The 2008 Chautauqua Hills Blues Festival, Saturday, May 24-25, promises to continue the tradition of diverse talent, and more importantly a 100% blues festival. For the second year in a row, the festival will feature a Blues Music Association nominee for BB King Entertainer of the Year, Tommy Castro. Tommy’s latest CD, Painkiller, is also nominated for the contemporary blues album of the year.

Moreland & Arbuckle, a local favorite, will be leaving for their third European tour in June.

Trampled Under Foot, a big hit from the 2007, festival won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February. Nick Schnebelen also took home the individual award for Most Promising Guitarist.

The Insomniacs from Portland Oregon are also nominees for a Blues Music Award - Best New Artist.

Dustin Pittsley with Jesse Aycock will perform at 5 p.m. at the Kurtis Arts Plaza in downtown Sedan on Saturday, followed by Jim Adam at 6:30 p.m., Rachelle Coba at 7:30 p.m., and Moreland & Arbuckle at 9 p.m.

Tickets to the Sunday lineup, held one mile north of Sedan, are available for $15 in advance, $20 at the gate, persons under 15 are $10, and children under 10 are admitted for free. They are available at Kansas JumpStart stores as well as One Stop stores in Winfield, Udall, Burden, and Sedan, Floyd’s Market in Caney and Sedan, and Short Stop in Cedar Vale. Other locations may be found at www.cqbluesfest.com.

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