Johnny Rawls
Johnny Rawls is a soul blues legend with too many accolades to mention here. With a career spanning more than 50 years, he’s done it all. He’s an internationally recognized recording artist, music producer, and songwriter who tours extensively nationally and internationally.
The Blues Music Awards, Blues Blast Awards, Living Blues Awards, and the W. C. Handy Awards have all acknowledged Johnny with 26 Nominations and 9 Blues Awards, including Soul Blues Album of the Year and Soul Blues Artist of the Year. Living Blues Magazine described him as a “soul-blues renaissance man” when he was featured on the cover in 2002. Johnny is honored to be mentioned on two markers along the Mississippi Blues Trail – one in Hattiesburg, MS marking the Hi-Hat Club, and another in Rocklin ME marking the migration of blues from Mississippi to Maine.
Born in Columbia, Mississippi in 1951, Johnny grew up in Purvis (near Hattiesburg) and Gulfport. Johnny’s interest in music began in early childhood. At 13 years old he was playing guitar seriously,
and by age 15, he was backing artists including ZZ Hill, Little Johnny Taylor, Joe Tex, and The Sweet Inspirations on their tours in the Southeast. In the mid-1970s, Johnny became the band director for soul singer O.V. Wright and toured with O.V. until his death in 1980. Wright’s band, under Johnny’s
leadership, continued to perform as the Ace of Spades band for several years.
In 1985, Johnny began touring as a solo artist and made his first solo recording. A prolific songwriter, hundreds of Johnny’s songs have been recorded. He has released more than 15 albums since his debut solo album.
The Blues Music Awards (and its predecessor, the W.C. Handy Awards) frequently recognize Johnny’s work. To date, ten of Johnny’s albums have been nominated for Soul Blues Album of the Year, with “I’m Still Around” winning in 2019. A true “road warrior,” Johnny tours extensively throughout the US, and internationally, playing approximately 200 dates every year. He’s performed at major blues festivals, including the Chicago Blues Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival multiple times. Whether he’s playing in a small intimate club or at a large blues festival, Johnny always delivers a high-energy show to the delight of audiences everywhere.
www.JohnnyRawlsBlues.com
Jimmy Wooten
Hailing from Shreveport, Louisiana, Jimmy Wooten is a seasoned musician who has toured the past fifteen years with bands internationally, but, with the recent release of his fourteen-track debut album, Collision Course, he is solidifying himself as a true songsmith. With a sound rooted in rock, country, blues, and soul, his music takes you on an auditory journey that you won’t soon forget.
Born into a musical family and hitting the road with multiple bands straight out of high school, Wooten has toured internationally along with sharing stages with The Steel Woods, Uncle Lucious, Joshua Ray Walker, Dennis Quiad, Marty Stewart, Vince Gill, Tab Benoit, Josh Weathers, Casey Donahew and more. Not to mention touring with country music legend Neal McCoy for five years (bass guitar, background vocals). However, since starting a family, Wooten says that his children have given him the confidence and drive to step out on his own.
"I’ve been playing music professionally since around 2001, playing different instruments with different people, from locals to Neal McCoy on major nationwide tours. All the studio work, and everything I’ve ever done, has been building up to this moment where I’m putting out a full body of work and I could not be more excited, or ready."
www.JimmyWooten.net
Skyler Saufley
As a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Skyler Saufley is not your typical blues artist, and his journey to become one is uniquely his own.
Specializing in jump, swing, and west coast style blues, coupled with his impeccable stage presence and knack for showmanship, Saufley’s talent becomes impossible to ignore, evoking the spirit of blues legends T-Bone Walker and Pee Wee Crayton.
His live shows are infused with a mix of electrifying blues and boogie-woogie standards that bring audiences to their feet and leave them begging for more.
Skyler performs extensively across the southeast and his recent induction into the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame cements his status as a rising star in the blues world.
Kendall Jackson
Kendall Jackson is a dynamic saxophonist known for the intensity and passion he brings to every performance. His powerful, soulful sound has captivated audiences across North Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, earning him a reputation as a rising star in the regional music scene. Kendall's remarkable talent and energy leave a lasting impression, making him one of the most talked-about saxophonists in the area.
- Blues Foundation’s Keeping the Blues Alive Award Winner
- Wiregrass Blue Society Charter member
- Wiregrass Blues Festival Founder and Charter Member
- 2023 WBS Honoree, and Collector of all things blues.
- The Legendary Blues DJ of Blues Power Radio
- Master of Ceremony at BB Kings in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge
- and Our Host with the most...
Mr. Gil Anthony
Festival - VIP - Vendor - Meet & Greet - Information
The 12th Annual Wiregrass Blues Festival
“Blues, Brews & BBQ
will be held at The Plant in Downtown Dothan, Al,
and will feature:
4 Dynamic Blues Bands
Back yard BBQ Competition
Arts & Crafts Vendors
Charity Bike Run
Car Show
Kids Activities
and more...
VIP Tickets $125
Includes:
meet & greet invitation,
Artist meet & greet day of, private seating, private bar,
2 drink tickets, and food.
General Admission $25 Advance $30 Gate
WBS Member Ticket $15
*Children 12 & Under are FREE with a paying adult.
*Bring Your Lawn Chair
The 12th Annual Wiregrass Blues Society “Meet & Greet"
March 15, 2025
12 pm- 2 pm
All Corporate Sponsors, VIPs, and Special Guests are invited to attend
the Festival Meet & Greet.
The location is at The Plant
Located at South Saint Andrews ST Dothan, AL
Attendees will be treated to the opportunity of a meet and mingle with our festival performers.
Lunch service and a cash bar will be available to all.
We hope to see you at our Pre-Fest Party!
*This Event and all performances are made possible by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Alabama Humanities Alliance, and our faithful Sponsors.
* VENDORS *
Vendor Application
Be a Vendor at the 12th Annual Wiregrass Blues Festival!
If you’re looking for a way to expand your customer base and get your products or services in front of a larger audience, becoming a vendor at the WBF is for you! You will have the creative freedom to display your product how you want, and effectively catch the eye of festival goers. It's a great way to increase your brand awareness, credibility, and sales.
Vendor fees are $100.
Note: Our resources are limited and we may be unable to accommodate special needs. There is no electricity on the field where you will be located, a generator will be needed. After acceptance, NO refunds will be made. Please complete the registration form below.
For more information contact Donnia Rambin at 334-648-6542.
Calling All Local Artists: Showcase Your Talent at the Wiregrass Blues Festival!
The Wiregrass Blues Festival invites local artists to join us as art vendors for this year’s exciting event. With over 1,000 attendees expected, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your beautiful creations to a vibrant audience passionate about art, music, and culture.
While the vendor fee is $100, we understand the challenges artists face, and we want to support you. Instead of a monetary fee, you have the option to donate a piece of your artwork to the Wiregrass Blues Society’s silent auction.
This exchange not only highlights your talent but also helps us further our mission to Keep the Blues Alive in the Wiregrass Area. Don’t miss this chance to connect with art enthusiasts, share your unique vision, and contribute to an unforgettable cultural experience!
* BBQ Competition *
BBQ COMPETITION
Compete in our BBQ Competition at the 11th Annual Wiregrass Blues Festival!
The competition will be judged by a panel of local celebrity food enthusiasts.
$1000.00 Cash prize, Trophy, and Bragging Rights as best BBQ in the Wiregrass Area.
There will also be a “People’s Choice Award”. Trophy and Bragging Rights as The People’s Choice BBQ in the Wiregrass Area. (This competition will be based on crowd response.)
Not only will you compete to win the $1000 prize
but you will also sell your food to the festival goers.
Whether a Professional, Semi-professional or just a Backyard BBQ Bada$$,
all are welcome.
Vendor fees are $100.
Note: Our resources are limited and we may be unable to accommodate special needs. There is no electricity on the field where you will be located, a generator will be needed. After acceptance, NO refunds will be made. Please complete the registration form below.
Wiregrass Blues Festival Announces 12th Annual Blues, Brews & BBQ Celebrity Judges!
Get ready for a sizzling showdown! The Wiregrass Blues Festival is thrilled to announce the Celebrity Judges for this year’s 12th Annual Blues, Brews & BBQ - BBQ Competition!
We've carefully selected some of the Wiregrass’s finest local food connoisseurs to bring their expertise, passion, and taste buds to the table.
* car show *
Car Show
Rev Up Your Engines for the Ultimate Car Show at the 12th Annual Wiregrass Blues Festival!
We are looking for classic cars, rat rods, and high-performance vehicles!
- Best in Show Award: Stand out from the crowd and claim the prestigious title of "Best in Show" for your exceptional vehicle.
- People's Choice Award: Let the crowd be the judge and vote for their favorite car to win the coveted "People's Choice" award.
Every entry receives 2 tickets to the Wiregrass Blues Festival, granting you access to the festival's electrifying performances, delicious food vendors, and vibrant atmosphere!
Don't miss your chance to be a part of this thrilling automotive extravaganza at the Wiregrass Blues Festival. Mark your calendars, shine up those classic rides, and prepare for an unforgettable day of cars, music, and fun!
No Entry Fee
Meet & Greet 12 PM - 2 PM
🕑 Gates Open at 2 PM - Event Ends Around 9 PM 🕘
* charity Bike Ride*
Register for the 12th Annual Wiregrass Blues Festival CHARITY BIKE RIDE.
Benefiting Cason Price #CASONSTRONG.
Your $25 entry fee gets you in the ride and in The Plant for the Wiregrass Blues Brews and BBQ Festival. All bike ride money‘s collected go to the charity recipient.
Sponsored by HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF DOTHAN.
Charity bike run coordinator is Jacky Lee-Wagoner.
Registration is the day of the event at HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF DOTHAN from 11am-12pm. Kick Stands Up at 12:30pm.
Meet Cason Price – A Fighter’s Story
Cason Price is a brave 12-year-old boy from Paxton, Florida, whose world changed in an instant.
A seventh grader full of life and energy, Cason came home from school one day with what
seemed like a simple stomachache. Over the next few days, his condition worsened—fever,
severe abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Initially misdiagnosed with colitis at a local
emergency room, his symptoms escalated, and he was transferred to multiple hospitals before
doctors discovered he had contracted Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare and life-
threatening condition caused by shiga toxin-producing E. coli.
Cason’s battle has been nothing short of extraordinary. In just one week, his body became toxic,
leading to severe complications. A perforated colon required emergency surgery, resulting in a
colostomy bag. His condition was critical—he underwent multiple surgeries, endured infections,
and required ECMO (a life-support machine) to keep him alive. After a bedside procedure,
Cason coded, but thanks to the tireless efforts of his medical team and the unwavering prayers of
his community, he fought his way back.
Cason has been in the Pediatric ICU since January 23, 2025, with his devoted mother, Melonie
Price, his father, and family by his side every step of the way. He is now off ECMO, making
slow but determined progress. Though he still relies on a feeding tube and is unable to speak, he
can communicate by shaking his head yes or no. His next step is rehabilitation in Jacksonville,
Florida, where he and his family will continue this challenging journey.
The emotional and financial toll on the Price family has been immense. Staying at the Ronald
McDonald House, unable to work, and focusing solely on Cason’s recovery, they need our
support. The Wiregrass Blues Festival Charity Bike Run is dedicated to helping Cason and his
family during this critical time.
You can follow Cason’s journey and get updates on his progress by visiting the CasonStrong
Facebook page.
Thank you for standing with Cason, a true warrior, as he continues his journey to healing.
Our Sponsors
