The temperatures and the gas prices should start falling off a little this month, and a lot of people might see that as a good reason for a road trip. So we thought we’d remind our readers of a couple terrific blues festivals coming up in September, both just a few hours drive from the Quad Cities.

First up is the Berghoff & Blues Festival in Monroe, Wisconsin on the fifteenth. Monroe is due east of Dubuque and just north of the Illinois state line. A carload of MVBS members made it up there two years ago and had an excellent time. Great weather, a beautiful drive, affordable rooms, a stellar lineup and a low-key, relaxed ambience featuring plenty of Berghoff beer all contributed to making some great memories.

This year’s lineup includes the New Legends of the Blues All-stars, and the Delmark All-stars, with the big cheese on the keys, Ken Saydak. Also appearing will be perennial Midwest favorites Westside Andy & Mel Ford, and Sonny Landreth, who impressed a lot of folks at the ’05 IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. The headliner will be the legendary James Cotton.

A week later, September 21^st & 22^nd, will be the Paramount Blues Festival in Grafton, Wisconsin. Located just north of Milwaukee, this fest will require a little more driving, but offers two days of music in return. The organizers hope to increase awareness and support for the historic Paramount Recording Studios, which were located in Grafton in the early 20^th Century. The list of blues legends who recorded there reads like a who’s who of the great blues originators.

Featured musicians this year will include Zac Harmon, Michael “Hawkeye” Herman. Michael Ammons, Eric Noden & Joe Filisko, Rory Block, Nora Jean Bruso and David “Honeyboy” Edwards.

Seriously, to all the MVBS members and volunteers who bust their tails at our annual fest, you should really make it to an out of town festival, just to let somebody else do all the work. It’s really fun!