Popular Chicago based Blues Groovefest calls it quits in Norwalk, CT

Chicago, IL – Fans of blues music will have to resort to itunes instead of the highly anticipated Blues Groovefest 09’. The festival was originally planned for August 15^th in Norwalk, CT with Frank E. Bluestein, (Mr. Blues) and Gunner Allen Smith. Bluestein has also created special recordings to sell to commemorate this year’s event and now those CD’s will be sold online.

Bluestein had to take control back from a greedy non profit group called, “Christians First”. He has allegedly given creative and financial control back to the artists for Blues Groovefest 09’. Now the group is going to call it quits due to insufficient funds.

“Ain’t this a shame? I get this whole thing straightened out with this non-profit group and then I find out there is not enough money to get this festival on the road. Now we are going to be literally stranded in Chicago — forever you know? I mean seriously. The whole thing is goofy. Somebody is going to have to answer for these missing funds.” Says a disgruntled Frank E. Bluestein.

“I didn’t know if Norwalk would have worked out well for us.” Says blues musician Gunner Allen Smith, “Now we will never know… the whole thing is just a travesty!”

There was talk about bringing in the acts to play in a club or an inside location instead of an outdoor setting. But the immediate plans right now will focus on shutting the entire Blues Groovefest 09’ down.

Frank E. Bluestein is now planning to create a blues Christmas album. At this time there is no working title for the upcoming project. Proceeds for album were planned on going to a battered cats shelter in Putnam, Connecticut.

“I feel bad for the cats of this world – they need love too – I got a lot to give” added Bluestein.

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Stamford, CT – Chicago Blues legend Frank Bluestein is going to hit the stage at this years Summer Groovefest 09 in downtown Norwalk, CT. This will be a free event filled with live performances, street art and a silent auction to benefit a new youth center planned for Bridgeport, CT. In addition to reorganizing this years event, Bluestein has recorded a special CD to help raise funds for the cause.

Summer Groovefest 09’ will move from its native Chicago origin to new and unfamiliar territory in Norwalk , Connecticut. The festival is a collection of live blues acts that appeared in closed door club events and rooftop parties over the past two years.

The new CD will be available at the event on August 15, 2009. Right now there are plans to include this CD on an ecommerce web site. As of this writing there is no site to order it from. You will have to buy the new Frank Bluestein CD at Summer Groovefest 09’. The CD is titled, “Kick Out The Blues” and features Bluestein on his ever present harmonica as well as belting out the vocals on several  tracks. There are at least three tracks that feature only music. The compositions date back to the early 80’s and this will be the first time they will be released to the public.

Getting the groups together took a considerable amount of time. It was not easy to get cooperation from various management during these busy summer months. Many of the performers were locked up into various commitments.

“Organizing this blues fest in Norwalk has been a tremendous effort. We wanted the CD to coincide with this years event. It’s not every day you get a collection of real Chicago/Kansas City bluesmen in the city of Norwalk. We are quite confident that this new addition to the rich cultural east coast scene will be exactly what music lovers and thrill seekers will enjoy.” Says concert promoter Fritz Machauley.

Fritz Machauley has been working with Summer Groovefest 09 along with Frank Bluestein. Machauley was brought in to put a halt to inside fraud and mismanagement of funds. He led an intensive fraud investigation and fired several staff members internally and has given the control back to the musicians. This will be an artists event where they maintain total control over this years festival activities.