Blues Fest Saturday at Continental Country Club in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ.---Two nationally known blues performers and two Arizona bands will be among the seven bands at the Arizona Blues and Brews Festival June 20 at the Continental Country Club Driving Range in Flagstaff.

Joe Louis Walker and Shemekia Copeland are the national acts.

Walker was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2013. His 2014 album "Hornet's Nest" came out on Alligator Records, one of the top blues labels. Walker is known throughout the world for his rockin blues as he mixes rock and roll and blues on his wailing guitar. He has not only toured the U.S. and Canada, but has also played in Japan and Australia.

Copeland has also played around the world. Her resume includes playing at the White House and headlining the Chicago Blues Festival. She has been honored as the "Queen of the Blues" by the state of Illinois. She has shared the stage with BB King, Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton, and opened for The Rolling Stones. Her last CD, 33 1/3, came out on Telarc Records and was nominated for a Grammy for the Best Blues Album.

RD Olson's Blues Band calls themselves the "Real Deal" and it would be tough to argue with that as they emphasize professionalism and entertaining the audience. Olson has done stints with Luther Allison, Chico Chism and Buddy Reed. They play Chicago and contemporary blues. RD Olson's band won the Arizona Blues Showdown and competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

The Hoo Doo Casters is another Arizona based blues band that plays Delta, Chicago, Mississippi and boogie blues. Guitarists Mike Simpson and Mike Dodson head the band with bassist Maury "Hooter" Sasloff in the band's name. The Hoodoo Casters recently released their first CD, "The Devils in My Shadow."

The other groups performing include Austin Young with Michaela Roe and the Keeping the Blues Alive Band, Harlis Sweetwater Band and Terrance Simien and Zydeco Experience.

The lineup: 11 a.m.-Austin Young with Michaela Roe and the Keeping the Blues Alive Band; 12:05 p.m.-Hoo Doo Casters; 1:25 p.m.-RD Olson Band; 2:45 p.m. Harlis Sweetwater Band; 4:20 p.m.-Terrance Simien and Zydeco Experience; 5:55 p.m.-Shemekia Copeland; and 7:30 p.m.-Joe Louis Walker.

More information is available at (928) 606-5601.

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