MUSIC ON THE COUCH

The Bean Blossom Blues Fest has a rich history.  The first "Bean" was held June 11-13, 1999, in the woods of Brown County, Indiana.

 

The original organizer, John Hall, owned Bushman Music Works, a company that produces harmonicas and ukuleles. He wanted to throw a party for his harmonica customers, and invited some of his musician customers to perform including Snooky Pryor and Willie Foster. Originally he intended for the Bean to be a small, intimate party, a gathering for harmonica musicians to get together to "Jam" surrounded by close friends.

 

When the word began to spread that Snooky Pryor and other great blues musicians were coming to perform, the party grew to over 700 people.

 

Held at the historic Bill Monroe Music Park, the legendary home for the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Festival, the 55 acre park allows a unique blend of camping and Hoosier Hospitality, and the sounds from the main stage can be heard throughout the park.

 

The Fest continues to hold the charm of a small, friendly gathering of close friends, blues musicians and blues lovers. The intimate main stage has a rich history of over 55 years of performances from musicians from all over the world. Jam sessions pop up throughout the festival – campsites, Hippy Hill Stage, on golf carts and the now famous "Cabin 12 Jammers", who have been performing on the main stage since 2011.

 

In 2014, John stepped down as the organizer. Grant Stuart, a successful local business owner and longtime supporter of the Blues Fest took over the reins. His goal is similar to John's - keep the steep tradition of the harmonica musicians, but build towards the future by discovering new talent and promoting the Blues and American Roots music. He wants to continue to foster the brotherly love that is felt throughout the Bean and hopes that families, friends and visitors to Brown County experience the uniqueness this fest shares over other fests.

 

Grant has a valuable employee known by many in the Blues World as mother of 2/3rds of the wonderful Kids For The Blues, Eve Bare. Eve helped to set the wheels in motion for me to come to The Bean this year as emcee and what a blast.  

 

Strangely enough, before a mix up with Jarekus Singleton, every artist on the stages woudl be Couch Kids (other than the Cabin 12 Jammers that is).  Omar Coleman was added to the lineup to fill the gap and certainly won the crowd over.  

 

First, it all begins on Thursday Night for the jam hosted by Gary Applegate.  A mixture of amatuers and professionals, the night was a blast.  The highlight was probably Tas Cru, Mick Kolassa, Deak Harp and local Jene Deere on stage sharing licks...Jene ended up joining Tas again on Saturday for a few songs during his set on the main stage. 

 

THURSDAY NIGHT