Omega Events Receives Prestigious 2009 'Keeping the Blues Alive' Award from The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN



This week, Omega Events has been named "Best Promoter" by blues music's premier organization, The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN. The Keeping the Blues Alive Awards recognizes the significant contributions to blues music made by the people behind the scenes. Each is selected on the basis of merit by a select panel of blues professionals.

Twenty-two individuals and organizations will be honored with The Blues Foundation's 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award during a recognition brunch on February 7, 2009 in Memphis. The KBA Awards will be held in conjunction with the 25th International Blues Challenge (IBC) weekend of events that will feature the semifinals and finals of the world's largest gathering of Blues bands, as well as seminars, presentations, and receptions for Blues societies, fans and professionals.

"From BB King to Bonnie Raitt, we've been committed to providing the best blues entertainment on the the West Coast for many years now," said Rich Sherman, president of Omega Events. "So to receive this award from such an internationally recognized group as the Blues Music Association is a truly an honor. The real credit, however, goes to our many customers, who continue to support our vision of the blues year after year. This great day for Omega Events and our loyal customers."

The Blues Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Blues history, celebrating Blues excellence, supporting Blues education, and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form. It is the umbrella organization for a worldwide network of 165 affiliated Blues societies and has individual memberships around the globe. In addition to the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards, The Blues Foundation produces the Blues Music Awards, the Blues Hall of Fame Induction, and the International Blues Challenge.

Bo Diddley, a singer and guitarist who invented his own name, his own guitars, his own beat and, with a handful of other musical pioneers, rock 'n' roll itself, died Monday at his home in Archer, Fla. He was 79.

We are honored that Bo Diddley graced the Doheny Blues stage twice, and who could forget the 2002 Sunday lineup when Bo, Little Richard and B.B. King all shared the main stage. The history of American Music in Dana Point, it was.

"History belongs to the victors and in the annals of rock & roll, three men have emerged as winners: Chuck Berry, Little Richard and BO DIDDLEY, a holy trinity who were there at the start". (Rolling Stone magazine, issue 981, August 2005)


A beautiful obituary page from the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/arts/music/03diddley.html

Official Website
http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/

What an incredible weekend of music at the 11th Annual Doheny Blues Festival. From Lazy Lester, the first act of the weekend, to show-closer Bonnie Raitt, this may have been the most entertaining weekend of music yet in Dana Point. And the 85 degree weather was a nice bonus! Thanks for supporting live music in Southern California!

More acts have been added to the lineup for the 12th Annual JazzFest West - including Brian McKnight, KEM, Stanley Clarke and Jackiem Joyner.

Saturday, July 21:

Brian McKnight
Stanley Clarke
The Average White Band returns!
Althea René
Shilts
... and three more artists to be announced!

Sunday, July 22:
Erykah Badu
KEM
Euge Groove
Regina Belle and Paul Taylor
Urban Jazz Coalition
Jackiem Joyner... and more.

We have several more artists to be announced, including a few very special surprises, so check back to the website often.

One of the best guys you could ever meet, former NBA star and current urban jazz bassist, WAYMAN TISDALE, has been diagnosed with bone cancer. Wayman fell down some stairs and broke his leg, and when they did tests... they found the cyst. Ironically, had Wayman not broken his leg, this type of cyst may have gone undetected... so you never know how your blessings may appear.

He is expecting a full recovery, and here is more info from his website:

"By now I am sure that most of you know that I am in the process of recovering from a procedure to remove a cancerous cyst in my leg. On behalf of myself, my lovely wife, Regina, and our entire family, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your prayers.

I am pleased to report that my recovery will be 100%, and that I have been told that I am otherwise cancer-free. To recover properly, I need to curtail my touring and public appearances for a while. What this means is that I will have more free time to devote to my music. I am taking this time to work on a new record and some other very interesting projects

My very next public performance may well be The Smooth Jazz Cruise! I assure you that your only concern about the cruise will be whether you will be able to keep up with me that week! We are going to rejoice in the wonders of recovery, and the joys of music and life. We are going to let it all hang out for the greatest week of music and fun ever to be had on the high seas!

I want to thank you all for your kindness and well wishes, which, together with my desire to be with you again, may very well help me to recover sooner than expected.

See you soon!

--Wayman"

Little Richard will join Buddy Guy at the Russian River Blues Festival on the weekend of June 16 & 17. Check out updates on the website:

http://www.RussianRiverFestivals.com

We are getting close to announcing the lineup for the Concert Series at Rodney Strong Vineyards. But, here's a sneek peek... so grab those hotel rooms!

July 14
Chris Isaak

http://www.omegaevents.com/rodneystrong

The headliners have been announced for the 10th Annual DOHENY BLUES FESTIVAL:
The Reverend Al Green - Sat. May 19
John Fogerty - Sun. May 20

Tickets are on sale on March 10. Many more acts will be announced over the next few days/weeks.

Omega Events is proud to announce the acquisition of two new events:
The Russian River Blues Festival - June 16 & 17
The Russian River Jazz Festival - September 9 & 10

We are honored to have been chosen to continue the awesome tradition of these two events. Lupe De Leon, a longtime talent agent and Etta James' manager, has been involved with there events since their inception some 30 years ago. Lupe headed a team of managers and volunteers who love these events... and we are looking forward to a bright future in Guerneville.

And by the way... Buddy Guy will headline the Blues Fest in June, his first appearance ever at Johnson's Beach.

The 10th Anniversary of the Doheny Blues Festival is right around the corner:
May 19 & 20 at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point.

We will be announcing the line-up and all the dirty details on Thursday, March 8... so visit the official website:
http://www.OmegaEvents.com