Please accept this invitation to attend....

Randy Ray’s

10^th Annual

Mid-Winter Blues Party

“Back to the Jams”

Saturday January 25th, 2003

Doors Open 7:00 PM – Music 8:00 ‘til 2:00

The Chalet - Route 52 North – Mendota

It’s time again for the January Blues Party!  This year we will be celebrating the Tenth Annual Mid-Winter Blues.  Okay... we skipped one in there, but I’m still going to call it the Tenth Annual one…  Having it’s roots at the Water Tower Inn in 1978 and ’79 and in 1985 at Kurt and Dena’s in Triumph, this version of the celebration started in 1994 as the Mid Winter Musical Extravaganza.  The first two years (’94,’95) were held at Bradford’s Partner’s Pub (now Chubby’s) in Troy Grove.  The following three years (’96,’97,’98) were at the Mendota Civic Center.  In 1999 it was moved to the Country Ranch facilities south of Mendota.  For various reasons, in 2000 the event was cancelled.  The last two parties featured the Say Uncle band along with guest musicians at the Country Ranch in 2001 and - in 2002 - at the Chalet in Mendota.

This year we will get back to the fun and musical diversification of the first few jams.  The Crossroads Blues Bandwill provide the amps, drums and P.A. equipment as well as making sure that everyone who would like to play gets their chance.  I am receiving an excited interest from the musicians who have played in the past.  I spent over an hour on the phone last night talking with many of the musicians who made those first parties a success.  They are all looking forward to coming to play this year.  I am really excited by the talent that will be on the stage and in the room!  Among those scheduled to play are award winning singers and musicians who have been recognized at local, state, national and even international levels.  Also slated for the evening is the debut performance of a new six piece band featuring Tony Martin on vocals!**  If you like the blues, if you like live music, if you want to see some of the best musical talent in the North Central Illinois area, you will not want to miss this event!

(** Note - As of January 17, due to scheduling conflicts, "The Crowd" is not planning to perform)

And, as if the music wasn’t enough, there will also be giveaways and prizes including movies and free rentals courtesy of Kim Daul and J.C. Flicks of Mendota.  

All in all it should prove to be a great evening of fun, music and friends.  Please feel free to invite or bring your friends and others to whom I may not have gotten a personal invitation.  At this time I am not billing this as a benefit.  As great as it is to be able to give to a cause, the REAL reason for this party is the music and friendship.  If we can help someone out while doing it – well, that is an added benefit.  I’d be happy to just break even.  There will be a suggested donation of $5⁰⁰  per person and as usual anything above my cost (~$800) will be donated to some worthy cause.

I hope that you will be able to come out and join your friends for this memorable night.

Please note:  Parking is available behind the building.  Drive thru front lot and turn left.  Must be over 21 to attend.

Point your browser to midwinterblues.com for updated information.