26th IBC WINNERS ANNOUNCED! by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

(Memphis,Tennessee) This just in from the Blues Foundation:

26th International Blues Challenge Winners Crowned

The Blues Foundation's 26th International Blues Challenge concluded Saturday with two packed shows at the Orpheum Theatre.

The Winner Solo/Duo Competition Matt Andersen(photo by Chris Smith)

The solo/duo winner was Matt Andersen, sponsored by Harvest Jazz and Blues from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and second place honors went to Alphonso Sanders and Bill "Howl-n-Madd" Perry from Mississippi's Crossroads Blues Society.

Alphonso Sanders and Bill "Howl-n-Madd" Perry

Grady Champion Winner of the Band Competition

The top prize in the Band competition was awarded to Grady Champion of the Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola. Second place honors were earned by Karen Lovely Band, Cascade Blues Association, and the third spot went to Cheryl Renee with Them Bones, hailing from the Cincy Blues Society.

Karen Lovely Band takes 2nd Place in the Bands Competition

Cheryl Renee with Them Bones take 3rd Place honors in the Band Competition

A beautiful blue custom Gibson guitar featuring The Blues Foundation's logo was awarded to Matt Kelly of the Big Boy Little Band (DC Blues Society), as the finals top guitarist.

In the Best Self-Produced CD contest, the judges determined that two CDs were the best: Fire It Up! by the Laurie Morvan Band and Crime Scene Queen by The Informants.

The other solo duo finalists were: Becky Boyd & Tim Matson (Cleveland Blues Society); Jimi Lee with PB Shane (Austin Blues Society); Sherman Lee Dillon (Central Mississippi Blues Society); Tom Walbank & Arthur Migliazza (Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation); Ken "The Rocket" Korb (Long Island Blues Society); and Steve Cohen (Grafton Blues Association).

The other Band finalists were: Mojo Theory (Pomeroy Blues & Jazz Society); R&K Brew Co (West Virginia Blues Society); Big Boy Little Band (DC Blues Society); Sonny Moorman Group (Columbus Blues Alliance); Jesse Greene Band (Ottawa Blues Society); Jackie Scott & the Housewreckers (Baltimore Blues Society); Labron Lazenby and LA 3 (Smoky Mountain Blues Society); and The Avey Brothers (Iowa Blues Societies).

RCT

check out my website at http://RobertNighthawkTooms.com

©Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms, 2010

2010 IBC Finalists Announced! by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

(Memphis, Tennessee) This just in:

26th International Blues Challenge Finalists

The Blues Foundation announces the finalists of the 26th International Blues Challenge after Friday's second round of semifinals. The finals will be Saturday at the Orpheum Theatre with solo/duo beginning at 2:00pm and the band finals beginning at 7:30pm.

The solo/duo finalists are:

Matt Anderson (Harvest Jazz & Blues)
Alphonso Sanders & Bill "Howl-n-Madd" Perry (Crossroads Blues Society)
Becky Boyd & Tim Matson (Cleveland Blues Society)
Jimi Lee with PB Shane (Austin Blues Society)
Sherman Lee Dillon (Central Mississippi Blues Society)
Tom Walbank & Arthur Migliazza (Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation)
Ken "The Rocket" Korb (Long Island Blues Society)
Steve Cohen (Grafton Blues Association)

The Band finalists are:

Mojo Theory (Pomeroy Blues & Jazz Society)
R&K Brew Co (West Virginia Blues Society)
Big Boy Little Band (DC Blues Society)
Cheryl Renee and Them Bones (Cincy Blues Society)
Grady Champion (Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola)
Sonny Moorman Group (Columbus Blues Alliance)
Jesse Greene Band (Ottawa Blues Society)
Karen Lovely Band (Cascade Blues Association)
Jackie Scott & the Housewreckers (Baltimore Blues Society)
Labron Lazenby and LA 3 (Smoky Mountain Blues Society)
The Avey Brothers (Iowa Blues Societies)

These competitors will face off at the finals held at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis today.

2:00-5:00 pm Solo/Duo Finals; Gibson Guitar Giveaway; Best Self Produced CD Winner Announced. The Orpheum Theatre. $27

6:30 pm Doors Open for Band Finals at The Orpheum Theatre

7:30 pm Band FinalsThe Orpheum Theatre $32

Also, more contest action down the street at the New Daisy Theater as mentioned earlier, click here:

http://www.ameriblues.com/2010/01/ibc-this-week-by-robert-nighthawk-tooms.html

Check back later to find out the winners during our continuing coverage at American Blues News!

Bookmark us at:

http://www.ameriblues.com/

Blues Music Award Voters Win DVD

The following members are our third group of winners in the weekly drawing from among those who have voted so far by selecting their favorites from the 2010 Blues Music Awards online ballot: Ann Kerstetter, Brian LaPrade, Jim Primock, Brent Staeben and George Washburn.
Each will receive a copy of Hot Flash the documentary about Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, nominated for a a Blues Music Award in the DVD category.


check out my website at http://RobertNighthawkTooms.com

RCT

©Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms, 2010

Michaela Rae on Television and IBC NEWS! by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

(Memphis, Tennessee) Early this morning I met with my old friend John Catt, and Dave and Susan Knox, parents of the very talented Grand County Blues Society contestant in the IBC Youth category, Michaela Rae. It was truly a delight to see Dave and John again and to meet Susan and Michaela. I had seen her perform at the Snowy Range Music Festival as reported here earlier this year. She started playing at 4 and is now 14 years old.

Today she stood all by herself infront of the television cameras and simply ripped on the guitar. She did not miss one single note and her playing is truly inspired. Listening to the music alone it is incomprehensible that it all originates form a 14 year old young lady but her beautiful tone through the 1958 Bassman in combination with her Paul Reed Smith guitar has to be heard to be believed. I was pleasantly stunned. Great job, Michaela. You have made many friends in Memphis and we all wish you well in the competition and in your bright future in the BLUES.

getting ready for the Memphis TV shoot

Michaela chats with WREG's Marybeth Conley and Alex Coleman

Michaela Rae hangs with senior editor of

Rolling Stone Magazine, David Fricke

David is in town to judge the IBC
Here's David's interview about Memphis Music:

http://www.wreg.com/shows/liveat9/

Michaela Rae

CHECK THIS OUT!
Michaela Rae's performance is available at WREG as streaming video:

http://www.wreg.com/shows/liveat9/

Friday IBC Semi-finals

Tripwire Blues Band at the Superior Bar(this bar used to be a police station)

author and old friend Johnny Lowebow, inventor of the cigar box guitar of the same name

Johnny Lowebow


The mighty Lowebow

Contact him at Xanadu in Memphis and get one of your own:

2200 Central Ave

Memphis, TN 38104

Tel. 901.274.9885

JB Hobson at The Pig on Beale

John Rogers at the Tap room

Federico Teiler and Sebastian Casis of
Argentine band Mo' Blues at the Rumboogie Cafe

Sebastian Casis gets some help from the crowd

Sebastian Casis jumps out onto the floor at the Rumboogie

harp player Jay Gaunt and Charley Burch

awesome Colorado bassist Andy Irvine and the author

BJ Allen and Blue Voodoo

from Kirksville, MO, BJ Allen and Blue Voodoo

my friend BJ Allen

BJ Allen

Australia's Dan Dinnen at Wet Willie's

Dan Dinnen blows acoustic harp for an appreciative crowd

my Australian friend Bryan Cook

Donna Donald and XM radio's Bill Wax

my friend Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin leads the big jam at Rumboogie

old friends
the vernerable Guy Venable, I55 Productions' Brad Webb and
harp playing singer David Hudson

Brad Webb and the author

bigtime blues promoters

Brent "Big B" Harding and Hugh Southard of

Blue Mountain Artists

guitarist Laura Chavez, and singers Barbara Blue and Candye Kane

Laura Chavez, Barbara Blue and Candye Kane

one last look down Beale

As I walk into the parking lot I wish they could utilize this great lounge for more than just the Blues Ball every year. Oh well, maybe they will some day.

More Blues News

4 Finalists for 2010 Best Self Produced CD Announced

The following four CDs have advanced to the final round of judging for the Best Self Produced CD. The winner will be announced at Solo/Duo Finals on the Orpheum Theater stage January 23, 2010 as part of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.

1. Blues Society of Tulsa - Little Joe McLerran, "Believe I'll Make a Change"
2. Colorado Blues Society - The Informants, "Crime Scene Queen"
3. Maine Blues Society - Pat Pepin, "In It For the Long Hall"
4. Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society - Laurie Morvan Band, "Fire It Up!"

2010 Keeping the Blues Alive Recipients Announced

Nineteen individuals and organizations will be honored with The Blues Foundation's 2010 Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award during a recognition brunch at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel Saturday, January 23rd, 2010, in Memphis, Tennessee. The KBA ceremony begins at 10:00 A.M. and will be held in conjunction with the 26th International Blues Challenge (IBC) weekend of events that will feature the semifinals and finals of the world’s largest gathering of blues bands, as well as seminars, showcases, and receptions for blues societies, fans, and professionals.

The Keeping the Blues Alive Awards recognize the significant contributions to blues music made by the people behind the scenes. Each is selected on the basis of merit by a panel of blues professionals. KBA Chairman Art Tipaldi notes with respect to this year’s recipients: “We are very pleased to bestow this recognition on people and organizations who have promoted blues music for many, many years. Increasingly, this is an international effort, and this year’s recipients reflect the worldwide impact of blues music.”

The 2010 Keeping the Blues Alive Award recipients are:

Art and Photography: Michael Maness, Memphis, Tennessee
Blues Club: Bradfordville Blues Club, Tallahassee, Florida
Blues Organization: Connecticut Blues Society
Education: Spencer Bohren, New Orleans, Louisiana
Festival: Heritage Music Blues Festival, Wheeling, West Virginia
Festival International: Piazza Blues, Bellinzona, Switzerland
Historical Preservation: Eric Leblanc, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
International: Finnish Blues Association, Helsinki, Finland
Journalism: David Fricke, Rolling Stone, New York, New York
Literature: Crossroads: The Life and Afterlife of Blues Legend Robert Johnson, Tom Graves, Memphis, Tennessee
Manager: Pat Morgan, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Print Media: Block, Almelo, Netherlands
Producer: Andy McKaie, Universal Music Enterprises, Santa Monica, California
Promoter: Pozitif Productions, Istanbul, Turkey
Publicist: Richard Flohil, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Radio Commercial: Charles Evers, Jackson, Mississippi
Radio Public: Rick Galusha, Omaha, Nebraska
Record Label: Crosscut Records, Bremen, Germany
Visual Broadcast: Film, Television and Video: Pocket Full of Soul.

MORE NEWS AS IT HAPPENS at:

AMERICAN BLUES NEWS

Bookmark us at http://Ameriblues.com

Come back tomorrow for news of all the IBC winners!


check out my website at http://RobertNighthawkTooms.com

©Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms, 2010

Interview with Little Joe Mclerran by Monica Yasher

"That’s what my show usually is, obscure blues things."

(Pittsburgh, PA) The passing of the torch... Today is the last day for Little Joe Mclerran to be the reigning king of the acoustic solo/duo act for the 25th International Blues Challenge. During his reign, he has traveled the world and released a new CD, "Believe I'll Make a Change".

As you read Little Joe's biography, you realize this competition isn't won in one night. He has played since the age of nine and was always committed to the blues. Little Joe, I hope nothing changes about that! Let me share our talk with you as I thank Little Joe for keeping traditional blues music alive and wish him a great blues future!

Monica: For all the upcoming contestants what kind of good hints can you give them? Why did it work for you?

Little Joe: You know it was my fourth year of doing it. So I did it twice with a bass player. Just me and a bass player. The third year I did it with my whole band that I brought down from Tulsa. I won by doing it all by myself, which I guess is kinda an ace in the whole for what I do. Well, really choose your material wisely and try to hit all aspects of the blues. Yeah that’s kinda what I did. I did a guitar rag, a New Orleans tune like a Mambo and just some really straight ahead barrel house blues stuff. I guess that’s what they wanted to hear. So….

M: I guess that’s what they wanted to hear. What does that mean for you and your band? Or you a sole performer now?

LJ: I travel with my bass player because I don’t drive. He drives me here and there and he plays bass. So a lot of these things I play with him. When I’m in Tulsa I have a band with me.



M: Do you prefer one kind of performance over another for any reason?

LJ: The band stuff is fun. You can really pull out tunes that I don’t normally do. Be able to kick the solos around. I love doing that. I love just singing and leading the band. The freedom of playing all by yourself is really cool because you can do what you want to do and nobody is there to hold you back from what you feel like doing. You can do really funky chord changes and stuff like that you wouldn’t be able to do with the band.

M: What has the International Blues Challenge done for your career?

LJ: I’ve been all over the place. I’ve been traveling none stop. I’ve been to Italy. So many blues festivals. It got me into the circuit of blues festivals. It’s very nice to be in with the blues festival crowd rather than a beer joint where people are there to get drunk or pick up girls. The people at the festival are there to listen to blues.

M: Do you still do the bar scene?

LJ: Around Tulsa every now and then. Different places it really depends. Those nights are fun in their own kind of way. I’ve seen some interesting stuff!

M: What have you noticed, if anything, in the differences of the audiences of Europe and the US?

LJ: That’s really strange. This is deja vue. In Italy it was really funny that I got a request for ‘Mule Skinner Blues’ which is a Jimmie Rogers song. It’s country music. Early, early country music. I don’t know ‘Mule Skinner Blues’ but I did another Jimmie Rogers tune called ‘My Rough and Rowdy Ways‘. It has a yodeling thing in it. The second I did the yodeling thing the place went nuts for IT! They wanted me to do country for the rest of the night! I ended up doing a couple more for them and I had a great time!

M: Great memory!

LJ: I met all kinds of wonderful people over there. I hope I get to do it again sometime.

M: What about CD’s?

LJ: I have a new CD that I did with a old friend from Denver Colorado who plays clarinet and saxophone. He was rated by “Downbeat Magazine” as the top ten best clarinet players in the world. Pretty heavy blues and jazz. Dexter is amazing. I did some things with him in Colorado. I love the Baritone Sax. People would come up and ask him when he was going to play it and he would say, “You don’t bring out the elephants at the beginning of the circus!” That is a great one liner. A lot of my friends from Tulsa are on it. These old guys I play with around there.

M: Are they originals or standard blues?

LJ: I’m doing half originals and the other half will be kinda obscure blues things. I’m not going to do 'Key to the Highway'. I’m not going to do standard blues songs. Pretty much obscure things. That’s what my show usually is, obscure blues things. I’ve been listening to this stuff since I’ve been a child. I kind of gained this repertoire of 500 old blues tunes that people haven‘t listened to since the twenties. There’s a section chain gang song I’m doing. It’s a legit real deal section gang tune called. It’s two of them actually into one. ‘Ratty Ratty Section’ and the other half is ‘Don’t You Hear Your Poor Mother Calling You?’ It’s a section thing song. There’s no telling who wrote it.

M: It sounds interesting. Anything you want to tell us that I didn’t ask?

LJ: I have a website. www.Littlejoeblues.com and if you are interested and want to book me you can reach me through that.

M: Thank you for your time and nice talking to you.

LJ: Well thank you Monica.




Copyright © 2010 Copyright Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.
Photograph Copyright © 2010 Maureen Ceidro. All Rights Reserved.