28th International Blues Challenge Wrap
Via an email from the Blues Foundation Staff
1. Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers including judges who made the event possible, first, and professional, second. And a very special shout-out to staff members Joe Whitmer and Cindi James. Normally 18 hour days and, in Joe’s case, a dislocated shoulder Friday morning might diminish performance or cordiality, but in their case—noooooooo. The show must go on.
I once thought that going to the IBCs (AKA the International Blues Challenge) was all about the band competition, and perhaps for some it is. But for a number of years now I have chosen to attend to be a part of what I feel is the bigger picture of this event. To me this event is a family gathering of blues people who come to get the feeling of community that is so powerfully demonstrated in these few days. Everyone is there for the blues, and that's a powerful thing. Bob Corritore, Blues Music Award winner and Keeping the Blues Alive Award recipient
Bob does understand that the competition, though the main event, is really just a vehicle to showcase the music and bring blues people together. Each year at act orientation, I advise the musicians “if your only game plan is to win, you have a pretty poor game plan because there are so many other opportunities for you this week.” Most of the acts come to realize the truth in that statement even if they do not believe me at that moment. Third place band winner Paula Harris thanked everyone from the stage for “the greatest week of her life.” Solo/Duo finalist Dawn Tyler Watson told me the same thing later that night AFTER she learned she had not come in first or second.
Or this e-mail from the front man of the Philippine youth act-
Hi Mr. Jay Sieleman, This is Paul Marney of The Bleu Rascals. We would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to fulfill our dreams! The trip to Memphis was really really worth it! No words can explain how happy we was! We really can't imagine that we're in the CITY OF BLUES. The best days of our lives! I don't know how to thank you Sir. We're really so blessed and it was nice meeting you. Thank you so much for fulfilling our dreams. We will never ever forget what we felt when we're there! Thank you again Sir.
You and everyone else are most welcome.
2. As for the main event, you may have heard by now but the winner of the band competition is: The WIRED! Band (Washington Blues Society). The winner of the solo/duo competition is: Ray Bonneville (Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas).
The other winners are: Band-2nd place: The Bart Walker Band (Nashville Blues Society); Band-3rd Place: Paula Harris, (The Golden Gate Blues Society); Solo/Duo-2nd Place: Dr. Don's Double Dose (Sydney Blues Society).
Also, the Gibson Guitarist Award went to: Bart Walker; and the Lee Oskar Top Harmonica Player was awarded to: Randy McQuay (Cape Fear Blues Society).
3. The Ottawa and Montreal Blues Societies sponsored the First Great Canadian Polar Bear Blues Showcase at downtown eatery Kooky Canuck. The fantastic Johnny Max mastered the ceremonies that featured performances by Canadian IBC participants all afternoon. In the process, they raised $500 for the HART Fund.
Tony Frederickson, Merchandising Director for Washington Blues Society sold earplugs during the IBC and raised $242 for the HART Fund.
4. With the April 1 application deadline coming, Blues Foundation Board member Kathy Bolmer announced a challenge to raise funds for Generation Blues. She will match the first $2500. Donate here to help send young blues performers like you saw in the Youth Showcase to music camps this summer. One young musician received a $16,000 scholarship after Generation Blues helped him attend a Berkley program last summer.
The Youth Blues Knowledge Bowl winners are:
Tied for 1st place...$125 each
Rebecca Laird - The Peterson Brothers & Rebecca Laird (Houston Blues Society)
Gabriel Stillman - The Uptown Music Collective's Young Blood blues Band (Billtown Blues Association)
Tied for third...$75 each
Logan Brammer - Frets on Fire (Atlanta Blues Society)
Trent Romens - (Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society)
Thanks to Blues Foundation member Jonathan Russo for sponsoring this test of knowledge about blues music.
5. The Best Self-Produced CD was judged to be: Where I'm Coming From... - Dave Keller.
The Gibson guitar autographed by Blues Music Award nominees was won by Chris Hardwick
6. The Blues Hall of Fame was very much a hot topic during the IBC as Board President Bill Wax and Executive Director Jay Sieleman discussed the subject both at the Friday luncheon and to the crowd at the band finals on Saturday while awaiting the results. They were joined on the Orpheum stage by Rattlebone Jones delivered a moving plea on behalf of the Blues Hall of Fame and, on behalf of the Memphis Blues Society, challenged the 200 affiliated blues societies around the world to make the effort to raise serious money for this $3.5 million dollar project. To view speech regarding the Blues Society Challenge to "raise the roof" for the Blues Hall of Fame: http://youtu.be/zwHKxJq9Pjo
For more information, visit here ( http://blues.org/halloffame ) If you are one who is committed to making this happen now, contact Jay at 901.527.2583 ext. 12
7. We got very favorable reviews about the panels and presentations. Thanks to all presenters including Blues Society of Western New York, Rick Booth, Daniel Glass, Rich Del Grosso & Jonn Deltoro Richardson Michael “Hawkeye” Herman, Gina Hughes, Charles Ragsdell, Hugh Southard, Brad Stewart, Bonnie Tallman, Robert “Nighthawk” Tooms, Dan Treanor and Dick Waterman. I note this distinguished group includes Blues Hall of Famers, Keeping the Blues Alive Award recipients and Blues Music Award nominees. Distinguished indeed.
Among the past Blues Music Award nominees hanging out during IBC: Barbara Blue, Scott Bomar, Fiona Boyes, Eden Brent, Grady Champion, Bob Corritore, Anson Funderburgh, Rich Del Grosso & Jonn Deltoro Richardson, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Janiva Magness, Bob Margolin, Big Bill Morganfield, Nick Moss, Phil Pemberton (lead singer) and Doug Woolverton (trumpet) of Roomful of Blues, Brandon Santini, Trampled Under Foot, Eddie Turner, Victor Wainwright and probably a few I did not bump into!!
The Reverend Steve Clarke, and ordained Anglican preacher in Australia married Mississippi Blues fan J.C. May and Linda Gale Rushing at Club 152 on Friday. And this was not the first IBC wedding either.
Gary Allegretto, Dan Treanor and Australian duo Stevie Paige & Tok Norris were out in Memphis presenting blues to students and mentally disadvantaged youths.
8.Music On The Couch, with host Vinny Bond Marini did seven shows of music and interviews during IBC. They can be accessed at http://goo.gl/7m7j5
Here are some photo displays that are available:
Fred Delforge who travelled to Memphis with France Blues - http://www.zicazic.com/zicazine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=9180&Itemid=63. You will see here that the French were not finished on Saturday like everyone else. As a result of a conversation at Cozy Corner over ribs in 2011, the French IBC act now perform each year at the Peace Baptist Church on Sunday morning.
Mark Goodman has posted some band final shots at Blues Revue - http://bluesrevue.com/2012/02/the-photo-page-the-finals-of-the-international-blues-challenge-2-1012/#
9. And last but not least, the 29th International Blues Challenge is set to begin Tuesday, January 29, 2103 and conclude on Saturday February 2, 1013. See you then and thanks for being a blues fan. |
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Pinetop Perkins Foundation Announces Scholarships
for the 2012 Master Class Workshops
June 13-15, Clarksdale Mississippi
The Pinetop Perkins Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of nine scholarships for the 2012 Master Class Youth Workshops in Guitar, Piano and Harmonica. Held in Clarksdale Mississippi June 13-15th, and open to the young and the young at heart, scholarships are available to youth ages 12 to 21 nationwide.
SCHOLARSHIP BREAKDOWN:
- Two scholarships are sponsored by The Honeyboy Edwards Fund at the National Blues Museum. They are earmarked for harmonica and guitar, and are in the amount of $600 each;
- Six scholarships are available from The Pinetop Perkins Foundation. They are up to $600 each and will be split between those attending the harmonica, piano and guitar workshops;
- One guitar scholarship has been set aside by donations earmarked to honor legendary bluesman Hubert Sumlin. The amount of the award will be determined by donations received in Hubert's name by April 15th.
The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is April 15th. More detailed information on the scholarships can be found on the website at www.pinetopfoundation.org.
The master class workshops are led this year by three internationally renowned, award-winning blues artists: Gary Allegretto will lead the harmonica workshops offered for the first time this year; Bob Margolin comes back to direct the guitar workshops; and Ann Rabson returns this year to lead the piano workshops. Complete information on each workshop leader can be found on the Pinetop Perkins Foundation website: www.pinetopfoundation.org.
The Pinetop Perkins Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization.
The primary mission of The Pinetop Perkins Foundation is to provide encouragement and support for youth and young people at the beginning of their musical career; and help provide care and safety for elderly musicians at the twilight of their career. Donations to the Pinetop Perkins Foundation are welcomed and go towards scholarships to enable youth to attend the annual Master Class Workshops.
"The workshop was a great opportunity for my kids! They expanded their musical horizons, learned new ways to play the blues and gained a greater appreciation for the stories behind the blues." Dara Bigger Parent of Attendees
For further information, please visit the Pinetop Perkins Foundation website at www.pinetopperkinsfoundation.org.
For press requests, please contact:
Amanda Sweet 347-564-3371
amanda@bucklesweetmedia.com
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Videos from the IBC Fundraiser at Biscuits & Blues, January 8, 2012
Videos Courtesy of Bobbi Goodman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhHiP149sgI ... Paula Harris and Blu Gruv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKWOofptO-A ... Tip of the Top (TOTT)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogrE5ki-_68 ... Tommy Castro backed by TOTT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F41lzqs0v7c ... Chris Cain backed by TOTT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fQ4I4vrH0 ... Kenny Neal backed by TOTT
Videos from the IBC Final Competition at Biscuits & Blues, November 13, 2011
Videos Courtesy of Bobbi Goodman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SbuZe6BQxw ... Paula Harris and Blu Gruv (Winning Band)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FcuD7fsgvQ ... Delta Wires
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaVG1a_1Q98 ... David Landon Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VczTPkIv46Y ... Pinkie Rideau & Blind Resistance
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2012 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE
The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge will be held January 31- February 4, 2012 in 20 venues in the Beale Street Historic District. That is 5 days consisting of over 575 performances by 226 acts. The 2012 challenge will bring 748 musicians from 13 countries to downtown Memphis, Tennessee for the largest gathering of Blues artists…in the history of the World! to produce an event of this size. It will take over 200 volunteers and 108 judges to pick the top acts from this colossal gathering. You don't want to miss it! Go to www.blues.org for more information and a list of the participating Blues Society's bands with their bios.
Paula Harris and Blu Gruv will represent TGGBS in the Band category.
Wendy DeWitt and Kirk Harwood will represent TGGBS in the Solo/Duo category.
Big congrats and best wishes to both!
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The Golden Gate Blues Society is proud to announce that our submission, Tip of the Top’s CD “From Memphis to Greaseland,” has advanced to Round Two in the competition for the Blues Foundation’s 2012 Best Self Produced CD. Out of a record setting 74 submissions, 30 have been chosen to go into Round Two. Congratulations to TIP OF THE TOP!
The winner will be crowned February 4, 2012 at the Historic Orpheum Theater on Main and Beale Street during the International Blues Challenge.
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NEWS FROM THE BLUES FOUNDATION
The Blues Foundation is pleased to announce the nominations for the 33rd Blues Music Awards which will be presented at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, TN, on May 10, 2012. The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded musicians and songwriters in Blues music. The annual Blues Music Awards ceremony is the premier event for Blues professionals, musicians, and fans from around the world. The focus of this celebration is to recognize superior achievements in Blues performance, songwriting, and recording while honoring a rich cultural tradition.
For complete information, including full list of nominees, visit these links:
(1) The list of 2012 Blues Music Award nominees can be found: http://www.blues.org/bluesmusicawards/nominees.php
(2) To vote for 2012 Blues Music Awards, go to (membership required): http://www.blues.org/bluesmusicawards/vote.php
(3) To purchase tickets to the Blues Music Awards set for Thursday, May 10, 2012 click: https://www.blues.org/tickets/bma.php
(4) To reserve your room at the host hotel--the Downtown Memphis Marriott—at: http://www.blues.org/bluesmusicawards/travel.php |
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The Blues Foundation has announced the 2012 Keeping the Blues Alive Awards recipients:
Agent: Rodgers Redding - Macon, Georgia
Club: Red's Lounge - Clarksdale, Mississippi
Education: Dan Treanor - Arvada, Colorado
Festival-US: White Mountain Boogie 'N Blues Festival - North Thornton, New Hampshire
Festival-International: Rawa Blues Festival - Katowice, Poland
Film, Television and Video: Treme, David Simon and Eric Overmyer, Executive Producers - New Orleans, Louisiana
International: Mike Lecuyer - Saint Michel de Montaigne, France
Journalism: Scott Barretta - Oxford, Mississippi
Literature: Life by Keith Richards - New York, New York
Manager: Toni Ann Mamary - Totowa, New Jersey
Organization: Blues Society of Western New York - Buffalo, New York
Photography: Aigars Lapsa - Riga, Latvia
Print Media: Soul Bag - Clichy, France
Promoter: George Wein -New York, New York
Radio: Commercial: Ted Todd-KKZX-FM - Spokane, Washington
Radio: Public: Harvey Stauffer-WVPE-FM - Elkhart, Indiana
Record Label: Severn Records - Annapolis, Maryland
Congratulations to all!
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News from Alligator Records
ALLIGATOR RECORDS SIGNS AWARD-WINNING BLUES LEGEND JOE LOUIS WALKER
Alligator Records is pleased to announce the signing of celebrated guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Joe Louis Walker, the man Blues Revue called "one of contemporary blues' most dynamic and innovative musicians, who releases consistently exciting music.
Modern swamp blues master Kenny Neal has been inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. In ceremonies in Erwinville, LA, just miles from his family roots, Kenny was surprised by his own induction after being part of the induction of his father, legendary bluesman Raful Neal. Also inducted that evening were pianist Henry Gray and the late great Slim Harpo. |
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Angelica's Blues Talent Contest
Click the flyer for easier reading
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Roots & Rhythm Series w/ DJ Harry Duncan @ Amoeba Music, SF
Last Saturday of every month between 2-5 p.m.
http://kusf.org/
Harry Duncan spins the Blues, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Gospel, Roots, Reggae, Latin, African, and more "In The Soul Kitchen", his weekly radio shows on KUSF In Exile. Last Saturday of the month at Amoeba Music in San Francisco, and every Tuesday between 7-9 p.m. Great music, and tickets, vinyl, and CD giveaways. |
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| Music On The Couch is a weekly Podcast hosted on BlogTalk Radio, featuring interviews with independent and small label musicians. Blues is the major focus of the show and in the last year we have presented over 50 artists and bands in the blues genre to our audience. The show consistently ranks in the top 15 music shows on BlogTalk Radio (out of 4,900+ music shows) and has had over 18,000 listens since February 2010. |
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What do Blues Societies do?
Hey! TGGBS member, Kennan Shaw, wrote a great article about what Blues Societies do for touring musicians. Check it out!
http://www.bluesjunctionproductions.com/not_so_secret_societies |
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Blues Jams featured in Premier Guitar Magazine
Larry Berglas, from White Plains, NY, wrote "Anatomy of a Blues Jam", a cool article which is running in the September 2011 issue of Premier Guitar Magazine. Larry traveled to Kansas City, MO and Philadelphia, PA to participate in blues jams, one of which was hosted by Trampled Under Foot. Included in the article is a Rachel Kumar photo of Tip of The Top hosting the Club Fox Jam in Redwood City, CA. Good stuff! Click the link.
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2011/Sep/Anatomy_of_a_Blues_Jam.aspx |
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Club Fox
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