KPFT Notes

Alligator recording artist and Blues Music Award winner, Marcia Ball, will headline The Charles Brown “Day of Remembrance” Blues Festival honoring a Texas City native citizen who became a national musical legend.

The festival will begin at 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at Nessler Park, at the corner of Ninth Ave. North and 21st St. in Texas City. Festivities will continue until 10 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Charles Brown was born September 13, 1922 in Texas City. He grew to national prominence after he left Texas to pursue a career in music.

He is credited with bridging the gap between rural country blues and uptown sophisticated piano blues, sometimes called “cocktail blues”, that pre-dated the entrance of rock ’n’ roll. Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt and other major musical legends have credited Brown as inspiring and influencing their careers.

“There is a group of Charles Brown fans and local citizens who are pleased to see that the City of Texas City has chosen to undertake this project and honor one of our own for his major contributions to the music world,” said James Nagel, Festival Chair.

The City of Texas City is underwriting the festival through the Texas City Cultural Arts Foundation. A bronze bust of Charles Brown will be unveiled during the festival and Mayor Matt Doyle will issue a proclamation recognizing Nov. 3 as “Charles Brown Day” in Texas City.

90.1 FM KPFT in Houston is also sponsoring the event.

In addition to festival headliner Marcia Ball, the Main Stage will feature entertainment by LZ Love, an Austin-based vocalist, Houston’s Ezra Charles & The Works, and the legendary Texas Johnny Brown & The Quality Blues Band.

Between main stage acts, the College of the Mainland Jazz Combo, College of the Mainland Jazz Ensemble and Sparky’s Jazz Express will perform.

The festival will also feature arts and crafts, classic/art cars, concessions and a children’s area.