Leland Blues Project News:

 

September 13, 2008

The Dutch Benefit for the Delta held at the Cafe Royal in Mill, NL was a highly successful event!

The Dutch Benefit for the Delta Team : (seated left to right) Mat van Boxtel, Berry van Berkel (standing left to right) Ton van Nerven, Gonnie van Boxtel, Rinie Verheijen, Johan Verheijen. These were the people who organized this great event.

The event was attended by more than 300 die-hard Dutch Blues fans and they were entertained by six blues acts during the course of the evening. Bradley's Circus opened the evening, followed by soloist Ralph de Jongh. The T and C Band, including benefit organizer, Ton van Nerven, took the stage. Bobby Rutledge then brought his pre-war Delta Blues to the stage. The Little Louis Band came on and gave a great performance and the evening ended with a fine band, Phil Bee and the Buzztones. All six of these acts donated their time to the benefit performing free of charge to help raise funds for the Leland Blues Project.

Bradley's Circus opening the show

Ralph de Jongh and Bobby Rutledge, the acoustic acts for the evening.

The T and C Band

The Little Louis Band

Phil Bee and the Buzztones

Gonnie van Boxtel holding one of the benefit t-shirts.

Pictured is Theo Reijnders with the portrait of bluesman, Willie Foster, that he donated to be auctioned at The Dutch Benefit for the Delta. Theo is one of the foremost contemporary Dutch artists portraying blues subjects.

Thanks go out to many people for organizing and participating in this benefit... the benefit team for organizing this event... to Broer, the owner of Cafe Royal, for donating the venue for the benefit... the performers who put on a spectacular show... the sound men who donated the use of their equipment and their time to make all the performers sound so good... the artists, Theo Reijnders, Leo Gabriels and Ferry Vloet who donated artwork to be auctioned for the benefit... the volunteers who helped set up for the benefit and take everything down afterwards... and finally to the Dutch people for supporting the event with such a great crowd of enthusiastic blues fans! The Leland Blues Project was greatly honored by the generousity afforded us by the Dutch people. One would be hard pressed to find any better people on the planet! Thanks to ALL of you!

 

October 14, 2008

The Dutch Benefit for the Delta benefit team visited the Highway 61 Blues Museum for a reception held in their honor. They presented Leland Blues Project director Billy Johnson with a check for the proceeds of their benefit held in The Netherlands totaling $5,548. Eddie Cusic and Pat Thomas both performed at the reception that was catered by Cicero's restaurant.

Dutch Benefit for the Delta organizers Rinie and Johan Verheijen and Mat and Gonnie van Boxtel present Leland Blues Project director Billy Johnson a check for $5,548, the proceeds of the benefit they organized in The Netherlands.

Eddie Cusic performing at the reception held for The Dutch Benefit for the Delta organizers at The Highway 61 Blues Museum.