It is difficult to believe that an entire year has passed since the last blues festival, even after the exceptionally cold winter and spring.  Many times, as I was shivering and cranking the heater in my apartment in April and May, I consoled myself by remembering that the blues festival was only a few weeks into the future.  Well, those weeks have passed, and the blues festival is little more than a week away.  An almost imperceptible warming trend gives me hope that I will not have to wear a down coat to the event this year, as I frequently had to do at summer festivals when I lived in Seattle. This year's festival, which runs from June 5-8, boasts a stellar lineup, which includes BB King, headlining Sunday's festival at the Petrillo Bandshell, and Johnny Winter, who is Thursday night's highlight.  I saw BB King almost twenty years ago, thinking that it might be the last time I would have the chance.  The highlight of the evening was his rendition of "The Thrill is Gone", which he prefaced with a long monologue about a deteriorating relationship.  "You know how it is at the beginning of a love affair" he said, creating a ripple of nods within the large, half-wasted crowd.  "She's so nice to you...you wake up in the morning, and she has breakfast waiting for you.  Pancakes and sausage, and you have just barely opened your eyes when she sticks a cup of coffee in your hand, and says "I love you, baby." The crowd murmured in approval of this romantic picture.  "But then...."  BB continued, shifting to a melancholic tone, "One day you wake up.  You realize that she hasn't made breakfast for you in a long, long time."  The crowd moaned.  "So you ask her--how about making me one of those nice breakfasts?  She turns to you and she just says, "Make it yourself!"  That's how you know...." and he launched immediately into the opening chords of "The Thrill is Gone." 

Twenty years later, BB is still kicking it, and you should go to see him, as he has gotten a bit older--but who knows, he could be around twenty years from now!  I am especially looking forward to seeing Johnny Winter, whose supernaturally pale visage has stared at me from rock and roll magazines for many years. I first saw him in a copy of "Cream" magazine at the local drugstore in downstate Illinois when I was twelve.  Many years later (the exact number escapes me) he remains arguably one of the best practitioners of the blues/rock genre.  Don't miss him, since he doesn't play many concerts.

Did I mention that the Chicago blues festival is the largest FREE blues festival in the world? There's no excuse for you not to go--the CTA stops only four blocks away, so driving and parking is not necessary.  Other acts include James Cotton, who will appear with Johnny Winter on Thursday night, Chicago favorite Koko Taylor on Friday, and New Orleans accordionist Buckwheat Zydeco on Saturday.  Those are just the mainstage acts; there are several smaller stages, as well, which feature superb acts that are not as well known. As always, the event will be held at Chicago's amazing Grant Park, from 11 AM-9:30 PM, Thursday June 5th-Sunday, June 8th.  See you there! For more detailed information, go to the festival's website:  http://www.chicagobluesfestival.org