The full line-up has been released for the 2020 Carlisle Blues/Rock Festival.

It includes the Band of Friends which is made up of the legendary Rory Gallagher’s band from 1981 to 1991, the musicians who recorded his last three studio albums with him.

The band will be celebrating the musical legacy which Rory left behind some 25 years ago with a special guest guitarist who is to be announced.

Also performing at the festival are Blues Caravan – a concept familiar to blues fans. Jeremiah Johnson (St Louis), Whitney Shay (San Diego) and Ryan Perry (Mississippi) are the three coming together to bring that special musical chemistry to Carlisle.

Texan star Hamilton Loomis, a protege of Bo Diddley, returns to the festival after a gap of 10 years.

Deborah Bonham, sister of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John, will be performing. Paul Rogers of Free chose Deborah’s band to back him on his most recent tour.

Climax Blues Band are best known for the massive 1976 chart hit ‘Couldn’t Get It Right’. The band was formed in 1967 and has survived many changes over the years.

Multi award winner and Carlisle favourite Ian Siegal returns for what could be his final UK performance before his impending retirement.

Included in this year’s line-up are five of the final nominees for various 2020 UK Blues Awards which will be announced in May, they include There’s also the Laurence Jones Band, The Cinelli Brothers, Martin Harley, Dom Martin and The Achievers. The Achievers, who won last year’s UK Blues Challenge, have recently returned from Memphis where they took part in the prestigious International Blues Challenge, a reward for their UK win.

Tickets for the Carlisle Blues/Rock Festival go on sale on Friday, February 14, at 9am. More information is available on the website www.carlislebluesfestival.com.

Tickets are available from the website and from the Crown & Mitre Hotel, Carlisle, for cash sales.

n The festival has been nominated for a national award.

It has been nominated for Best Blues Based Event of the Year in the UK in the UK Blues Awards.

The festival is up against Ealing Blues Festival; Colne’s Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival; Old Bush Blues in Worcester; and the Upton Blues Festival, which is also in Worcestershire.

Finalists are nominated by some 800 invited people who have significant involvement in the UK Blues scene. The top five nominations in each category go to a public vote to establish the winner.

The awards will be held at Dingwalls in London later in the Year.

The voting link is at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/2020FORMUKBluesAwards