Many acts to hit stage for annual Prairie Dog Blues Fest

By Caitlin Bittner and Addison Mumm

Blues star and singer Devon Allman will be one of the headliners at the annual Prairie Dog Blues Fest to be held Friday and Saturday, July 31 and Aug. 1.

Allman, originally from St. Louis, Mo. will headline July 31, on St. Feriole Island. His mix of blues, rock and soul music has captured many listeners’ ears. Allman recently released his third solo album, “Ragged and Dirty.”

A world-traveled singer, Allman will take time out of his Ragged and Dirty Tour to perform on the Blues Fest stage at 11 p.m. He graced the stage five years ago. Although he doesn’t remember the event vividly, he said he did have a good time in little Prairie du Chien.

Performing since he was 17 years old, Allman enjoys writing and performing his music for crowds.

“The connection with the audience and that energy exchange is worth the travel and wait,” Allman said.

He said that he started writing his own songs when he was about 13 years old.

“They weren’t good. It took the first 500 songs to get it right,” Allman stated. “I had to get more depth in the music and some miles and experience under my belt.”

Allman writes his songs about emotion—anger, sadness, joy, depression—whether he experienced them or observed them. He said any good artist tries to pull from those elements.

His new album was produced in Chicago by Tom Hambridge, a Grammy winner and well-known musician. Hambridge also helped Allman  write some of his songs.

“I always try to make each record a little better than the last one,” Allman mentioned.

Allman is influenced by rock, R&B and Americana. He takes elements of each genre and adds it to his own music.

“My music has got a little bit of something, something in it,” he said. “It  keeps it fresh and multi-colored.”

Even though Allman comes from a musical family, he was influenced by many artists like Santana, Curtis Mayfield, Buddy Guy, the Rolling Stones and probably a hundred more, Allman said.

Some notable memories for Allman during his music career was performing with Les Paul, Billy Gibbons and ZZ Top and performing at the Australian Blues Music Festival, which is the biggest blues festival on that hemisphere, according to Allman.

“My music is real, organic and raw. It’s not the kind of music that says, ‘let’s make $10,000,’ but it actually says something,” Allman said. “It’s not generated from drum machines, auto-tuned or anything like that. It’s real music. If you like that, give it a listen; if not, you don’t have to.”

Allman’s advice to any aspiring artist is to play everyday, always play from the heart and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. Recently, Allman got engaged. He also has a 15-year-old son who is a sophomore in high school. For more information about Devon Allman, visit devonallmanband.com.

The Prairie Dog Blues Fest will have more headlines aside from Devon Allman. Performers from around the world will take center stage within the two-day festival. One performer, Owen Campbell, who will play under the Blues Fest tent, will come to Prairie du Chien all the way from Australia.

Campbell arrived in the states a week before his scheduled performance. His first stop, St. Louis, where he waited for Allman to pick him up.

“Yeah, right now I’m just kind of holed up in a hotel room doing interviews,” Campbell laughed, his Aussie accent hard to miss. “It’s hard to do things in the country without a car, but my manager’s got me set up with Devon. We’re going to Memphis tomorrow. We’ll hit the studio with some of the locals and then we’ll be coming up to see you guys in Prairie.”

As for the new tracks Campbell is laying down, he said that Blues Fest-goers can expect new songs written by him. “They’re baked fresh,” he laughed.

For those who aren’t familiar with Campbell or his music, he said that his songs center on love. “It seems I’m always writing when things go terribly wrong. Writing is therapeutic. I just don’t pick up the pen when stuff is good.”

Campbell, whose claim to fame really got its start after being a part of “Australia’s Got Talent,” has released “Sunshine Road,” “The Pilgrim,” “Songs for Syria” and “In the Shadow for Greats.”

As a world traveler and performer, Campbell said that one of his favorite places to play is the United States. “People here are so welcoming. I’ve met a lot of characters and really great friends traveling. I’ve been to places like India, Italy and Ireland...I love to just experience the world.”

Yet, at the end of the day, Campbell knows that home is a great place to be. “As I get older, I appreciate it more. I’m happy to go home.”

As for his future in music, Campbell said that he plans to take it day by day and has no expectations. “If it’s still fun at 70, well happy day,” he said.

Campbell’s first response to advice for aspiring artists was a dramatic ‘Don’t do it!’, he later laughed it off and said, “If you want to do this, you’ve got to practice, practice, practice. Play for complete strangers. Your friends will always clap for you. Strangers will be honest.”

All that said, what should you bring to his performance? Campbell said that’s an easy answer. “Bring your dancing boots and your party hats.”

Still need more reasons to go? Even though ‘blues’ is in the name, rock, jazz, gospel and other music genres are played as well. The music can appeal to all ages. Whether lodging around for the afternoon or watching headliners at night, the Prairie Dog Blues Fest is a site to see. The main stage bands play about an hour and a half, and the tent bands perform between main stage acts for a half hour per set.