Blues In The District: Free Live Blues Concerts in Quincy’s Historic Downtown

The origin story of Blues Highway dates back to the mid 1980s when fellow physicians, Dr Gene Thomas and Dr Joe Corrado, discovered they shared a passion for playing music. Starting off small, these two friends comprised 2/3 of a trio providing the music at Sunday service for St Brendan’s Catholic Church in Mexico MO. Over the years, they widened their scope to include various other musicians and played rock music at a vast number of venues throughout the region. Over time, the mid-Missouri band had the desire to play the blues. By 2014, Blues Highway came into being

Gene Thomas is a self-taught guitarist. He also provides lead vocals and plays the harp for the band. Joe Corrado plays the bass guitar and sings back-up vocals. Frosty Vestal is the lead guitarist. Having grown up in the 60s and 70s, he spent a great deal of time listening to music and developed a love for all genres. We are fortunate that he has found his niche in the blues.

From early on in life, Eric Schwartz has been playing the drums. He spent a number of years playing rock & roll and has smoothly transitioned to playing the blues without missing a beat.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/Quincy Children’s Museum
FOOD COURT
Big Bro’s BBQ, JKW BBQ, TCBY
AFTER BLUES
Pirated.MP3

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CONCERT
QHS Alumni Association
CORPORATE
Full Service Roofing & Remodeling, Davis & Associates, Realtors, Bruening Heating & A/C and Fireplaces
SET
The Tappe Family, Fran & Bob Cook, JKW BBQ
SONG
District Designs Vendor Market, Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, Bruce and Carla Guthrie
NOTE
Domestics, Etc.

2019 International Blues Challenge finalist, Misty Blues, is fronted by lead singer/band founder Gina Coleman. The band is based out of Berkshire County, Massachusetts playing original and traditional blues with hints of jazz, soul, funk and tent revival gospel since 1999. The band has recorded with Eric Gales, Charles Neville and Joe Louis Walker

Misty Blues performs extensively throughout New England and has toured the continental U.S., Canada, and the UK. The band has been nominated for Independent Blues Music Awards and their original recordings have broad international airplay. In 2024 the band had a song they released selected for use in a U.S. Presidential campaign ad.

In the summer of 1999 Gina Coleman was performing in the Williamstown Theatre Festival production of A Raisin In The Sun. Coleman was cast as a gospel singer. Nearing the end of the show’s run, Ruben Santiago Hudson gave Coleman a cd collection entitled Men Are Like Streetcars. He told her that her voice was perfectly suited for the blues and urged her to take that next musical direction. Coleman heeded his advice, and after a quarter of a century, Misty Blues has stood the test of time.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/Quincy Children’s Museum
FOOD COURT
Butcher Block, TCBY
AFTER BLUES
TBA

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CONCERT
Arts Quincy
CORPORATE
Poage Auto Plaza, O’Donnell’s Termite and Pest Control Inc., Muddy River News
SET
Julie and Jim Schuetz, The Lindsay Family
SONG
Bob & Ann Dickson, Jeni Y, Alpha Accessories – Brian Frye
NOTE
Cathy Brogdon

“Talk about star power, a killer voice and guitar skills… Her vocals packed a punch and she played monster guitar solos that had the crowd whooping and clapping.” -Rock and Blues

Kara Grainger, the Australian, Nashville-based songwriter/ace guitarist has been deeply influenced by a wealth of amazing music that flowed out of Memphis, Tennessee in the 1960’s and 70’s. For her fifth full length solo album, she set out for this legendary birthplace of the blues, soul and rock & roll. Teaming up with renowned Memphis producer Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell and recording the album at the iconic Royal Studios, they were joined by the great Hi Rhythm Section.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/QCM
FOOD COURT
Platt Daddy BBQ & Big Bro’s BBQ, TCBY
AFTER BLUES
TBA

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CORPORATE
Traeder’s TNT, Be Dry Roofing,
Quincy Recycle
SET
Kohl Wholesale, The Salvation Army Kroc Center
SONG
Awerkamp Machine Co, Keck Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
NOTE
Sweet Lady Jane’s Bakery

Details TBA

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/QCM
FOOD COURT
Big Bro’s BBQ, 8te Open, TCBY
AFTER BLUES
Esther Moore

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CORPORATE
Adams Fiber, Quincy Audiology, Refreshment Services Pepsi, STARadio
SET
Klingner & Associates, P.C.
SONG
Horace Mann Investors – Colin Ash, Benson Financial Group, Travel House of Quincy, 
NOTE
What’s The Niche?Not Hot Tubs

A 25-year veteran of the blues, rock & now country music circuits, Brandon Santini has built his sound from the Piedmont roots of his North Carolina childhood to the storied stages of Memphis’ Beale Street where he refined his playing into the explosive harmonica work, commanding voice, and dynamic stage presence & songwriting. He has earned seven Blues Music Award nominations, landed major TV placements, and has a reputation as one of today’s leading modern blues performers. Not to mention that he has had the honor of performing on stage with Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr, Beth Hart, Charlie Musselwhite, as well as recording with the iconic 60’s rocker Sam The Sham. 


FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/Quincy Children’s Museum
FOOD COURT
Big Bro’s, 8te Open, TCBY
AFTER BLUES
TBA

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CONCERT
Knapheide

CORPORATE
State Street Bank, V&R Accounting
SET
Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell LLP, Savemore Carpets & Rug Gallery
SONG
Dave & Jan Hummel, Vervocity, Air Specialists Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
NOTE
Pat Henderson

Ray Long is the founder of the band, the center of our musical universe, the one who will snatch your attention from the first note and captivate you with his talent. Ray is the glue that keeps all of us together.

His music career got started at age 13 when he heard Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version of Little Wing for the first time. It was in that exact moment Ray fell head over heels in love with the blues and he has stayed faithfully committed to that love for nearly 30 years with no end in sight.

He has spent years and years listening to and dissecting the playing style of true guitar legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Albert King, BB King, Eric Clapton, Howlin’ Wolf, SRV, and has even dabbled a little with Robert Johnson and other “OG” blues legends as well. This journey led him to realize how much he loved and appreciated the Texas twang that SRV was best known for, which you will hear Ray utilize at every show he performs. Don’t be fooled though. Ray is no impersonator. He has taken inspiration from many legendary musicians, but the passion, fire, and arrangement of a Ray Long track are all one-of-a-kind and demonstrate his deep-seated passion for blues music.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/QCM
FOOD COURT
Platt Daddy BBQ & Big Bro’s BBQ, TCBY
AFTER BLUES
No concert – private rental

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CORPORATE
Craig Industries, Bower & Associates, Inc, Realtors, Electric Fountain Brewing (EFB Coffee)
SET
The Corinthian Event Center, Winters Insurance LLP
SONG
Janie Fischer, Glass One, WCU Quincy BranchNOTE
Bobbi Harris, Illinois School Supply