For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Musicians Bring Blues to Life at Westland's Blues, Brews and BBQ

Westland, MI - Robert Penn grew up in Inkster, Michigan exposed to all the great music of Motown. In the mid 60s his dad took him to Detroit's Fox Theatre to see the original Temptations at the Motown Revue. When he heard their lead guitarist, Cornelius Grant, play the opening riff on " I Know I'm Losing You," he knew his calling in life.

Since that day in 1966, Mr. Penn, the "Motor City Blues Gentlemen," has had the esteemed honor of playing behind one of the greatest blues men of all time, Mr. B.B. King. His list of revered works also includes opening for; the Bobby "Blue" Band, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Coco Taylor, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins and many others.

This master of blues will be one of seven performers gracing the stage at Westland's third annual Blues, Brews and Barbecue. The event starts with live music at 6 p.m. Friday, September 20, headlined by Penn and includes local artist, Gabrielle Wild.

The festival resumes Saturday, September 21, at noon, with more brews and barbecue and five more local and talented performers. The lineup includes; Jones N', the Chris Canas Band, Randy Brock Group, the Rick Stel Project and Zydeco Hepcats.

This year, Friday night will also be a Bike Night where local bikers are encouraged to come join in all of the fun. There will be reserved parking for bikes as well as bike memorabilia and bike themed giveaways. To keep up with all of the event details, and learn more about each artist in the 2013 lineup, you can follow Blues, Brews and Barbecue on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/allamericanbluesbrewsbbq.

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at (734) 467-3200.

The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".