Each
year in Memphis, a gathering unlike any other
in the Blues World begins. Known as the IBC -
International Blues Challenge - this musical magnet
draws blues bands from all over the world to perform
in front of those in the 'industry', and compete
for the chance to make the finals, win $25,000
in cash and prizes and the title of “Best
Unsigned Blues Band” and “Best Unsigned
Acoustic Act.” This year drew 85+ bands,
and the competition began throughout the clubs
of Memphis. As a Blues Foundation affiliate member,
STLBlues wanted to nominate a St. Louis band.
Unfortunately, STLBlues isn't a "Blues Society",
so we can't nominate, but the St. Louis Blues
Society can! So contact
the St. Louis Blues Society, and let them
know you want to have a local Blues Challenge
next year, and send a St. Louis band! We'll do
what we can to help!
STLBlues was pleased to attend the finals, and
bring you these results. It was a tough show to
judge, with some world-class competition showing
their best. Here's the official word from the
Blues Foundation.......
"Joey Gilmore Awarded
First Place in Band Finals. The results
of Saturday's finals can now be announced to the
world. The 21st International Blues Challenge
saw 84 bands from 32 states and 8 countries performing
in the semi-finals in 10 Beale Street clubs Thursday
and Friday. Every band is a winner because they
performed before blues industry and society folks
from around the world. Good things happen when
that occurs.
The
10 Band Finalists were:
Debbie
Ritter and 4-40--Yesterday
and Today's Rhythm & Blues Society
Teeny Tucker Band--Columbus
Blues Alliance
Kory Montgomery Band--Yazoo
Arts and Cultural Alliance
Whoodoo Band--Capital
Area Blues Society
Cheryl Renee and T-Bone
Blues--Cincy Blues Society
Johnny Reed & Houserockers--Blues,
Jazz and Folk Music Society
Lady Sunshine and the
X Band--Detroit Blues Society
Breeze Kings--Atlanta
Blues Society
Diunna Greenleaf &
the Blue Mercy Band--The Blue Shoe Project
Joey Gilmore-Blues
Society of Taiwan
After
20-minute sets, the seven judges--Handy nominee
Paul Oscher, XM's Bill Wax, Severn Records'
David Earl, Blues Review's Ken Bays, Producer
and Musician Jimbo Mathus, 2005 KBA recipient
Terry Currier and Mississippi Valley Blues Society's
Bob Covemaker--awarded the following:
1st
Place:
Joey
Gilmore -- Blues Society of Taiwan
2nd Place:
Diunna
Greenleaf & the Blue Mercy Band -- The
Blue Shoe Project
3rd Place:
Lady
Sunshine and the X Band -- Detroit Blues Society
The Albert King Award with its Flying V prize
for best guitarist among the finals bands went
to John Richardson of the Blues Mercy Band.
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Jimi Hocking
takes 1st Place in Solo/Duo Finals
The
results of Saturday's finals are in. The 21st
International Blues Challenge is now history
with 42 solo/duo acts participating in the semi-finals
in 5 Beale Street clubs Thursday and Friday.
Rave reviews and tough decisions for the judges.
The
Solo/Duo Finalists were:
Scott
Miller--Greater
Twin Cities Blues Music Society
Moreland--Wichita
Blues Society
Howie Haber and Lou Carollo--Downstate
New York Blues Society
Jimi Hocking--Melbourne
Blues Appreciation Society
SmokeDaddys--Long
Island Blues Society
The
five-judge panel--Jan Austin, Hawkeye Herman,
Rich Del Grosso, Darrell Bridges and Richard
Johnston--selected Jimi Hocking from the Melbourne
Blues Appreciation Society as the first place
winner at the Saturday afternoon finals before
a standing room only crowd at the Center for
Southern Folklore.
Congratulations
to Jimi, all finalists and to each of the participants.
The quality has never been higher."
We
hope you enjoy our photo gallery, next year
visit the IBC for yourself!
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