It's started, and it's a snowball rolling down hill.

Arleen and I had dinner with the Double Take Blues Band.  They are excited to be here, and can't wait to start playin'.  Dinner was at BB Kings.  One of the guys ordered a stuffed Potatoe (pork, brisket, and a bunch of dressings) once the waiter had the order, the musician asked if it came with fries.  The waiter roared, as did everyone else.  Part way through dinner the waiter brought over a plate of fries to everyone's delight.

The International Blues Showcase opened the week last night.  What a night.  This event showed the true diversity of our music.  Bands from Croatia, Canada, India, Germany, France, Denmark, Poland, Italy, Austrialia.....and more. 

It was there that we ran into Andrew Galloway of Electro-Fi Records.  He is truly a friend of the Blues Society of Western NY.

Watch for an update of what is happening out here in Memphis.

22 Jan Late / 23 Jan Early

Double Take Blues Band Drew Alfreds on Beale (some of the clubs are no longer on Beale Street).  They were assigned first to play at the venue.  This is good and bad.  Good because the judges haven't set their mind on who should advance.  Bad because the workings of putting on a show may not be fully worked out.  They started later than scheduled due to sound system support and lighting.  Word on the street is that the band smoked.

Stoker played at Pig on Beale.  He was on at 9:30.  Folks who were there said he did well.

On Friday, Could Double take do better than Thursday... Apparently they could.  The quote I heard was that they left it all on the stage.  As the Representatives of the Blues Society we could not ask for more.  Candye Kane made an appearance to see our guys, so there was word on the street that they were an act to see.

Stoker played earlier, and from what I heard, he too represented us well.

Don't have the results and finalists yet

23 Jan about 10:00am

The list of finalist has been published, Scanning that list, our act did not move up.

Now waiting to hear if Double Take might have made the list of Bands for the Beale Street Kings, which is a competition that is sponsored by the Beale Street Merchants Assn.  They bring in bands that did not make the finals and have their own battle of the bands tonite.  Will keep you posted.

24 Jan 9:30 AM

The 2010 IBCs are now in the history books.  Two sessions at the Orpheum Theater on Main St in Mamphis provided the following results:

Solo Duo:  

1st Place -- Matt Anderson (Harvest Jazz& Blues)
2nd Place -- Alphonso Sanders and Bill "Howl-n-Madd" Perry (Mississippi's Crossroads Blues Society)

Band Division:

1st Place -- Grady Champion of the (Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola)
2nd Place -- Karen Lovely Band (Cascade Blues Association)
3rd Place -- Cheryl Renee and Them Bones (Cincy Blues Society)

Albert King Award:

Matt Kelley of Big Boy Little Band (DC Blues Society)

Best Self-Produced CD:

The Informants, "Crime Scene Queen" (Colorado Blues Society) 
Laurie Morvan Band, "Fire It Up!" (Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society)

Note that a tie was declared in this competition.

Overall, the competition has been as good as ever.  Just consider..

• 240 entrants between Solo / Duo, Band and Youth showcase from all over the world
• 19 Venues (due to number of entrants, the IBC had to move into Off Beale locations)
• 7 Volunteers at each Venue (3 Judges, Venue Coordinator, Asst Venue Coord, Time Keeper and Judges Assistant) means 133 Volunteers just for the Preliminary events.  Some Volunteers could only work 1 night, so others had to be found.   Then add the finals with 5 to 7 judges, Time keeper, Judges Assistant, Stage Crew.  Then there is merchandise management, moving stuff all around the area.  The effort to coordinate such a crew is huge.
• Events happening over 4 days

Our kudos to Joe Whitmer and the staff from the Blues Foundation for managing yet another successful event.

The Gig Meister