I recently came across some photos at my parents' home in Texas from a great festival I played in at the Stanhope House with the Kim Brewer Blues Band. With a shock I realized we were fast coming up on its tenth anniversay (the festival was held October 9, 1994). I thought I'd shared some of the photos with you.

The festival was called FemFest '94 and featured some of the best female blues artists in the area. The participants included Kim Brewer, Sue Lange, Suzan Elle & The Infidels, Lois Brownsey, Queen Bee & The Blue Hornet Band, and the inimitable Shirley Lewis as the headline act.

The festival was recorded and released on Stanhope House Records. "FemFest '94 - Live From The Stanhope House" (SHRCD94002) was the label's first release and it contains some great music. Kim and all of us were very honored to be a part of this project.

I still see Kim from time to time. She and her husband Warren McBurney are good friends of mine. Warren is an excellent bass player and singer in his own right. (He appears at the far right in the photo above.) They're not playing as much as they used to, which is a shame for all of us in the New Jersey blues scene. (They're busy being mommy and daddy!) I hope to see them performing more in the future.

Anyway, ten years later, I'd like to thank Kim Brewer for letting me be a part of her band. I had many wonderful times performing with her! I'd also like to thank Maureen at the Stanhope House for supporting blues and local musicians. Here's to many more years of great music from Kim, Warren, Maureen, and the Stanhope House!