I would be remiss as anyone keeping up with anything in Kinston if I didn’t plug the Whole Hog Blues Festival, happening tomorrow (Saturday), Sept. 30 at Grainger Stadium.

Get more information here: http://www.wholehogbluesfestival.com/

You can buy tickets online or at the stadium boxoffice for $15-$25. Gates open at 1 p.m., the show starts at 3 p.m. and will go until about 11 p.m. It’s going to be great.

Seven acts will play their interpretations of the blues and roots music, including Teresa James, Walter Washington and the Roadmasters, the Sol Creech Band, Eddie Tigner, Albert White, Sweet Betty and Carey Bell.

I’ve spoken to a bunch of these guys on the phone in the last month or so, writing articles about them, and they all have storied pasts and a rich musical pallette to draqw from. I’m really excited about finally seeing and hearing them live.

I just met Tigner, White and Sweet Betty as they touched down at the Jetport a few minutes ago. They are pretty excited, too. Tigner shared some of his memories of playing Kinston with The Ink Spots in the ’50s and ’60s while waiting to board the bus. He loves North Carolina.

See y’all on Saturday for some beer, blues and barbecue!