On the Blues Beat page: At the end of the road, heading north, there is a little town called Ely, Minnesota, and they throw one heck of a Blues festival. Check out the story on the 2004 Boundary Waters Blues Festival.

Blues Beat

2004 Boundary Waters Blues Festival

End of the Road Blues

By Steve Sloan

Since the beginning of time live music has captivated even the harshest of critics. To be involved in the mood and feel of a situation can take even the most obstinate listener and convert them. The Blues has this power and having a beautiful location to add to the impact doesn't hurt much either. The Boundary Waters Blues Festival, held in Ely, Minnesota, literally at the end of the road, provided all the beauty of the great north woods and added a nice Blues lineup to convert those that came to fish into true Blues believers.

The small town of Ely is set on the edge of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area just a stone's throw (really a canoe ride) from Canada. The festival is held in a large, open field on the grounds of the Ely/Winton Rod and Gun Club. With a lake at our backs and the stage set up in front of a large hill blanketed with trees, the setting had a truly wilderness feel. The festival is set up for attendees to camp on-site and is large enough that all could spread out and wander about without ever missing anything on stage. (The camping is a relatively inexpensive way to attend this fest and also allows for the consumption of your favorite tonic without the need to worry about a designated driver.)

                                Bnois King                                                Reneé Austin and Smokin' Joe Kubek

Closing down the festival Friday night was none other than the duo of Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King. There is no question when you hear the strong boogie sound of Kubek's guitar that he is all Texan. The sultry Jazz styling of King's playing and his smooth vocals make this combo one of the best double guitar acts on the circuit. Playing to a packed house (well, field) Kubek and King rolled through their set of typical Texas covers and a few from their Roadhouse Research release. After a full set, Kubek and King invited  Reneé on stage and she belted out two tunes while Kubek tore up the stage on guitar. A classic performance that should not have been missed and could only be topped by what was to come.

Only in its fourth year the Boundary Waters Blues Festival is making a name for itself in the Midwest and if they continue to run such a smooth show the word should start running down the Mississippi and finding its way to other Blues fans around the country. If you're looking for a great small festival in the north woods look no further than Ely, Minnesota. Just don't forget your sleeping bag and flashlight!