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Blues Fest Fundraising Push
Sonny Boy Blues Society Executive Director Wayne Andrews said the nonprofit group is about halfway to its fundraising goal of $250,000 but needs more support from residents and state-affiliated groups.
The event was known as the King Biscuit Blues Festival for 19 years but was renamed last year after New York-based King Biscuit Entertainment Group demanded $20,000 for the continued use of the King Biscuit name.
The move prompted Sonny Boy officials to post an online petition in hopes of regaining the use of its previous moniker.
Festival organizers say they have received a $20,000 pledge from Isle of Capri Casino in Mississippi, a pledge for matching funds from TextPayMe in Washington state, and donations from local businesses.
Tab Benoit, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Pinetop Perkins, and Mississippi Heat are just a few of the acts on the bill for the October 5-7 fest, which is free to the public.