MBS’s 1st Annual Blues Picnic was held on June 22, 2003, in Warner Park, with nine hours of free Blues music. A crowd of 500-700 enjoyed the gorgeous setting, Blues music, and food on their picnic blankets and lawn chairs. Over the years, the annual Madison Blues Society Annual Blues Picnic has grown to several thousand people, hosting great Blues, family & friends, a great selection of food, dancing, beer, prizes, cash raffles, and merchandise. The Blues Picnics include food drives for local pantries, and sales at the picnic have benefited local community organizations.
The 2002 Blues Picnic hosted the “Blues Kids”, a youth Blues harmonica and drum group, has been a staple Outreach Blues Education Program at the Blues Picnic. The kids have worked with Joe Nosek and Oscar Wilson of the Cash Box Kings and Joey B. Banks of the Black Star Drum Line Performance Group. Backing up the kids, the Cash Box Kings have been regulars of our picnic. Joe and Oscar have taught area kids Blues songs and harmonica at Madison neighborhood centers. Joey B. Banks has built up the drumming skills of the kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County as well as his performance group.
Past Performers
- 2003 – 6/22/03: Lady P, Tate’s band, Clyde Stubblefield, Charlie Brooks, Barb Wire Fence, Jerry Alexander, Tony & the Blues Machine, Koenig Group
- 2004 – 6/27/04: Lady P, Tate, Mel and Soul Brothers, Shari Davis, Barbwire Fence, Clyde Stubblefield, The Rain Dogs with Lindsay Feuling, Cash Box Kings; jams featured special guests Catfish Stephenson, Charlie Brooks
- 2005 – 6/26/05: Lady P, GNP Dance Troupe & Blues Kids w/ Joe Nosek, Shari Davis, Arkansas Mel and the Good Dogs, James Tate with James Eisele & Charlie Books, Cash Box Kings, Jim Liban, Paul Filipowicz; open jam featured Dan Schilling and New Crew Band
- 2006 – 6/25/06: Lady P, Vera Court Blues Kids w/ Joe Nosek, Mud Angels, Cash Box Kings, Queenie & The Blue Cats, Arkansas Mel & the Soul Brothers, Shari, Paul Filipowicz, Jim Liban Blues Combo; jam session featured Magic Slim & the Teardrops
- 2007 – 6/23/07: Vera Court Blues Kids with Joe Nosek, Queenie & the Blue Cats, Sue DaBaco & Wise Fools, Charles Walker, Blues Band – MBS Wisconsin Blues Challenge 2nd Place Winner, Cash Box Kings, Livin’ Will, Tate & 008 Band, Bobby Bryan & the Original Downtown Players – MBS Wisconsin Blues Challenge 1st Place Winner, Post-Picnic blues night at the Harmony Bar with Michael Coleman & the Backbreakers
- 2008 – 6/21/08: Don Rembert with Clovis Mann, Shari Davis & the Hootchy-Kootchy Band, Joe Nosek’s Blues Kids, Cashbox Kings, Danny Miller Band, Mud Angels, Paul Filipowicz
- 2009 – 6/20/09: Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo, The Karri Daley Band, Joe’s Blues Kids, Cash Box Kings, The Jimmys, Linsey Alexander, The Groove Hogs,
- 2010 – 6/19/10: Tate and the 008 Band, Shake Daddys, Joe’s Blues Kids, Cash Box Kings, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys, John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band, Grana’ Louise and Troublemaker
- 2011 – 6/18/11: Tani Diakite & the Malian Blues Band, Fedora, Joe’s Blues Kids, Cash Box Kings, Alex Wilson Band (2011 IBC Finalist!), Tana DeLonay & Outside the Blues, Westside Andy / Mel Ford Band with Barrelhouse Chuck
- 2012 – 6/23/12: Westside Andy & Glenn Davis Duo, Jimmys with Perry Weber, Joe’s Blues Kids with Madison Favorites All-Star Blues Band, Shari Davis and the Hootchy-Kootchy Band, Tate and the 008 Band, Howard “Guitar” Luedtke & Blue Max with Clyde Stubblefield, Richie Rich and the Chi-town Blues Band with Shannon Curfman
- 2013 – 6/22/13: Dave Potter & the Alley Kings, Joe’s Blues Kids, Cash Box Kings, Johnny Chimes & the Natch’l Blues Band, Joel Paterson Trio, Valerie B. and the Boyz, Matthew Skoller
- 2014 – 6/28/14: Kyle Henderson, Blues Kids, Altered Five, Chris Aaron with special guest Jim Schwall, Barrelhouse Chuck featuring Billy Flynn and Westside Andy, Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo
- 2015 – 6/20/15: Birddog Blues Band, Blues Kids: The Future of Blues, The Jimmys, Jim Liban with the Joel Paterson Trio, Daddy Mack Blues Band, The Dee Miller Band
- 2016– 6/18/16: Paul Filipowicz, Blues Kids, Blues Disciples, Jimmy Nick & Don’t Tell Mama, Lauren Anderson, Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials
- 2017 – 6/17/17: Luke Cerny, Big N’ Tasty, Madtown Mannish Boys, Norman Jackson, Brandon Santini
- 2018 – 6/16/18: Blythe Gamble & the Rolling Dice, Blues Kids, Altered Five Blues Band, Ivy Ford Band, Boom Boom Steve V and the Knockouts, Chris O’Leary Band