Inaugural Center Hill Blues Fest
featuring Jackie Venson

Great Gawd Almighty! What a night we had at Bert Driver’s Burlap Room for our inaugural BluesFest featuring Jackie Venson. The organic flow of live trees, live music in the blues vein, and regional artisan vendors blended together perfectly with the local vibe to create another unique experience for all in attendance.  Rookie Burlappers from Nashville, New York, NY, Ft. Myers, FL all confirmed what we already knew….”there’s no place like this where we live!!”.    To our first timers--Welcome home!  

Few Miles On returned to the Redbud stage to kick off the inaugural Center Hill BluesFest at Bert Driver’s Burlap Room on Saturday night, 10/2/21.  This power trio expertly rocked a variety of classics, mixed with original compositions from their previously released CD’s. 

New vendors at BluesFest were Art in Wood featuring hand-stitched leather products (no machine, folks!), Crooked Creek Jewelry with their excellent hand-made jewelry.  Kat’s Creations made a repeat appearance with her popular tie-died originals.  

Fireman One BBQ and Tio’s Taco Truck were the featured food trucks for the evening. 

We were honored to host representatives from the National Museum of African American Music, who were building awareness and soliciting support to help document and preserve the contributions African Americans have made to every form of American music during our BluesFest.   The “Burlappers” (being the discerning music lovers we are) are pleased that NMAAM chose to work with us to promote their cause during BluesFest and we look forward to their participation in our future events.  

Let’s see, anything else??  OH, YES, MS. JACKIE VENSON!  Her new CD, Love Transcends, was just recently released and she performed flawless renditions of the tracks mixed in with her previous compositions. There are words that Burlappers and I seldom used to describe musical talent and performances. If you hear the Burlappers tossing around words like “phenomenal”, “genius” and “unbelievable” you can rest assured they are describing a musical experience that is definitely out of the ordinary.   

Jackie Venson is all that and more. I heard those words repeated many times by our attendees as I made the rounds at the Burlap Room during her performance--I think I used those words myself several times and I meant every word!  If you were in attendance you experienced a soulful musical performance that you will never forget and were buoyed up by this young, articulate musician/composer spreading her unique message of love, unity, and joy…...Hey, Jackie!  You are phenomenal, a genius, unbelievable!

Photos by Matthew Antoniak.