lee Sanders is the only other act that wasn't a local one. (Or relatively close. First Born Live is from Blain Washington--just over the border from White Rock BC--so an hour or so away from Chilliwack.

Sanders has played with a large number of singers & musicians over the years--and was (or is still) on tour with Bonnie Raitt as an opening act--and was in Vancouver just after the festival, so he was able to join in.

http://johnleesanders.com/

But all the acts were quite good--I had a great time, and enjoyed each set.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

Cool, Zontar.
In the SF Bay Area, there are tons of Blues bands.
Fun just enjoying the moment with them
rather than doing the arena concert event.
Take care. Toppscore

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