'Best' blues yet

COEUR d'ALENE - In year four of the Coeur d'Alene Blues Festival, organizer Craig Heimbigner is sure of one thing.

"I think this is our best lineup," he said.

He boasts of Duffy Bishop, a Grammy nominated, Washington Blues Society and Cascade Blues Association Hall of Famer, and Charlie Musselwhiite, a Grammy winner with more than 30 nominations for Blues Music Awards.

"You can't do any better than that," he said. "That's quite a coup."

The Coeur d'Alene Blues Festival is scheduled April 5, 6 and 7 at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Highlights include:

April 5

* The Doghouse Boyz in Whispers Lounge, 4-7 p.m., free.

* Boat cruise and dock party, 7 p.m., 2 boats together, 2 bands.

* The Fat Tones after Cruise party Plaza Center Court, 9 p.m., free.

April 6

* Blues jam session hosted by VooDoo Church on The Resort Terrace, 1-4 p.m.

* Roberson & BZ In Whispers Lounge, 4-7, free.

* Four bands Lloyd Jones, Duffy Bishop, Charlie Musselwhiite, and Ty Curtis, in the Resort Convention Center, 7 p.m., two stages, so no breaks, just continuous performances.

April 7

* Gospel brunch featuring Spokane Community Gospel Ensemble at Dockside restaurant, 10 to 1:30 p.m.

The jam session and cruise are new this year, said Heimbigner, also organizer of the Wallace Blues Festival in July.

He said this year's event in Coeur d'Alene will be outstanding, with Lloyd Jones, Bishop, Musselwhiite and Ty Curtis taking the stage.

"I absolutely don't think we can top it, talent-wise," he said.

Tickets are $37 for combo cruise and four-band festival. Cruise only is $15. Festival only $25. All other jams, after and pre-function events are free

Tickets: 765-4000, Ext.21 or www.ticketfly.com

Information: www.cdabluesfestival.com