Each year, we provide a list of our accomplishments to show how your membership dues support events throughout the year. The Board welcomes your suggestions for this year’s activities. Please feel free to discuss your ideas with any Board member, or contact us at blueskc.org@gmail.com.
Accomplishments
- Hired 19 bands to perform at 12 monthly meetings/jams and other events.
- Presented the KCBS’ 3rd annual signature show “Blues in the Bottoms” with 3 nationally/internationally recognized award-winning acts: Kevin Burt, the Selwyn Birchwood band and, headliner, the D.K. Harrell band.
- Held a successful Road-to-Memphis event with Legerdemain, band winner, The Redbeards, duo winner and, for the first time in 10 years, Black HOK, a youth band. Several BOD members traveled to Memphis in January to provide support at the International Blues Challenge.
- Held a successful Michael Shannon Musician’s Fund Golf Tournament fundraiser benefit to support local blues musicians experiencing financial hardship due to medical issues.
- Presented the 4th annual “Women in Blues” show, a partnership with BB’s Lawnside BBQ, spotlighting two women-led bands, The Megan Boyer Band and Penelope and Last Call.
- Held our 3rd annual “Wine and Blues” show at Trivedi Wine in Lawrence, KS, with The Houserockers performing.
- Several KCBS BOD members and local blues lovers joined forces with the Long Island and Windy City blues societies to raise funds to save the Quicksand stage at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR. This fundraising effort resulted in 16 musical acts performing on this stage during the 3-day festival, completely funded by the 3 blues societies.
- Memberships continued increasing during 2025.
- Held a member/volunteer appreciation party at Franklin Park to thank everyone for their support during the year with Brigett and Her Bandoliers entertaining attendants.
- Added 3 new venues to the rotation of locations to hold the monthly meetings/jams.
- Participated in and supported the Paola Roots Festival in Paola, KS.
- Supported Care to Share, a cancer support organization located in Ft. Scott, KS.
We thank you for helping to make these events possible, and hope to have your support in 2026 as we continue our progress in supporting the blues in Kansas City!