Simple Man Enterprises

For those of you that supported the “Simply the Blues” blues festival from our 1st festival in 2004 and up until this year, thank you for everything that you have done. I am sorry to announce that Simple Man Enterprises, L.L.C. will no longer be producing our trademarked festival, “Simply The Blues” Blues festival. We also apologize for waiting so long to thank you and to make this announcement. This has been a very complicated decision to make and we wanted to take the time to make sure it was the right decision. This festival could not have been done without all the amazing sponsors, volunteers and friends that we have accumulated in the last six years.

While other events have lost sponsorship in the last year due to the economy, our festival has had the highest sponsorship that it has ever had. Our attendance was over 1,500 and that has been about the average over the last 3 years. Unfortunately, costs have risen, while the attendance has not and we feel that asking any more from our sponsors and friends, would not be fair to them and to do the things that we need to do to increase growth, would require greater sponsorship.

In order to cut costs and to keep it going, we feel we would negatively affect the quality of the festival and we do not want to turn this into a “parking lot” event. With all the great/legendary artists, the money raised for charities (over $17,000), the unique events (i.e. “Simply The Blues” train, free harmonica workshops, sponsoring music at the Main St. Bar-B-Q contest, Blues in Schools, ect), bringing in attendees from all over the world and even the start of a music scholarship, we feel that this has not been a waste of our time or our sponsors/friends time and support.

Our motivation has been based on the benefits for the community of Ft. Madison and surrounding areas, the Blues community and the sponsors. The “Simply The Blues” organizers/volunteers are very proud of what we have been a part of and want to go out on a high note. Again, thanks to all of you for your friendship and support of the “Simply The Blues” Blues festival.

WHAT WAS SIMPLY THE BLUES?

Simply the Blues was a blues festival that was started in Fort Madison, Iowa by Simple Man Enterprises, LLC for the sheer love of live music. The Festival went on for 6 years(2004 -2009) and was held at C. E. Richards Rodeo Arena, home of the Tri-State Rodeo, just up the hill from Highway 61 and the Mississippi River. Simply the Blues was a very personable festival that featured some of the best national Blues entertainment in the country. This festival has also helped raise over $17,000 for local and national non-profit

and charity organizations in the 6 years.

"Yup; this Blues Fest is on my 'Don't Miss List'. SIMPLY PUT: SIMPLY MARVELOUS."

Gary Eckhart

Blue Monday

"FORT MADISON - Southeast Iowa may be nothing more than a rural backwater as far as the rest of the country is concerned, but we have one of the finest festivals on the Mississippi."

Bob Saar

The Hawk Eye

FORT

We were one of the first festivals of the season, with plenty of room to grow. The bands and seating were covered in case of rain, but it can be cool this time of year , so you may want a blanket and a coat; so that you can enjoy some of the hottest live blues that this country has to offer.

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SIMPLY THE BLUES™ 2009

BLUES FESTIVAL

THE REAL STARS OF SIMPLY THE BLUES,

OUR VOLUNTEERS(we do not have pictures of

many of our volunteers, because there are so many,

but we thank them all, because "Simply The Blues"

couldn't be done without them)

C.E. RICHARDS RODEO ARENA
FORT MADISON, IOWA

MORE PICTURES COMING SOON!

Until then, check out the pictures on the Thurman Music website

We are proud members of the Blues Foundation, the Central Iowa Blues Society and the Mississippi Valley Blues Society.