The 13th annual Chicken Raid raises money for blues veterans
10 hours of music each day with performances by veteran acts such as Beverly “Guitar†Watkins, Roy Lee Johnson, Eddie Tigner, Essie Mae Smith, and more.
He might not have been a nationally known blues star, but in Atlanta <a href=”http://steel.lcc.gatech.edu/~jransone/mrfrank/index.htm” target=”_blank” ” target=”_blank”>Mr. Frank Edwards was a local legend and recognized figure about town. After he passed in 2002 at the age of 93, <a href=”http://www.mudcatblues.com/” target=”_blank” ” target=”_blank”>Mudcat aka Dan Dudeck, a much younger Atlanta bluesman, helped start a benefit concert, dubbed <a href=”https://www.facebook.com/TheChickenRaid” target=”_blank” ” target=”_blank”>Chicken Raid, after the title of one of Edwards’ better known tunes. The concept was, and remains, to round up and raise money for the oldest generation of regional blues artists who have largely been forgotten over the decades. Paying them a fair compensation for performing at the Chicken Raid brings both much needed visibility to their still sharp talents and aids them financially. These aging players are some of the last living links to the rich Southern Delta and electric blues tradition. Seeing and hearing the music direct from their hands is an increasingly rare and exceptionally rewarding experience making this one of the most significant roots/blues events of the year.
The 2015 Chicken Raid continues its two-day tradition March 21-22, and at $15 for Saturday and $10 for Sunday it’s also the best music value in town. Sunday opens with an acoustic gospel invitational, always one of the weekend’s highlights. Even though the event holds court at the venerable but decidedly non-kid friendly Northside Tavern as it has in the past, children are welcome, at least in the afternoon. BBQ plates will be available to help keep the audience’s stamina up.
The organizers boast 10 hours of music each day with performances by veteran acts such as Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, Roy Lee Johnson, Eddie Tigner, Macon’s Robert Lee Coleman, and Perry, GA’s Essie Mae Smith, among others. Younger acts such as Scene of the Crime, and Cody Matlock help bridge the musical gap and fan the blues fires for another generation. The always genial Mudcat ties it all together as host and constant presence. Special guests are practically a given, as are spontaneous multi-artist jams which makes these shows even more unforgettable. Volunteers keep things running so the oldest performers can be adequately paid, something of a rarity for them. Proceeds also benefit the Frank Edwards’ estate.
Sat., March. 21 and Sunday March 22. Chicken Raid $10-15. Sat. 4 p.m. Sun. 2 p.m. Northside Tavern, 1058 Howell Mill Rd, N.W., 404-874-8745. www.northsidetavern.com.