Music All Day The Fourth Annual Ritzville Blues Festival Will Rock The Town Saturday

Thu., July 10, 1997

By Winda Benedetti windab@spokesman.com

With blues to pierce the soul and soul to shake a body’s foundation, the Ritzville Blues Festival will kick off its fourth installment Saturday.

Otis Clay headlines the day-long bash with his soul music steeped in Chicago and Mississippi roots.

Raised on gospel music, Clay has fronted several gospel groups, including the Sensational Nightingales.

With muscularly yearning vocals, he is known for songs such as “That’s How it Is,” “Got to Find A Way” and “Trying to Live My Life Without You” (later remade by Bob Seger, who took the song to the top of the pop charts).

Northwest-favorite Curtis Salgado precedes Clay’s performance at the festival.

Salgado, the inspiration for John Belushi’s creation of the Blues Brothers, whips together rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, funk and soul into a treat revered by many.

With crooning and growling vocals and torrid harmonica work, Salgado calls his style “Sly Stone meets Muddy Waters.” He has performed with the Robert Cray Band and Roomful of Blues.

The Ritzville Blues Fest runs from noon to midnight. At 1 p.m., Charlie Butts and the Filter Tips kick off the first performance on the outdoor stage, located on North Washington street near the Post Office.

Shows will then alternate from the outdoor stage to performances inside at the Circle T, Brunswick Tavern, Pastime Sports Center, Whisperin’ Palms and Eagles.

The lineup also includes Archie Johnson, Nothin’ Personal, The Moonlighters, King Biscuit Blues Band, The Used Blues Band, Paul Brasch, Laffin Bones Blues Band, Don Millard and others.

Outdoor performances are as follows:

1 p.m.: Charlie Butts and the Filter Tips

3 p.m.: Big Daddy and the Blue Notes

5 p.m.: Ellen Whyte and Reflex Blue

7 p.m.: Curtis Salgado

9 p.m.: Otis Clay

Ritzville is located about an hour drive west of Spokane, at the intersection of Interstate 90 and state Highway 395.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TICKETS Performances will run from noon to midnight Saturday at various sites. Tickets are $20, available at the gate, the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce, (509) 659-1936; G&B Select-a-Seat, (800) 325-SEAT; Sports Cards and Blues Headquarters, Airway Heights, (800) 355-3812.

This sidebar appeared with the story: TICKETS Performances will run from noon to midnight Saturday at various sites. Tickets are $20, available at the gate, the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce, (509) 659-1936; G&B; Select-a-Seat, (800) 325-SEAT; Sports Cards and Blues Headquarters, Airway Heights, (800) 355-3812.