The Mississippi Valley Blues Society

09/01/2026

2026 Blues Fest Artist Profile — Few artists in modern blues command the stage like Shemekia Copeland . The Grammy-nominated singer has built a career on powerful vocals, fearless songwriting, and performances that honor the blues while pushing the genre forward. From her debut album Turn the Heat Up! to her most recent releases, Copeland has become one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary American roots music.

Along the way, Copeland has earned multiple Blues Music Awards, a Living Blues Critics' Award, and widespread acclaim for albums including Done Come Too Far and Blame It On Eve. Whether delivering a slow-burning blues ballad or an electrifying anthem, she brings passion, conviction and unmistakable stage presence to every performance.

In just a couple of weeks, Blues Fest returns to LeClaire Park. If you haven't secured your tickets yet, now is the time. We'll see you when Shemekia Copeland closes the Main Stage from 8–9:30 PM, just before the Tent Jam keeps the music going late into the evening.

Join us September 18–19, 2026, at LeClaire Park in Davenport, IA, on the banks of the Mississippi River, for two days of incredible music, great food, and unforgettable vibes.

Get tickets at the website: https://www.mvbs.org/blues-fest

08/29/2026

RICK ESTRIN AND THE NIGHTCATS!!!!! We hope everyone is ready for Sunday Funday tomorrow, August 30th, atGypsyHighway. Show starts at 3:30. Bring a lawn chair just in case there are no seats left. Weather permitting show could be outside. Ladies and gentlemen……This is the band of the year, song of the year and drummer of the year amongst many other awards and accolades. The Mississippi Valley Blues Society is thrilled to be able to present RICK ESTRIN AND THE NIGHTCATS!!!!!

08/25/2026

2026 Blues Fest Artist Profile — With a powerful voice and a sound rooted in blues and soul, John Németh has spent more than two decades building one of the most acclaimed careers in contemporary blues. His journey took him from Idaho to San Francisco and eventually Memphis, developing a style that blends harmonica-driven blues, soul, funk and R&B.

Along the way, Németh has earned 20 Blues Music Award nominations, including wins for Soul Blues Male Artist and Soul Blues Album for Memphis Grease. He also contributed four vocal tracks to Elvin Bishop’s Grammy-nominated The Blues Rolls On and most recently celebrated 20 years as a recording artist with the live album Live From the Fallout Shelter.

Blues Fest is just a few short weeks away, and Friday night is going to be one to remember. Catch John Németh headlining the Main Stage from 9–10:30 PM and closing out a full evening of blues along the Mississippi.

Join us September 18–19, 2026, at LeClaire Park in Davenport, IA, on the banks of the Mississippi River, for two days of incredible music, great food, and unforgettable vibes.

Get tickets at the website: https://www.mvbs.org/blues-fest

New this year: attendees 25 and under get in FREE! Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and ages 18–25 must show a valid photo ID at the gate.

08/25/2026

Help us make this year's Blues Fest at LeClaire Park on September 18–19 a success! Volunteers receive free admission, a keepsake T-shirt, and the chance to help support the Blues in our community.

👉 Choose your station and shifts here: https://www.mvbs.org/volunteer/

08/23/2026

Yes Rick you heard right. People are already camped out waiting for your show next Sunday, August 30th at GypsyHighway. Well, not really, but The Mississippi Valley Blues Society is excited to have The Nightcats in Davenport Iowa. Come early to grab your space for this multi award winning band from 3:30-6:30. If it is not too hot or raining this show will be outside. Bring your lawn chairs anyhow to ensure you have a seat. Rick Estrin and The Nightcats Central Iowa Blues Society South Skunk Blues Southeast Iowa Blues Society Common Chord Linn County Blues Society @

08/21/2026

2026 Blues Fest Artist Profile — Big Bill Morganfield was born into one of the most important legacies in blues history as the son of the legendary Muddy Waters—but he has spent his career forging a musical identity all his own. A singer, songwriter and guitarist, Morganfield carries the traditions of Chicago blues forward while adding his own voice to the music.

His 1999 debut album, Rising Son, reached #1 on the Living Blues chart and earned him the W.C. Handy Award for Best New Artist. Across the albums that followed, Morganfield continued developing his distinctive baritone voice, slide guitar and songwriting while honoring the blues tradition that shaped him.

We’re now less than a month away from Blues Fest, and Saturday night is shaping up to be something special. Catch Big Bill Morganfield on the Main Stage from 6–7:30 PM, leading directly into Saturday night headliner Shemekia Copeland.

Join us September 18–19, 2026, at LeClaire Park in Davenport, IA, on the banks of the Mississippi River, for two days of incredible music, great food, and unforgettable vibes.

Get tickets at the website: https://www.mvbs.org/blues-fest

08/18/2026

2025 Blues Fest Artist Profile — Memphis Rhythm Revue brings together three blues singer-songwriters from the heart of Memphis: Wyly Bigger, Jad Tariq and Benton Parker. Each developed a solo career on the Memphis music scene before connecting around 2021 and becoming regular members of one another’s backing bands.

Now they’ve turned that musical partnership into Memphis Rhythm Revue, combining their shared influences and original music into a sound built around rhythm & blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll. Bigger, Tariq and Parker bring their individual talents together for a collaborative celebration of the sounds that made Memphis famous.

We’re officially one month away from Blues Fest! Catch Memphis Rhythm Revue Saturday afternoon on the Main Stage from 4–5:30 PM as the day builds toward Big Bill Morganfield and Shemekia Copeland.

Join us September 18–19, 2026, at LeClaire Park in Davenport, IA, on the banks of the Mississippi River, for two days of incredible music, great food, and unforgettable vibes.

Get tickets at the website: https://www.mvbs.org/blues-fest

08/16/2026

Blues Fest 2026 — Sept 18 & 19 at LeClaire Park in Davenport.

Shemekia Copeland and John Nemeth headline. Advance tickets beat the gate: Fri $20, Sat $30, Two-Day $45.

New this year: 25 and under get in FREE (17 and under with an adult; 18–25 bring a photo ID). Saturday also has free BlueSkool youth clinics with West Music, plus an acoustic jam. Bring your instruments.

Tickets and Full Details: https://www.mvbs.org/blues-fest/

New this year: attendees 25 and under get in FREE! Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and ages 18–25 must show a valid photo ID at the gate.

08/14/2026

2026 Blues Fest Artist Profile — Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Reverend Raven has been playing the blues since 1971, when seeing Freddie King perform at the Kinetic Theatre set him on his path. After serving in the Navy, he moved to Milwaukee and began a longtime friendship and musical collaboration with Madison Slim, harmonica player for Jimmy Rogers.

Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys play traditional blues rooted in the Chicago sound, pairing Raven’s guitar and vocals with the harmonica of Westside Andy. Over the years, Raven has opened for artists including B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Magic Slim and Elvin Bishop, while becoming a longtime fixture at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago.

The weeks are starting to move quickly toward Blues Fest. Catch Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys Featuring Westside Andy Friday night on the Main Stage from 7–8:30 PM, setting the stage for headliner John Németh.

Join us September 18–19, 2026, at LeClaire Park in Davenport, IA, on the banks of the Mississippi River, for two days of incredible music, great food, and unforgettable vibes.

Get tickets at the website: https://www.mvbs.org/blues-fest

08/14/2026

MVBS.org and Steve and Michelle Brundies present Mondo Cortez and the Chicago Blues Angels live at Kaiserslautern Square Park for the Alternating Currents fest this Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 2:30-3:30pm. Since he formed his band in 1999, Chicago guitarist, singer, and bandleader Mondo Cortez has always surrounded himself with great players and stuffed his sets with great House Rockin’ Blues. For example - just listen to phenom Bri Backman on drums in his current line-up! Her influence is a big part of his new record, “Call On Me”, and is mesmerizing on the kit at their live shows~! Bri is the real deal. Mondo Cortez & The Chicago Blues Angels regularly fill dance floors at club dates across the Midwest and have been featured at festivals across the US / Europe.

No tickets are required for official Alternating Currents programming. Most events operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating capacity and availability may vary by venue.

See you at Kaiserslautern Square Park this Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 2:30-3:30pm for some great LIVE BLUES!