Downtown Issaquah Association

232 Front Street

Issaquah, WA 98027

Every season in Downtown Issaquah brings moments of joy, family togetherness, friend reunions and multiple hot spots for dancing in the streets (literally).

People come back for Gas Station Blues year after year because they love the atmosphere of fun, discovering new artists, and reaching out and touching Community. We all need doses of humanity, and Downtown Issaquah has more than its share!

Washington Blues Society President Tony Frederickson hosts the 9th annual Gas Station Blues! Be sure to stay to the end of each show to hear the contests for the following week to win music CDs!

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and takeout from local restaurants and head on down to the Historic Shell Gas Station on Front Street for some of the best Blues around! Beer and wine will be available for purchase for those 21+ provided by our neighbors, Fin's Bistro.

Can't make it out, missed a performance, or want to see it again? Be sure to follow us on YouTube where these performances are live streamed!

At Gas Station Blues, diversity is the theme -- from Nepal to Hawaii to Seattle, there's sound for everyone.

"I've been coming here for years... like coming home," -- DIA Volunteer

Pictured above: Angela Petrucci. and her mom, Suzy, and crowds enjoying their prime seats.

Blues Lineup with Grammy Winners, and Blues Awardees

Lief Totusek -Seattle -- July 13

Lief is called by critics an “Intriguing American band who combines the rhythms of Africa, Cuba and . . . word is . . . they’re fantastic,” posted the Boston Phoenix Star.

Lief is an American guitarist, band leader, and composer. He has played, collaborated and been special guest with African Artists.

Totusek lives in Seattle, continuing to perform shows with his groups "Leif Totusek 1-2-3", "Freestyle Candela" and other artists. Shown here, center with guitar.

Blue Healers --Seattle, July 20

Blue Heelers is a roots-based duo based in Snohomish, WA, Playing stripped down originals. Don Forsyth is an innovative guitarist with deep blues influences and an unconventional, expansive, and expressive style. Diane Forsyth is a deep-voiced, bass-playing song writer with soul, folk, country, and interstellar influences.

Formed in 1998, they were nominated Best Solo Duo in 2022 and 2023; Best acoustic Blues guitar in 2023 by the Washington Blues Society, and Best Blues band by Seattle Weekly in 2009.

Prakash Slim -- Nepal, July 27

Ramn Prakahs, Pokharel, aka Prakash Slim, is an international artist, performer and educator of the blues. He was born in a field in a small village called Lamatar in Nepal.

He has been interested in music since he was a child. He would play music by drumming against a water gallon and sing songs all day. Prakash wanted to play guitar, but he didn't have the money to buy one -- so he sold his beloved bicycle in trade.

Jolene Gayle -- Arlington, WA, and Joe Hellmore, Spain -- Aug. 3

Jolene Gayle is an American singer-based Arlington, WA. After signing with Atlantic Records and Arthouse Entertainment, she released her hit single "ABCDEFU" in 2021, which has charted worldwide, including reaching number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and on the Billboard Global 200. She has earned a Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year.

Joe Hellmore is an acclaimed guitarist, songwriter, and singer. His music can be found on his website, including his latest, self-titled album.

"If it has been a while since you discovered your last guitar hero, delve into the singer-songwriter Joe Hellmore’s self-titled debut album, which delivers everything from hard rock to funk to alt-rock to blues-rock in practically virtuosic fashion." - Amelia Vandergast, A&R Factory

Eric Rice --Seattle -- Aug. 10.

Eric Rice has been known in the Northwest blues and rock scene for years, performing live on numerous stages. Opening for several national blues and rock acts through the years and taking his act to festivals, Eric has the experience and confidence to deliver a hard-hitting show.

The Eric Rice Band is a hot force of music in the Pacific Northwest. He is a Grammy winner while playing in the Ike Turner Band and was nominated in three categories for 2019 'Best of the Blues' awards, sponsored by the Washington Blues Society.

Stacey Jones, Aug. 17 -- Seattle

Stacy is an award-winning singer/songwriter who plays multiple instruments. She delivers high-energy Roots Rock, Blues, and Americana.

She has been nominated multiple times for “Best of Blues” in songwriting, performance, harmonica, and guitar. She also won the “Best Band Award” five consecutive years from 2018-2022. From the Washington Blues Society, she won “Best of Blues” awards, including Best Female Vocalist, Blues harmonica, Blues Songwriter, Blues Drummer, and Blues Bass. winner: Best Blue Song 

John Primer, Chicago -- Aug. 24

John Primer has undisputedly helped build the sound and style of Chicago blues as we know it today. He is considered a Chicago Blues living legend.

Growing up on Mississippi sharecropper land in 1945, he was inspired by his family’s hard work and field songs daily, deep devotion to spirituals on Sundays, and Blues on Saturdays. John dreamed of one day playing with the Legendary Muddy Waters.

He has written and produced more than 55 songs on more than 6 record labels including his own, Blues House Productions. He has earned 2 Grammy Award nominations, given 2 Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame, awarded the "Muddy Award" for being a traditional blues icon, winning a Blues Music Award, Blues Blast Award, and countless other awards 

John Firshi, Idaho -- Aug. 31

John has been performing his unique style of eclectic music around the Northwest for 15 years and has a very wide range of influences. He has been part of many diverse projects and has provided guitar accompaniment and production assistance for other northwest recording artists. He has drawn from his experience as a supporting musician to develop his own style of original music.

“I enjoy musical styles and have a certain familiarity, yet still improvise. That’s what keeps it fresh and exciting. Music is an ever-evolving conversation.”

Barb Henry Kahawai, Hawaii, Played July 6 to a crowd of over 200

Great stories are the foundation of Blues and Hawaiian culture. Barb’s music is about Hawaiian stories, ancestors, and life lessons. Her music engages dance that reflects the root of Hawaiian customs and lore.