Lineup changes a bit for blues festival

The Activities Council of Thomson recently announced a lineup change for this year's 16th Annual Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival.

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Buddy Miller, who was slated to co-headline with Chuck Leavell, is sidelined until June due to bypass heart surgery performed in February. The lineup change marks the first time in the festival history that an artist scheduled to perform has had to cancel.

In Miller's place, Americana and bluegrass singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale will take the stage. Patty Loveless, The Dixie Chicks, Mark Chestnut, Vince Gill, and George Strait are among the artists who have recorded Lauderdale's songs.

This year's festival lineup also includes Hubert Sumlin, Randall Bramblett, Chatham County Line, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and McDuffie County's Crosstie Walkers.

The 2009 line-up reflects the festival's intentional broadening of the types of music offered each year in Thomson.

The 2009 festival will be held May 9 at its traditional location on Stagecoach Road, off Cobbham Road, west of Appling in McDuffie County.

The annual one-day festival, voted by Southeastern Tourism writers as one of the top small cultural events in the Southeast, is sponsored by the Activities Council of Thomson Inc. The concert pays homage to country blues legend Blind Willie McTell, who was born in McDuffie County and is buried there.

As part of the concert, vendors will serve traditional Southern food and beverages. Carry-in food and drink is not allowed.

Advance tickets for the Saturday afternoon show are $20. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Tickets went on sale April 1 at the Thomson Depot office and online at www.blindwillie.com.

For information, call McDuffie County Tourism at (706) 597-1000 or go to www.blindwillie.com.