2012 Back to the Blues Lineup!

So far we have ing following artists booked for our 2012 Back to the Blues Festival:

Mr. Phil Keaggy
We have been working for the past 4 years to make our schedules work for bringing Phil Keaggy to the Vancouver area and our persistance has paid off. Phil Keaggy is perhaps one of the most admired guitarists in music today. His fans range from those who aspire just to be able to play Keaggy's mistakes, to professional musicians who have been strongly influenced by his style. And in between are those who don't play guitar, yet find solace in his beautifully penned lyrics and memorable melodies.

Phil Keaggy Website

Glenn Kaiser Band
Glenn , Ed and Roy fill the stage like no other 3 pc band around. Any fan of the Glenn Kaiser Band knows that this band needs to be experienced live to fully appreciate their energy, spontaneity and improvisational style. Led by Glenn Kaiser, GKB delivers a raw but powerful dose of inspired blues rock and classic blues music, fueled by Kaiser's white-hot riffing guitar and soulful, bluesy vocals backed up by the rock-solid rhythm section of Ed Bialach on drums and Kaiser's former Resurrection Band mate Roy Montroy on bass.

Glenn Kaiser Band Website

New World Son
Coming back to B2B this year is New World Son! This Canadian Soul/Roots/Blues band is currently riding a wave that just won’t stop… Storming the Gospel Music scene in 2007, the boyz have picked several awards along the way including 3 JUNO Award Nominations! Attracting crowds young and well… ‘mature’, these four guys have a sound like no one we’ve ever had at B2B. Check out their web site for more info and sound samples… You will want to come out and see these guys Live!!!!

 New World Son Website

High Valley
And for the first time to B2B this year is High Valley! This Canadian New Country band is currently the opening act for Country giant: Paul Brand on his"Now Tour". The Canadian-born siblings grew up in Alberta on a farm in the rural community of La Crete. The trio has also opened shows for Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes and Reba McEntire, earning a solid reputation as a must-see live act. High Valley's last album, "Broken Borders," was named Album of the Year at the 2007 GMA Canada Covenant Awards in the country category while their hit "Back to You" was honored as Country Song of the Year.

 High Valley Website

More to come... stay tuned!!! Plan to come and join us on August 3, 4 and 5... the first weekend in August! Tell your friends... plenty of camping available also!

Read on to see who played last year...

2011 Back to the Blues Lineup.

Danny Brooks
Returning once again to the Back to the blues stage we are pleased to introduce Danny Brooks from the Toronto area. Christian Week magazine says this: Brooks has found a style that permits him to perform gospel on the secular blues circuit—so he's equally at home performing in a church as he is in a blues bar; ironically, there may be more uncomfortable folk in the church setting, as he lays the gospel down. Imagine what his tavern audience might be thinking as Brooks sings. “He's going to rock down every stronghold. Rock down every chain. Take whatever's wrong and make it right... He's in the soul shakin business and that's why we're here tonight!” It's true that most early street corner blues singers included gospel in their repertoire like them. Brooks has earned the right to sing about the grace of God, because he's the real deal.” -D.S. Martin/Music Critic

Danny Brooks Website

Darrell Mansfield
Darrell Mansfield's blues style of Christian praise and worship is considered by many to be a great blessing to Christians the world over. Darrell's ministry of harmonica and vocals has been bringing glory to Jesus Christ for almost 3 decades and just keeps getting better with time. His performances are more powerful now than at any other time in his music ministry, as his purpose is now settled. Darrell Mansfield longs to give something back to a world that reflects the neediness and hunger that drove him to the "Bread of Life."

Darrell Mansfield Website

New World Son
New to B2B this year is New World Son! This Canadian Soul/Roots/Blues band is currently riding a wave that just won’t stop… Storming the Gospel Music scene in 2007, the boyz have picked several awards along the way including 3 JUNO Award Nominations! Attracting crowds young and well… ‘mature’, these four guys have a sound like no one we’ve ever had at B2B. Check out their web site for more info and sound samples… You will want to come out and see these guys Live!!!!

 New World Son Website

John Lee Sanders ***UPDATE*** (Mr. Sanders has recently had surgury and will not be playing is own set this year at B2B. However, we hope to see him join Danny Brooks on the Keyboard for a few tunes. Get Better John!!!!)
One of the Hottest Bluesmen on the Scene” Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Fest. This 2008 Western Canada Music Award nominee does it all…. A Singer, Songwriter and triple threat on piano, saxophone and guitar, he is gaining a following in concerts throughout North America and Europe. His songs have nominations for a WC Handy blues song of the year, a 2007 Emmy award, and appear on Grammy nominated recordings of major artists.

John Lee Sanders Website

Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Kenny Wayne...As one writer put it: ““When a piano player’s got the three most important things — the playing, the voice, and the look – he becomes the whole package. An artist you just have to see and hear.” Now with a brand new album, An Old Rock, he’s on the road again. He’s been a traveling musician almost all his life, playing in show bands and cover bands in his youth, seeing the world from Texas to Hawaii and from Peoria to Paris.
Rediscovering his own blues roots long ago sent his career into overdrive, thanks to his fresh approach to old music, the drive and roaring good-time attitude of his live performances, and his smartly original self-penned songs.

 Kenny Wayne's Website

Darrell Lahay and The Chopped Liver Band
Darrell Lahay is a local pastor and musician who loves to bring the heartbeat of the gospel to broken people everywhere. Him and his band of powerhouse musicians will endeavor to make guitars scream and yell to bring glory to the Lord. You can count on a set list filled with everything from original roots gospel music, to re-worked covers of some of the classics!
Make a joyful noise!

The Chop Liver Band Website

Dalannah Gail Bowen
Dalannah Gail Bowen continues to create music that speaks to her audiences. Her recent comeback after a three-year hiatus has found her at the top of her game. Dalannah’s recent release, ‘Mamma’s Got the Blues’ described by the Georgia Straight as ‘timeless and contemporary’ is receiving positive reviews and international airplay.
With her top-notch band, ‘Straight Up’, Dalannah gives a new edge to some blues standards such as ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’ and ‘Early In The Morning’. Original songs such as the title track bring a modern touch to the blues we all love so much.
Dalannah’s live performances are known for their powerful delivery and energetic stage presence taking an old-school approach. Dalannah believes that performances should be entertaining and performs by that code..

The Dalannah Gail Bowen Band Website

Thomas McClary: guitarist for Lionel Ritchie and The Commodores
Once his goal was to rock the hearts of fans around the world with Motown and now his powerful new melodies and lyrics were written to win the souls and hearts to God with his recent CD entitled, “A Revolution Not A Revival”' which he co-wrote. Thomas navigates us on a journey blending Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae and Rock with inspirational messages that will appeal to all ethnic groups from ages eight to eighty. Thomas currently resides in Orlando, Florida. From 2000 to January, 2007, he served as Director of Music in his local church of 6,000 members. With the support of his wife Beryl, and seven children, he spreads the message of love in hopes of reaching those who need it most.

Thomas McClary Website

Four in the Fire
are a sizzling new blues/rock band formed by Rob Taylor with an apocalyptic vision of the spiritual battles being waged for human souls. The sound of Four in the Fire is intense, convicting, and exciting - every song is approached as if it were the last one they ever played. Turn it up 7 times hotter!

Ord-Strauss Blues Revue
Singer songwriter Graham Ord has garnered respect internationally as a fine musician and engaging communicator. His live performances are always passionate and compelling leaving audiences wanting more.Graham has released seven solo CD’s to date together with several collaborative projects which have attracted accolades from around the world. He has also written and produced music for several other successful artists and has composed scores for short film and narratives. His production work with Cheryl Bear has won seven major awards to date including 'Single of the year' at the Aboriginal People's choice awards in Winnipeg.

His instrumental collaboration entitled 'CHILL' was nominated for a Shai award (Canada’s peoples choice music awards) for instrumental CD of the year. Graham now works as a full time musician and recording artist based out of Kelowna B.C. Canada.

Graham Ord Website

Marv Goble
Marv Goble presents "the Elvis Gospel Express". Elvis fans will recognize the great old rockin' tunes from the early Elvis era, but the message is totally "new and good news". Not an impersonation, no sequined jumpsuits, but instead a tribute to his rockabilly blues style with a Gospel message that even Elvis would enjoy!

Marv Goble Website

Dr.Bones
Dr. Bones Blues Project hails from Victoria and consists of John “doctor” Bones (blues harp, vocals), Gail Bones (vocals), Alan Bisson (guitar), Tony Reynolds (bass), and Jack Funk (drums). It plays a range of blues and gospel from contemplative to charismatic, all for the glory of God. The Project began three years ago, inspired by the B2GB Festival, and performs regularly at free dinners and breakfasts for downtown Victoria’s homeless and marginalized, as well as lower mainland prisons. Check them out their Website

 Dr. Bones Blues Project Website

Steve Delamar Band
Steve is lead vocalist and rhythm and lead guitar. His current ensemble includes local experienced drummer Darrell Richards, Gerry Dyck on bass, and master guitar instructor Jeff Bowman on various electric guitars. From time to time the youthful James Stobbe fills in on sax and Hammond B3 organ. Three quarters of the songs are originals by Steve and the others may be secular Rn'B covers as well as gospel blues standards. Some songs have a jazz influence and a black gospel feel but they are usually Blues and Rn'B based. Steve says “I may write the songs but it is a group effort to come up with arrangements. We play music for two reasons; one is to have fun and the other is to try and sow seeds in areas where very little gospel is heard.” His first CD is Steve Delamar and the Generation Gap which was recorded live in the former music room at the House of James several years ago. It included his daughter Gennifer on bass and several other peers on horns and organ. He reports that he is about ¾ finished recording a second CD that features the current lineup.

First Born Live
Featuring Lee and Rosemary, Joe and Wayne.

 First Born Live Blog

Aron Loewen and Vytal Sygns
Aron is a local Chilliwack/Yarrow boy, who has sang with his brothers in church ministry teams from a young age. VYTAL SYGNS is a four piece guitar driven band that deliver retro gospel in blues and rock genres. It's the old meets the old.... borrowed musical styles will help you remember old familiar hymns and choruses from before you were born through the seventies.... plus a few co-written original songs. Not too loud, not very quiet... but the message is clear and vital.. The band Members are Richard Wiebe on drums, Ken Klassen on electric guitar, Reuben Van Agteren on bass and Aron on rhythm guitar and vocal. Though the current band formation has been playing together for just over a year some of them have preformed together before; in the case of Rueben and Aaron they have played together for some 7 to 8 years. This band is a pleasant mix; be sure to catch them at the B2B Gospel Blues Festival and check when they are scheduled to play at the House of James.

Black Owl Blues Band
One gear only: high energy original blues. They are a self-proclaim underground blues band, but every once in awhile we surface and "Wow" blues fans . Gerald Charlie is the heriditary chief of Black Owl Blues Band.

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