About Trinity River Blues Society
Mission Statement
TRBS works to enhance the preservation of our area’s rich Blues history. We promote, educate, and preserve a unique African-American original art form which is the Blues, we also celebrate the excellence of all Blues music and types on all levels. TRBS goal is to Increase awareness and appreciation for Blues music by providing a network of like-minded fans, musicians, venues and promoters. TRBS is focused on blues music as a genre.
Board of Directors
Angela Buffington
President/Website Content/Booking Agent/Executive Director
Lisa DuPre
Advisory Event Coordinator
Dave Iacobucci
Treasurer & Executive Director
Patrica Verrall
Philanthropy
Amy Crow
Secretary & Executive Director
Michelle Sirchio
Promotional Support and Content Creator
Our History
The Trinity River Blues Society is dedicated to educating people of all ages and backgrounds of the deep rooted history of the Blues and the African American culture from which the Blues was conceived and by engaging the community by organizing and encouraging live performances by local and national acts as well as community outreach by being actively involved in promoting and sustaining the music we love.
Born on November 12, 2013, the DFW Blues Society consisted of local blues enthusiasts whose mission it was to spread the word about DFW’s rich Blues heritage throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
On April 29, 2014, the group voted to change the name to Trinity River Blues Society and a new board was put into place, allowing us to encompass and spread the Blues throughout the entire North Texas area.
The Trinity River Blues Society is proud of our accomplishments in promoting the Blues throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth and North Texas areas. Some of those accomplishments are:
On December 9, 2016, the Trinity River Blues Society in conjunction with Poor David’s Pup presented the Lone Star Golden State Revue, our first concert-fundraiser. The band made up of musicians from California and Texas included Mark Hummel (Grammy nominee harmonica-vocals), Anson Funderburg (of Anson and the Rockets – guitar), Little Charlie Baty (Nightcats – guitar), RW Grigsby (bass) and Wes Starr (drums).
On June 17, 2017, the Trinity River Blues Society partnered with 508 Park Avenue hosting an anniversary concert and tour of the studio where legendary bluesman Robert Johnson recorded 13 songs in 1937. Performing songs from that era and along with Robert Johnson’s masterpieces, were Dallas’ own Texas Slim, Aaron Burton, Jim Suhler and John “Jmac” MacDonald.
On August 27, 2017, the Trinity River Blues Society held its very first IBC Challenge (International Blues Competition) at Babb Brothers BBQ, with the winner Larry Lampkin of Fort Worth, representing North Texas at the challenge in Memphis, TN
On February 12, 2018, the Trinity Blues Society partnered with the Blues Foundation based out of Memphis, TN to raise money for their HART (Handy Artists Relief Trust) Foundation which helps assist Blues musicians and their families in financial need due to a broad range of health concerns. The concert which was held at the historic Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff, TX featured TJ Norton, Janiva Magness and Oak Cliff’s very own Jimmie Vaughn. Through this endeavor the Trinity River Blues Society was able to raise over $12,000.00 for HART and in return they provide free health screenings for our local Blues musicians.
On July 8, 2018, the Trinity River Blues Society held its second IBC Challenge at the Keys Lounge in Fort Worth, TX, with Shake Russell and My Last Nerve (band), Hula Haze (solo) and Dylan “Boogie Boy” James (youth) representing North Texas in Memphis.
On April 4, 2019, the Trinity River Blues Society partnered with the Heritage Museum in Frisco, Texas to present a Cast of Blues and Forgotten Frisco: Legendary Bluesman ZuZu Bolin. A two day exhibit featuring 15 resin cast masks of blues legends created by artist Sharon McConnell – Dickerson as well as 15 photographs of juke joints and live performances by acclaimed photographer Ken Murphy. The exhibit also included a musical and oral history of legendary Frisco bluesman ZuZu Bolin.
On June 23, 2019 the Trinity River Blues Society held its third IBC Challenge at Six Springs Tavern in Richardson, TX, with Shake Russell and My Last Nerve (band), Bill Sibley & Bill Hudson (duo) and Dylan “Boogie Boy” James (youth) representing North Texas in Memphis.
Besides these accomplishments, the Trinity River Blues Society has gone on to work side by side with the House of Blues, producing and booking local and national acts for their Bluesy Tuesday program and worked in conjunction with 222 Main Stage in Irving , TX to produce and book their Saturday night concert series featuring international Blues musician Shawn Pittman and local Blues talents; Blues Love & Trouble and Blueschild.
The Trinity River Blues Society is a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit organization as of 2015, and an affiliate member of The Blues Foundation. We are an all-volunteer organization, dedicated to promoting Blues music in the greater DFW and North Texas areas.