B.B. KING TO HEAD BLUES FESTIVAL

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Blues lovers from across the Midwest will converge on the banks of the Mississippi River at St. Louis over Labor Day weekend for the 1994 St. Louis Blues Heritage Festival.

The festival will feature national and international legends such as B.B. King, Dr. John and Little Feat.

In addition, there will be St. Louis legends Henry Townsend and Johnnie Johnson, a first time ever "Women in Blues" concert and more than 60 national, regional and local groups encompassing Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Rhythm and Blues and Dixieland music.

From Sept. 1-5 the city of St. Louis, celebrated in one of the most famous blues songs ever, will be alive with the sounds of great musicians.

The focus of the festival is a three-day music event Sept. 3, 4 and 5 on two outdoor stages along the Mississippi River in the historic Laclede's Landing area.

There will also be three special concerts on Sept. 1,2 and 4 and a St. Louis Nightclub Showcase will offer a veritable blues feast.

Added to the festivities this year will be a new Central Food Court featuring some of St. Louis' finest cuisine and a New Orleans Dixieland Band that will march through the streets twice a day.

B.B. King is expected to pack the Fox Theatre in St. Louis on Friday night. King, who has been in the blues business for nearly 50 years, will be joined by Little Feat and Dr. John.

Admission is free for more than 50 performances at Laclede's Landing. Performances will run on two stages Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Sept. 3,4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. each day.