Virtual Louie Bluie Festival is Sat., Oct. 10; headliners include the Armstrong Legacy Trio

CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF) – This year’s virtual Louie Bluie Festival is Sat., Oct. 10 beginning at 11 am and running till around 3:30 pm.  Pre recordings for the festival will start this week in Campbell County.

The virtual festival will feature about four hours of music and story segments, according to Campbell Culture Coalition Executive Director Manuel Mesa.

Organizers have worked hard to make this year’s virtual festival into a unique Saturday program which will tell the story of Howard Armstrong and showcase his music, as well as other musical talent. Each segment will be set up like a mini concert. Most of the festival will be recorded live in an undisclosed location, with other segments being pre-recorded here in Campbell County.  “The festival this year is really going to take us back to Howard, who he was, where he was raised, his legacy and his life,” Mesa said.

One of the main headliners this year is Howard Armstrong’s son Ralphie Armstrong and his band, the Armstrong Legacy Trio, who will record a special segment in his New York studio. Some of Howard’s old band members will also be playing and telling stories.

Other headliners include:  Ramoth Gillead Sparky and Rhonda Kasey Moore Louie Bluie Foot Stompers – house band (various Knoxville and local musicians)Jeannie Fuller, Nancy Brennan Strange, Kelle Jolly and the  Roberts Sisters.  Several other performers are still pending, according to organizers.

The Tennessee Arts Commission, which provides a large funding grant for Louie Bluie, “is very excited about the virtual festival,” according to Mesa, as is the University of Tennessee, which will be putting the recordings of the festival into it’s archival library.  “The University of Tennessee said it’s groundbreaking,” Mesa said.

Look for more virtual Louie Bluie Festival updates on WLAF as the festival date approaches.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/25/2020-6AM)