Headliner Tatum Jackson will be featured at this year’s Wortham Blues Festival on September 10, 2022 in downtown Wortham, Texas.  Which means this year’s Blues Fest will be all about the love.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Tatum Jackson also known as Xavier Jackson, found his love for music at the early age of six. He started piano lessons from a family member Cathy Marshall, until he found his true passion for the Hammond Organ.

Tatum is a graduate of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, the infamous school that birth performers such as Nora Jones, Erykah Badu, Robert Searight, Roy Hargrove and Keith Anderson.

Tatum has shared stages with some of the world’s greatest performers. These artists include: Lenny Williams, Shirley Murdock, Lalah Hathaway, K-Ci and JoJo, Bobby Brown and Lucky Peterson. Tatum’s named mentors include: Darrell “Delite” Allamby, Paul Jackson, Lucky Peterson, and Curtis King.

Tatum Jackson views his music as life music “Me & My ‘Ole Lady,” his debut CD, is all about love. Loving yourself, loving someone special, and loving life!

Tatum Jackson will take the stage from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Also featured in this year’s Blue Fest will be:

–Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps

With persuasive pipes slathered in honey and soaked in Texas-bred sass, keyboardist Teresa James and her band, the Rhythm Tramps, have long reigned as one of Los Angeles’ leading contemporary blues outfits, even though their uncommonly imaginative repertoire, much of it supplied by Terry Wilson, James’ husband, producer, and bassist, is by no means strictly limited to the 12-bar form. Their 2019 CD Here in Babylon was nominated for a Grammy in the Contemporary Blues Album category.

Rose-Colored Glasses, the band’s new release on Blue Heart Records, continues that proud tradition. It’s their 12th album and once again showcases Teresa’s enticing way with a lyric and Terry’s prolific songwriting talent, poured over grooves that’ll grab listeners and refuse to let go until the very last notes have rung.

Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps will take the stage from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.

–Frank Hasty & Da’ Merge

This band prides themselves on quality sound, tightly woven vocals, and neatness of appearance.  Every member sings allowing them a greater variety of genres and sounds.

Not only are they a delight for your ears, but they are also a visual delight.  The band incorporate steps and movements into their show with a hint of 70’s fashion.

They are toted at “the band to see” by some in their hometown of Dallas, Texas.

Frank Hasty & Da’ Merge Band will take the stage from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

–Peter Sinclair Band

Hailing from Wortham, Peter Sinclair’s early childhood was spent immersed in music. The son of a South African Cabaret owner and musician, Sinclair spent many of his formative years in both kinds of clubs watching his father. As for his mother, Sinclair says “Since I was born, my mother exposed me to the blues. They put the music in front of me, and let it happen. My mother showed me how to put my soul into my music. I owe them everything.”

By the time he was seven years old, Sinclair had picked up his first guitar, from Walmart. After only 2 days, his father realized it was time for an upgrade. He would spend his days writing songs, playing for tips at the local laundry mat, gas stations and busking in the local town square.

Sinclair’s debut album ‘The Freestone Man’ is a ten-song collection of a swaggering blend of barroom twang and renegade country bookended by Sinclair’s soul-drenched baritone vocals and thoughtful songwriting about perseverance, resilience and adventures on the road as a burgeoning musician. Drawing inspiration from his good friend singer/songwriter Billy Joe Shaver and legends like Jim Croce and David Allan Coe, this project staggers artfully between timeless arrangements and artistic dexterity showcasing a defiant, evolving artist on the rise.

The Peter Sinclair Band will take the stage from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 10th, 2022 the Wortham Blues Festival opens the gates at 5:00 p.m.  Admission is $15 per adult, $5 per kid ages 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under.

The city will be set on fire from the sizzling hot music. So come on out and bring your lawn chairs, your sunscreen, your cooler (leave that glass container home though) and listen to great music.

All proceeds from the Wortham Blues Festival are used to support future events, as well as projects and activities in the Wortham community.

For more information, visit online at WorthamBluesFest.org

Celebrating Texas Blues for twenty-five years!