On Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7, the Kentuckiana Blues Society (KBS) and Check’s Cafe will host the fifteenth Germantown Schnitzelburg Blues Festival at the corner of Burnett Ave and Hickory Street.
The street festival with an outdoor stage will have four acts on Friday and seven on Saturday.
Admission is free, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to No Girl Lost.
Local blues performer Sheryl Rouse will be honored on the front of this year’s festival t-shirt.
A Facebook page dedicated to the festival is at https://www.facebook.com/GermantownSchnitzelburgBluesFestival.
A Facebook page for the event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1359677518357195/
Schedule for Friday, June 6
7:00 – 8:00 The Donovan Howard Trio
Deep into the hills of Kentucky emerges a trio of musicians that makes you feel like you are nestled inside a rural juke joint filled with music. The Donovan Howard Trio has been crafting their musical artwork for two years. Despite being in a state where bluegrass originated, the Donovan Howard Trio make themselves known with their blend of blues and honky-tonk in their music. They can transition from a soulful blues song to southern rock infused with country soul.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1HDUkNrX45/
8:30 – 10:00 Sheryl Rouse & The Bluez Brothers
The high energy of this amazing band will have you out of your seats every time! From festival to festival and venue to venue, from Blues sets to Rock n’ Roll, from Tina Turner tribute shows to Prince tributes, Sheryl Rouse carries her amazing band on her shoulders and delivers top-quality entertainment, spreading tons of love everywhere she goes! The incredible Bluez Brothers are right there with her, playing every single groove that you could ever imagine! Do me a favor. Keep your eyes on these guys! In 2024, Sheryl was presented the Sylvester Weaver award by the Kentuckiana Blues Society.
https://www.facebook.com/sheryl.rouse
10:30 – 12:00 King Bee and The Stingers
King Bee & The Stingers (KBS) is a six-piece blues, soul and funk band from Bloomington, IN. Several KBS singles have been distributed by Sony Orchard and are being played on hundreds of radio stations around the world, including singles from KBS’s second album, “Don’t Move So Fast”, which was completed in 2023, and the 2024 release “Live From The Slippery Noodle,” which has received rave reviews worldwide. This latest release was selected by the Blues Foundation as one of the top five best self-produced blues CD’s of 2024.
https://www.kingbeestingers.com/
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8:00 – 11:00 Dobro LSD (inside Check’s Cafe)
Growing up in the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky, Larry Scott Dixon (Dobro LSD) plays a collection of old Mississippi Delta Blues and Southern Rock combined. He performs a collection of covers and original songs on Resonator Guitars. His bottleneck slide and clawhammer picking are sure to keep your feet stomping.
https://www.facebook.com/Dobrolsd/
Schedule for Saturday, June 7
4:00 – 5:00 Sweet Lady
Sweet Lady is a blues rock-based band out of Louisville, KY. Born out of the raw power of the electric blues, they bring a high-energy style to the genre and to the stage. Their music is a blend of the British blues that paved the way for many famous musicians, with a modern blues flare. Led by Blue Williams, the guitar is the prominent feature in this trio’s powerful force, tipping a cap to musicians like Peter Green and Billy Gibbons with bold explosions of blistering notes. They’ve opened for many national touring acts that include Eric Gales, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, and The Cold Stares. They are a must see band and an act that will leave a lasting impression.
https://www.sweetladyofficial.com/
5:30 – 6:30 Lew Jetton & 61 South
Lew Jetton & 61 South have been festival and club favorites throughout the Midwest and Midsouth for decades. Along the way they have opened for some of the biggest names in blues and rock, from Chuck Berry to Koko Taylor to multiple generations of Burnsides and Kimbroughs. Originally from Trenton, TN, Lew had two of the best mentors in blues and rock, the legendary Carl Perkins and Chicago blues great Snooky Pryor.
7:00 – 8:00 Queen Delphine and The Crown Jewels
Queen Delphine of Queen Delphine and The Crown Jewels has been hailed as The Queen of The Blues of Indianapolis, IN. She’s known for her powerhouse vocals in the styles of Koko Taylor and Big Mama Thornton. She has performed at Alfred’s and The Rum Boogie Cafe (Memphis), Buddy Guy’s Legend, Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S on Halsted (Chicago), Stevie Ray’s (Louisville), Shugs (St. George), and the world-renowned Slippery Noodle and The Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis). She has performed at various festivals such as Headliners and the Big Rock Jazz and Blues Festival (Louisville), Brownsburg Blues and BBQ (Brownsburg), Cumberland Blues and BBQ (Cumberland), and the SC Festival of Discovery (Greenwood, SC). A photo of her singing the Blues is in the Smithsonian magazine’s September 2016 issue that was dedicated to African American culture and used to herald in the grand opening of the Smithsonian African American museum in Washington, DC. Queen Delphine was also interviewed in the January 2022 issue of Living Blues magazine, which is a world-wide renowned Blues magazine. She was interviewed and sang two songs that have been archived in Columbia College (Chicago). Her first released EP, “Come and Get It,” has been played on radio stations all over the US and worldwide, with rave reviews. In October 2023, the band released a single called “Southern Soul Blues,” which has already charted. Queen Delphine and The Crown Jewels are known for their electrifying shows and for bringing you the best in Juke Joint Blues!
https://www.facebook.com/QueenDelphineandTheCrownJewels
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8:30 – 10:00 Gina and Johnny
The Gina and Johnny Band was formed in 2022 and is a combination of Cincinnati’s finest blues musicians. Gina McCann, lead vocalist, sounds like Daniele Nicole/Susan Tedsehi but has a much more powerful stage presence. Johnny Fink provides both soulful guitar and powerful vocals. Johnny is also a member of the Northern Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. Mike Grosser, bass/vocals, has traveled all over the US playing with numerous artists and is a three-time member of the Northern Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. Roger Bates is a veteran drummer, touring with many various blues artists. Gina and Johnny were semi-finalists at the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. The band’s debut CD, “Free Your Soul,” released in January 2025, has received worldwide airplay and critical acclaim across the board.
https://www.johnnyfink.com/ginaandjohnny
10:30 – 12:00 The Slingshots
The Slingshots, led by frontman Richard Powell, bring a diverse stew of blues, rock and funky swamp meat to the table and lay out the feast for your ears, eyes and that little thing inside you that makes your feet stomp and booty shake. Brainchild of drummer Aaron Montgomery, who wanted to put together a band to play songs culled from mixtapes and playlists compiled for years of favorites, obscurities and an eclectic mix of genres. And he’s done just that! Assembling a crew of like-minded outlaws and vagabonds willing to paint with a similar brush, The Slingshots were formed. The band has been wearing out dance floors and eardrums in style ever since. Don’t miss your chance to get HIT by The Slingshots!
https://www.facebook.com/theslingshotsband
4:30 – 7:30 Mo Bell (inside Check’s Cafe)
Born in the ‘70s and discovering a love of music in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the Mo Bell Experience pays tribute to the songs of his youthful days of listening to his parents’ records, radio and collection of cassettes. With a bit of Blues, R&B and Rock & Roll, there’s hopefully something for everyone to enjoy, even those who grew up with digital downloads and streaming!
https://www.facebook.com/mobellmusic
8:00 – 11:00 Blackjack Davey (inside Check’s Cafe)
David Moore, also known as “Blackjack Davey,” is a talented guitar player hailing from the vibrant streets of the East Side of Indianapolis. From the intimate confines of local taverns to the grand stages captivating thousands, Blackjack Davey’s journey through the blues has been one of unwavering commitment and undying love for the craft. His music tells the stories of life, love and the gritty reality of his surroundings. Though his roots lie in the heartland of Indiana, Blackjack Davey’s talents have carried him far beyond state lines. Three times he has stood among the elite at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, proudly representing his hometown and the spirit of blues music. As a two-time semi-finalist, his presence on the stage is not just a performance; it’s a testament to his enduring dedication and remarkable skill. Yet, what truly sets Blackjack Davey apart is his unwavering commitment to the music and its audience. Whether strumming for a solitary listener in the dim glow of a local haunt or electrifying a stadium packed with thousands, his passion remains unyielding. Blackjack Davey isn’t just a musician; he’s a storyteller, a healer, and a guardian of the blues, ensuring that its flame burns bright for generations to come.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555230516028
2025 Festival Charity
No Girl Lost
No Girl Lost is a mentoring program started in 2016 by Louisville police officer Amber Ross. The program is an opportunity for young girls between the ages of 9 and 18 to open up about issues they face in their everyday life. No Girl Lost digs deep in the girls’ mentalities and learns the hidden struggles and pain they face. The end result of the program is to help the girls learn how to overcome any obstacles they come across in a respectable manner. Amber can be reached at Amber.ross@louisvilleky.gov for more information.
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This article appears in Apr 25 – May 8, 2025.