Deep Blues Festival Ends
I saw the sad announcement on Facebook:
Chris Johnson, founder of the Deep Blues Festival
The announcement was made by Chris Johnson, founder of the Deep Blues Festival, a man with a big heart and a big vision. Chris likes primal roots music. So do I and countless others around the world. The bands that play this type of music travel from small bar to small bar and play to small audiences.
Chris traveled long distances to see his favorite bands perform. He’d hop on his motorcycle and drive from Wisconsin down to Mississippi just for a weekend. Then he decided to bring them together in one place for a festival in his backyard… Well, not literally in his backyard but near where he lives which is the Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota area.
He made his case with local governments that didn’t want this type of event in their town explaining that people from all over the world would come. And come they did, but in small numbers.
The Deep Blues events were plagued by bad weather. Even so, faithful fans stood outside in the rain to hear bands they loved and wouldn’t have the opportunity to see otherwise. Some of those fans had indeed traveled around the world to get there.
I’m sure Chris hoped the attendance would increase as the events unfolded over four years. I’m also sure Chris lost money on these events, but carried on even so.
And now Chris is taking some well deserved rest. Chris, you did something beautiful! Thanks!
You have a huge family now. Your family includes not only the people who came to your events but those who, like me, watched from afar and wished we could be there. Who knows how many people you have brought together, bonded by our love for the music that you won’t see on the Grammy Awards? It’s music where performers sit down and audiences just can’t hold still. It’s deep blues!
