It seems every year I manage to forget the pain of sitting in traffic on the afternoon of a long holiday weekend. It was, after all, the 26^thAnnual Battle of the Blues Harps on Thanksgiving Eve. I have not missed this show in many years. For many blues fans in Southern California, The Battle of the Blues Harps is the kickoff to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. After all before Black Friday comes Blues Wednesday.

The lineup was solid as always and the performances did not disappoint. There is a good reason that this event has been going on so long...talent, talent and more talent. Who would not venture out on a cool November evening to be entertained by the likes of Junior Watson, Billy Watson, Mitch Kashmar, The 44s, Chef Denis, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, along with Rick Estrin and the Nightcats featuring Kid Andersen? As an additional surprise Montreal’s own Bharath Rajakumar was in town and made it on stage as well.

It has become tradition for me to attend so I will probably forget about the traffic again next year. Enjoy a photo essay which includes many of the shots I took during this wonderful evening of blues music.

Billy Watson

Junior Watson, Billy Watson & Bill Stuve

Bill Stuve

Chef Denis

Johnny Main (The 44's) & Junior Watson

Mitch Kashmar

Dave Kida, Honey Piazza & Rod Piazza (The Mighty Flyers)

Kid Andersen (Rick Estrin & the Nightcats)

Rick Estrin

Kid Andersen & J. Hansen (Rick Estrin & the Nightcats)

Junior Watson & Bharath Rajakumar