The Downtown Issaquah Association (DIA) and the Washington Blues Society (WBS) resume the hot music summer series for Gas Station Blues' 11th year.
DIA and WBS will host artists every Thursday night from July 10th through August 28th from 7 to 9 pm, at the Historic Shell Station located at 232 Front Street North. The artists represent diverse backgrounds, genres, and musical styles and draw crowds from throughout Washington state.
“Gas Station Blues is one of the most popular music series in the Seattle area,” said Christina Bruning. “We are honored to attract such acclaimed artists, bringing listeners back again and again.” The series is live at Historic Shell but also streamed on DIA’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
Concert visitors to the Historic Shell often picnic in the adjacent Centennial Park with takeout from local restaurants, or they can purchase refreshments on-site from Fins Bistro. They bring lawn chairs, blankets, dancing shoes, and shared enthusiasm.
Performances are also live-streamed on FaceBook and YouTube.
The 2025 Line-up is here! Save the dates!
July lineup:
John Del Toro Richardson – July 10th
John Del Toro Richardson grew up around Houston, and you can hear it in every note he sings and plays. You can also hear the Latin music that is his birthright, growing up among family mariachi bands and broadening into country and R&B in neighborhood jams. Today, Blues is the centerpiece of his musical identity. Blessed with killer vocal chops with considerable soul and range, Richardson brings modern Texas swagger and swing to his stage performances. He has won several awards for guitar and vocals, and his album with mandolinist Rich DelGrosso Time Slips By became a top album in 2011. John’s CD Wild Ride showcased his formidable guitar playing and powerful vocals and propelled him to international acclaim.
Meghann Sullivan – July 17th
Meghan Sullivan is originally from Boston and found her way to Spokane WA. She is a talented songwriter and Musician. She shares her life experiences with her audience. A touch of humor, some of the hard knocks life sends our way, and resilience in overcoming the bumps she has faced. Great vocals!!
Sheri Roberts Greimes – July 24th
Sheri Roberts Greimes blends the styles of Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Fat Momma Thorton, and Wynnona Judd into a distinct and amazing voice. A multiple award-winning singer-songwriter, Sheri has performed professionally since the age of 15. Continuing her journey, the Everett resident can be heard throughout the Pacific Northwest. She is working on her fourth album.
Surprise Guest – July 31st
August Lineup:
John Maxwell – August 7th
John “Greyhound” Maxwell brings his singular approach to slide guitar and mandolin, paying homage to the craft and tradition of the masters, while infusing the music with fresh energy.
With an approach that is authentic and understated, Maxwell plays with the warmth and dexterity of someone who has loved the blues over a lifetime. Indeed, his education began as a teenager after seeing B.B. King play a set in Chicago in 1971. At Chicago’s historic Old Town School of Folk Music, he took lessons from a young Johnny Long, himself a student of Homesick James. When Maxwell left for college in St. Louis, he originally studied classical, but grew restless and eventually fronted a blues trio. He counts himself lucky enough to have mingled with blues legends Tommy Bankhead and Henry Townsend, with whom he later shared the stage and formed a friendship. He’s been drawn to slide since the beginning.
Kevin Sutton – August 14th
From Columbus, Ohio
PLAYING SEVEN DECADES OF HIT SONGS!
CLASSIC AND CURRENT ACOUSTIC ROCK, POP, TOP 40, SINGER-SONGWRITER,
MOTOWN, NEW AND VINTAGE COUNTRY FROM THE 60'S, 70'S, 80'S, 90'S, 00'S, 10'S, 20'S
I am an experienced professional guitarist and vocalist. I play a huge variety of songs from the last six decades, including Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, Acoustic Rock, Top 40, Motown, Classic, and Current Country. I know over 600 songs so I'm always able to play songs that people are familiar with, regardless of the age range of the audience. I am an experienced, versatile guitarist and vocalist, and I play a very wide variety of music that appeals to all ages. I play popular songs that everyone knows. Musical styles that I perform include classic rock, pop, Top 40, alternative, oldies, folk, country, Irish / Celtic, Christmas and holiday songs, and original songs. I can keep it upbeat and get people singing along, or play softer "background" music. I have the highest possible rating on Gigmasters - FIVE STARS.
Lisa Mann – August 21st
Lisa Mann is an American electric blues and heavy metal bassist, songwriter, and singer. Her influences include Etta James, Koko Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, and Little Milton. She writes most of her material and has released four albums to date. Twice a Blues Music Award-winning artist, Mann hails from blues-soaked Portland, Oregon. Originally from West Virginia, Mann’s vocals effortlessly straddle the line between the honey-sweet warmth of the South, and the force-of-nature sound Mann has cultivated by mastering everything from hard rock to rhythm and blues. Her clever blues and Americana balladry is complimented by her considerable prowess on bass guitar. Her influences run the gamut, from low-down blues sisters Etta James and Koko Taylor to singer-songwriters like Bonnie Raitt and R&B belters like Little Milton. She writes the majority of her recorded material, and her songs paint pictures of a gritty (and sometimes humorous) personal experience in life, love, and the not-always-pretty music business.
Dana Lupinacci – August 28.
Dana Lupinacci is a versatile and accomplished Seattle blues and roots performer. Whether she's belting the blues or singing in a soulful whisper, Dana conveys the love, joy, and passion of the music with an engaging presence. Previously nominated by the Washington Blues Society as Best Female Vocalist, Dana's ability and versatility afforded her the privilege of playing notable venues and festivals such as the Bite of Seattle, The Pike Place Market Festival, The Swinomish Blues Festival, Highway 99, The Spar, The New Orleans, Nordstrom, and the Seattle Opera Christmas party. In addition, Dana's band has been showcased on Marlee Walker's Blues-To-Do TV program and interviewed on KSER radio. Dana has been a frequent and featured guest for invitational jams culminating with her great and memorable honor of playing alongside members of the Junior Watson band at the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival. Dana's background with the blues not only covers vocal performance, she also served as Director of Music for the Washington Blues Society where she hosted the Best of the Blues awards in 2003 featuring the legendary guitar player, Jody Williams.
Concerts are free and suitable for all ages.
Wine, beer, and other food & beverages are available for purchase from Fin’s Bistro.
Parking: Available along Front Street or behind businesses.
