Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival

You may have noticed the little banner ad on our site featuring the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival taking place in Chicago in late November. Wait a second. A music festival in winter? In Chicago? Yes and yes, but the format will be a bit different than most festivals. It’s taking place indoors at the Congress Theater, an official Chicago landmark.  There will be two stages, 16 bands, all for just $31 and in support of The Saving Tiny Hearts Society (that means tax deduction for you).

“Newgrass” legend and longtime Jerry Garcia collaborator David Grisman and his David Grisman Quintet will be sharing the headlining duties with surging festival sensations The Avett Brothers. The main stage will also feature several artists from both Alligator Records and Bloodshot Records in a lineup that includes Ha Ha Tonka, Chicago Blues giant Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Chicago alt-country mainstays Dollar Store and Majors Junction, and country’s Next Big Star Competition winner Billy Childers. The entire HearYa crew will also be there, but we weren’t invited to perform on the main stage or second stage. Apparently chugging beers and high-fiving isn’t good enough for the festival organizers.

Tickets are available now and we’ll be posting some tidbits and free giveaways (including tickets) in the days and weeks to come. Here are some mp3’s for sampling pleasure.

CBGB Festival Website

The Avett Brothers - Murder In The City

The Avett Brothers - Will You Return?

The Avett Brothers - If It’s The Beaches

The Avett Brothers - Matrimony

The Avett Brothers - Swept Away

Jerry Garcia and David Grisman - Sitting Here In Limbo

Jerry Garcia and David Grisman - Sweet Sunny South

Ha Ha Tonka - Caney Mountain

Ha Ha Tonka - St. Nick On The Fourth In a Fervor

Dollar Store - Money Music

Dollar Store - Scrap Truck

About the Saving Tiny Hearts Society:

The Saving tiny Hearts Society is the only organization in the country that was formed for the sole purpose of raising funds for congenital heart defect research with 100% of general donations going directly to funding this research. There are no paid employees and we are run entirely by dedicated volunteers. Furthermore, the organization’s overhead costs are fully funded by our Board of Directors and directed donations.