Our Community, Our Voice
A continuing series of high 5’s from local residents….
. 
Gas Station Blues has been a mainstay in Downtown Issaquah for as long as many remember. For COVID reasons, it went online in 2020. On July 8, 2021, it will take center stage again where it’s meant to be: the parking lot of Historic Shell Station.
Tony Frederickson, president of the Washington Blues Society, helped bring blues to the Shell Station and Confluence park because of his own love for the genre. As nomadic as the stereotypical musician, Tony moved from town to town evangelizing music, but small towns like Issaquah are where his heart is.
“I was born in Everett but have lived all over the world,” he said. “Issaquah is great for music. It’s a small town but there’s so much to do. So much culture.”
Washington Blues is a charity, dedicated to preserving music and maintaining culture and history. “Blues are the root of all American music,” Tony said.
Gas Station Blues show this year will be live and in-person every Thursday through August.
Tony said a lot of his famous friends will be headlining.
First up: John Del Toro Richardson from Houston, a well-known guitarist who has won international blues challenges. Then Eden Moody from Leavenworth.
“She’s a songwriter. Telling the story is what it’s all about. Sharing with others,” Tony said.
Tony describes Chris Eger, another artist on the docket, as “a young guy who is one break away from being a national player. A frequent winner of the Best of Blues Award.”
COVID forced Gas Station Blues to the internet — yet but the site had a silver lining and drew thousands of people throughout the year. Marina and Christopher park their instruments in La Piazza during the Music Stroll.
The Washington Blues Society also gives out another BB award every year — Blue to the Bone. The winner is determined by the membership board of directors to people dedicated to bringing music alive in their communities.
“Someone who is heavily involved,’ Tony said, announcing that this year’s winner is Christina Bruning, DIA president and downtown resident.
“Christina is a great example in that she does so much. She’s very committed to Issaquah and the strongest representative they have. “
Author: DIA ED
Historically Hip Downtown