Grammy nominees Bettye LaVette, Larry McCray, Cha Wa, and more to bring the heat to Mill Hill Park
Macon has the soul and the southern rock—and now it officially has the blues.
The inaugural All Blues Music & Arts Revival is slated to rock Mill Hill Park in Macon on Saturday, October 21st with a stacked day of music, arts and crafts, food trucks, and more fun than Central Georgia may know what to do with on a crisp fall day.
Presented by the All Blues Cultural Preservation Society, the Macon-Bibb County Bicentennial Committee, and Visit Macon, the revival will shine a spotlight on the historic genre and diverse scene with an enviable lineup of global greats and up-and-coming ambassadors.
Grammy-nominated soul singer Bettye LaVette will headline the main event, along with Arkansas blues revivalist Larry McCray. LaVette’s recently released eponymous album has made quite a splash in this season of her career for the veteran performer, who just last month took home a prestigious Legacy of Americana Award at the 2023 Americana Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee.
On the record, LaVette puts a fresh, soulful, and saucy spin on some of legendary Georgia rocker Randall Bramblett’s greatest work, which he revealed made him “thrilled and honored.”
Famous friends like Steve Winwood, John Mayer, John Batiste, and Larry Campbell also appear several on the cuts, which Central Georgians can hope to hear live in person when she takes the stage.
Legendary bluesman Larry McCray heads to Macon with his recent album Blues Without You, his first release in seven years. Produced by globally renowned guitarist Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, McCray’s new release aims to cement his status as a formidable figure in modern-day blues and more than accomplishes its mission. Though he’s an Arkansas man, McCray’s ties to Macon cut deep as he’s spent his share of time on stage with The Allman Brothers and Dickey Betts solo, in addition to standing in solidarity with the late great B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Keb Mo, Joe Walsh, Levon Helm, and so many more.
It will be a day of great musical discovery and representation as well. The festivities will kick off in energetic style with Grammy-nominated New Orleans brass-band-meets-Mardi Gras Indian outfit Cha Wa. Other artists performing include: Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Duo Sonik, led by Hart, described as the Cosmic American love child of Howlin’ Wolf and Link Wray; Brotha Ric Patton, the Alabama singer, songwriter and harmonica player; Mississippi Hill Country blues artists R.L. Boyce with Lightnin’ Malcolm; traditional Mississippi blues artist Little Willie Farmer; and Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo, featuring country blues music and Piedmont-style fingerpicking ambassadors Valerie and Benedict Turner.
Best of all, the event is free and open to blues and music enthusiasts of all ages. Gates open at noon with the music starting at 1 PM and running into 11 PM.