18th Annual Big Muddy Blues Festival 2013 Headliners Announced

By Emily Kochan | Published April 17, 2013

Big Muddy Blues Festival is back for another year of rockin’ Blues performances! Featuring three outdoor stages and 30 bands, the Labor Day weekend festival (Sat-Sun, Aug. 31-Sept. 1) showcases the genre’s rich history while celebrating St. Louis’ place in American music.

Once again, the BMBF main stage at 700 N. First Street will host a talented and diverse collection of local acts, national headliners and a Grammy winner from the world of Blues, Rock, Soul, Rockabilly and Country.

Headliners this year include the Texas Trio, THE REVEREND HORTON HEAT. They electrify audiences worldwide with their incredible stage presence and contagious energy. Their sound is a mix of Surf, Country, Big Band, Punk, Swing and Rockabilly with humorous lyrics. The Reverend Horton Heat will take to the BMBF main stage on Saturday, August 31st at 9:00 pm. Opening for The Rev. with a 7:00 pm show is Billboard Magazine’s #1 Blues Artist, Canadian (now a St. Louis resident) Blues guitarist, ANTHONY GOMES.

On Sunday, September 1st the great Blues guitarist, WALTER TROUT will perform at 7:00 pm. A former member of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Trout holds the sixth spot on BBC Radio One’s list of the Top 20 guitarists of all time. On June 11th, Trout will release, Luther’s Blues, a tribute to the late, great Luther Allison. Trout will serve as the lead-in for Grammy winner, DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS who will close out the BMBF main stage with a 9:00 pm show. Clayton-Thomas, most notably known for being the former front-man of Blood, Sweat and Tears will release his first full-length Blues album, A Blues For The New World on May 7th. With a 10-piece band, he will perform his own blend of Rhythm and Blues, Reggae, Big Band, Jazz and Be-Bop, all with a funky undercurrent of down-home Blues (as well as some BS&T classics). In 2013, Clayton-Thomas will perform only five concerts in North America before his European tour.

In an addition, some of the local favorites scheduled include, Billy Peek, Jeremiah Johnson Band & The Sliders, Marquise Knox, Soulard Blues Band, Miss Jubilee & the Humdingers, Bible Belt Sinners, Big Mike Aguirre & the Blues Allstars, Funky Dragons and Inner City Blues Band.

Attendees can also receive festival updates via Twitter by following @BigMuddyBlues, find us on Facebook and sign up for our mailing list above. Satellite stages are again free to the public. Main stage limited VIP tickets are $45/day, with general admission lawn seating available for $13/day. Tickets will be available for purchase starting mid-May, along with a full listing of the line-up.