Carrol Deen and Cam Hayden have been producing and promoting the blues together since the mid ‘80’s in the Edmonton area. Through the City Media Club, WingTip Productions and now Blues International they have presented the best of local, regional, national and international blues talent. Dozens of blues artists received their first exposure in Alberta through Cam and Carrols’ work and hundreds of established artists have filled “the hole in the soul” of many Edmonton blues fans through their efforts. Grammy winners, Juno winners, Blues Music Award Winners, and Maple Blues winners have all been part of Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival. Dr. John, Ike Turner, Koko Taylor, Los Lobos, Delbert McClinton, Downchild, Charlie Musselwhite and over 150 others have appeared at the festival since opening the gates in 1999.

The festival has always been and always will be dedicated to “Blues and Nothin’ but the Blues” and we’re proud to bring a party for 3,000 of our closest blues lovin’ friends to Edmonton every August. And those friends come from as far away as New Zealand, points around the United States and across Canada. The event was dubbed “Western Canada’s Premiere Blues Event” after only 2 seasons. Our 10th anniversary year (2008) saw the Blues Foundation, a world- wide organization that preserves, supports and ensures the future of the blues as well as  celebrating blues excellence, honour us with the Keeping the Blues Alive award. The only Canadian event to ever receive this accolade!