Second Annual Historic Wallace Blues Festival

July 12 - 14, 2013
RECAP: 21 performers on 6 stages in 21 hours

last updated on October 17, 2017
2nd annual Historic Wallace Idaho Blues Festival, July 12-14, 2003

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Best 2012 Blues Festival awarded to Wallace Idaho We knew it would be tough to top our inaugural Blues Festival, given that we won the Inland Empire's Best Blues Event of 2012. However, I think we did it! Last year we had 14 performers, so this year we kicked it up 50% to accommodate 21 performers from around the world. In response, our audience grew by 50% to about 3000 happy festival goers. Our Blues Committee streamlined the operation of the popular beer garden and maintained strict access control for the main festival area. The sheriff reported that there were NO problems needing police involvement during the long weekend. Everyone had fun, visitors and locals alike.

My festival experience began with main stage construction at 4 PM on Friday, followed by dancing until midnight at three downtown street venues. Saturday began early with festival entrance construction and other time sensitive projects, before Bakin' Phat took the main stage at 11 AM. I spent the day dancing, taking pictures, and running errands until midnight, when I helped dismantle the main stage. Then there was breakfast with the Sara Brown Band on Sunday Morning. So for me, this was a 43 hour marathon event that left me temporarily lame from dancing, but totally joyful and proud of what our town of 784 people can accomplish. Drop past the line-up section to my photographic timeline.
Greg Marsh

Alphabetical Line-up
  1. Anita Royce
  2. Bakin' Phat
  3. Big Mumbo Blues Band
  4. Brother Music
  5. Caden Davis
  6. Charlie Butts & The Filter Tips
  7. Doghouse Boyz
  8. Fat Tones
  9. Gary Yeoman & The VooDoo Church
  10. Ian Siegal
  11. Jim Tilden Brown
  12. John N�meth
  13. Laffin' Bones
  14. Kenny James Miller Band
  15. Nikki Hill
  16. Robb Boatsman
  17. Roberson, BZ & Flores
  18. Sammy Eubanks
  19. Sara Brown Band
  20. Seth Freeman
  21. Stacy Jones Band
Links are to the artist's biographies and festival photos shown below. A playbox containing 27 music videos follows these biographies.
On Friday, July 12, there will be Blues everywhere in town:
 
Here is the Main Stage Saturday line-up
On Saturday, July 13, there will be Blues everywhere in town all day long, beginning on the Main Stage at 11:00 AM. Between our Main Stage headliner acts, Blues artists will play at two locations.
BEER GARDEN
  • 12:30 - 1:00 PM    Doghouse Boyz
  •  2:30 -  3:00 PM    Jim Tilden Brown
  •  4:30 -  5:00 PM    Doghouse Boyz
  •  6:30 -  7:00 PM    Jim Tilden Brown
  •  8:30 - 10:00 PM    Doghouse Boyz
CEDAR STREET STAGE
But that is not all!
Blues will also be featured at both the Gazebo on Sixth Street and on the Red Light Garage deck.
ON THE GAZEBO AT RED LIGHT GARAGE
new development        NEW TO EVENT: SUNDAY BLUES PANCAKE FEED!
Last year we noticed a lot of very tired, but happy, people wandering around on Sunday morning looking for breakfast... So this year the Kiwanis will serve breakfast at the Elks Lodge from 8 to 11 AM. For $10 you also get to hear the Sara Brown Band one more time! Sara was the 2012 Inland Empire Blues Society's "Best Female Blues Performer."
Having trouble keeping track of all the music happening at the Historic Wallace Blues Festival? Here is a one page pdf schedule that spells it out in a separate window. Never been to Wallace and having a hard time visualizing this three day extravaganza? Open this GoogleEarth based five-frame animation that shows the various Friday, Saturday, and Sunday venues. The 1024x705 pixel gif animation opens in a separate window.
 
THANK YOU
from the BluesFest Committee
(aka Tom, Jackie and Sano)

Thank you to all the contributors who helped make the Second Annual Historic Wallace Blues Festival another success! To all of the volunteers, the business owners, the trolley drivers and the people of the Silver Valley that made the event such a huge success, Thank You!

Our special thanks to Hugh Marconi and his friends that sold tickets at the main stage gate; to Robin Towne and Patty Schafer for their successful effort in managing the Beer Garden; to all the volunteer bartenders who worked in the Beer Garden; and, to the beer token sellers outside the Garden gate who did a great job keeping the money and the tokens straight.

Our special thanks to Forest Van Dorn for his unending and devoted work with the transportation to and from Wallace, Kellogg, Silverton, Osburn and Mullan, and for moving the Gazebo, putting up the fencing and all of the other details that he took care of during and after the event. Forest, you are truly invaluable to the Festival.

A special thanks to Greg Marsh for his tireless work on the Wallace website promoting the Festival. And, to Dave Bishop at Bishop Graphic Arts for around the clock work on the graphics, T-shirts and promotion for the Festival!

Thanks for all of the volunteers in the Green Room who took such thoughtful care of the entertainers!

Thank you to Hugh Marconi and Laurel Vester for your fundraising that got us off the ground!

Without each of you, the Festival would be impossible to do. Thank you to all who participated in the Festival and for your dedication in promoting historic Wallace, northern Idaho and the Blues Festival! It will be even bigger and better next year.

Blues, Brews and Boogie!!
 
Friday, July 12, 2013
Friday, 4:20 PM The success of both of our Wallace Blues Festivals is due to the professional organization and promotion by Craig Heimbigner, DBA Too Far North Productions. Contact him directly with your observations about this year's festival and your suggestions for next year: [email protected].
Return to artist line up
Laffin' Bones on the Gazebo
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Friday
Laffin' Bones Laffin' Bones was voted Best Blues Band 2011 by the Inland Empire Blues Society for good reason. They always bring the party with foot stompin' rockin' blues and incredible slide guitar from frontman Mr. Neil Elwell. Neil is joined with Ramiro, the other half of the Doghouse Boyz, and drummer Tony Samuel to form a group that makes you move.
Laffin' Bones Laffin' Bones
Last year, Laffin' Bones rocked the Smoke House Saloon and BBQ. This year, they had the whole street dining and dancing by sundown. Wallace is known for its "Red Cup Law" on festival days. This year, it was amended to include these durable yet biodegradable, 100% recycled souvenir "Festival Cups."
Laffin' Bones Laffin' Bones
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Kenny James Miller Band on Cedar Street Stage
  • 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM Friday
  • 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM Saturday
  •  2:30 PM - 3:00 PM Saturday
The Kenny James Miller Band At our first Bluesfest, the Kenny James Miller Band rocked the Metals Bar on Cedar Friday night. This year, they played the street between the Metals and the Dayrock bars on three occasions. My night photos did not turn out; these were taken as they finished up their first set on Saturday. jump to video playbox They were recently given the Best New Blues Band Award by the Inland Empire Blues Society. They are loved for their great live performances and original music. In 2011, they were a Washington State Blues finalist for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis; they won the Spokane Semi-Final Competition. This band rocks the blues.
Kenny James Miller Band Kenny James Miller Band
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Sammy Eubanks on Red Light Garage Deck
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Friday
10:00 PM - 12:00 AM Saturday
Sammy Eubanks was a huge hit jamming on the deck at the Red Light Garage for the second year in a row. jump to video playbox Quite possibly the most reputable musicians in the Inland Empire, Sammy Eubanks, Michael Hays and Jake Barr deliver a quality performance every time they take the stage, playing a variety of Blues, Country and Rock n' Roll Classics as well as originals. It was recently stated, "Along the borderline between Country and Blues, some genius arises. Delbert McClinton and Sammy Eubanks have the same borderline genre."
Kenny James Miller Band Kenny James Miller Band
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Anita Royce and The High Rollers on the Gazebo
  • 9:30 PM - 11:30 PM Friday
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Saturday
  •  2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Saturday
Anita Royce & the High Rollers After enhancing our 28th Depot Day celebration on May 11, 2013, Anita Royce and The High Rollers returned for their second Wallace Blues Festival performance. The music of the High Rollers may be described as "Rockin' Blues and Jump Swing." jump to video playbox They provide a high energy show with Anita Royce's sultry vocals and guitar leads, Forest Govedare's soulful guitar, with Jimi the Keys and his inspirational wit on the weighted eighty eights. Art Donnelly on bass and Doug McQuain on drums are a groovin' rhythum section. Anita has been called the Queen of the Blues by Sammy Eubanks.
Anita Royce and The High Rollers Anita Royce and The High Rollers
Anita Royce and The High Rollers Anita Royce and The High Rollers
 
Saturday, July 13, 2013, on the Main Stage
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Bakin' Phat
11:00 PM - 12:30
Bakin' Phat

jump to video playbox Bakin' Phat, despite being made up of veteran Inland NorthWest musicians, won "Best New Band in 2012."

Opening the Main Stage show at the second annual Historic Wallace Blues Festival were

  • Dave Allen - Harp and Vocals
  • Dennis Higgins - Guitar
  • Pat Potter - Bass
  • Ken Danielson - Drums

Bakin' Phat Bakin' Phat
Bakin' Phat Bakin' Phat
Bakin' Phat Bakin' Phat
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Big Mumbo Blues Band
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Big Mumbo Blues Band Big Mumbo Blues Band jump to video playbox has been placed in the I.E.B.S. Hall of Fame having won "Best Blues Band," among many other awards, so many times that they have to now wait three years before they can again be nominated! The dynamic singer Jennifer Kemple is shown here with guitarist Pat Barclay and saxophonist Charles Swanson.
Big Mumbo Blues Band Big Mumbo Blues Band
Big Mumbo Blues Band Big Mumbo Blues Band
Big Mumbo Blues Band Big Mumbo Blues Band
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Seth Freeman
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Seth Freeman Now almost thirty, Seth Freeman has played the guitar since the age of four. He was was taught by his grandfather, his dad, and Jim Turner, and later by Paul Travis, one of the leading instructors in Arkansas. jump to video playbox Growing up in a musical family, Seth is a third generation guitar player. Family reunions consisted of big circles of musicians playing bluegrass and old gospel hymns. Seth used to teach guitar in his spare time, but now spends most of his time on the road with his band. In addition to guitar, Seth also plays the drums, bass, lap steel, piano, mandolin, weissenborn and dobro.
Seth Freeman Seth Freeman
Seth Freeman Seth Freeman
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Nikki Hill
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Nikki Hill Traveling to Wallace from North Carolina was an amazing newcomer possessed by the R&B demon shouters of the past, a woman who will entertain your socks off, Nikki Hill. jump to video playbox "The fast-rising, hard-charging, 20-something, North Carolina born-and-bred singer Nikki Hill has more than earned her evocative 'Southern Fireball' moniker." (LA Weekly)
Nikki Hill Nikki Hill
Nikki Hill Nikki Hill
Nikki Hill Nikki Hill
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John N�meth
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
John Németh John N�meth is an Idaho boy who now has a national reputation and is a phenomenal entertainer. jump to video playbox In 2013, he was nominated for FIVE BMA awards:
  • Soul Blues Album
  • Contemporary Blues Album
  • Soul Blues Male Artist
  • B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
  • Instrumentalist-Harmonica.
John Németh John Németh
John Németh John Németh
John Németh John Németh
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Ian Siegal
9:00 PM - 10:30 PM ... actually played to 10:45PM
Ian Siegal MOJO Magazine calls Ian Siegal "one of the most gifted singers and writers in contemporary Blues." He is also the only artist outside North America to be nominated in the 2013 Blues Music Awards. jump to video playbox This is in the Contemporary Album of the Year category for Candy Store Kid. He is also the winner of these BRITISH BLUES AWARDS: Male Vocalist of the Year in 2011, and Blues Band of the Year in 2010. Ian has become established in Europe as one of the most natural, exciting and vibrant talents on the scene today.
Ian Siegal Ian Siegal
Ian Siegal Ian Siegal
Ian Siegal

A defining moment of this Blues Festival was when Ian finished playing his extended set on the Main Stage... and immediately left to jam with Sammy Eubanks and Nikki Hill at the Red Light Garage until way past midnight! Historic Wallace Rocks!

Meanwhile a half dozen locals and I helped the stage crew dismantle and retruck the Main Stage and the Cedar Street Stage in 1 hour and 45 minutes. This was a new record for the happy crew led by Jim Volke, owner/operator of Impact Lighting Systems, LLC. The town party was still going on when their work was done.
 
Saturday, July 13, 2013, in the Beer Garden
Blues Festival Beer Garden
The Beer Garden was always busy, but never crowded. It was a place for acoustic blues and mellow relaxation. 		This year we were more organized in the operation of our popular Beer Garden with the implementation of home-made colored "poker chips" sold for $1 (water and pop), $3 (canned beer, boxed wine), and $4 (microbrew from one of the town's two breweries). A small number of these tokens had a unique design on their obverse side entitling the bearer to a free festival shirt instead of a drink. All beverages were poured into our special durable yet biodegradable, 100% recycled souvenir "Festival Cups," which were then free to travel throughout the town. This was an adaptation of Wallace's traditional "Red Cup Law" during festivals. We have found that festival goers tend to drink less if they are not confined to drinking areas or bars, but are free to roam our little village, listening to diverse music and buying goods from happy merchants.
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Doghouse Boyz
12:30 - 1:00 PM
4:30 - 5:00 PM
8:30 - 10:00 PM
Doghouse Boyz Inland Empire Blues Society multiple award winners, the Doghouse Boyz are Neil Elwell on acoustic guitar, dobro, and vocals, and Ramiro Vijarro on fretless bass, and vocals. The Doghouse Boyz continue to make their brand of blues, jazz, folk and rock a welcomed and dynamic sound for fans throughout Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. The Doghouse Boyz present original blues, as well as dynamic renditions of old favorites and obscure tunes from "back in the day." Last year, the Doghouse Boyz entertained folks in the Beer Garden between Main Stage acts. This year, they performed three times in the Beer Garden.
Doghouse Boyz Doghouse Boyz
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Jim Tilden Brown
2:30 - 3:00 PM in the Beer Garden
6:30 - 7:00 PM in the Beer Garden
8:30 - 10:00 PM on Cedar Street Stage
Jim Tilden Brown, the Bossman The charm of historic Wallace has always attracted talented musicians. From 2000 to 2002, Cogwells Saloon (now the Smoke House Saloon and BBQ) was known for a wide variety of folk and blues music on weekends. Jim Tilden Brown, then known as "The BOSSMAN," played there at least twice. jump to video playbox Jim was known for getting the place hoppin' with his wit and "rockin' boogie blues." We welcomed him back to town to join the Doghouse Boyz in the Beer Garden, and to take a turn on the Cedar Street Stage.
Jim Tilden Brown Jim Tilden Brown
 
Saturday, July 13, 2013, on the Cedar Street Stage
The Cedar Street Stage, between the Dayrock and Metals bars, was one of several good reasons to wander away from the "wrist-band only area" between main stage acts. Cedar Street Stage
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Roberson, BZ and Flores
4:30 - 5:00 PM
6:30 - 7:00 PM
10:30 - 11:45 PM
Ray Roberson Also a player in the Blues and Brews Patio last year, Ray Roberson made three appearances Saturday on the Cedar Street stage. Ray and his associates have either been nominated for or won everything that the Inland Empire Blues Society has to offer. For example, they won Best Acoustic Blues Act in 2007 and again in 2012, and Best Slide Guitar in 2012. Last year, Ray brought along Neil Beese ("BZ") on bass to entertain us. This year, Miah Flores on drums will join them. Together as Roberson, BZ and Flores they deliver an original and passionate brand of no-frills blues.
Roberson, BZ and Flores Roberson, BZ and Flores
  
Saturday, July 13, 2013, on the Gazebo
  • 12:00 PM    Anita Royce & the High Rollers featuring Forest Govedare
  •  1:00 PM    Brother Music
  •  2:00 PM    Anita Royce & the High Rollers featuring Forest Govedare
  •  3:00 PM    Brother Music
  •  4:30 PM    Robb Boatsman
  •  6:30 PM    Caden Davis
  •  8:00 PM    Stacy Jones Band
  • 10:00 PM    Sara Brown Band
Entertainment on the Gazebo, placed at the alley on Sixth Street facing Bank Street and the Smoke House Saloon and BBQ, was another good reason to wander away from the "wrist-band only area" and explore the town. 		late night Gazebo
The Sara Brown Band played to midnight and then came back for breakfast.
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Brother Music
1:00 - 2:00 PM
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Brother Music Last year, Jesse "Brother Music" Warburton played at both the SmokeHouse Saloon and the Red Light Garage. He has been a mainstay and a force for the Blues in North Idaho for many, many years. We were proud to again have him as a part of the second annual Wallace Blues Festival. Personally I was bummed that I missed both of his performances this year. If anyone has a photo taken of Jesse at this Festival, please send it to me for possible publication: [email protected].
Return to artist line up
Robb Boatsman
4:30 - 6:30 PM
Robb formed his first Band, Frybread, in 2004. They got their start playing on the Coeur d' Alene Indian Reservation at Bobbi's Bar in Plummer, and at the the Cd'A Casino in Worley, Idaho. In 2006, the band was reformed with the current players and renamed Rampage. They have been on fire ever since, with their own brand of rockin', blisterin' blues, with some great rockin' country thrown in for spice. Robb was the winner of BEST 2011 MALE BLUES PERFORMER at the Inland Empire Blues Society's 17th "Empire Awards!" In 2008 & 2009, Rampage was nominated Best New Blues Band by the Inland Empire Blues Society and in 2010, 2011, & 2012 for Best Blues Band. Robb was nominated for Best Male Blues Performer & Best Guitarist in 2009, 2010, & 2011 as well as Best Male Blues Vocalist in 2010 & 2011. In 2011 Robb was also nominated for Best Acoustic Blues Act and Mark Walsdorf was nominated for Best Blues Bassist.
Robb Boatsman Robb Boatsman
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Caden Davis
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Caden Davis

Caden Davis is a local sensation who lives in Kingston at the other end of the Silver Valley. Currently 13, he has been performing at events for years.
Caden Davis Caden Davis
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Stacy Jones Band
8:00 - 10:00 PM
Stacy Jones Band

The entertaining trio of Rick Bowen (drums), Tom Jones (bass), and Jeff Menteer (guitar) provides the foundation for a strong ensemble sound and the band's obvious joy of making music together is contagious.

 The Stacy Jones Band continues to blow fans away with their high-energy, genre bending performances. Amazing vocals, incredible musicianship, outstanding songwriting and powerful, dynamic arrangements. No wonder that they earned the Washington Blues Society's 2009 BEST NEW BAND Award.

jump to video playbox Stacy Jones not only impresses with a vocal richness beyond her years, but is also a top-notch harmonica player as well as playing keyboards and acoustic guitar. It's easy to understand why Stacy was honored as the "Female Vocalist of 2010" by the Washington Blues Society.
Stacy Jones Band Stacy Jones Band
 
Saturday, July 13, 2013, at the Red Light Garage
  • 12:30 -  4:30 PM    Gary Yeoman & The VooDoo Church All Star Jam Party
  •  5:00 -  7:00 PM    Charlie Butts & The Filter Tips
  •  7:30 - 9:30 PM    The Fat Tones
  • 10:00 - 12:00 AM    Sammy Eubanks
Entertainment on the deck of the Red Light Garage (which is actually a fun little family restaurant with odd stuff all over the walls) has always been improvisational. Last year, the owner Jamie Baker sat in with Anita Royce. This year, Saturday ended with Ian Siegal and Nikki Hill jamming with Sammy Eubanks past midnight. 		jamming at the Red Light
Return to artist line up
Gary Yeoman & the VooDoo Church
12:30 - 4:30 PM
Gary Yeoman & the VooDoo Church Gary Yeoman & the VooDoo Church
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Charlie Butts & The Filter Tips
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Charlie Butts Craig sent me this photo of Charlie Butts getting down with The Filter Tips at The Red Light Garage. Charlie has won multiple awards from the I.E.B.S. over the years and 2012 was no exception. He was the winner of Best Harmonica Player and Charlie and his band are the current "Best Band" winners as well. They showed everyone why they won all that on Saturday afternoon from the deck of The Red Light Garage. I'm sorry that I missed this performance.
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The Fat Tones
7:30 - 9:30 PM
The Fat Tones A hit at the first Wallace Blues Festival, The Fat Tones returned to entertain our village at the center of everything. The Fat Tones are Hall of Famers with the Inland Empire Blues Society having won multiple awards multiple times. The Fat Tones' Bobby Patterson won Best Blues Guitarist in 2011 as well. jump to video playbox Their performance last year certainly made our crowd happy... I regret that I was dancing somewhere else Saturday night and missed seeing them again.
  
Sunday, July 14, 2013, at the Elks Lodge
Return to artist line up
Sara Brown Band
8:00 - 11:00 AM
Sarah Brown Band
 Seeing as how Wallace was voted the "Best Blues Event for 2012," it seemed only right that we should also present the 2012 Inland Empire Blues Society's "Best Female Blues Performer." jump to video playbox Sara Brown loves performing and has a passion for powerhouse vocals. She has an infectious smile, unending energy, and a voice that will excite you. For the 175 die-hards who made it to breakfast, there was no better way to conclude our Second Annual Historic Wallace Blues Festival than with pancakes, mamossa, and a beautiful singer with her dynamic band.
Sara Brown Band Sara Brown Band
Sara Brown Band Sara Brown Band
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Movers and Shakers
the folks behind the Inland Empire Blues Scene
Inland Empire Blues Society
Ted Todd, President
Inland Empire Blues Society 		Karyn & Craig Heimbigner
Karyn & Craig Heimbigner
Too Far North Productions
 
Again this July, you were surrounded by mountain sunshine in the most fascinating small town in America as you listened to these blues artists perform.

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click to see more of Nick Vigarino's Meantown Blues By all accounts, our first annual Wallace Blues Festival on July 13-14, 2012, was a great success for the town, the performers and the approximately 2000 Blues Fans who attended. The most amazing thing is that our little town of 784 individuals pulled this event off in 90 days from concept initiation! A photographic reprise of the performances and a depiction of festival ambiance tell the story of a great day in Wallace's cultural history. Click on the variable band photo to go to their place in the reprise.

If you have followed wallace-id.com since 1998, you know that it is my personal effort to bring attention to my adopted hometown, population 784. Although I charge $100 to build a webpage for a Wallace business, I host that page free forever. Therefore the major way that I receive revenue is when readers chose to enter amazon.com through a wallace-id.com Amazon widget, either directly or via my Wallace Store
poweredbyamazon.
You only need to do this once if you then bookmark an Amazon page of your choice. My tag (historicwalla-20) will be part of that URL, and I will receive 4 to 6% of your purchase.
Thank you for your support,
Greg Marsh
 

 

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last update on Tuesday, October 17, 2017