There has been blues around Western Wisconsin for a while. However, not many people knew about it. In Eau Claire, the main place for blues was The Stones Throw downtown. They had acts such as James Solberg and Koko Taylor. They would have group jam sessions on Wednesday nights. If you brought an instrument to play, you could go on up and play it. Times have changed though for Western Wisconsin blues scene. There are more bands, a larger following, and much younger band members. There are currently 3-4 Eau Claire based blues bands. Probably the most popular ones are the Crawlin' KingSnakes, who is currently working on a CD that is suppose to come out in May ‘98, and Nine Below Zero; the best dressed blues band in the area. The Crawlin' KingSnakes have been around for a couple years now and have established a good crowd. They play at Houligan's Downtown Eau Claire every Thursday night from 9pm - 12am. The band is: lead singer Adrien Klenz, guitarist Ryan Herrington, and the bass player Nick Peddis. They are one of the bands that is going to be in the first annual Chippewa Valley Blues Fest in June. The band, Nine Below Zero, has been together for about one and a half years now. They play a lot of Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and some Stevie Ray Vaughan. They will also participate in the first annual Blues Fest in Eau Claire. Nine Below Zero plays regularly at Grizzly's Grill and Saloon on the first Thursday of every month from 8pm to 11pm. The band members include: bass player, Johnny "T-Bone" Stanton; guitarist, Tony LaCroix; drummer, Levi Felling, and local harmonica player who sits in with many bands but usually plays with Nine Below Zero, Bobby "O". Nine Below Zero also has a saxophone player named Jarrett Cooper who sits in every now and then. Even a violin player is needed to join them in the song "The Trill Is Gone" by B. B. King. Howard "Guitar" Leudtke & the Blue Max Band have a CD out. They are from the Eau Claire area and visit often. Once you see Howard perform, you will have a new feeling for the blues. Howard is really an "in your face" type of guitar player. Howard plays kind of a rock-blues. With his great bass player "Magic" Deb the Blue Max Band always sounds great; especially live. Jay Stulo and the Mighty Aces are actually a Fox Valley based band. However, they originated in the Eau Claire area and stop back every now and then to say hi and play the blues. Jay is an excellent student of James Solberg and Luther Allison. He use to jam with both James and Luther before putting his own band together. With the album "Somebody's Knockin'" already out, the band has been doing excellent. They have played at the River's Edge in Durand WI and Muggy's in Chippewa Falls, WI. As for James Solberg, he is from Altoona, WI and originally played and owned the Stones Throw (now The Corner Stone) when they still had blues acts weekly. He has helped the great Luther Allison on his records and has also produced many record labels with Jim Gaines. Gaines has produced many fantastic albums such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and of course Luther Allison and James Solberg. The Corner Stone is now in business and features many live bands. From blues to alternative to country. It has the best blues atmosphere that I have ever been in. The Nine Below Zero Band often plays at The Corner Stone. It is located on Eau Claire Street next to The State: Regional Arts Center which is another prime blues spot in Eau Claire. The State: Regional Arts Center has featured musicians such as Jonny Lang, Luther Allison, James Solberg and a local blues concert Blue Sunday. The prices are excellent and the seating is fantastic. We are hoping to get more blues happenings in The State: Regional Arts Center. The first annual Chippewa Valley Blues Fest is now official. It has been approved by the city of Eau Claire. It will feature acts such as Lamont Cranston, James Solberg, all of the bands mentioned above, and many, more. It will be June 19, 20, and 21 at Grizzly's Grill & Saloon parking lot. The Western Wisconsin Blues scene is alive and well. With more and more people supporting it, the more likely it will stick around. The area has the potential and hopefully, soon be as blue as good old Chicago.