Oct. 21, 2002 – What's there to be blue about? Thursday through Saturday, Pirate Radio presents the 2002 Heineken Sugar Bay Blues Festival at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort on St. Thomas to chase your blues away.
Each night begins with the Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, and headliners are Michael Burks, Debbie Davies and Elvin Bishop.
Radio host Doug Lewis, whose show is currently on hiatus, encourages the public to support and attend the festival.
"We highly recommend these shows," Lewis, a.k.a. Assistant Attorney General Douglas Dick, said. "All of these outstanding artists are known to put on a great show, and I have played all of them on the Doug Lewis Show."
Wirtz, who received his clerical title through the mail, describes himself as "James Brown meets Porter Wagoner." His electrifying piano and onstage antics have amused, confused and amazed audiences across the United States.
Guitarist/vocalist Burks, who performs Thursday, combines his remarkable talent with an intense dedication to his craft. Burks is becoming one of the blues world's fastest-rising stars.
Davies is a singer-songwriter-guitarist with a burning passion for the music she loves. Her latest album, "Tales from the Austin Motel," was released in 1999. She performs Friday night.
Bishop has been singing and recording his "rollicking brand of electrified down-home blues" for almost 40 years. His music is described as "a mix of blues roots with contemporary funk and rock flavors spiced with a touch of country and the laid-back feel of his Northern California home." He performs Saturday.
Gates open at 7 p.m. each night and the show begins at 8 with Wirtz, followed by each night's headliner at 9.
Advance tickets are available through Wednesday at Modern Music at Havensight and Keep Left at American Yacht Harbor on St. Thomas. Love City Surf Shack in Cruz Bay carries tickets on St. John.
A three-day pass is $75; Thursday's concert with Michael Burks is $20; Friday's show with Debbie Davies is $30; and Saturday's concert with Elvin Bishop is $40.
The Wyndham Sugar Bay is one of three local hotels offering discounted rates for the festival. The others are Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort and Bolongo Bay Beach Club.
For more information, go to the Pirate Radio Web site, or call the Wyndham at 777-7100.
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