Exploring the 2026 Blissfest Lineup, Part III
Blues & Groove Highlights
Thank you for following along on our lineup exploration journey. We want to be sure you don’t miss anything this July!
Now, let’s showcase some bands that embody Blues & Groove. The blues is such a foundational language of Western music, shaping jazz, rock n’ roll, country, and more. Originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries within African American communities, it laid the groundwork for much of today’s popular music through elements like song structure and expressive style. The genre continues to move audiences with its honesty and raw power, and that’s exactly what you’ll hear in Michigan’s own Larry McCray.
Born in 1960 in Smackover, Arkansas, Larry grew up immersed in gospel, soul, and the electric blues of the three Kings: B.B., Albert, and Freddie. At 12, he moved to Saginaw, Michigan, where he blended the classic blues feel with the psychedelic bite of Hendrix and the southern fire of the Allman Brothers. Throughout his career, McCray has shared stages with legends like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Albert King, the Allman Brothers, Joe Walsh, Jonny Lang, Levon Helm, and of course, Joe Bonamassa. Along the way, Larry built a full life, including welcoming a son, Bleau.
Growing up surrounded by rhythm, live performance, and the lessons of authentic artistry, Bleau had a natural affinity for it all. In a conversation with Larry after his performance at The Ark this Spring, we talked about his son coming up as a promising rising star. He reflected on how he tried to teach him what he knows, to show him the way, and that he might already be “better than dad.” Well, that’s hard to believe! We can’t wait to see the trajectory of Bleau Otis and we welcome him to Blissfest!
Also new to Blissfest this year is Cristina Vane, a name that has been bubbling up in the Americana circuit. We finally got to see her live last year at Wheatland Music Festival and wow does she rock! Her sound reflects an amalgam of experiences; born at the foothills of the Alps in Italy and raised between Italy, England and France, Cristina’s half American–half Guatemalan heritage is as unique as her sound. She is a product of a merging of her passion for pre-war blues, old time fiddle banjo music, country and bluegrass. We'll see her play slide guitar like Rory Block and old-time banjo like The Duhks all in one set!
Now we’re really groovin’, and a thread begins to emerge: the guitar as a focal point across these artists. The guitar in blues music really is another “voice” in the conversation of the song. It moves the story along without words, but with melody, pointed intonation, and emotion. Don’t you think?
No exception to stellar guitar-driven storytelling is one of Michigan’s favorite Grateful Dead cover bands, Dead at the Winery. The Dead had many influences over the years from jazz, bluegrass, and folk, and most certainly blues music. Think of their take of the traditional song “Deep Ellum Blues” about the neighborhood Deep Ellum, which was home to blues musicians Blind Willie Johnson and Lead Belly or the more upbeat Rhythm & Blues (aka R&B) song “Turn On Your Love Light.” Each Dead at the Winery performance is a reenactment of a real Grateful Dead show from some other place and time. What set will they play at Blissfest? Nobody knows.
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations and thank you for diving deeper behind the “names” with us.
We’ll wrap with one final Michigan highlight: Austin Benzing Band. Austin is a sneaky-good guitar player, seamlessly moving from a country song to a bluegrass tune to shredding rock n’ roll, all without changing his hat.You’ll get lyric-based songs followed by jams in between. Backed by a full band, his set is going to get you dancing and singing along!
See you at Blissfest, Bluesters!