New Message from President’s Desk for July 2026
Message from the President’s Desk
July 2026
Welcome!
As President of the Trinity River Blues Society, I want to personally thank each of you for being part of our incredible blues community. Whether you’re a musician, member, volunteer, sponsor, or fan, you are an important part of our mission to preserve, promote, and celebrate the blues throughout North Texas.
This month, our music family experienced a tremendous loss with the passing of Carol Dierking, founder of Texas Women in Music. Carol was much more than a leader. She was a visionary, mentor, advocate, and dear friend. Her passion for supporting musicians, especially women in music, created opportunities that will continue to inspire generations to come. Her kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to our music community left an unforgettable mark on all who knew her.
On behalf of the Trinity River Blues Society Board of Directors and from my heart, I extend our deepest condolences to Carol’s family, friends, and the entire Texas Women in Music community. Her legacy will live on through the music, the artists she championed, and the countless lives she touched.
As an initial tribute, I invite you to join us on Sunday, July 12, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Plano Sports Tavern, where the Texas Women in Music Jam, hosted by the Aquarius All Star Band, will be dedicated to Carol’s memory.
This special dedication is only the beginning. Texas Women in Music and the Trinity River Blues Society are planning a larger memorial celebration to honor Carol’s extraordinary life, legacy, and countless contributions to the North Texas music community. Details will be announced soon, and we hope you’ll join us as we celebrate a woman who gave so much to so many.
As we honor Carol’s legacy of bringing musicians together, we also look ahead to one of the most exciting events in Trinity River Blues Society history, the 8th Annual Trinity River Blues Society Challenge & Festival on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Platinum Music Complex, 7301 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, Texas 76180.
I’m incredibly proud to announce that we have a record breaking 28 challengers competing this year, making this the largest Blues Challenge in our organization’s history. The talent is exceptional, and these outstanding musicians will compete for the opportunity to represent North Texas at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
In addition to the competition, we have assembled an incredible lineup of live entertainment. Our headliner is the Wanda King Big Band Revue. Our featured artists include the Aquarius All Star Band, the Mysterious Scoundrels Band, and Delmark Records recording artist EJ Mathews, a two time Trinity River Blues Society Solo Challenge winner whose performances while representing Trinity River Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge led to his signing with Delmark Records.
Best of all, admission is FREE! Bring your family and friends and spend the day enjoying outstanding live blues music, delicious food trucks, unique vendors, our silent auction, raffle, and a celebration of the amazing blues talent that North Texas has to offer.
As we prepare for our biggest event of the year, we are still looking for volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and donations for our silent auction and raffle. Every volunteer, sponsorship, and donation helps us support our musicians and continue our mission of promoting and preserving the blues throughout North Texas.
I can’t wait to welcome all of you on August 2 for what promises to be our biggest, best, and most exciting Trinity River Blues Society Challenge & Festival yet.
Thank you for your continued support of the Trinity River Blues Society. Together, we are preserving the rich history of the blues, creating opportunities for today’s artists, and inspiring the next generation of musicians. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and sharing another exciting chapter in our journey.
Keeping the Blues Alive,
Angela Buffington President Trinity River Blues Society
