Kern Pratt & The Accused Kick Off 7th Annual Oxford Blues Festival

Kern Pratt & The Accused featuring Denise Owen performed at The Shelter on Van Buren Friday night as the opening show for the seventh annual Oxford Blues Festival.

Pratt is a Mississippi native who has played with such greats as Willie Foster, Mamie “Galore” Davis, Lil’ Bill Wallace, Mississippi Slim, Hubert Sumlin, Lil’ Dave Thompson, James “T-Model” Ford, Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, Percy Sledge, Eden Brent, Steve Azar, and Bud Cockrell, lead vocalist for Pablo Cruise. These musicians were a great influence on his musical career. He opened shows for artists of the likes of BB King, Bo Diddley, Johnny Winter, Delbert McClinton, Bobby Rush, Gregg Alman, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Deborah Coleman, Elvin Bishop, Rick Nelson, Kenny Neal, Dr. John, Muddy Waters All Star Band, Eddie Money & the late Bobby “Blue” Bland.

Pratt’s first solo album Broken Chains (2015) has been met with much critical acclaim, and because of Pratt’s hardworking and driven attitude, he has gained the reputation as “one of the most authentic and hardworking musicians in the South.”

The Oxford Blues Festival schedule of events for today begin at noon with a Blues Panel Discussion with Leo “Bud” Welch, Tullie Brae, and Jontavious Willis at The Overby Center on the University of Mississippi campus.

Following the discussion, performances by The Zediker Brothers, The Mississippi Traveling Stars, Jontavious Willis, Doc Prana, The Blues Doctors, Leo “Bud” Welch, Tullie Brae and The Mosley & Johnson Band will take place at the beloved Grove on the University of Mississippi campus.

For a full schedule of events visit the Oxford Blues Festival’s website.

Randall Haley is the social media editor and a staff writer for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at randall.haley@hottytoddy.com.