Bring on the blues

BIBLE HILL - Mr. Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo excited the crowd to kick off the fifth annual Dutch Mason Blues Festival here last night.
"I'm so happy to be in Nova Scotia tonight," Rick Derringer told concertgoers during his performance in front of an estimated 4,000 people. "We're here to have a good time tonight."
Derringer, who celebrated his 62nd birthday on Wednesday, performed a mix of classics and new songs while pleasing the crowd. A couple of young men waived 'Hulkster' shirts as Derringer took to the stage and the talented guitarist and singer didn't disappoint, playing I'm a Real American, a song that became wrestler Hulk Hogan's entrance music during his heyday in the '80s and '90s.
"For the last 20 years every time the Hulkster has come into the ring he has sung one of my songs and I want him to know right now, it's not his song," he said. "It's my song."
The estimated crowd was twice the size of last year's Friday night showing according to an organizer.
"It's getting better every year. The music is awesome, I love it," said Stellarton resident Brian Campbell, who has attended the festival each year.
"(All the musicians) are all good. You can't beat them. I can't wait for Dr. Hook."
The night got off to a great start with a few words from the organizers. Co-producer Jeff Yuill said it is going to be a great weekend with great food and "some real cold Kool-Aid."
Big Dog radio station's Morrissey Dunn opened the show by saying Dutch was looking down from up above.
"He's ready for three days of ... the best blues," he said. "What better way to kick off the fifth annual Dutch Mason Blues festival but the heir to the throne, Mr. Garrett Mason."
As he has done for each of the past five years Dutch's son Garrett played on opening night. He delivered a foot-stompin', hand-clappin' performance that pleased the crowd.
"This one's for the old man," Garrett said before adding, "the whole weekend is for the old man."
Dave and Karen Killam travelled from Bridgewater for opening night. They were impressed with Mason's performance.
"We've seen him (before) and he never fails to impress. He does an excellent job," Karen said.
She said they were looking forward to seeing all of last night's performers on stage. She added it was good value for the money, but they did learn a valuable lesson.
"We should have brought a chair with us," Dave said with a laugh.
"We're blues festival virgins so we didn't know anything coming in but we would bring a chair next year," Karen added.
As the show started a dark cloud was evident over the grandstand. A light drizzle started towards the end of Mason's performance as patrons brought out their ponchos and umbrellas.
Rain continued through The Twisters performance but stopped near the end.
Colin James concluded the opening night. The show picks up this afternoon at 1 p.m. Gates open at 10 a.m.