Save the Date
• Saturday, April 13, 2019, Sean Costello Benefit at Darwin's
• Sunday, April 14, 2019, 3-6pm, Gathering & Jam, venue TBD
• Sat & Sun, April 27 & 28, Inman Park Festival
• Saturday, May 4, Blind Willie McTell Festival, Thomson, GA
• Sunday, May 19, 2019, 3-6pm, Gathering & Jam, venue TBD
• June 6, 7, 8, Helen Harp Fest, Helen, GA
• Saturday, June 15, 2019, Bluesberry Beer & Music Fest, Norcross, GA


Board Members of the Atlanta Blues Society accepting the Keeping the Blues Alive Award at the luncheon during the IBC in Memphis TN. L to R: Richard L’Hommedeau, Carlin Smith, George Klein, Barb Hilke, Deb Pruitt, Dave Black.

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March Gathering & Jam
Our next Gathering & Jam will be on Sunday, March 17, 2019, from 3pm-6pm at Darwin's, Sandy Springs. Our host band is the Real Deal Blues Band and they will keep us grinnin' & dancin'. It's St. Patrick's day so make sure to be wearing of the green and ready to party. Darwin's will be ready to serve us up some great food and drinks and maybe some Green beer or specialty green drinks. We will have a jam so make sure to bring your instruments and /or voices and show us what you got. 




News from Frank Hamilton School of Music:
Spring Term starts 3/4/2019
Register now for the new term which starts on Monday, March 4th! We have classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights; an option to register just for the ‘Second Half’ jam; options to register for continuing classes (for savings and flexibility for you), and more! Click below to find out all about our class options, our teachers, and most importantly how you can join in on the fun of music in community! Register HERE.

Saturday, May 4:
26th Annual Blind Willie McTell Festival in Thomson, GA
The Blind willie McTell Festival was introduced in 1993, and is still staged in the same grassy field it debued in. The event is a celebration of roots music and the blues. The kind of musical event Blind Willie himself would have really enjoyed. Many past performers have been American Music Award, Blues Music Award winners and Grammy nominees. The laid back vibe of the festival creates a great atmosphere to mix and mingle with the folks seated around you, get up and dance or just sit back and sip an ice cold beer while enjoying some fantastic music. Blind Willie McTell, one of the pioneers of country blues guitar, was born just south of Thomson, Georgia, in the area known as Happy Valley in McDuffie County. One of his most famous songs, “Statesboro Blues”, has been a staple for blues bands for decades. Many musicians consider McTell an influence, including Bob Dylan, who paid tribute to him with his song “Blind Willie McTell”. This year's lineup includes The Jayhawks, Sierra Hull, Jack Pearson, SOS (Sisters of Slide, featuring Rory Block & Cindy Cashdollar, Ariel Posen, Jontavous Willis, The Powers...and Friends.



What a great Blues in the Schools Presentation we had
at the Gwinnett County Library in Lilburn!
There was a great turn out, surprisingly more adults were there than kids, but they were ready to learn about the blues from us and hear the music. Thanks to our wonderful talented musicians, Carlos Capote, Larry Griffith, SaNa Foster, and young Logan Roach (he was the star for sure). We got to learn about all aspects of the blues from it being the basis of all other musical genres, including Jazz, Rock & Hip Hop to Blues Therapy lessons. Amazing. To see a Facebook live broadcast of the event, go to Barb Hilke's Facebook page or click here: Facebook Live Stream




Bricks for the Blues Campaign
Are you up for your shot at Blues Immortality? Every once in a while a stellar opportunity comes along for those of us that will never be nominated, let alone win a BMA,  win the IBC or have our name on the marquis of the Orpheum Theater in Memphis. Several years ago the Blues Foundation offered us the opportunity to not only contribute to the creation of the Blues Hall of Fame, but to have our names permanently installed on the wall inside. The Atlanta Blues Society, Darwin's and several of us availed ourselves of that opportunity and gained some Blues Immortality. The only problem is that you have to go inside and look for our names.

Well, our second chance is here with The Bricks for the Blues Campaign and the cost for Blues Immortality is much more reasonable this time. The Blues Foundation has been given permission to replace the sidewalk in front of the Blues Hall of Fame with bricks engraved with the names of the donors. Your Blues Society has purchased an 8"x 8" brick for $500 and has been given permission to have all of us that buy an 8x8 brick to be grouped together and have a permanent place in Blues History. Even though only one person can pay for each brick, but with 6 lines of engraving (one should say"ABS Member(s)" as many as five can go in on a brick.

In order to take advantage of being able to be grouped together the Blues Foundation is asking us to act before the middle of March. How cool would it be for the ABS to not only have a permanent place for the world to see, but to have a boat load of our members listed with us. If you have any questions please run them by us. Be Immortal!! Thanks, George









Join us for 3 days of Jam-Packed workshops, live performances, openMic Jams, and Networking with some of the Best Instructors and the Finest Folks anywhere. Starting with an open jam on Wednesday night before the Thursday morning workshops begin. Then at 12:00 on Thursday Helen HarpFest will kick off for 3 days of Fun. Haufbrauhaus will be the host facility for our Fest, with the backdrop of an entire Alpine Village on the Chattahoochee River within a short walking distance from the venue. Easy does it with a relaxed atmosphere and some pretty awesome attractions for those with adventurous sprits… Tubing, Ziplines, HelenCoaster (roller) Ride, Go Carts, PuttPutt Golf, Hiking, Camping, Swimming, Taverns.  Contact: Jimmy Scott • Phone: 706-491-7247 • E-mail: jimmyescott.1@gmail.com




Darwin's Burgers & Blues in Sandy Springs is under new management, but still open and ready to continue to be one of the best live music clubs in Atlanta. The former owners Aiken and Lindsey have moved to California to pursue a new venture. It seems Aiken has been working on a new way to grow mushrooms and has had an opportunity to work with some people in California who are pursuing plans to build "mushroom houses". The FDA has given initial approval and they are trying to get a head start. Hence the early and sudden departure on Lindsay and Aiken's part. They are still in touch and wish the new management success. Yvette, the waitress, John, the bartender, and Tom Samples, the door guy have been pretty much in charge for a while and are doing their best to keep Darwin's going. They can use all the help we can give them. One thing they really need is a new smoker for the BBQ. Please support them by coming to the venue, eating and drinking and paying the cover for live music. We will keep you informed of any schedule changes that occur.
Facebook Page



Blind Willies Blues Club in Virginia Highlands is an Atlanta icon showcasing legendary blues bands for over 32 years. Hundreds of local and national blues greats have left their mark on this historic stage. Years of loyal fans and regular patrons have also contributed to making Blind Willies a true Historic Landmark in Atlanta. All the years of good times have taken its physical toll on Blind Willies. We are asking our friends and family to help us with the REBIRTH of Blind Willies Blues Club! Over the next few months, we will be hosting events to help us with our updates and revival. Your contributions will help ensure we can continue this long-standing Atlanta Blues tradition. The Blues Community is a true family. We are counting on our Blues family to help us continue to keep the Blues alive and bring you the best local and national blues bands you love for years to come! As part of the Rebirth of Blind Willie's, the venue has gone Smoke Free as of the day after Thanksgiving, so those of you who stayed away because of the smoke, come on out and check out this legendary Blues Club. The blues sound just as good without the smoke – and the smokers can still go outside– so its a win/win. Come on out to Blind Willie's soon and show them you appreciate the changes they are making to keep the blues alive and available to all. Other changes they are making are earlier shows during the week and on Sundays. They will be closed on Mondays. • http://www.blindwilliesblues.com/


News from Killer Blues Headstone Project
From : Killer Blues Headstone Project: killerblues.net
104 headstones have been purchased! We have funding for the next 2 headstones but have 30 more in need.  • That means we still need to raise $20,000 • In 2018 so far we have received donations ranging from $1 to $1,000 and each one was appreciated. The following link will take you to an excellent interview with KBHP founder, Steve Salter, on Youtube: Click HERE.

There are 4 easy ways to donate.
 1. click on our website
 2. send a check
 3. use "AmazonSmile"
 4. PayPal "killerblues88@yahoo.com" (use the Sending to a Friend option)

Three New Gold Sponsors!


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In 2015, Legion Landscaping was created by two long-term friends with the dream of creating a successful landscaping company that would provide the community with the highest level of work, at both the residential and commercial level. Our mission is to offer our local Acworth community and the Atlanta Metro Area an unparalleled lawn care and landscaping experience. We have proven ourselves by going above and beyond to fulfill the needs of our clients and add value to their properties. For a Free Quote, go to website or Call: 678-841-7750.
https://www.facebook.com/LegionLandscape/

Bringing the blues to Augusta, Georgia, the Augusta Blues Company is a brand new Blues Society in the state of Georgia. Check out their website and like their Facebook page and when in Augusta, always check their calendar for the best blues in the area.  As well as presenting great blues acts, they also support the Turn the Page Foundation, Inc., which helps provide the gifts of literacy and music by supplying books, school supplies, and gently used musical instruments to kids.  Don’t miss these great upcoming shows hosted by the Augusta Blues Company: Saturday, April 14, 2018, Sweet & Salty Blues Band play Humanitree, Augusta, GA, 8-11pm. Friday, May 4, 2018, FREE kick off party for the Blind Willie McTell Festival featuring the Juke Joint Dukes w/ William “Bluesman” Reed at the Depot on Main Street, Augusta, 7-10pm.
https://augustabluescompany.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AugustaBluesCompany/
https://turnthepagefoundation.com/

Be sure to visit the following social networking sites: www.twitter.com/AtlBluesSociety http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-Blues-Society/67909644739 (or, just go to Facebook and search the Atlanta Blues Society) ******************************************************* Check out the new CD reviews from Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro in our Review section. ******************************************************* PLEASE NOTE: The Atlanta Blues Society has a new address, please send all mail to:   The Atlanta Blues Society P.O. Box 146 Tucker, GA 30085-0146   Our only email address is theatlantabluessociety@gmail.com ********************************************************* From time to time we will move older items from the front page to the Archives Page.   If there is an item you would like to review and you don’t see it here, check the archives! ******************************************************* We need your help. Please Click Here to eMail us - to volunteer or come to our next meeting!