Big Rick & The Bombers, from Raleigh, NC, won the 2002 PBPS Talent Competition.  Check him out at www.bigrickblues.com.

Abe Reid, from Statesville, NC, returns to the Festival with his new band The Spikedrivers.  Abe won the PBPS Talent Competition in 1998 and that same year became the first and only PBPS-sponsored artist to win the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.  Check out Abe and his band at www.abereid.com.

New Orleans’ Walter “Wolfman” Washington makes his debut appearance at the Carolina “Lite” Blues Festival.  A fine guitarist and singer, Washington tours American and Europe with his back-up band The Roadmasters, delighting crowds with his funky, New Orleans-style blues.  Check him out at www.walterwashington.com.

Debbie Davies is a renowned blues guitarist who has performed with the blues legends Albert Collins and John Mayall, and has a string of critically acclaimed CDs dating back to 1993.  Her new release is Key To Love; A Celebration of the Music of John Mayall on Shanachie Records.  Check her out at www.debbiedavies.com.

Headlining the 17th Annual Carolina “Lite” Blues Festival is Lucky Peterson, one of the most versatile of the nationally touring blues acts around.  Lucky has recorded for major blues labels as Alligator and Blue Thumb/Verve. .  His new CD, Black Midnight Sun, will be released May 6 on the Dreyfus label.  The great blues guitarist Andrew “Junior Boy” Jones, a recording artist in his own right, will front Lucky’s back-up band.