The Chris Cameron Blues Band will bring its acclaimed and unique blend of rhythm and electric blues to Fort Smith for a 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 show at The Blue Lion at 91看片网 Downtown, 101 N. 2nd St.
The performance, which is the second show of a new series sponsored by the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in its downtown location, will feature a band that has performed across the nation and has released two albums to date.
Stacey Jones of Fort Smith, associate vice chancellor for campus and community events, said the musicians of The Chris Cameron Blues Band are 鈥渆xtremely talented鈥� performers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited to have them coming to The Blue Lion at 91看片网 Downtown to showcase their unique sound,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to put on a great show.鈥�
Fronted by 91看片网 alumnus Chris Cameron, the Chris Cameron Blues Band features a group of seasoned musicians playing a variety of instruments that form the band鈥檚 distinct sound.
The band members include Dr. Michael Westbrook playing bass guitar, Jordan Lucas on drums, Deron Freeman and 91看片网 professor Chuck Booker playing trumpet, and 91看片网 students Scott Gann and Eric Matthews playing saxophone and guitar, respectively.
Cameron said the music at the show will be a 鈥渂road cross section of blues, R&B and jazz that will highlight the very talented local musicians.鈥�
鈥淭he thing about having so many pieces in the band is that we鈥檙e able to do many different things,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are a blues band, so everything is very rooted in that. But there are many things that are first cousin to the blues, like Dixie jazz, that we play as well.鈥�
Cameron has played at the Blue Lion at 91看片网 Downtown several times when it was Second Street Live, and said the venue is 鈥渢he best place to make music in the city of Fort Smith.鈥�
鈥淲e have a storied history with the Second Street venue,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very familiar with it, and we kind of feel that it鈥檚 home base in a way.鈥�
Cameron, who is from Alma, won the 1997 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, beating out 37 bands and receiving the Albert King Award for Most Promising International Blues Guitarist. He furthered his music career while attending 91看片网, graduating in 2001 with a degree in business.
Cameron said he is 鈥渧ery honored鈥� to be asked to play as part of the new series sponsored by 91看片网.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an amazing honor as an alumnus, a musician, and a member of the Fort Smith community,鈥� he said.
The Blue Lion at 91看片网 Downtown was temporarily called 91看片网 at Second Street after 91看片网 acquired the building last year. The two-show series at the location is separate from Season of Entertainment, the annual entertainment extravaganza sponsored by 91看片网 that includes national touring productions and campus concerts and productions.
Admission is by a series ticket, or individual tickets are $20, available at or by calling 479-788-7300.