Pocono 2001

Thornetta Davis	Lucky Peterson	Henry Gray

Bernard Allison	Keb' Mo'	Michael Burks

D.C. Bellamy	Zora Young	Billy Branch

Sherman Robertson	Lil' Ed

Pocono 2000

Arthur Adams was a MONSTER!	Ronnie Baker Brooks	Proud dad Lonnie Brooks
The beautiful Barbara Carr	Long John Hunter	Phillip Walker
The one and only Magic Slim	Rod Piazza	John Mooney
	I
Willie Kent

Pocono 1999

                                                     
   Son Seals receives a                             James Armstrong                 Shemekia: The 
Lifetime Achievement                                 Our Fave!                                 Legend Lives!

Pocono!  The 1999 version is in the history books, and let history show that this was one of the best ever.   Every performer gave it up, and the result was perhaps the best festival ever in terms of overall performance.  Unlike last year, when several artists just went through the motions (NOT Eddie King or Carl Weathersby!), this year's cast was the essence of professionalism.  The ones you looked forward to didn't let you down, and surprise efforts were the order of the day.

Chris Beard Tip your hat to this man, who got the festival jumpstarted.  He came out and joked with the crowd and then just tore it up.  And that was just the sound check!!  Chris's exuberance made it clear that he was happy to  be there and he wanted to play.  He calls himself the Prince of the Blues and no one was arguing after his exhilarating opening set on Saturday.

James Armstrong
James plays it goood while benefactor Michael Ross enjoys the show!

James Armstrong was the feel-good story of the festival.   His career was taking off and going where great songs, great vocals and great guitar can take you.  But then tragedy struck.  Brutally attacked along with his 5-year old son, James nearly died and suffered severe nerve damage to his left arm.   Thanks to a doctor passing by, to James' great courage, and to guitarist Michael Ross, his career is back on track.  His interaction with the crowd was extremely touching.  It is evident that James is grateful for every day of
his life, and for every day of Little James' life as well.  James Armstrong is one of my most
personal favorites, both for the strength of his talent and for his battle for survival.   I tell
you unabashedly: go buy Sleeping With a Stranger or Dark Night.  .  These are two great
CDs and this is one great story of friendship and triumph over adversity.

 

Roy Gaines
Roy Gaines was one of the best shows put on by a consummate pro.

What can you say about Roy Gaines?  It was hot as hell and Roy comes out in a black suit and just sets the place on fire!  He was truly a crowd favorite with his energetic routines and ferocious guitar.  A fine example of everything that went right at Pocono this year.
His latest CD is called Bluesman for Life, and the sweat he poured into his performance certainly established his pedigree.

 

Chris Thomas King Just:  Wow!! He opened Sunday with a vengeance.  He played the guitar behind his neck, behind his back, between his legs, with his ass, with his teeth and with his tongue.  This man is the real deal, which we all knew  going in.  But he was just soo good.  And of course, as all of you in the know, know, my wife, his biggest fan, got a nice peck on the cheek(?) from Chris on Sunday night.  He is truly a superstar in the making.  He got his talent honest, too, as his father is the famous Tabby Thomas and Chris took the name of "King" to honor the greats: BB, Freddie and Albert.

 

Johnny Rawls Johnny was the pro everyone expected him to be, and gave us a great show.  His CD,  My Turn to Win, was aptly named, because he WAS A WINNER.  A great show by a great artist.  Altogether now, "In. Out.  In. Out.  In. Out. In. Out!"

Charlie Musselwhite A definite crowd pleaser--and a pro's pro.   When Otis Clay took a wrong turn and got lost, Charlie stepped up to the plate and went on early on a different stage.   No matter.   He was clearly a man people had come to see.  The packed stage area was groovin' to Charlie's harp and he left no doubt he's one of the best!

 

 

Otis Clay This was a great show by a great showman.   You want some soul? Just put your plate up and Otis will dish it out.  He came late, but he delighted the crowd with his silky vocals.  Got the crowd going good with a feel-good version of Otis Redding's ( Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay.  Otis is a master vocalist and his show went over big!