Blind Willie Blues Festival From thomson-mcduffie.com Mavis Staples headlined at the 2008 festival. The 15th Annual Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival was held Sat., May 10th, 2008. This year's festival was selected by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event. It is one of the finest small festivals in the Southeast. Fans attend from all over the United States. Scheduled performers included: * Mavis Staples * Duke Robillard * Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets * Mary Flower * Mike Farris * Geoff Achison * Crosstie Walkers 2008 festival poster Soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples possesses one of the most recognizable and treasured voices in contemporary music. From her early days sharing lead vocals with her groundbreaking family group The Staple Singers to her powerful solo recordings, Mavis Staples is an inspirational force in modern popular culture and music. The one day event was held at the regular festival site, on Stagecoach Road, just east of Washington Highway (Hwy 17N, Exit 172 on I-20), north of Thomson. The event is held each year to showcase some of the best musicians in the country as well as to pay tribute to country blues legend William Samuel "Blind Willie" McTell, a Thomson native son, born and buried in the Happy Valley area of McDuffie County. The small town feel and exceptional quality of the music presented year in and year out, makes the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival one of the South's premier afternoons of music. An array of vendors serve traditional Southern food and beverages -- ribs, chicken, fish, Cajun delights. Carry-in food and drink is not be allowed. Advance tickets for the Saturday afternoon show were $20. Children 12 and under were admitted free. For information call McDuffie County Tourism at (706) 597-1000 or visit www.blindwillie.com. ©2007 Thomson-McDuffie County