Rick Derringer and The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band to Headline Waukesha BluesFest, Aug 7- 8, 2015

The Waukesha Rotary Club has announced the headliners for the 2015 Waukesha BluesFest. Friday, August 7th will feature the classic rock and blues guitarist Rick Derringer, and on Saturday, August 8th The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band brings their country blues infused with youthful indie rock to Waukesha BluesFest.

Guitar great, vocalist and entertainer Rick Derringer was just 17 when his band The McCoys recorded their No.1 hit “Hang On Sloopy” in the summer of 1965. The McCoys had enjoyed four years of successful touring, when Rick merged his talents with Johnny Winter in 1969 forming “Johnny Winter And”. Rick was the only producer of all gold and platinum Winter Brothers recordings. Eventually, the busy Derringer joined Edgar Winter full-time and produced the gold LP, “Roadwork”. Derringer’s solo album, “All American Boy” was released in ‘73 with the popular “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” as a hit single. Rick was player/producer of the Edgar Winter Band hit album, “They Only Come Out At Night”. The latter featured the No. 1, Grammy nominated monster hit, “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride”. Derringer also recorded four blues CD’s starting in ‘93 with Back To the Blues followed by Electra Blues, Blues Deluxe and his 2000 release Jackhammer Blues. In 2001 Rick ventured back into Rock & Roll with Vanilla Fudge superstars Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert produced a recording of intense synergy - D B A (for Derringer, Bogert & Appice) with vocals, writing and instrumentals shared by all three. After five decades of playing and recording Rick Derringer is still going strong!

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band has been creating a whirlwind with their riveting and unconventional elixir of muscular and high voltage country blues capped by gritty growling vocals and striking finger picking. Inspired by the likes of Charley Patton, Furry Lewis and John Hurt, Reverend Peyton is steeped in the great blues tradition but is catapulting its roots into a new era. Roaring out of the southern Indiana foothills, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band have distinguished themselves for their high-octane live performances, virtuoso musicianship and witty songwriting which has allowed the road warriors to play close to 250 dates a year and become favorites on the festival circuit with performances at Glastonbury, Austin City Limits, Bonaroo, High Sierra, Warped Tour, WOMAD, Waterfront Blues Fest, and Telluride just to name a few. The strikingly magnetic trio features the Reverend along with his wife Breezy’s energized washboard playing and soulful vocals and dynamic drummer Ben “Bird Dog” Bussell. In February 2015, Yazoo Records released their latest album, So Delicious. “The Yazoo Record label was always my favorite label growing up, and I am so proud to be a part of the roster,” shares Reverend Peyton. “We now share a label with so many of our heroes. The foundation is built on the legacy of American Rural Blues, but we endeavor to take this music to places beyond the museum and the nostalgic. This is timeless music for listeners now that owes as much to The Band, ZZ Top, and CCR as it does to Charley Patton.” With the release of this new record, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is poised to reach the masses with their insatiable fusion of Delta blues, hillbilly fervor, rock infused edge and poignant story telling.

Waukesha BluesFest, an American Music and Art Festival, is in its ninth year and is held at Naga-Waukee Park in Delafield, located on STH 83, 1/2 mile north of I-94. Gates open at 12:30 pm Friday and Saturday with the music running from 1 pm until 10:30 pm.

The full music lineup will be announced Wednesday, April 15th with advance tickets going on sale the same day. Waukesha BluesFest fans can recognize significant savings by purchasing their tickets in advance. From April 15 through May 31, a single day pass will cost $12 and a 2-day pass will cost $21. From June 1 through August 6 ticket prices are $17 for a single day pass and $29 for a 2-day pass. At-the-gate prices will be $22 for a single day and $39 for the 2-day pass. Parking and taxes are included in the admission price. Tickets will be available on-line at www.waukeshabluesfest.com. Tickets will also be available in person at a number of local area businesses and via U.S. Mail. Proceeds from the event will be distributed by the Waukesha Rotary Club Charitable Fund to local charities and civic projects.

In addition to the live music entertainment, Waukesha BluesFest will feature an exceptional selection of food from popular local restaurants, a full selection of beverages and an Art Show featuring regional and locally known artists.

Major sponsors include the Waukesha law firm of Cramer, Multhauf & Hammes, LLP, and the Waukesha Rotary Club with additional supporters to be announced soon.

For additional information on the festival visit www.waukeshabluesfest.com, email info@waukeshabluesfest.com, or call 1-800-366-1961.

About the Waukesha Rotary Club:

The Waukesha Rotary Club was formed in 1920. Since then, the Club has initiated more than eight hundred members in its 95 years. The Waukesha Rotary Club is one of 33,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas, and its members total 88 of more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide. Rotary Club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto “Service above Self.” Past recipients of the Waukesha Rotary Club’s charitable giving include Angel’s Grace Hospice, Whiterock Elementary School, the Volunteer Center of Waukesha County, the Women’s Center, Salvation Army, Waukesha Family YMCA, HOPE Center, Food Pantry of Waukesha County, Christmas Clearing Council, Safe Babies Healthy Families, Hebron House of Hospitality, Literary Council of Greater Waukesha, Haiti and many more. For more information on the Waukesha Rotary Club, visit www.waukesharotary.org.