"Madison Blues" was active from 1994 to 2000, sponsoring Blues shows, Blues in the Schools artists, library purchases, socials, fish fries and yearly Blues Calendars before the organization's activities dropped off. In Spring of 2003, "Madison Blues" underwent reorganization and became very active again as the Madison Blues Society.
The Madison Blues Society (MBS) is dedicated to increasing awareness, understanding and appreciation of Blues music in America's musical heritage. MBS works to expand the presence and vitality of the Blues in the Madison area through promotional events, educational programs, and strengthening links between the community and local musicians.
4th Annual Blues Picnic - 2006
MBS's 1st Annual Blues Picnic was held on June 22, 2003,
in Warner Park, with 9 hours of free Blues music. A crowd of 500-700 enjoyed the
gorgeous setting, Blues music and food on their picnic blankets and lawn chairs. Since
then, our Annual Blues Picnic has grown to an attendance
of several thousand people. Great Blues music, family & friends, a great selection
of food, dancing, beer, prize and 50/50 cash raffles and Blues-related merchandise
have kept this event a very successful community gathering.
Outreach Blues education programs like the "Blues Kids", a harmonica group with Joe Nosek of the Cash Box Kings, have been staples of our picnic. Joe teaches area kids Blues songs and harmonica at a Madison neighborhood center and then brings the "Blues Kids" to perform at the Blues Picnic. Food drives for local pantries have been incorporated, too and picnic sales have benefited local community organizations.
- "BLUES KIDS"
- In cooperation with the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, MBS sponsors a "Blues Kids" harmonica education program with Joe Nosek and Oscar Wilson of the Cash Box Kings.
- The East Madison Community Center (EMCC), host to the "Blues Kids" training and practice sessions, has significantly expanded the program, adding drums and vocal training to the harmonica sessions.
- The MAMA'S (Madison Area Music Awards), as part of their program to help music education for Madison's kids, provides support for the "Blues Kids" programming. With the funding help from the MAMA'S, the "Blues Kids" performed at the National Night Out Event at Penn Park, attended by most of the highest-level African-American community leaders. This kind of outreach makes a big difference in the recognition of Blues in our community.
- The "Blues Kids" annual performance at our Blues Picnic has grown to a large group up on stage playing with the Cash Box Kings. Family and friends in the Blues Picnic audience make the experience a major highlight of the event.
- Working with the "Hands Across South Madison" grant program of the Town of Madison and the South Metropolitan Planning Council, MBS also sponsored a "South Madison Blues Kids" program in 2008 where the kids performed at a neighborhood senior center and then at a community concert at Penn Park.
- MBS coordinated an April 2004 Blues in the Schools (BITS) program with Reverend Charlie Edmonds at Gompers Elementary School, spreading the history & sounds of the Blues.
- MBS makes regular donations to the MAMA'S (Madison Area Music Awards) to get instruments into the hands of schoolchildren.
MBS has sponsored and promoted many local Blues bands by arranging performances at numerous community events. This exposure really makes a difference for up and coming bands as more and more folks get to know them. MBS is privileged to have so many fine musicians in our area to choose from. Be sure to check out our Bands Page to see what our area has to offer.
MBS is pleased to have offered our help to get Blues Bands playing at these great community events. Working with the organizers of these events makes connections that lead to more and more exposure for Blues music and our local musicians.
- Willy Street Fair - a Madison tradition drawing thousands to the Williamson Street area
- Orton Park Festival - food drink and fun at Madison's beautiful Orton Park
- WORT Block Party - the local community comes out the party in the two blocks around the radio station
MBS co-sponsors Blues performances and education programs at the The Wisconsin Historical Museum at 30 N. Carroll Street on Madison's Capitol Square. These great programs that run on Friday nights during September and October, expose people to local musicians and how the history of the Blues culminates in the music of today. As musicians explain their our personal Blues history, the music really comes alive in the minds and hearts of the audience.
MBS is dedicated to bringing new Blues sounds to the Madison area for community fundraisers.
- In January, 2006, MBS sponsored a show at the Harmony Bar with Hal Reed and the Mob and were able to send $1,900 to Tipitina Foundation for Hurricane Katrina relief.
- By bringing in Deb Seitz & The Swank Daddys in January 2007 for the "Wild Women Never Get the Blues" event, MBS was able to send more than $1,200.00 to Family Enhancement.
On April 15, 2007, MBS held the 1st Wisconsin Blues Challenge. The winning Blues band, Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players, was awarded a commendation from Governor Doyle and went to Memphis at the end of January, 2008 to represent Wisconsin in the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge.
This annual contest has gotten careers rolling for many Blues musicians over the years. Past participants include Eden Brent, Michael Burks, Sean Carney, Tommy Castro, the late Sean Costello, Albert Cummings, Diunna Greenleaf, Zac Harmon, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Jason Ricci, Matthew Skoller, Super Chikan, Susan Tedeschi, Watermelon Slim and many more. Madison's initiating this event to Wisconsin has led to more Blues Challenges and more and more Wisconsin Blues musicians are getting well deserved exposure.
Every year, MBS donates funds to the Madison Public Library for purchase of Blues-related materials. Examples include the "2003 Year of the Blues" DVD & CD series, "The Blues Project " DVD & VHS film, "The Blues" DVD box set, "A Musical Journey" (a 5 CD Deluxe box set), "Best of the Blues" (a 21 single CD Compilation) and the "Wattstax" concert documentary film and CD as well as many other films, books, magazines and Blues recordings.
Working with library staff, MBS has been able to identify places in the library materials where additions are needed. Blues magazines in the periodicals sections of many local libraries catch the eye of the patrons and paging through them plants a seed of interest. Following up by checking out and listening to the music as well as reading books and watching DVD's exposes many Madison area folks to our great American musical traditions.
Luther's son Bernard at the dedication
The Blues community lost Luther Allison in 1997. On August 14, 2004, MBS helped sponsor the Luther Allison Madison Memorial Dedication. The memorial is composed of 5 park benches and a plaque in Brittingham Park, one of Luther's favorite fishing spots. Located in the S. Park Street corner of the park, the Memorial was erected to honor Luther & his connection to the Madison area community and music scene. A very special guest at the dedication was Bernard Allison, Luther's son.
Luther's Memorial would not have been possible without the initial 1998 efforts of a dedicated group of family and friends, the Luther Allison Madison Memorial Project Committee including Vera Crowell, David Day, Tom Earley, Laura Gallagher, Pat Gallagher, Dave Leucinger, Andy Linderman, Mark Munz, Marc Pesselman, Chuck Prindeville, John Roussos, Tom Sobel, Steve Sperling and Rocky Brown. We are forever grateful for their initiation of this project.
Luther always gave it his all, both on and off stage. The Madison Blues Society is pleased that we could help bring about the completion of this Memorial, to honor the man and his music.
"Leave Your Ego. Play the Music. Love the People."
- Luther Allison