Bringin’ Back the Blues
The Blues are back, STL – and we aren’t talking about the hockey team! We are talking FREE CONCERTS!
Join us downtown every Friday in August for the Blues at the Arch concert series taking place in a newly renovated section of the Gateway Arch park grounds. Kick off your weekend by enjoying two things that St. Louis is known for: blues music and the Gateway Arch.
WHAT: Free, four-week blues concert series
WHEN: Friday, August 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 6-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: The North Gateway (the north end of the park, near Laclede’s Landing)
You’ll be dancing the night away once you hear the talented local and national artists performing each night. Here’s a preview of what you can expect:
August 4 – Big George Brock and Lil’ Ray Neal
Big George Brock, AKA: “King of the St. Louis Blues,” has been making his mark in the blues industry for nearly 70 years. Born in Mississippi, Big George made his way to The Lou in 1949 and has played with many blues icons such as his friend Muddy Waters, Albert King, Little Milton and Jimmy Reed.
Lil’ Ray Neal is a singer-guitarist who’s been playing the blues since he was 12 years old in his hometown, Baton Rouge. By the time he was a teenager, he was on tour with his brothers and has played for some of the greats including B.B. King.
August 11 – Carolyn Mason, Mickey Rodgers and David Dee
Carolyn Mason is a favorite at the National Blues Museum’s Lumiere Place Legends Room, singing music of blues icons like Shirely Brown, Etta James and the one and only Aretha Franklin.
Mickey Rodgers, an R&B and blues player, has played in clubs and festivals across the globe for over 40 years. He’s appeared in various blues magazines, museums and has been associated with famous artists including The Jackson 5, B.B. King and the Temptations.
David Dee moved to East St. Louis at a young age and has been making his mark in the St. Louis blues scene for more than two decades. He is a well-rounded musician and has released five albums and several singles. David is best known for “Goin Fishing,” a regional hit from 1982.
August 18 – Green McDonough Band, Joe Metzka and Mark “Muleman” Massey
The Green McDonough Band plays a mixed bag of blues styles and house rockin’ roots reflected in both their original music and choice covers. The band was the 2016 winner of the St. Louis Blues Society’s Regional International Blues Challenge “Road to Memphis.”
Joe Metzka wears many hats as he can be found performing live around the St. Louis area both singing and playing the blues, jazz, funk, R&B, modern rock, western swing and country.
Mark “Muleman” Massey plays a mix of Hill Country and soulful blues. Mark and his band are always ready to rock having played with B.B. King at his homecoming in Indianola, and at the Howling Wolf festival, Juke Joint Fest and The Chicago Blues Fest.
August 25 – Marquise Knox and Dexter Allen
Marquise Knox is a crowd favorite as he grew up in a musical family deeply rooted in the blues. Mentored by the late great blues legend, Henry James Townsend, Marquise earned the rights to perform with legends such as B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins and David “Honeyboy” Edwards.
Dexter Allen, a talented guitarist, is known for playing a sweet blend of blues, R&B, soul and funk. His driving guitar style is the vein of Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, and he was the lead guitarist in living blues legend Bobby Rush’s worldwide touring band.