Tryon Fine Arts Center promises no break in the action during the third annual Chase Away the Blues on Saturday, Feb. 1, 6-11 p.m. at Tryon Fine Arts Center sponsored by Pacolet Milliken.  Patrons will be treated to traditional and original Blues/Jazz/Swing & Soul throughout the night cranked out by some of the best players the Southeast has to offer.
Giving a nod to Piedmont blues, the Main Stage will open with Mill Billy Blues out of Spartanburg, S.C. made up of Folk Heritage Award winner singer/harmonica player Freddie Vanderford, regional bluesman Shane Pruitt, guitar whiz Brandon Turner and bass player Frank Wilkie.
These individual musicians, considered by some as cornerstones of the Upstate SC music scene, have had a friendship for years. In a band formed for fun and love of the music, these polished musicians turn out a dirty blues and folk sound reflecting the music they heard on front porches growing up in SC mill towns and farm communities.
Next on the main stage will be Asheville Blues/Jazz/Swing & Soul band, Peggy Ratusz & Daddy LongLegs. Peggy Ratusz, originally from Austin, Texas and voted the very best in Blues in Western North Carolina for seven years straight,  is joined by Duane Simpson on guitar, Michael Hynes on bass, and Patrick Armitage on drums and percussion.  Ratusz says she’ll be “playin’ it forward and ready to swing,” playing an array of “delightful and delicious Swing and Jazz, jumpin’ and slow burning Blues.
Upstate SC’s Zataban returns to Chase Away the Blues with their strain of New Orleans funk-laced blues created by Frank Wilkie on bass, Tony Kennedy on sax, Kym MacKinnon on guitar, “Big” Tez Sherrard on drums and Patrick Purnell on keyboards. Expect to dance as this band names a wide range of influences including Tower of Power, Chicago, Jazz Crusaders, Dumpsta Phunk, The Lee Boys, Chris Cain, Nappy Brown, Taj Mahal and Little Feat to name a few.
Following Zataban will be headliner and rising star Nikki Hill with her tight band stopping in Tryon on their way to festivals and clubs across the country. At the end of her set, Hill will bring the evening to a close inviting musician from other bands to join her onstage for a final jam session.
Each Main Stage performer will play an hour set. Between Main Stage performers, the music will keep flowing in the lobby with keyboardist Jim Peterman and friends keeping the crowd hot in the lobby. Downstairs in the Mahler Room, fans can expect more reason to dance as musicians including Tommy Lytle, Freddie Vanderford, Shane Pruitt and Brandon Turner play in this small club-like acoustic venue away from the main floor.
Patrons will be free to roam from room to room. Food and beverage will be available for purchase on both floors, and VIP ticket holders will have special access to the VIP Lounge tucked in next to the Mahler Room for complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a full bar.
“The VIP Lounge provides a cool private place for a drink and conversation – even hard core fans will enjoy a break,” said TFAC Executive Director Beth Child.
Proceeds from the third annual Chase Away the Blues benefit will fund operations at Tryon Fine Arts Center. VIP and general admission tickets are available All tickets allow entry to the three music venues. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. For tickets, call 828-859-8322 or visit www.tryonarts.org.
Tryon Fine Arts Center is a nonprofit organization that operates and programs a 300-seat performance venue and 150-seat amphitheater for music, opera, theatre, dance, and lectures on Melrose Avenue in Tryon, North Carolina.  In addition to presenting programming for a wide variety of audiences, TFAC also makes the arts accessible to local students through education and outreach programs.

-article submitted
by Marianne Carruth