STLBlues was recently invited up to be a judge at the 'Road To Memphis', a Blues Challenge put on by the River City Blues Society. In case you didn't know the process of how a band makes it to the International Blues Challenge, winning a local 'Blues Challenge' is how it works.

It wasn't easy judging this challenge, and narrowing all the great talent we heard down to one band to advance onto Beale Street next Feb. as part of the International Blues Challenge.

The 2011 'Road To Memphis'
Blues Challenge bands were:
Big Silver Derailed
Sugar Prophets
Rooster Alley Band
Big Dog Mercer
Lizzi Neal Band
Linsey Alexander

It was tough to select just one band, as all the bands made a strong showing! The winner this year, and representing the River City Blues Society at they advance to the IBC next February, is the Sugar Prophets.

Thanks to Scott Gregory and all at the River City Blues Society for producing such an oustanding blues challenge event, and doing so throughout in spite of all the rain of Saturday! And thanks to Jay, Janelle and the crew of Jay Goldberg events and his Budweiser Illinois Blues Festival, for adding the 'Road To Memphis' to his festival, a definite highlight of his event!