by B.J. Huchtemann

Former Omaha promoter Terry O’Halloran’s Las Vegas blues festival continues to take impressive shape. Scheduled for Sept. 15-17, 2013, at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino, O’Halloran plans for over 30 bands performing on three stages. O’Halloran has just confirmed 2012 Grammy winner the Tedeschi Trucks Band as one of the headliners, with more headliner announcements to come. Acts currently booked include Tab Benoit, Ruthie Foster, Tommy Castro, Royal Southern Brotherhood, The Iguanas, The Monophonics, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds and more. Several local acts also will showcase their talents at the much-anticipated event. O’Halloran’s Sin City Soul & Blues Revival is unique because when the hotel packages are gone, the festival is sold out, guaranteeing that festival guests will enjoy an exclusive experience. See sincitysoulandbluesrevival.com or follow the link on the site to the event’s Facebook page. Costs and pre-sale ticket discounts will be posted Jan. 1, 2013. O’Halloran currently resides in Austin, Texas, after being a major force on the Omaha music scene for over 25 years.

21st Saloon
Samantha Fish, 2012 Blues Music Award winner for Best New Artist Debut, plugs in at The 21st Thursday, Dec. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m. High-energy bass player Biscuit Miller & The Mix is scheduled at The 21st Thursday, Dec. 27, for their Omaha debut. Miller is familiar to local audiences from his years with Anthony Gomes’ band.

Zoo Bar Music
Lincoln’s Zoo Bar has The Mezcal Brothers unplugged plus The Betties Thursday, Dec. 20, 9 p.m. Levi William is up Friday, Dec. 21, 5-7 p.m. followed by the Tijuana Gigolos End of the World Party. Assuming the Mayans are wrong, Saturday, Dec. 22, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials crank up old-school Chicago blues 6-9 p.m. The Zoo Bar House Band hosts a special holiday blues jam Sunday, Dec. 23, 5-9 p.m.

Magic Slim appears for his traditional Christmas night show, Dec. 25, after 8 p.m.
Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers debut Friday, Dec. 28, 9 p.m. Boogie-blues heroes The Bel Airs rock it up Saturday, Dec. 29, 9 p.m.

Hot Notes
Runny Nose Pete heats up Sullivan’s, 40th & Dodge, Friday, Dec. 21, after 9 p.m. with gritty, guitar-driven, gutbucket blues.
Blues Music Award nominations were announced last week by the national Blues Foundation. Oregon’s Curtis Salgado, a favorite of Omaha audiences, received four nominations including one for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. See blues.org/bluesmusicawards.

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