ION INDIE MAGAZINE October 2014, Volume 5 | Page 75

Settling in Chicago from his native Yugoslavia, this noteworthy collaborator of OTIS RUSH and MAGIC SLIM fame, gained an
appreciation of Chicago Blues as a teenager playing All-State Basketball. JIMMY PAGE, JEFF BECK and THE ROLLING STONES
also introduced him to CHESS RECORDS’ artist and Blues giant HOWLIN’ WOLF. A self-described "huge devotee of all things
Chicago", he elaborated on the history of honoree BUDDY GUY’S influence on the area's music scene at the September 6th
BARBERTON GALLERY OF FINE ARTS “Buddy Guy/Chicago Blues Tribute Show” via conference call.
He also shared his thoughts on other Blues legends with the enthusiastic crowd in attendance, "MUDDY WATERS was the
paradigm shift that re-defined the Blues’ eerie, raw nature and JIMI HENDRIX was a prophet without honor until he became
known in the U.K. Chicago has many great artists living here and right in the phone book. It's all part of a large musical family
tree."

***

For the 19th consecutive year, “The DeBord Annual Halloween Festival” offers musicians a chance to promote themselves and
their band to hundreds--and now thousands--of fans of multiple genres. This year's venue is 3.5 times larger than previous,
with an anticipated 34,000 people attending. 3 stages forming a triangle will be bordering the park on its outer edges so fans
can take in the band of their choice and not be drowned out by a competing stage. "It's kind of like a 3-Ring Circus, a triangle
extending to the outskirts," states founder and CEO CLAUDE DEBORD.
Speaking from personal experience, the festival provided tremendous exposure for me, as WONE FM featured two songs from
my first album as a result of my appearing there in 2013. Without question, my successes began with my appearance there
and the contacts that followed. With approximately 17 acres of family-friendly activities and 85 vendors this year, there is
something to appeal to festival goers of all ages.