Thousands expected at blues festival

By Dave Clark

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 | midnight

The third annual Rockin' Blues Music Festival, showcasing 10 acts spanning a breadth of musical genres, is expected to draw roughly 5,000 people to the Henderson Pavilion concert on Saturday.

"There's a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy," Henderson Cultural Arts and Tourism specialist Nicole Johnson said.

Gates open at noon, with the event lasting from 1 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $10, and the venue will also house vendor and food booths.

Highlights of the show include the night's headliners — the Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party, featuring the official tribute to Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper. A 1959 plane crash killed the early rock 'n' roll stars.

Buddy Holly is played by John Mueller, who Johnson said has starred in London and Broadway musicals. The Valens tribute is led by Ray Anthony, formerly a performer at the Legends show at Imperial Palace. The Big Bopper is played by Jay P. Richardson — son of the famed artist.

Other artists include Yellow Brick Road, a local band known for its tributes to classic rock groups such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Aerosmith, Johnson said. The stage will additionally be shared by up-and-coming country music artist Jessica Andrews and blues artist Michael Burks, a performer for more than 30 years who has garnered numerous accolades.

"He's definitely made a mark in the blues world," Johnson said.

Johnson said the city made a concerted effort to expand the range of performers. "This year, we're all over the board," she said.

Other changes include shifting the event from the Henderson Events Plaza to the Henderson Pavilion. "We wanted to heighten the use of the Henderson Pavilion during this time frame," Johnson said.

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].