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Blues artist Shemekia Copeland to perform at Fruita State Park

Sharon Sullivan
ssullivan@gjfreepress.com
Blues artist Shemekia Copeland will perform tonight (Aug. 2) at the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park in Fruita.
Courtesy Shemekia Copeland web site |

GO&DO

WHAT: Grammy-nominated blues artist Shemekia Copeland

WHEN: Fri., Aug. 2; gates open 6 p.m., show starts 7:30

WHERE: James M. Robb Colorado River State Park in Fruita

COST: $2 at all City Market stores

INFO: http://www.riverfrontproject.org

IF YOU GO >>>

Bringing lawn chairs is recommended. Concert-goers may bring food, but no outside beverages are allowed. There are two water drinking fountains on the premises as well as bottled water for sale.

Parking is allowed alongside the highway or inside the park for vehicles with three or more passengers. Carpooling is encouraged.

If you’re looking for something fun to do tonight, a good deal on live music is waiting for you at the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park in Fruita.

Two-time Grammy nominee Shemekia Copeland will perform her brand of both Chicago and Texas-style blues at the outdoor venue for the Colorado Riverfront Concert Series — the second in a series of musical acts that benefit the Colorado Riverfront Foundation.

Copeland has headlined the Chicago Blues Festival, where in 2011, the city and state proclaimed Copeland as “Queen of the Blues,” according to her website. She’s opened for the Rolling Stones, and shared the stage with such artists as Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Eric Clapton.



She’s also performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle.

Copeland was born in Harlem, N.Y., the daughter of the late Texas blues guitar legend, Johnny Clyde Copeland.



Recognizing her ability, Johnny Copeland encouraged his daughter to sing. When she was 8, she joined her father on stage at Harlem’s Cotton Club.

At 19, Copeland released her first album “Turn the Heat Up!” — a recording that garnered rave reviews from the Village Voice and the Boston Globe.

Her second album, “Wicked,” came out in 2000, winning a Grammy nomination and three Handy Awards — Song of the Year, Blues Album of the Year and Contemporary Female Artist of the Year. She went on to produce three more CDs, “Talking to Strangers,” produced by New Orleans R&B legend Dr. John; “Soul Truth” featuring “generous doses of blues, funk and Memphis-flavored soul”; and “Never Going Back” in 2009.

Tickets, which are free, are still available for the concert at any City Market store. A $2 processing fee will be charged. The concert series raises funds for the Colorado Riverfront Foundation through the sale of beverages and food. No outside drinks will be allowed into the show.

Other upcoming shows include the Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel Aug. 9, and the country-rock group Poco Aug. 16.


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