Alligator Records’ Bruce Iglauer Named A Chicagoan Of The Year

It is with great pleasure that we congratulate our longtime friend and client, Alligator Records’ Bruce Iglauer for being named one of nine Chicagoans of the year by The Chicago Tribune. Alligator Records kicked off 2011 in February with the release of the 2-CD set The Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection. In June, during the Chicago Blues Festival, Iglauer received a proclamation from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Mayor Emanuel honored Iglauer’s contribution to the city’s musical heritage on a night dedicated to the label’s anniversary, featuring performances by blues icons Lonnie Brooks, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, Michael “Iron Man” Burks, Rick Estrin, and Shemekia Copeland.  Among the many other highlights of the label’s 40th anniversary, in July, rolled out a new Alligator Records website built by 305 Spin featuring over 3,000 track samples from over 280 albums by more than 100 of the leading blues artists from yesterday and today. 305 Spin is very proud of everything that Alligator Records celebrated in 2011, and we wish them continued success and growth in 2012 and for many years to come.

Check out the website at www.alligator.com. And while you are at it join us in congratulating Bruce on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alligatorrecords.

The 2011 Chicago Blues Fest is almost here!

As Chicago gears up for the 27th annual Blues Festival, June 10-12, 305 Spin busy is working with Chicago independent Blues label, Alligator Records (who is also celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year) and the Chicago blues club Buddy Guy’s Legends owned by Buddy Guy on their new websites. 

The Chicago Blues Festival is a three-day event featuring top-tier blues musicians and is the city of Chicago’s largest music festival.  With past performances by legends including Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King, it’s no wonder the event has historically drawn crowds of over half a million blues fans.  Click here for more information about the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival.

Don’t miss these special Blues Festival performances at Buddy Guy’s Legends:
Friday, June 10 – Jimmy Johnson, Guy King and his Little Big Band, Carlos Johnson, The Kinsey Report
Saturday, June 11 – Nick Moss and the Fliptops, Matthew Skoller, John Primer, and Magic Slim and the Teardrops
Sunday, June 12 – Harmonica Hinds, Michael Coleman, Joanna Connor, Carl Weathersby

And the following Alligator artists will be performing a special Alligator 40th Anniversary tribute on Sunday, June 12:
– Lonnie Brooks
– Michael Burks
– Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
– Eddy Clearwater
– Shemekia Copeland

Don’t Miss the Springing The Blues Festival this Weekend!

Springing The Blues is a free outdoor blues music festival designed to celebrate America’s indigenous musical form and promote support of the arts.  The three-day oceanfront event will feature a number of renowned blues performers including; Anders Osborne, Victor Wainwright, Dana Fuchs, and Joanne Shaw Taylor, as well as numerous displays and activities geared for the entire family.  The 20th Annual George’s Music Springing the Blues Festival will be held in Jacksonville Beach, Florida’s Oceanfront SeaWalk Pavilion on April 1, 2, and 3.