Great Northern Blues Society

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Wausau, WI
Great Northern Blues Society

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The Great Northern Blues Society meets every second Thursday of the month at 6:15 PM, (in the back room) at Loppnow’s Bar, 1502 N Third Street in Wausau.

Due to a conflict, Our December 2021 meeting has been moved up one week to December 7th at 6:15PM - Loppnows Bar Back-Room.

10/30/2026

🎉 WE WON! THANK YOU, BLUES FANS! 🎶

The Great Northern Blues Society is incredibly grateful and excited to announce that we've been selected as the September winner of Olson Tire & Auto's Olson Cares program, receiving a generous $1,000 donation!

First and foremost, a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to vote, share our posts, and encourage others to support GNBS. Our members, followers, friends, and the entire blues community showed up for us, and we couldn't have done it without you!

We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to Kent, Kim, Evan and the entire Olson Tire & Auto team for their generosity and continued commitment to giving back to the communities they serve. Programs like Olson Cares make a real difference for local nonprofit organizations, and we're proud to be among the organizations they've chosen to support.

So, what does this mean for GNBS?

Our mission is to preserve, promote, and present blues music in all its forms, support blues musicians, and create opportunities for audiences of all ages to experience and enjoy this incredible music.

This $1,000 contribution will help us continue that mission through live music, community outreach, and opportunities that keep the blues alive in Central Wisconsin.

Thank you, Olson Tire & Auto. Thank you to everyone who voted. And thank you for KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE!

We are truly grateful to be part of such a supportive community. 💙🎸

10/16/2026

Madison Slim has left the building. **Madison Slim — Rest in Peace, my friend.**
By Rick Raven
10/15/2026
I first met Slim in 1994 when I went to Steny’s for Big Bob’s jam. Slim was the guest that night. I signed my name to the list, Bob got me up, and after I finished my three songs, Slim asked Bob if I could stay up there and play for a while. And that’s how we started playing together.
Slim was a little over-served that evening, so I gave him a ride over to the Up and Under, where the Blues Disciples were playing and Buddy Miles was sitting in. The place was packed. We came up toward the stage, and Buddy stopped, brought the band down, looked into the microphone, and yelled, “Motherf**ker! I thought you were dead! Get your skinny ass up here and play!”
And Slim did. And he tore it up.
A couple of years later, we put the Chainsmokin’ Altar Boys together. The Blues Disciples all had jobs, I had just gotten out of the Navy, and Slim was looking for work whenever Jimmy Rogers was off the road. & ;
I’ve had so many great shows with Slim. I learned so much from him, not just about playing the blues, but about how to play behind a harmonica player and make the music breathe.
Over the last couple of years, with Slim living here in Cudahy, we’d get together a couple of times a week and hang out. Now I’m sad to say those days are gone, and there’s going to be a hole in my life for a while.
One thing Slim wanted was to die sober. And he did. Anybody who really knew Slim knows what a miracle that was. Sober Slim was fun, gracious, and full of humor. I’m proud of him for that, and I know how much it meant to him.
I’m going to miss those nights tearing up the bandstand and upsetting the house with Slim. The Blues on Grand, the Slippery Noodle, and all the other places we played together. He was the real deal, and you knew it as soon as you saw him and heard him.
The way he sang, his phrasing, his tone, his vibrato, the way he looked, his whole stage manner. Slim looked like he belonged up there because he did. He owned the stage when he was on it, and when he was playing, he pretty much owned the whole club.
I hope he’s upstairs now, playing with Barrelhouse Chuck and Louis Myers, Pinetop, Fuzz, and Willie. I can just imagine the music coming out of that room.
It’s hard for me to go on writing this. I’m going to miss you, Slim. The music, the laughs, the stories, and just hanging out with you.
**Until I see you next time, Slim. Save me a spot on the hot seat& ;**

10/07/2026

The GNBS Board has decided we will NOT meet tomorrow for our normal monthly meeting. There wasn't any pressing business to discuss this month and there are conflicts with the meeting time. We will resume in November. (November 12th, 6:15PM at Loppnow's)

09/23/2026

Just 2 days left, please help us hold onto our lead by dropping your vote. 🗳

Olson Cares

09/22/2026

Michael Perry and the Long Beds will be in Spencer.

09/16/2026

We could use your vote...it only takes a couple seconds.

Olson Cares

09/11/2026

We still need your help climbing the ranks. Please consider dropping a vote.

Olson Cares

09/08/2026

Hey blues fans, looks like we've been nominated for the Olson Cares 12 Months of giving presented by Olson Tire & Auto. We need your help, please consider dropping us a vote. Thank You.

Olson Cares

05/21/2026

05/15/2026

13th August - Omaha, Playing With Fire Festival https://www.playingwithfireomaha.net/14th August - New Hampshire, White Mountain Blues 'N' Boogie Festival ht...

Address

P. O. Box 2276
Wausau, WI
54402

Website

https://gnbs.org/

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