RBB has blues lovers on their feet with his funkified groove. It’s cuz those rhythms get under your skin, yes they do.

Below is Ronnie on stage - the iPhone photo is bad or maybe cool. I shoot, you decide.

–Jon W. Sparks

George Hunt is a star. Has his own tent where he sells the Beale Street Music Festival posters he’s done for years. People are lined up to get him to sign their acquisitions. It’s $30 for posters between 2000-2009. But the rare 1996 version will run you $80. Posters from other years are on display but not for sale. Fun for collectors.

–Jon W. Sparks

On the hunt for something perfect to eat that goes with emo, metal and delta blues. … Opted for a slice o pizza - eh. Undistinguished. But Randy Blevins got a chicken on a stick, an awesome creation he raved about. Spicy like Gus’s he said. I’ll try that tomorrow.

–Jon W. Sparks

James ‘Super Chikan’ Johnson was about to go on and was busy dealing with sound issues. But he took a moment to remind me I hadn’t done my homework cause I thought he was playing there all weekend. Doh. Richard Johnston — who IS here all weekend — explained to the small but faithful crowd that all would be well with the world. In his words, “Don’t worry about it.”

–Jon W. Sparks

I’m already a sweaty mess but my feet are clean, the air is thick with the smoke of a hundred different kinds of cooked meat, and the music has started pulsing through the speakers scattered throughout Tom Lee Park.

No reason to stay inside. It’s time to explore. Catch up with me here until I check back in.

— Lindsey

Henry Rothenberg of Eyewitness Weather 24 has an update for us. It’s looking about the same as he predicted yesterday: rain coming in and out, but temps reasonable.

“As far as heavy rainfall, it’ll be heaviest during the overnight hours,” he says. “Then Saturday will be a repeat. Sunday is the main day I’m concerned with.”

For temps today he’s going with a high of 83 today. “We’ll get a break in the cloud deck to heat us up this afternoon,” he says.

It’s about 75 now and there are sprinkles well north in the Dyersburg area. So, as Rothenberg says, “We’re keeping the tradition alive.”

Wear those galoshes (and my co-blogger Lindsey knows all about how to galosh fashionably, yet sensibly).

–Jon W. Sparks

Richard Johnston will again play the Blues Shack throughout the festival. Here’s a sampling of his well-received performances from last year. I’m looking foward to posting some fresh video and also adding some licks by the eloquent and creative James ‘Super Chikan’ Johnson who will alternate with Johnston at the Shack.

–Jon W. Sparks

Just to whet your appetite: Here’s a video of Jerry Lee Lewis from last year’s BSMF. The wild man is kind of poignant in this one.

–Jon W. Sparks

Festival first-timers and the chronically drunk would do well to review the official Stuff You Need to Know list put out by the fine Memphis in May folks.

Some things especially worth remembering:

>> Backpacks larger than 12 inches x 12 inches will not be allowed at this year’s Beale Street Music Festival. All purses, backpacks and packages are subject to inspection.

>> Things you can’t bring into the park: Beverages, bicycles, recording devices, cans, containers, coolers, food, glass bottles, laser pointers, lawn chairs, oversized umbrellas, pets, recording equipment, roller blades, roller skates, water guns, strollers, baseballs, footballs, frisbees (or other throwing objects), or weapons.

>> Picture IDs will be required for booze purchases. Picture IDs are also required for Ticketmaster will call.

>> All food must be purchased with cash. ATMs are on-site but you will get stuck paying high fees.

>> Cameras are allowed, but professional cameras (the kind with detachable lenses) are prohibited.

Paul Ryburn’s got an extensive rundown of additional things you should know before heading to the festival.

Some highlights:

>> Don’t buy tickets from scalpers.

>> Early birds get the best parking. (I don’t want to give away any secrets, but you guys are my friends, and I’ll tell you that I’ve always been able to park at FedExForum for $10 and it’s within completely reasonable walking distance. So save me a space, would you?)

>> Also, Watch for parking scams. Call 545-COPS if you suspect someone who’s taking money for parking is not a real parking attendant.

>> Bring a poncho in your pocket. (You’ll end up paying $5 on site for them if you don’t come armed with one.)

>> Your shoes are going to be ruined. (Paul suggests you wear cheap flip-flops but I have seen many, many flip-flops lost to the strong suck of fresh mud, so I suggest the far more practical — and stylish — galoshes.)

I would just add that you should probably bring some sunblock and some Tylenol, because being outside, squinting in the hot sun and listening to loud music all day (not to mention drinking sweaty beers) will drum up one hell of a headache.

Just like Jon, I’ll be tweeting from the festival — @theogeo. (Obligatory likely adult language alert for the faint of heart.)

Updates: Duh, I can’t believe I forgot to link to Jennifer Bigg’s excellent roundup of foodie fare. This Sunday might actually be the day I get down to the Majestic Grille for a mimosa.

And Melissa’s got the skinny on the special trolley rates this weekend.

– Lindsey

Thanks to Henry Rothenberg with the Eyewitness Weather team for an update on what to expect on Tom Lee Park this weekend. Overall, Rothenberg says, temps will be great, with just a little bit of humidity. And how about the rain? He says: “We’re going to keep with tradition.”

I talked to him this morning and he says: “We’re going to have highs tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday of 83 but kind of a gray day with some isolated and scattered thunderstorms — not constantly long-lived thunderstorms but they’re in, they’re out, here comes another one. That’s going to be the trend Friday and Saturday. Sunday we may get more scattered storms maybe a little longer lived — 78 will be the high.”

Rothenberg puts the positive spin on it: “What is Beale Street Music Fest without rain? It makes for the fun, going out in the elements being out in the rain and mud and having a good time with friends.”

Well, he’s right, because it gets proven year after year.

If you go, look me up — I’ll be blogging here, tweeting (follow me at jonwsparks) and doing some backstage videos.

See you in the mud.

–Jon W. Sparks