The Ottawa Blues Society will again participate in the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN. This year, the OBS will host competitions for both the Band and the Solo/Duo categories. A winner from each category will compete as the OBS representative in the 27th IBC, to be held in Memphis, February 1-5, 2011. All OBS Road to Memphis competitions take place at Tucson's, 2440 Bank Street, Ottawa, and get underway at 7 pm.
Solo/Duo Competition
Wednesday, September 8, 7:00 pm (all times are approximate)
Each set will be 20 minutes (maximum)
7:10 pm Keith Shaw
7:40 pm Brandon Agnew Duo
8:10 pm Bobby Tibodo
8:40 pm Tyler Bell Band
9:10 pm Greg Pilon
9:40 pm Purple Soul Duo
10:10 pm Willis Pride
One winner will be selected by the judges.
The Solo/Duo winner will be showcased in a short set at the Road to Memphis Band Finals on Friday, September 24, following sets by the six band finalists (and while the final band scores are being computed).
Band Competition
Qualifying Round #1
Tuesday, September 14 (all times are approximate)
7:15 pm Three Times Lucky
7:55 pm Fredy Carriere Band
8:35 pm Bluestone
9:15 pm Lil' Al's Combo
9:55 pm Money $hot
Qualifying Round #2
Wednesday, September 15 (all times are approximate)
7:15 pm Powergoats
7:55 pm Steve Groves & the Wit Shifters
8:35 pm Union Jack
9:15 pm Brothers Chaffey
9:55 pm Erth Juce
Qualifying Round #3
Wednesday, September 22 (all times are approximate)
7:15 pm Jeff Rogers and the All Day Daddies
7:55 pm Soulfat
8:35 pm Big Chill
9:15 pm The Braveyard Whips
9:55 pm Al Wood & the Woodsmen
Band Finals
Friday, September 24
The two highest-scoring bands from each Qualifying Round will play in the Band Finals.
The Solo/Duo winner will be showcased in a short set at the Road to Memphis Band Finals on Friday, September 24, following sets by the six band finalists (and while the final band scores are being computed).
During the local competition, Bands and Solo/Duos will be given points based on Blues Content, Vocals, Talent, Originality and Stage Presence. For full details on scoring criteria and official rules, see the Blues Foundation website http://www.blues.org/ibc/scoring.php
Each Band and Solo/Duo will be judged by regional volunteers knowledgeable about The Blues. A $5.00 cover charge applies for all Qualifying Rounds and a $10 cover applies for Finals which will serve as fundraising support for travel expenses for the winning OBS representatives.
Following two great performances Thursday and Friday nights (January 22 and 23), in their assigned venue, the Hard Rock Café, the Jesse Greene Band, representing the Ottawa Blues Society, were the only Canadians among the 11 bands advancing to the finals of the 26th International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN. This year's entry was over 100 bands. It was a thrill for the band to perform on the stage of the legendary Orpheum Theatre and we at the Ottawa Blues Society are very proud of them. This is the 2nd year the OBS has sent a representative to the band competition at the IBC and the 2nd year our band has made the finals.
The top prize in the Band competition was awarded to Grady Champion of the Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola. Second place honours 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.
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).
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.
Canadian Matt Andersen, sponsored by Harvest Jazz and Blues from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada won the Solo/Duo competition; second place honours went to Alphonso Sanders and Bill "Howl-n-Madd" Perry from Mississippi's Crossroads Blues Society. Ottawa did not have an entry in the Solo/Duo competition.
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).
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