July 2009
CBA Feature Performers

Acoustic Opener: Mark Riley

Mark Riley

Opening the night will be one of Seattle’s premier slide guitarist, Mark Riley. Please see Washington Blues Society’s Dennis “Blues Boss” Dudley’s article on Mark in the July issue of the BluesNotes for an in-depth biography on him.

Karen Lovely

Electric Closer: Karen Lovely

The electric set of the night will be the second time that Karen Lovely will be playing in the Portland are. The first occurred barely a month prior as she competed in the Cascade Blues Association’s Journey To Memphis, winning herself a spot in the finals at the Waterfront Blues Festival on the 4th of July. An exceptional vocalist, Karen recently found herself with the #1 rating on XM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville having several tracks from her debut CD Lucky Girl being spun regularly. Karen vocals were first noted when she sang in church choirs at the age of 10, but her professional career came about many years later and since moving to Ashland, Oregon in 2007 she has been on a steady soar toward stardom. Come to the meeting and hear why famed producer Dennis Walker, who has worked with B.B. King, Robert Cray and Bettye LaVette, said after working with Karen on Lucky Girl, “I honestly think she is the most talented singer I have been associated with since my early days with Robert Cray."