Feature Story January 2002
King Biscuit Blues Festival
Text and photos Clancy Dunigan
In the early '50s Helena's KFFA Radio started airing "The
King Biscuit Four Hour"…This year marked the 15th Annual
KBBF. I made the trip solo-without tour guide Phil Chestnut, photog
Jef Jaisun, or harpster Jeff Herzog. Each year, historic Helena
is turned over to the festival-goers. In such a place, one's imagination
runs wild-conjuring up myth and legend at every turn.
The KBBF stages hosted artists too numerous for me to count. One
memorable performer was Howard Tate, who stood in for Snooky Pryor.
Tate sang his way into a cool evening, his voice carrying hints
of what Otis Redding might sound like today. The acoustic stage
held John Weston, Othar Turner's Rising Star Fife & Drum Band,
Paul Oscher (Muddy Waters' harpist), and Richard Johnston (playing
an electrified lowbow!). Did I mention that the KBBF is free?!
New artists' performances were always welcome. The Janiva Magness
Band set the high bar for entertainment. Janiva was dressed in
a long, red dress, only outshone by her Madonna-esque stainless
steel washboard!
When bad weather drove the music indoors, the big tent and Sonny
Boy's Blues Society were filled past capacity. J. Primer, Billy
Branch, and Marcia Ball adapted like their predecessors and brought
their music to the crowd up close and personal. When I asked him
for an autograph, Sam Myers was his usual gentlemanly self. Instead
of a pen, he pulled from his suit pocket a stamp with his John
Hancock on it! "Where would you like the signature?",
he asked.
Sam
Myers
If Blues allow the artist and audience to better feel their private
emotions in this time of national pain and uncertainty, then the
healing power of music was clearly evident on stages and in the
streets of the KBBF. Being solo allowed me the freedom to move
about as I chose. Discussing the pleasures of music with artists
and audience members allowed me inside a few hearts and minds.
Go to page two for the conclusion
and more photos!
© 
2002
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