Success in Wilmington

The Cape Fear Blues Festival went off this weekend without a hitch. I guess my Woodstock '69 no rain dance really worked. We did have a deluge on Friday night but it was after the Blues Cruise, and everybody had moved off to the inside venues safe from mother nature.

We decided on The Rusty Nail because a friend from Greensboro co-owns the place and we needed to renew old friendships with someone we haven't seen in awhile.

The Polar Bear Blues Band was playing, the suds were flowing, and we enjoyed the companionship and energy of blues lovers from all over North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina. Even a couple that had drove in from Texas because a friend of their's was playing in the festival.


The pic at left is one Jr took from the deck of the Battleship North Carolina. It was early and several members of our party decided to tour the battleship before things started cranking up.

The park where the festival is held is located next to the battleship. Can't ask for a more serene setting to hold an event.

The dock in the pic is one where you could take a $3 boat ride on the Cape Fear River.








An early shower on Saturday kept some of the crowd indoors. When the sun came out the place got slammed. The tent was full and about 50% of the grass area was covered.

Food and beverages were available as well as artwork from a local artist.

Jr said the Hawaiian food was the best though all I saw him eat was hamburgers and french fries.










The concert featured the Dynamic Therm-O-Tones, Charlie & Rose Lucas, The Cape Fear Blues All-Stars, Tad Walters, Elliot & The Untouchables, Lil Ronnie and The Grand Dukes, and Jimmy Thackery and The Drivers.

Elliot & The Untouchables put on one hell of a show. They are a band out of Columbia SC and play at the Double Door in Charlotte quite often. If you haven't seen them and like the blues, this is a must see concert.

Then there's Jimmy Thackery (pic left) and The Drivers. A former guitar player for The Nighthawks, Thackery is just an awesome, awesome show.

It's been said about Thackery that he is a four hour show.

Not that he plays four hours, but that is how far one should drive to see him.

And I'm here to tell you---------he doesn't disappoint.

Now we'll gear up for the Bull Durham Blues Festival coming in September. Maybe see you there!!