Blues fest promises three days of music

HACKETTSTOWN — Grammy winning musicians will line the Lackland stage when the Centenary Stage Company BluesFest returns to Hackettstown March 8 through the 10. With nationally-renown musicians such as Roomful of Blues and Blood Sweat and Tears vocalist and harmonica virtuoso Rob Paparozzi, the festival offers top-notch entertainment throughout the weekend. Joining Roomful of Blues and Paparozzi for the festival will be The Hudson River Rats, Quimby Mountain Band, the VooDudes, Rhett Tyler, and Johnny Charles and Nasty Ned. The BluesFest will also move downtown during the weekend with a Down-town Kickoff on Thursday March 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Gazebo on Main St. with music by Amplified Heat presented by Mr. Music. A performance on Friday by Rockin’ Blue will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Marley’s Gotham Grill on Main St. in Hackettstown. Marley’s will also host a performance by Great Fraud on Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. and a post-show party on Saturday, from 10:30 p.m. to 12 midnight, featuring Brooke Shive and the 45s. Kicking off the Lackland activities on Friday, March 9 will be Grammy-nominated harmonica player and vocalist Rob Paparozzi. Known for his work as the lead singer for Blood Sweat and Tears, Paparozzi now brings his own band, The Hudson River Rats, to Hackettstown. A native of New Jersey, Paparozzi has also performed and with legendary musicians such as B.B. King, Whitney Houston, and Bruce Springsteen and toured with the Original Blues Brothers band. Paparozzi’s Hudson River Rats features blues musicians Ed Alstrom, John Korba, Chris Eminizer, Bernard Purdie, George Naha, and Bailey Gee. Also making an appearance at Friday night’s performance will be the veteran Blues Festival band, The VooDudes, accompanied by Hackettstown’s local Quimby Mountain Band. Friday evenings performances at the Lackland Center will begin at 7 p.m.. Headlining Saturday night’s performance a the Lackland Center will be Roomful of Blues, the eight-piece award-winning lineup of musicians who have been recording albums and touring worldwide since 1967. The Roomful of Blues has earned a total of five Grammy nominations, seven Blues Music Awards, and most recently was awarded a Boston Music Award for Best Blues Act in 2011. Also performing on Saturday night will be Rhett Tyler. Following Rhett Tyler will be performances by harmonica player, vocalist, and veteran show host of American Roots Live, Nasty Ned, who will be accompanied by guitarist Johnny Charles. Saturday’s performances at the Lackland Center will begin at 6:30 p.m.. The David and Carol Lackland Center for the Performing Arts is located at 715 Grand Ave in Hackettstown, on the campus of Centenary College. Tickets for Centenary Stage Company’s Blues Festival on March 9 are $25 in advance and $30 the day of performance. The March 10 performance will be $30 in advance and $35 the day of performance. Both performances will have a student discount of $15 , with student ID. A special Blues Pass is also available, offering both days of performances for $50. Tickets are available through the Centenary Stage Company box office open 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours prior to each performance. They may also be purchased online at www.centenarystageco.org or by calling the box office at 908-979-0900.