NORWICH – If the blues “ain’t nothin’” but a feeling, then residents of Chenango County have a lot to feel good about this weekend: The 18th Annual Chenango Blues Fest is coming to town.

Featuring a veritable who’s who of the genre’s top regional and national talent, the annual festival draws approximately 3,000 people every year, according to Chenango Blues Association Board of Directors President Eric Larsen.

Los Blancos guitarist Colin Aberdeen said he’s always been impressed with the raw talent the event brings to Chenango County year after year.

“They present a truly expansive array of artists and styles, ranging from burgeoning acts who are out on the road making a name for themselves to the progenitors of American blues, soul and roots music,” stated Aberdeen. “They have successfully presented such a breadth of different styles under the umbrella of blues music in an intimate atmosphere.”

Aberdeen and Los Blancos will perform from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. tonight at the fairgrounds in the opening slot for the New Orleans-based Honey Island Swamp Band and from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Blarneystone Pub.

On tap for Saturday are award-winning blues pianist Marcia Ball, Watermelon Slim, Guitar Shorty, harmonica sensation John Nemeth and the Asamu Johnson Project. Interspersed throughout the day’s Main Stage acts will be acoustic performances by Dom Flemons, E.G. Kight and Paul Rishell & Annie Raines on the Acoustic Stage.