What these Grammy nominees had to say ahead of Blues Fest in Peoria

In addition to three-time Grammy winner and Blues Hall of Famer Bobby Rush, the Peoria Blues and Heritage Music Festival will feature two artists with 11 Grammy nominations between them.

The festival is a two-day event on the Peoria Riverfront. Soul blues and Americana vocalist Shemekia Copeland will perform Aug. 30, and pianist Marcia Ball will play Aug. 31. For more information, visit peoriabluesandheritagefestival.com.

More info: Grammy-winners, legends headline Peoria Blues & Heritage Festival lineup

We interviewed the pair ahead of their shows later this month in Peoria. Here is what the had to say.

Who is Shemekia Copeland?

Copeland is on tour to promote her new album “Blame It on Eve.” The Washington Post newspaper has hailed Copeland as “the greatest blues singer of our generation.” A six-time Grammy nominee, she has shared venues with artists like Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, and Dr. John. In 2012, she performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama; along with B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Buddy Guy, Trombone Shorty, and Gary Clark, Jr.

Copeland has performed in Peoria on several occasions and has always been impressed with both the welcome she has received and the greater Peoria area’s music scene.

“Any time you have a town where people come out and support music, it’s a beautiful thing,” she said. “You can tell that the people are big music fans who are ready to come out and have a good time.”

Who is Marcia Ball?

Over a career spanning six decades, Ball has collected five Grammy nominations, 11 Blues Music Awards, and a 2024 Living Blues Award for Most Outstanding Musician — Keyboards.

She was named the official Texas State Musician in 2018 and the Texas Songwriters Association named her its 2023 “Texas Music Legend.” She is also an inductee in the Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

'Wow effect': Inside the Peoria Civic Center's major $45 million renovation

Both she and Copeland have shared a stage with Rush in the past, and she is looking forward to both playing in Peoria and again performing with Rush.

“He’s got a great rhythm and he’s a really nice person to interact with,” Ball said. “People coming to the festival should see some great shows.”

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Blues Fest Peoria 2024: Shamekia Copeland, Marcia Ball interviews