Mahajibee:

This Pittsburgh-based band is still humbled by what has transpired over the last nine years. Having shared the spotlight with an assortment of professional oldies, rock and blues artists, and performing at some of the largest Tri-State Festivals, Blues Festivals and Summertime Concert Series, Mahajibee is honored to have participated in local fundraisers and have performed for 9-11, Katrina victims of New Orleans, The Sago Mine disaster victims of West Virginia, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and for Disabled American Veterans. Despite their playful, laid back attitude this band is a hot five-piece Blues band that will get the folks out of their seats with a rough and tough sweaty blues of their own!

Felix and the Hurricanes:   Celebrating 20 years of performing, Felix and the boys put forth a healthy mix of Southern Rock and Blues that keeps everyone tapping their toes. They are the Western PA Blues Society IBC band winners and will travel to Memphis in January to compete in the International competition. Felix Kos on lead guitar and vocals, Jeff Clapper on bass and one of Altoona’s Favorites, Bobby Watters on percussion.

Sweaty Betty Blues Band

Sweaty Betty Blues Band puts a fresh spin on Chicago-style blues with great style, funky arrangements, and playing IN THE POCKET. Featuring Max Schang on guitar,  Too Tall Billy on drums, Jim Spears on bass and Johnny DeCola on keys. And featuring vocals by Downtown Marcy Brown, Sweaty Betty is on the ‘A’ List for special events like performing at the first Steelers pre-season game at Heinz Field, and the Carnegie Arts & Heritage Festival, as well as the Pittsburgh Blues Festival.

Bubs started out in the Pittsburgh music scene in the '60s with "The Igniters" doing Rock and Roll. Behind the "Rascals" the Igniters became only the second white band ever signed to Atlantic Records. Two singles were released, and then the band split up. After a few years of various bar bands, Bubs linked up with old band mate Norman Nardini and Started "Diamond Reo". (No, not the country band) Diamond Reo signed a contract with "Big Tree" records, a subsidiary of Atlantic, and they were back in the record business. Bubs can be heard singing lead on the bands only top 40 hit... "Aint That Peculiar", a remake of the Marvin Gaye hit. Extensive touring with many of rock's top names came with promoting that song. After leaving Diamond Reo, Bubs recorded another top 40 hit, "Gimme Some", for Buddah Records and later recorded on Phantom Records under the name "McKeg" until hooking up with James Lawson. "McKeg Lawson" became a well-known blues name in the Pittsburgh blues scene, but in 1994 James Lawson lost a battle with cancer. Bubs kept the band going under the same name for five more years. Since that time he has been gigging under his own name and recording some of his best work.  Bubs’ songwriting talent has taken him to Finland to compete, and he won the local International Blues Challege as a duo with Pittsburgh’s own harmonica great, Doc Blue. 

Doc Blue has toured with Billy Price, Chizmo Charles and many other Pittsburgh music icons. Doc’s solid blues harp playing has entertained local audiences for many years. Best wishes to Doc and Bubsy as they travel to Memphis this January to compete in the Duo International Blues Challege with the Blues Foundation.