The annual Winter Blues Weekend at the Sapphire Room and presented by the Boise Blues Society, will provide three big days of great blues music. The events take place on January 10-12, 2019. Topping it off will be the Sunday Blues Brunch at the Sapphire Room on January 13. This is a marvelous way to see the top blues bands from throughout the Treasure Valley. Dave Light, President of the Boise Blues Society, said, “The blues music genre originated with the slaves in the Mississippi Delta. The Boise Blues Society is dedicated to keeping the blues alive by teaching the blues in area schools and promoting blues music in the local communities.”
Headlining on Thursday night, January 10, the Gary Tackett Band will start the Winter Blues Weekend at the Sapphire Room off the right way. Singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist, Gary has played many places, including the Oakland Coliseum, the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville and of course the Sapphire Room and Sandbar at the Riverside Hotel. He’s been the guitarist for such topflight musicians as Merle Haggard and Vern Gosdin. He brings original roadhouse blues to the stage with a hard driving energy that’s sure to have you up on your feet.
Brooke Nicole featuring Jake Leg Band has been drawing fans for several years to their gigs on the Treasure Valley. Led by the amazing Brooke Nicole, who can go from blues rock to ballads and keeps the audience enthralled with her dynamic stage presence; and Dale Wilson, harmonica player extraordinaire, their mix of covers and original tunes is sure to please everyone.
The BBQ Blues Band is led by Leif Skyving, one of the top harmonica players in the Treasure Valley. BBQ (short for Boss Blues Quartet) is a new band in town, led by the veteran harp player who is also a marvelous stand-up comic. Leif said, “The Boss Blues Quartet, aka BBQ plays nothing but hard-hitting post WW2 electrified Chicago blues; and we are primed to kick off the Winter Blues Weekend”. BBQ should give everyone a taste of why Chicago is famous for it’s blues music and producing so many legendary writers and performers.
Headlining on Friday night, January 11, local favorites the Billy Blues Band get the evening going. Doing both covers and original tunes, the band, led by Bill Arnold on guitar, features dual powerhouse vocals from Michelle Eastland and Becky Blake. They do everything form straight blues to tunes from the Allman Brothers, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner. From power blues to Motown and R&B, Billy Blues Band has been making quite a wave around town.
The Blues Directors are the Boise Blues Society’s band, including several members of the board of directors such as Dave Light on harmonica and vocals and Ken Harris on keyboard and vocals. Traditional, energetic blues is performed along with original tunes from three of the members of this popular group. Blues to Lose rounds out Friday evening with classic rock and blues that’s sure to make you happy. This popular local four-piece group will be making sure the Sapphire Room’s dance floor is full!
Saturday night, January 12, the Blues Addicts will power the night’s festivities. Featuring music by the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton and other great blues rock tunes, they bring a full band including horns to the Sapphire Room stage to cap the evening. SUDA is a group that shows the future of the blues is bright in the Boise area. Zach Quintana, Thomas Wilson and Nobel Holt are three “young guns” who can play with the best of them. Close your eyes and you’ll have no idea they’re all under 18 years old.
The RJ McGinnis Band plays a great selection of classic rock and blues. The members include Randy McGinnis on guitar and vocals, Jay Longwell on lead guitar, George Hadden on bass, Steve McGuiver on drums, Joe Young on sax and Marcie Ridley on keyboards. Jay Longwell said, “We’re excited to be included in the Sapphire Room events—Blues Brunch and Winter Blues Weekend. It’s a fantastic venue and ambience!”.
Closing out a wonderful musical weekend, the Sunday Blues Brunch at the Sapphire Room will feature Blank Check playing. No tickets are needed for this event featuring the Sapphire room’s delicious Sunday Brunch items. The Brunch runs from 9am until noon.
The Riverside Hotel also has some packages available for those who want to make it a no-hassle weekend. Their Winter Blues Package includes a standard room, double occupancy; two preferred rickets for the corresponding night’s show, as well as either the Riverside Signature Brunch or the Sapphire Blues Brunch. The cost for the package is $149 plus taxes per night. It’s a great way to enjoy the show and keep the evening a fun one!
Last year the Winter Blues Weekend was very popular and this year proves to be even more so. This is a great way to enjoy a whole night’s worth of local blues music for a very reasonable price. It’s also a great way to see what the Boise Blues Society is doing for blues music in the Treasure Valley. From producing shows like this with local bands, showcasing national acts like John Nemeth and Too Slim and the Taildraggers, or helping educate kids in music and the blues through their Blues In The Schools programs, this is a great way to see what the Boise Blues Society is about. Tickets are $12 general/$15 preferred in advance or $17/$20 at the door. The doors open at 6:30pm each night with the show beginning at 7:30pm. Come down for one night or come for them all—it will be a marvelous long weekend of excellent blues!
Winter Blues Weekend
January 10-12, 2019
Doors open 6:30pm, performances start 7:30pm
Sapphire Room
2900 W. Chinden Blvd.
Boise, ID 83714
(208) 343-1871
Boise Blues Society website
Photos courtesy of Brooke Nicole and the Jake Leg Band, Billy Blues Band and RJ McGinnis Band
