Ontario blues artist Rick Fines is an award-winning acoustic musician, songwriter and teacher who has toured from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, and from New England to Great Britain.

Next week, the talented Canadian will journey south to Greenville for the Sweet Gum Bottom Blues Fest acoustic blues competition slated for Saturday, Oct. 15.

However, music lovers can get a preview of Fines' critically acclaimed folk and blues style on Thursday when he performs at 6 p.m. in Confederate Park (in the event of rain, the event will be held at the Ritz Theatre).

&#8221We are so excited to have Rick performing as part of our Main Street ‘Concert in the Park' series this month,“ Nancy Idland, Main Street executive director, said.

&#8221I think it will give people a perfect taste of what they can expect from our blues competition at the festival.“

Fines, described by critics as &#8221a modern-day heir to a blues tradition firmly tied to the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta,“ has been on the road playing music for more than 20 years.

His song &#8221Riley Wants His Life Back“ won first place in the blues category of the International Songwriting Competition, with no less than the legendary B.B. King himself as one of the judges.

Fines has twice won the MapleBlues Award for Best Acoustic Act of the Year and has been nominated three times for MapleBlues Songwriter of the year and the Male Vocalist Award.

In addition to a busy touring schedule, the musician conducts classes and workshops, teaching fingerstyle guitar and songwriting.

&#8221Come out and enjoy a wonderful evening of music with us and get ready for a great weekend of more music to come,“ Idland said.

Refreshments will be available (unless weather forces move to theater).

&#8221Rain or shine, there is no charge for attendance – so, come enjoy a great concert,“ Idland said.

For more information, contact Nancy Idland at 382-8729 or 354-2802.