Bull City Blues Ramble is a new blues event just north of Downtown Durham. It celebrates and supports the blues music community of Durham and North Carolina.
Bull City Blues Ramble takes place Sunday, October 4, 2025, from 12 to 8 p.m. Enjoy live performances at five stages. Admission is FREE for all the performances. Stages are both inside and outside. Read on for the schedule, locations, and parking information.
Schedule
Tommy Thunderfoot and the Accelerators
12 to 1:30 p.m.
Pickleback 2
Tommy Thunderfoot and the Accelerators bring a full-throttle blast of blues-fueled rock straight from the backroads and barrooms of America.
The Velvet Beat
12:30 to 2 p.m.
Geerhouse Apts
The Velvet Beat delivers an energetic blend of jump blues, swing, soul, classic R&B and reimagined favorites that’s built for a memorable night out.
MAMA
1 to 2:30 p.m.
Motorco
MAMA, led by Melissa McKinney, is from Asheville, NC. Renowned for her powerful vocals and original lyrics, Melissa and her band MAMA won the Merlefest Band Competition in 2025 and just took 2nd Place in the 2026 International Blues Challenge.
School of Rock!
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Wye Junction
Fun, educational, empowering rock band program for homeschoolers of all ages! Triangle Homeschool Rock Academy brings young musicians together to learn, play, and perform in rock bands. Based in Durham, THRA is all about the love of music and nurturing confident, joyful young musicians.
E Train Manning
2 to 3:30 p.m.
Pickleback 2
Based in Willow Spring, NC, Eric ‘E-Train’ Manning is an accomplished acoustic finger-style singer-songwriter who seamlessly bridges the worlds of folk, blues, and humorous storytelling. Eric is a 5-time International Blues Challenge participant and a multi-time champion of the Cape Fear, Triangle, and Charlotte Blues Society.
Blue Roots Project with Baron Tymas and special guests Al Strong and vocalist Constance Prince.
2:15 to 4 p.m.
Blue Note Grill
Baron Tymas and Al Strong give a writing class in based in blues music.With Constance Prince- Vocals.
Jon Shain
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Geerhouse Apts
From Durham, NC, Jon Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter who’s been turning heads for years with his words, his fiery acoustic guitar work and his evolved musical style. In 2019 Jon won The International Blues Competition in the solo/duo category.
Rev Cam and the 5 Cent Kings
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Wye Junction
Out of Durham, NC, Rev Cam and the Five-Cent Kings are a seasoned group of Blues musicians, playing classic Chicago and Texas Blues.
Tribute to Skeeter Brandon
5 to 6 p.m.
Blue Note Grill
When you think authentic down home blues and soul, Calvin “Skeeter” Brandon LOVED TO and COULD do it all! Blinded since he was a child, Skeeter was a national North Carolina treasure, a breed of musician who was brought up in the musical traditions of the rural south. Skeeter sang his powerful mix of gut twisting Blues, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Funk, Rock, and Gospel for over 5 decades. Though no longer with us, Skeeter Brandon’s memory is kept alive through recordings and now this tribute by your favorite local blues musicians.
Triangle Blues Society’s Open Jam
6 to 8 p.m.
Blue Note Grill
see and possibly perform with the best blues musicians in the area and of the Ramble! Sign up with Lo Taylor during the Skeeter Tribute.
Locations
Pickleback 2
711 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham, NC
Stage is inside (sort of)
Motorco
723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham, NC
Stage is inside
Geerhouse
620 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Stage is behind the parking garage
Wye Junction
701 Washington Street, Durham, NC
Stage is on plaza between Wye and Blue Note Grill
Blue Note Grill
709 Washington Street, Durham, NC
Stage is inside
Parking
Parking is being provided by Measurement Inc.:
- 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC
- 407 Morris Street, Durham, NC
- 423 Morris Street, Durham, NC
- 447 Morris Street, Durham, NC
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
Multiple Locations, Durham
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