Southern Blues artists BeJae Fleming and Jackie Blount kicked off the Maximum Ames Music Festival Sept. 25 at the Ames Public Library. 

The festival’s first performers, Fleming and Blount not only played well, but they also had a good sense of humor. 

Even though Fleming and Blount did a sound check before the show, Fleming forgot her harmonica, which she plays during their set. The show started with a bass solo and an improv commentary by Fleming.

Fleming had a relaxed sound and in turn the ambience had the same feel. In between songs, she would frequently engage the audience in conversation, which suited the festival’s small auditorium.

Each song began with a brief introduction, jokes included, followed by laughter from the audience. Each guitar solo was met with applause. Fleming also frequently thanked Maximum Ames Records throughout the show for the opportunity to play at the festival.

Fleming, crediting some of her songs to other people’s misfortunes, joked about how she writes her material.

“Here’s the thing about being a songwriter … I love other people’s misery. It gives me something to write about,” Fleming said. “I don’t want to be miserable myself. So if you’re feeling unhappy come and tell me after the show.”

Fleming’s music is exactly what you think of when you hear the word blues. Her music was laid back but at the same time kept up a good pace. Since they play blues, it was only fitting that they sang about moonshine in their song “White Dog,” which begins by loosely comparing the musicians to moonshine. 

“We’re the unrefined stuff, and I’m proud of that,” Fleming said.

Fleming and Blount have come to Maximum Ames Music Festival since its beginning in 2011. Originally from Iowa, both band members now live in Columbus, Ohio.

When the band previously lived in Iowa, Fleming worked at the Ames Public Library at the checkout desk from 2003 until 2006. Blount was a faculty member in the College of Education, now the College of Human Sciences, as well as being an assistant dean in the college.

Blount now holds a similar position at Ohio State University as a senior associate dean and professor of educational studies.