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I was asking a fellow patron of the blues earlier today how the Buddy Guy show went -- he was underwhelmed, but the rest of his party loved it -- and the subject turned to blues cities, and I asked, is there a Blues Hall of Fame, and if so, where is it? The authority of Google presented two contenders, with the San Diego contingent holding the registered trademark. While they don't have a facility set up, they do have a number of familiar Louisiana faces such as Mem Shannon and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on their list of nominated inductees.

Now I know a lot of places hold claim to being the home of the blues: Chicago, Kansas City and Memphis among them, but they wouldn't have had as much as a walking bass line to work with if a number of Louisiana artists hadn't made their way up Hwy. 61. I'm thankful that blues fans the world over keep this music alive, and San Diego is a beautiful city and all, but is that where the Hall of Fame belongs instead of, say, here?

The return of the Blues Festival this weekend to downtown Baton Rouge is a credit to the mayor, the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation and the Baton Rouge Blues Society and their efforts to keep the fires lit on our heritage. This Saturday, the lineup of Louisiana talent is staggering: Kenny Neal, Larry Garner, Luther Kent, Lazy Lester Marcia Ball and more are all playing downtown for free. We've proven there is interest in our music and our heritage. I say we keep that momentum rolling and beat San Diego to the punch.

Wednesday, April 23

Brian Coogan (6 p.m.), Mike Foster Project (10 p.m.) at Chelsea's

Reckless Kelly at The Varsity

Shirley Neal's Blues Buffet with Lil' Ray Neal Band at Phil Brady's

Thursday, April 24

The Stellaphonics and The Fugitive Poets at Chelsea's

The Tomatoes, Southern Backtones and Rising Sun at North Gate Tavern

Luke Starkiller at Click's

Randy James and Savin' Face at Boudreaux & Thibodeaux's

The Last Waltz Ensemble at The Varsity

Jam hosted by Troy Turner and T.J. Black at Phil Brady's

Friday, April 25

Man Plus Building, Terror of the Sea and Wilderness Pangs at Spanish Moon

The Legendary Eddie Bo at Chelsea's

Fister, Axes of Evil and Peckernut and North Gate Tavern

Here is Why and Revibe at Click’s

Averman, Death 2 Juliet, Horseshoes & Handgrenades, Phat Ninja Karaoke and Colorcast Veteran at The Darkroom

Clay Newsom & the Quarter Moon Band and Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band at Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s

Beer for Breakfast at The Caterie

Werewolf at The Varsity

John Lisi at Phil Brady's

Big Red at Teddy's Juke Joint

Henry Butler at the Manship Theatre

Saturday, April 26

Baton Rouge Blues Festival downtown Baton Rouge starting at 10 a.m.

Hi-Five at Spanish Moon

Torn Apart by Horses, In Tomorrow's Shadow, Dhalism, Cattle Drive!, The Blindfolded War Routine and the Positive Place for Kids at The Darkroom

Henry Gray at Chelsea's

Supervillain at North Gate Tavern

Maven and Pandemic with Caster Troy at Click's

Randy James Trio at Boudreaux & Thibodeaux's

Oh! Juliet and The Highlines at The Caterie

Kipori Woods at Phil Brady's

Randy Pavlock at Teddy's Juke Joint

Sunday, April 27

Singer Songwriter Showcase at Brew Ha-Ha with Justin Remer (of the Elastic No-No Band), SITKOD, Daniel Patterson and others

Sunday Blues Jam at Teddy's Juke Joint

Monday, April 28

Today is the Day, Complete Failure, and Rwake at Spanish Moon

Deke Dickerson at Chelsea's

Tuesday, April 29

Michelle Malone and Porter Davis at Chelsea's

Gabriel Saint at The Caterie

The Secret Handshake and Justen Cheney at The Darkroom

The Avett Brothers at the Manship Theatre