News 12 at 11, May 10, 2007

Thomson, Ga. --- Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival was recently voted one of the top 20 tourism events in the Southeast. And it's right down the street, in Thomson, Georgia. More than 2,500 people came out to hear blues musicians from Texas, Australia, Chicago, and Nashville.

It's a day to kick back and listen to some blues. A music festival that puts Thomson on the map. In fact, it draws thousands of people from all over the Southeast.

"People that love blues music will travel distances to hear the blues entertainers," Thomson Mayor, Kenneth Usry said.

And one of those is, Bob Patterson. He drove from Duluth, Georgia.

"A lot of my friends when I talk about Thomson, they don't really know, oh they're talking about that town next to Augusta. We all know about the Masters and all that jazz. But they talk about Blind Willie McTell, they know where Thomson, GA is. Absolutely," Bob Patterson said.

Bob started coming to this festival in 95, and the music brings him back year after year.

"You hear it in the background? That's what it is. It's a lot of fun. It's just very enjoyable. You're out here in the cow pasture of all things," Patterson said.

He's a true blues fan and has the attire to prove it. And he comes prepared with a tent, and lounge chairs like many others, sitting back and taking in all the action.
Some prefer dancing, front and center to their own musical beat.

"We don't book people because they're popular. We book people because they're very good musicians," Don Powers said.

And that's exactly why all these blues lovers sit back and listen for hours.

"That's what the other cool thing is. I don't know who any of the acts are. But it's something new. I get to listen to all of them," Patterson said.

This year's headliner was Mavis Staples, one of the original Staples Singers in the 60's rhythm and blues band.