KZUM’s second annual Blues Blowout concert will feature a triple bill of blues performers headlined by Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials on Friday, Sept. 1, at The Zoo Bar.

The Heather Newman Band, of Kansas City, and Lincoln’s Levi William Band will round things out, beginning with a 5 p.m. FAC. The evening will feature a silent auction of items that inlcude a guitar signed by Charlie Musselwhite, members of The Paladins and over a dozen other artists. All money raised from ticket sales and the auction will benefit KZUM.

The concert will kick off KZUM’s Blues Blowout on the air, which preempts regular programming during Labor Day Weekend. The annual event will feature many KZUM programmers offering their favorite takes on the blues between 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, and the end of the day on Monday, Sept. 4.

Blues Blowout will also lead up to KZUM’s final full-scale fund drive of the year, set for Sept. 5-12. The station is again working to close the gap on our goal to raise $300,000 by the end of our fiscal year on Sept. 30 to remain eligible for Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. The long-running grant has provided KZUM with about $70,000 in annual funding for at least the last 15 years.

Tickets for the Blues Blowout benefit concert are $15 and available at The Zoo Bar and the KZUM business office, 3534 S 48th Street, Suite 6, Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30 p.m.