OctoberFest Blues Revue
It was great! See you again in 2025.
Chris Cain and Michael Osborn Headline Octoberfest Blues Revue
Ben Rice and Two Local Bands Share Bill for Talent-laden October 6 Event
Following last year’s highly successful event, the Rogue Blues Society returns to Medford’s Walkabout Brewing Company on Sunday, October 6 for its annual celebration of blues music. In addition to the great blues music from local and internationally touring bands, the festivities will include tasty food and a wide selection of premium craft beers.
The event will occupy Walkabout’s “Outback,” a grassy and tree-shaded space with picnic tables and ample room for dancing. Walkabout Brewing is a welcoming oasis located at 921 Mason Way (off Sage Road) in West Medford’s warehouse district.
This year’s revue spotlights a top-line duo as headliners, with dueling blues guitarists Chris Cain and Michael Osborn sharing the stage in a rare joint appearance. Fresh off a tour of Australia in support of his latest Alligator Records release, Cain and his band will deliver echoes of influencers BB King and Albert Collins mixed with Cain’s own unique blend of jazz-influenced styles. "Chris Cain is a hot-shot guitarist and a singer with the maturity of old blues masters like Bobby Bland and B.B. King,” wrote the Washington Post. Good Intentions Gone Bad, released in July, is Cain’s second recording on the prestigious Alligator label. Cain is a past nominee for the Blue Music Association’s Guitarist of the Year award.
Guitarist and Vocalist Michael Osborn played with legendary bluesman John Lee Hooker for 13 years, with one of his songs on Hooker’s 1998 Grammy-winning release. He also has also backed, recorded with, or played with such musical luminaries as Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana and Elvin Bishop. Currently a Portland resident, Osborn has been a regular featured performer at the Waterfront Blues Festival.
More information on Chris Cain is available at www.chriscainmusic.com, and at www.checkerboardrecords.com for Michael Osborn.
Ben Rice has been a consistent local favorite for years, and his latest band, the PDX Hustle, is extending Rice’s reputation as a versatile and innovative guitarist. A player since he was seven years old, Rice complements his instrumental virtuosity with strong vocal stylings and songwriting chops which reflect a wide swath of blues, country, folks and rock influences. The expanded instrumentation of the Hustle brings a fuller, more energetic sound to his live performances.
More information on Ben Rice and the PDX Hustle is available at www.benricehustle.com.
Kicking off the afternoon’s music will be the hard-rock/blues mix of the youthful Brisbane Project and the soulful, R&B-tinged blues of TC and the Reactions.
“With last year’s revue we moved to the Walkabout and an early fall date,” says Linda Huffman, president of the Rogue Blues Society. “It proved to be a great decision. The weather was perfect, the venue is easy to get to from anywhere in the valley, and the surroundings are ideal for dancing or just relaxing. Also, for 2024 we’re bringing the strongest lineup of talent we’ve had in years. It just doesn’t get any better than this!”
The Walkabout food truck will serve a menu of tasty food items. All ages are welcome. Gates open for the Octoberfest Blues Revue at 1:00 PM on October 6, with music starting at 2:00.
Parking is free but overnight camping is not allowed. Seating is limited so attendees are advised to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs. No outside food or beverages is permitted.
Tickets are available now on the Rogue Blues Society website, www.rogueblues.org/tickets. Advance tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members; youth 10-17 are $20 when purchased by a member, $25 otherwise. Children under 10 are free. All tickets are an additional $10 at the door.
Sponsors for the 2024 Octoberfest Blues Revue are Ashland’s Shop ‘n’ Kart, Knife River Materials, Blue Lightning Band, Hughes Lumber, Rogue Regency Inn, Bob Fellows Construction LLC, Specialized Concrete, Your Way Home Realty, Hope Collective, Signs of Hope and Awen Winery.
For more information please visit www.rogueblues.org/upcoming-events, email roguebluessociety@gmail.com or call Linda Huffman at (530) 262-5210.
More information, music and videos at these websites:
Micheal Osborn
https://www.checkerboardrecords.com
Chris Cain
https://www.chriscainmusic.com
Ben Rice
The Brisbane Project
https://thebrisbaneproject.com