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The Blues are Back

Photo Sharon Weisz

Davy Knowles and his band Back Door Slam are among the hot, up-and-coming blues acts at the 2009 BluesFest.

Here’s what you need to know about the 2009 Greater Ozarks Blues Festival... by the numbers.

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Parking lot hosting the festival—Bass Pro Shops.

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Days of BluesFest, September 11–12

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Stages of music, the Mainstage and the Galaxie Stage.

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Times we’ve cried thinking about Friday night headliner Tab Benoit’s dedication to the Louisiana wetlands. He’s one of the major voices for preservation and rehabilitation of the Louisiana Bayou. See tabbenoit.com for more.

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Beneficiaries of the event: Springfield Little Theatre, Springfield Symphony and Blues Society of the Ozarks.

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Places you can buy tickets, including Stick It In Your Ear, Kaleidoscope, Springfield Brewing Company, Springfield Little Theatre, Springfield Symphony and the gate.

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Age at which Saturday night headliner Ronnie Baker Brooks (at right) began playing live blues in Chicago.

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Total number of bands that will play between the two stages over the two-day festival: Nathan Keck & The Underground Blues Division, Kelley Hunt, Tab Benoit, The Cate Brothers, Reba Russell Band, Kenny Neal Band, Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Josh Garrett & the Bottom Line, Shae, Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue and Steve Smith and the Sneakers.

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Years the Greater Ozarks Blues Festival has been jamming in Springfield.

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The age of Davey Knowles (pictured), the leader of Davey Knowles and Back Door Slam, one of the hottest up-and-coming blues acts around and a major get for BluesFest. He plays at 7:15 p.m. Saturday at the Mainstage.

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Dollars for two-day admission in advance.

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Dollars for two-day admission at the gate ($20 Friday only and $30 Saturday only).

Full Schedule

Tickets:
Friday only—$20
Saturday only—$30
Both in advance—$35
Both at gate—$40

Tickets available at Stick It In Your Ear, Kaleidoscope, Springfield Brewing Company, Springfield Little Theatre, Springfield Symphony, or by calling 417-869-1334.

Friday, September 11 (Gates open 5 p.m.)

Galaxie Stage:
Josh Garrett & the Bottom Line, 5:30 p.m.
Shae, 7:10 p.m.
Josh Garrett & the Bottom Line, 9:15 p.m.

Mainstage:
Nathan Keck & The Underground Blues Division, 5:30 p.m.
Kelley Hunt, 6:30 p.m.
Tab Benoit, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 12 (Gates open at 12 p.m.)

Galaxie Stage:
Josh Garrett & the Bottom Line, Noon
Stewart Man & the Statesboro Revue, 2:30 p.m.
Steve Smith and the the Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.
Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue, 6:45 p.m.
Josh Garrett & the Bottom Line, 8:45 p.m.

Mainstage:
The Cate Brothers, 1 p.m.
Reba Russell Band, 3 p.m.
Kenny Neal Band, 5 p.m.
BSO Awards, 6:30 p.m.
Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam, 7:15 p.m.
Ronnie Baker Brooks, 9:30 p.m.