Davenport, Iowa - June 9, 2014 - The Ernie Peniston Band goes on stage in Davenport at the opening night of The Mississippi Valley Blues Fest on July 3 at 10:00 PM.  The group is back in the Quad-Cities for the second time this year, featuring acclaimed frontman Ernie Peniston, an all-star rhythm section, and a new live album.

Performing a tight fusion of original music, Chicago-style blues, and R&B, the band's Blues Fest appearance coincides with the launch of "Live at The Muddy Waters," which was captured during a February 2014 appearance at The Muddy Waters in Bettendorf.  "The room was electric that night between the crowd and the band, and you can hear it in the recording.  It was also a very special night, because it was a gathering of extraordinary musicians and long-time friends that hadn't played together in over 20 years," says Peniston.

Album Availability

The album is available via iTunes for pre-sale now, and the full album will be available for download through iTunes and the band's Facebook page on July 3.

Physical CD's will be available at Blues Fest and online at CD Baby on July 3.

About the Band

Peniston was inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame in 2003.  He's shared the stage with Prince, The Temptations, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, James Brown, Albert Collins, and many others. He also spent four years as the frontman with Blind Pig recording artists, Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings, traveling the US and Europe.

The Ernie Peniston Band was formed in the late 80's and currently consists of a reunited, early-90's line-up: Ernie Peniston (Lead Vocal); Joe Collins (Guitar); Darren "Bo" Butler (Bass); Manuel Lopez III (Keys); and Rick Penhallegon (Drums) - all of whom got their start in and around the Quad-Cities.

Tickets for Bill Maher go on sale this Friday, June 13, at 10:00 a.m.  Buy soon to get the best seats in the house! 

For more than twenty years, Bill Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television.  First on "Politically Incorrect, and for the last twelve years on HBO's "Real Time," Maher's combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 32 Emmy nominations.

Free BluesFest Tickets for Veterans, Active Military

To honor those who have served and are serving our country, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society is offering a limited supply of free tickets for the Blues Festival to veterans and active military.  Thanks to an American Legion grant, MVBS has 150 tickets to give away for the Independence Day weekend.

The tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, one ticket per proper credentials.  The tickets are good for either July 4 or July 5 at the BluesFest. (Gate admission is $25 per day.)

See Anna Winters, Special Events Office, on the Rock Island Arsenal, Building 60, 1st Floor, between the hours of 9:00 and 3:00, Monday through Friday through June 30.  309-782-5890.

Blues Festival Advance Tickets Available Now!

July 3-5 marks the 30th anniversary of the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival.  Earlier this year, the international Blues Foundation of Memphis TN recognized the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival with its Keeping the Blues Alive award for U.S. Festival?the equivalent of a lifetime honor?for, in their words, "one of the longest running, most prestigious blues festivals in the world."  The Festival is the only major blues event in the nation entirely produced by an all-volunteer organization.

Advance tickets are now available for this world-class event.

• Friday July 4 and Saturday July 5?each day $20 in advance;  $25 at the gate

Advance Tickets Available through June 30 at

• Hy-Vee stores in the Quad-Cities, Clinton, and Muscatine
• The Muddy Waters (1708 State St., Bettendorf)
• Ragged Records (418 E. 2nd St., Davenport)
• Co-Op Records (3727 Avenue of the Cities, Moline)
• The Blues Society Office (102 S. Harrison Street, Davenport.  Call first: 563-32-BLUES)
• Online through PayPal at www.mvbs.org

The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is joining forces with the Red White & Boom event to present the Quad-Cities' best fireworks display over the Mississippi River on Thursday July 3. For that date only, admission to the Tent Stage at Harrison Street is FREE. (Admission to the Bandshell Stage at Ripley Street is $10, gate only.)

Children 14 and under are admitted FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.

The Second Sunday Summer Concert Series is getting underway.

Tlime: 6pm. Rain or shine

Place: Pearl Plaza Patio, 208 West 2nd Street, downtown Muscatine.

www.muscatineartscouncil.org

Facebook: Muscatine County Arts Council

Music Coordinator: Duffy De France 563-607-3213 Donations welcome

Free Family entertainment some seating available, or bring your own lawn chair

June 8: The Fry Daddies "not your ordinary lounge lizards"

July 13 - Crusin' with Max Collins and the band Classic Rock (member of the Iowa Rock  'n Roll Hall of Fame maxallancollins.com/music\

Aug 10 Cedar River Gentry (music between the World Wars) featuring Ron Hillis, musical member of the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Company (based in West Liberty)

Sept 14 The Creepin' Charlies Americana music

Wilton members on the Arts Council Board: Diana Gradert and Duffy De France (who is also member of the West Liberty Area Arts Council)

Wilton businesses who are supporting the concert series: Oak Tree Homes and ITP Intergrated Technology Partners