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Living Blues Goes to Chicago
Living Blues, the world’s leading blues magazine, has received a $10,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity / Bureau of Tourism to fund a special edition of the publication highlighting the
contemporary blues scene in Chicago and the 25th anniversary of the Chicago Blues Festival. The Chicago
Blues Festival is the premier blues event and has presented such artists as Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, and James Brown.
The June 2008 special issue of Living Blues features legendary Chicago guitarist Buddy Guy and covers the current blues scene in Chicago. The issue includes dozens of photos of blues artists, a blues club guide, street maps, record stores, the historic Maxwell Street scene, and guest editorials by Chicago mayor Richard Daley, Buddy Guy, and
others.
“True blues fans have always seen Living Blues as the qualified blues magazine. It was founded in Chicago and has really set the standard for blues journalism,” states Barry Dolins, deputy director, Mayor’s Office of Special Events. “Living Blues provides a document that will help our city’s Convention and Tourism Bureau present the Chicago blues industry to a wider audience.”
Living Blues Editor Brett Bonner says, “A few years ago, we produced a similar issue for the Mississippi Board of Tourism. Four years later, people visiting Mississippi still order the issue. Similarly, our Chicago Blues issue will serve as the modern travel guide for blues fans and attract tourists to Chicago from around the world.”
“This grant from the State of Illinois makes special issues like this possible. We can promote the very active Chicago blues scene and provide our readers substantive information should they decide to visit,” added Living Blues publication manager Mark Camarigg.
Living Blues was founded in Chicago in 1970 and was acquired by the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at
the University of Mississippi in 1983. For more information about the magazine and to subscribe visit www.livingblues.com. Details about the 2008 Chicago Blues Festival are available at www.chicagobluesfestival.org.
