By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
Legendary R&B artist Bobby Dean Blackburn returned to the Harbourside Music stage for a special Saturday evening performance on 9 July 2022.
Blackburn, a resident in Northern Bruce Peninsula for over 30 years, has a strong connection to this region. Blackburn’s great grandfather Elias Earl came from Kentucky via the Underground Railroad to Owen Sound in the 1800s. For over 50 years, Blackburn has honoured his ancestral heritage by performing annually at Owen Sound’s Emancipation Festival.
Blackburn, a trailblazer on the Toronto Music scene, was nominated for a Maple Blues Award: Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award).
Blackburn on keyboard, was accompanied by his son Brooke on guitar, Cliff Heipel on percussion instruments, Steve Wood on drums, Gord Cattrill on bass and Charles Bell on Saxophone. Dominik Franken on violin joined the band for a few sets.
The band entertained the audience with well known favorites such as Blueberry Hill by Fats Domino, Route 66 popularized by Nat King Cole, Georgia on my Mind by Ray Charles, Under the Boardwalk by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick; and Blackburn’s original composition Getting Ready for Love.
