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Blues fest marks 20 years with ‘The Voice’ finalist, ZZ Top tribute band

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Laith Al-Saadi was a 2016 finalist on TV’s “The Voice.” He will perform Friday, July 28, at 7 p.m., at the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in Prairie du Chien.

Eliminator, a ZZ Top tribute band, will undoubtedly enliven the blues fest crowd with its spot-on reproduction of the classic songs and costumes—beards and all—as well as a show that includes the famous spinning guitars.

By Correne Martin

From the iconic, spinning fuzzy guitars of Eliminator, a ZZ Top tribute band, to the powerful and soulful vocals of Laith Al-Saadi, 2016 “The Voice” finalist, the 20th annual Prairie Dog Blues Festival is a party that won’t disappoint, set for this weekend in Prairie du Chien. In addition, 10 vibrantly stylistic music acts will play the perfect mix of global blues varieties that you’ve come to expect from the blues festival.

This year’s event is Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29, on St. Feriole Island. Tickets for one or both days, as well as on-site camping passes, can be purchased at the gate.

Friday’s lineup includes: 5 p.m.—Annika Chambers, 7 p.m.—Laith Al-Saadi, 9 p.m.—The Groove Hogs, 11 p.m.—Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials. Eliminator will rock the beer tent in between main stage acts all evening Friday.
Saturday, fest-goers will enjoy these artists: 12:30 p.m.—Chris Avey Band, 2:30 p.m.—Lil’ Davy Max, 4:30 p.m.—Ray Fuller & the Bluesrockers, 6:30 p.m.—Southern Avenue, 8:30 p.m.—Carolyn Wonderland, 10:30 p.m.—Eric Sardinas & Big Motor. The Kris Lager Band will keep all party animals groovin’ in the beer tent all day Saturday.

Lauded as a cool cross between Danny Gatton and Buddy Guy at their best, Laith Al-Saadi’s bag of tricks includes everything from a traditional blend of blues to soul and classic rock.

Al-Saadi has been highly praised by country music superstar and “The Voice” judge Blake Shelton. “[He’s] a musician unlike anyone we’ve ever had ... [whose] voice is so enormous, you don’t even need a microphone.”

From Ann Arbor, Mich., Al-Saadi is a diverse performer whose incredible guitar playing and memorable singing will leave the audience in complete awe. He has appeared on stages across the country with legends like Taj Mahal, Luther Allison, Buddy Guy, Son Seals, Gregg Allman and B.B. King. Since he appeared on “The Voice” finale, he’s released a number of top blues charting tunes, four that hit the top 10 among iTunes singles, and albums that also spent time on the top of rock charts.

Whether you watched him on “The Voice” or have only heard of the show, the opportunity to see him up close at the Prairie Dog Blues Fest is one that doesn’t come to Prairie du Chien often.

Hailing from Chicago, Eliminator has played from coast to coast for over 25 years, creating the complete ZZ Top concert experience at festivals, fairs, major motorcycle rallies, convention centers, bars and casinos. Eliminator is regarded across the world as the most authentic tribute to ZZ Top. In fact, they play more gigs than all other ZZ Top tribute bands in America combined.

Made up of three outstanding, veteran musicians, Eliminator features spot-on reproduction of the classic songs and costumes as well as a perfectly-choreographed show that includes the famous spinning guitars. These men are so dedicated to authenticity that the bassist and guitarist have been growing out their beards for the past 30 years.

The Eliminator’s tone, taste and tenacity are sure to blow up the fun-seekers in the beer tent Friday like a lit stick of dynamite.

Friday night’s headliner, Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials have a big bottleneck boogie sound, fueled by Lil’ Ed’s gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged voice. This is a flamboyant, raucous band that hopes to bring celebration and joy, as it has before, to Prairie du Chien.

If you’re curious what a young Tina Turner may have been like, slip into the blues fest Saturday evening to check out Tierinii of the Memphis-based Southern Avenue, Saturday night. Her band features four other young, but seasoned, musicians whose organic chemistry will keep the crowd moving. She and her sister, drummer Tikyra Jackson, are church-bred talents who are rounded out by Ori Naftaly, an Israeli-born blues artist who’s played the fest solo before, jazz-inspired bassist Daniel McKee and keyboardist Jeremy Powell.

Later Saturday night, another repeat Prairie Dog performer, Carolyn Wonderland, will bring her heartfelt blues rock to the main stage. Carolyn will showcase a big load of soulful individuality, inspired by the great Janis Joplin and Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as the wit of a poet. Her voice can be as beautiful as an angel’s and as powerful as a hurricane, both at the drop of a hat. She can also play the trumpet, accordion, piano, mandolin, lap steel and she can whistle spectacularly. She’s barely five feet tall, but the Texas native is sure to impress with her voice, guitar skills and stage presence.

If there’s anything left of the stage to tear down Saturday night, the blues fest organizers will be lucky, because Saturday’s headliner, Eric Sardinas, with his band, Big Motor, has literally lit his guitar on fire before at the blues fest.

Roasting his resonator guitar and knocking viewers out with his gravelly voice and world class blues-rock craze, Sardinas is back to Prairie du Chien for the third time. He’s a cool dude who never disappoints in his efforts to mesmerize a crowd.

Other than listening, dancing and marveling over each show this weekend, the Prairie Dog Blues Fest is a great time for area community members to sit back and relax on St. Feriole Island, with a beer in hand, enjoying friendly people all around. Festival food and vendors are an added bonus of this fun local festival.

Organized each year by Todd Yeomans and Sharon Morgan, of Prairie du Chien, and their families, it’s as laid-back as a festival can be. In fact, it started 20 years ago as a 30th birthday party for Yeomans.

All ages are welcome to join the rest of the Prairie Doggers at the festival and celebrate its 20th year in style.

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