Roots & Blues line-up

After celebrating 25 years this past summer the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues is turning its sights to the summer of 2018.

Organizers announced the first six acts have been selected to play the 26th annual Festival.

The Family Stone, respected British folk artist Martin Simpson, Harry Manx and the Yaletown String Quartet, American blues master Rick Vito, The Paperboys, and Mexican quartet Son De Madera will all be playing shows and participating in workshops during the festival weekend.

“This announcement shows that we intend to once again build an artistic foundation for the festival with musicians who have deep resumes and who have experienced serious, long time success,” said festival artistic director Peter North.

The Family Stone features Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and founding members of Sly & The Family Stone, Jerry Martini and Greg Errico, plus Sly Stone's daughter Phunne Stone.

Martin Simpson remains one of the U.K.'s leading lights in traditional and contemporary folk music. A brilliant acoustic and slide guitarist, masterful storyteller and intense performer. Simpson has been nominated 27 times in the 15-year history of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Both The Paperboys and Harry Manx have continued to broaden their artistic horizons over the years, and the two acts are recognized standouts on the international world music scene. The Paperboys have just released a 25-year retrospective album.

The Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival takes place Aug. 16 to 19, 2018. Weekend passes went on sale, Friday. Complete information regarding tickets and accommodations for Salmon Arm Roots and Blues 2018 can be found at rootsandblues.ca, or by phoning 250-833-4096.