Now in its 28th year, The Columbia Pike Blues Festival is an electrifying summer celebration that brings together music, community, and culture to the heart of Arlington’s most vibrant corridor. This festival is the largest blues festival in the D.C. metro area. Presented by the Columbia Pike Partnership in partnership with Arlington Arts, the festival shines a spotlight on the phenomenal musical talent of Washington D.C. while honoring the rich diversity and lively spirit of the local Arlington Virginia area.
Each year, thousands gather to revel in a fantastic day filled with live blues music, local vendors, food and drink, and family-friendly fun. From legendary performers to beloved local performers, the festival lineup reflects the community’s vibrant creative heartbeat.
More than just a music event, The Columbia Pike Blues Festival is a tribute to the incredible people, inspiring stories, and captivating sounds that make the Pike a place like no other.
In previous years, The Columbia Pike Blues Festival has featured standout performing artists such as Sonny Landreth, Nikki Hill, Ana Popovic, Bettye LaVette, Tinsley Ellis, Bette Smith, and more. This year, Columbia Pike Blues Festival puts the focus on some of the very best local Washington D.C. area talent, bringing in to focus some high quality musicians who have been the backbone of the blues scene for decades, along with rising stars who are putting their own unique, modern spin on the genre. This will be an unforgettable celebration of the blues.
The 2025 Columbia Pike Blues Festival showcases an incredible lineup. There will be the popular local D.C. group, Everyday Everybody, that is known for their unique blend of funk, jazz, soul, and afrobeat. Also a stand out for this year, is the powerful guitarist and soulful singer Sol Roots, who has toured around the world (and learned directly from) many unsung pioneers of blues, soul, and funk. Rick Franklin, who is one of the finest living Piedmont blues guitarists, and an original founder of The DC Blues Society, will be performing. The captivating blues stylings of harmonica player Anthony “Swampdog” Clark and his funk charged band, will also be showcased. Also, Little Red and The Renegades, a D.C. area based band who have been a steadfast beacon of zydeco and blues torch for decades, will be featured.
About the performers:
RICK FRANKLIN
Rick Franklin is a fabulously heartfelt and skilled guitarist. He sings in a warm tenor, smoothly accompanying himself on guitar with the traditional Piedmont fingerpicking. His lighthearted, easy-swing syncopation carries a tune with a lightness, an underlying sensitivity and emotive touch of a gentle giant.
A Virginia native, Rick Franklin was born in Alexandria, Virginia in the 1950’s. His family traveled between the US and England until 1968 when the family returned to Virginia and his father retired from military service. Since 1981, the Arlington, Virginia resident has been playing acoustic guitar and singing the Blues at community events, local festivals, international festivals, as well as various clubs, cafes and other venues. Rick’s musical style of blues is known as the Piedmont style, which is identified with such legendary acoustic guitarists such as Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller and William Moore along with players and friends like John Cephas, John Jackson, and Archie Edwards.
Rich Franklin was also a founding member of The DC Blues Society, and has worked closely with harmonica legend Phil Wiggins, guitarist Mike Baytop, and many more.
SOL ROOTS
The Sol Roots band performs a mix of New Orleans influenced funk, deep blues, heartfelt soul, and energetic rock. Known for his ferocious guitar skills and soulful vocals, Sol has toured around the world with many musical legends.
Sol has spent most of his life touring, recording, producing, and learning directly from roots and blues pioneers such as Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, Albert White, Robert Lee Coleman, Cool John Ferguson, Lee Gates, and more.
The Sol Roots band have shared the stage with acts such as Jon Cleary, Soulive, Dumpstaphunk, Popa Chubby, Sonny Landreth, Eric Lindell, Roosevelt Collier, Cory Henry, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Shemekia Copeland, Jackie Greene and many more.
Guided by a deep admiration for his musical mentors and a passion for universal music, Sol emerges with a distinctive, powerful voice, accompanied by a talented band of musicians.
Sol Roots is an official Home Grown Music Network artist and a “Next Generation” Music Maker Foundation artist.
ANTHONY "SWAMP DOG" CLARK
Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark is a world class musician who has performed, and recorded with some of the best local and national blues acts. Anthony started out playing the drums at the age of five, and by the time he was twelve, started listening to the blues greats. Musicians like Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, Paul Butterfield, and Sonny Boy Williamson, were some of the top influences for Swamp Dog.
The band has played up and down the east coast, performing at festivals and venues from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. Swamp Dog’s latest album release “LIVE” has been featured on many college, and Internet radio stations. The music is a blistering mix of contemporary blues with a funk edge.
In recent years, Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark has performed at various festivals and clubs opening for the blues luminaries such as Deanna Bogart, Shemekia Copeland, and Mr Sip.
LITTLE RED & THE RENEGADES
Little Red and the Renegades perform squeeze box rock & roll, zydeco, blues, and New Orleans R&B, and high energy grooves. The group features accordion, steel pan, a dynamic rhythm section, and great songs, who could ask for anything more. Band leader Little Red, is signed to the Azalea City Recordings label, and has appeared with Dr. John, Buckwheat Zydeco, Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, T-Bone Burnett, Chubby Carrier, Queen Ida, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Rosie Ledet. Band members are Little Red on accordion, piano, and guitar; Carol Arthur on steel pans, and piano; Antoine Sanfuentes on drums; Dave Petersen on bass; and Harry Rado on guitar. Little Red has previously represented Washington D.C. at Austin’s famed South by SouthWest festival, and has been the Kennedy Center’s New Years Eve featured band! This wonderfully talented band has been a steadfast beacon of zydeco and blues torch in the D.C. area for decades.
EVERYDAY EVERYBODY
Everyday Everybody is a DC-based band blending funk, soul, jazz, and afrobeats into a sound that’s as vibrant as their live shows. Since 2012, they’ve earned recognition as Best Local Original Band (Washington City Paper) and Best Funk Group (Wammies), with features in The Washington Post and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Tour. Known for electrifying performances, they’ve shared stages with The Wailers, Burning Spear, Cory Henry, Durand Jones & The Indications, The Suffers, and Cedric Burnside, and have headlined venues like the Black Cat and The Hamilton, with featured appearances at DC JazzFest, the Kennedy Center, and the 9:30 Club.
The Columbia Pike Blues Festival promises to be an amazing time, with a lineup of powerful musical performers, delicious food, unique vendors, and fun for the whole family. Every June since 1995, Columbia Pike has proudly hosted the largest blues festival in the D.C. metropolitan area. This free outdoor music experience brings together thousands of residents and visitors for a weekend packed with excitement. From live blues and jazz, to toe-tapping bluegrass and funk, plus tons of family friendly activities, craft beer, and wine from local vendors, there is truly something for everyone. Mark your calendar for Arlington’s best block party, come out to enjoy this wonderful, free outdoor festival, and enjoy an unforgettable weekend.
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