Posted on June 13, 2016
Anyone who has had the pleasure of sipping a cold beer while listening to blues music knows that the two go together like peanut butter and jelly. There is something that just feels so right about pairing brews with blues music, but the reason behind this perfect pairing may come as a surprise.
Blues music originated in the Deep South near the end of the 19th century, and it is generally accepted that this style of music evolved over time from a mixture of slave field shouts, work songs, African spirituals, revivalist hymns, and country dance music. Themes of sadness and suffering are commonly found in blues songs, capturing the toil and grief associated with slavery. The blues in turn eventually gave birth to rhythm and blues music and rock ‘n’ roll music.
But where did the blues get its name? Tracing the exact origin of a word or phrase can sometimes prove tricky, but many scholars and etymologists (word historians) think the blues gets its name from the idea of “blue devils.” Blue devils were demons who were thought to cause sadness. Eventually the phrase was shortened to “the blues.” Although many of the song lyrics do draw on the hardships of the artist, songs also discuss overcoming hard luck and letting your hair down. At the end of a long day, many people would go listen to the blues at juke joints to relax.
Do you suddenly have the urge to snap your fingers along to a blues song with one hand and hold a cold beer in the other? Well, you’re in luck! The Stone Event Center at Campus 805 is hosting the first Brats and Brews – and a little Blues festival on Saturday, June 25th from 3 to 8 P.M. Although Tres Locos and the Dawn Osborne Band will be playing live blues music, you’ll have nothing to be sad about. The Stone Event Center will be serving a selection of Yellowhammer and Straight to Ale beers that we have paired with and Silver Spoon Catering brats that will make sure to keep the blue devils away. Check out our events page and the Facebook event for all the details. Can’t wait to see you there!