Our Fall Blues in the Schools (BITS) Program was a rousing success.  Michael “Hawkeye” Herman and Fruteland Jackson are becoming mainstays of the BITS programs for our Crossroads Blues Society.  Hawkeye was at Byron High School and Freeport’s Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School while Fruteland was in Rockford at Marsh Elementary School and Ellis Arts Academy.  The two set of programs on Wednesday, September 28^th were outstanding and the students were enthralled to hear and see thee two great bluesmen.  Over 1,350 students attended the four programs.

The programs at Byron HS and Lincoln-Douglas Elementary for Hawkeye reached out to 500 students while Fruteland worked with 850 students at the two schools in Rockford. 

That night, Hawkeye and Fruteland also put on a superb community concert for us at the Mendelssohn Club/Performing Arts Center in Rockford.  Herman went up first with a great set, followed by an equally great one by Fruteland.  The two artists then joined forces for an encore of some blues; all in attendance agreed it was a fine night.

DVDs of the show are available through Snapshot Music at www.snapshotmusic.com. $5 from each DVD sale goes to support of BITS programs!!!

Thanks to Hawkeye, Fruteland and all the members who worked to make the programs a success!  Crossroads is at the forefront of keeping the blues alive!

Supported by a grant from the Community Arts and Humanities Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.