Returns With a Bigger Footprint and a Growing Town Behind It
Long before the lights come up at Outlaw Square, downtown Deadwood turns into a walking music festival. Beginning at 11 a.m., local and regional blues musicians rotate through venues across town, giving festivalgoers a chance to hear a set, wander to the next stop, grab lunch, and discover another artist before everyone eventually gathers for an evening of national touring acts. It’s a format that encourages exploration instead of asking people to spend an entire day in one place.
Now in its second year, the Deadwood Blues Festival returns July 10-12 with Grammy-winning headliners, a full afternoon Blues Crawl, late-night jam sessions, VIP events, and a Sunday Blues Brunch. After a successful inaugural year, organizers have expanded the festival while keeping one idea at the center: bring nationally recognized blues artists to the Black Hills while creating opportunities for regional musicians to share the same weekend.
Behind the scenes, the Deadwood Blues Festival is organized by Randy and Molly Brown, Bill and Jody Rectenwald, Steve Jacobs, and Ethan Burmeister. That six-person partnership coordinates the festival year-round, but according to Randy Brown, it takes more than 60 volunteers, venue managers, drivers, hospitality staff, and business owners to bring the weekend together. With ten venues participating across downtown, the festival has become a collaborative effort shared by businesses throughout Deadwood.
Start Downtown Before the Headliners
One of the easiest ways to get more out of the festival is to arrive early.
The Saturday Blues Crawl features rotating performances at venues throughout downtown Deadwood, including Saloon No. 10, Deadwood Mountain Grand, Scott Jacobs Studio, Deadwood Tobacco, Best Brews, The Landmark Hotel, Celebrity Hotel, and the Deadwood Elks. Every couple of hours the music moves, giving people a reason to keep exploring town while hearing a wide variety of blues styles.
The regional lineup includes artists many Black Hills audiences already know, including Johnny Hastings & Stillhouse Down, Brandon Sprague, Bodhi Linde, Tyler Bills Trio, Hector Anchondo, Joe Waters, Angela Easley, and Erica Brown. Some have spent years performing around the region, while others may be new discoveries for festivalgoers.
Amani Burnham
At 21 years old, Amani Burnham is the youngest artist on this year’s lineup, but don’t mistake him for an opening act that’s simply paying his dues. Long before releasing a full-length album, Burnham was turning heads online with videos of his explosive guitar playing, earning a recording contract with the legendary Blind Pig Records and a growing reputation as one of blues music’s brightest young talents.
His debut album, Roots & Wings, draws inspiration from artists like Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix while bringing his own perspective to the music. Playing with his thumb instead of a guitar pick, Burnham delivers a style that’s both technically impressive and deeply expressive, pairing blistering solos with thoughtful songwriting that reflects his Ethiopian roots and his place in a new generation of blues musicians.
Ruthie Foster
For years, Ruthie Foster was the artist other musicians couldn’t stop talking about. Raised in a family rooted in gospel music, she developed a voice that could move effortlessly between blues, soul, folk, and Americana, while writing songs that felt just as personal as they did timeless. Critical acclaim followed, along with five Grammy nominations, but the win itself didn’t arrive until earlier this year.
Her latest album, Mileage, earned the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album, giving Foster her first Grammy while also marking the first Grammy win in the history of the legendary Sun Records label. It was a milestone decades in the making for an artist who has quietly built one of the most respected careers in contemporary blues.
Keb’ Mo’
Five Grammy Awards. Fourteen Blues Foundation Awards. Seven No. 1 blues albums. On paper, Keb’ Mo’ has already accomplished just about everything a blues musician could hope to achieve. After more than 30 years of touring, recording, and collaborating with some of the biggest names in American music, he continues to approach every performance with the same warmth and easygoing style that first put him on the map.
Born and raised in Compton, California, Keb’ Mo’ spent years working behind the scenes as a guitarist, songwriter, and arranger before introducing the world to his own music in 1994. His songs pull from Delta blues, folk, Americana, country, and soul, creating a sound that feels rooted in tradition without ever sounding trapped by it. Along the way, he’s shared stages and studios with artists including Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, and The Chicks, while his music has appeared everywhere from television soundtracks to performances at The White House.
When the Main Stage Ends
Some of last year’s favorite festival memories happened after the official schedule was over.
Deadwood Tobacco once again hosts late-night All-Star Blues Jams on both Friday and Saturday evenings, where musicians from across the festival are invited to climb onstage together. Last year those sessions grew organically as performers stopped in after their own sets, eventually leading to an unforgettable night that included Christone “Kingfish” Ingram joining the jam alongside other festival musicians. No one knows exactly who might show up this year, which is part of what keeps people coming back after the main concert ends.
If you’re making a weekend of it, Sunday morning wraps things up with the Blues Brunch at SpringHill Suites at Cadillac Jack’s. It’s a relaxed way to close out the festival before everyone heads home.
Whether you’re coming for Keb’ Mo’, hoping to discover your next favorite blues artist, or simply looking for an excuse to spend a Saturday wandering downtown Deadwood with live music around every corner, the festival offers plenty of ways to experience the weekend beyond the main stage.
See How It All Began
Before the second Deadwood Blues Festival kicks off, it’s worth looking back at the first. This short documentary follows the organizers through the challenges of launching a brand-new music festival, from finding financial support to earning the trust of artists, businesses, and the community. It’s an honest look at the work that happens long before the first note is played.
General Admission, reserved seating, and add-on experiences are available online and at the gate (subject to availability).
Know Before You Go
Main Stage
- Chairs are provided.
- No outside chairs or coolers.
- No umbrellas, pets, weapons, or outside alcohol.
- Bottled water, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks are available inside.
- Reserved seating is based on your ticket section.
Blues Crawl
- Daytime performances begin at 11 a.m.
- Multiple venues to visit artists throughout the afternoon.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Late-Night Jams
- Hosted at Deadwood Tobacco.
- Free to attend.
- 21+ only.
Festival organizer Randy Brown recently sat down with Ruthie Foster for an extended conversation covering her career, songwriting, and the long road that led to her Grammy win. If you’re planning to catch her set Saturday evening, it’s a great conversation to listen to beforehand.