Madison Blues Society, Madison, Wisconsin Madison Blues Society, Madison, Wisconsin
Our next meeting is Tuesday, August 12, 6:30 PM
in the back room at J.T.Whitney's
Everyone is welcome! The Brewhaus Blues Jam starts about 8:30 PM!
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BLUES NEWS IN THE MADISON AREA
BLUES NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
SOUTH MADISON BLUES KIDS
Penn Park Performance - 3:30PM Saturday August 16 - Don't Miss It!

The Madison Blues Society is pleased to present the "SOUTH MADISON BLUES KIDS", another great event where the kids bring their enthusiasm to the stage in a fun community gathering. This event is made possible with financial support from a Hands Across South Madison grant from the Town of Madison and the South Metropolitan Planning Council (SMPC).

Organizers of this summer night out in Penn Park (at 2101 Fisher Street in Madison) are encouraging audiences to bring their lawn chairs to come and enjoy an afternoon of free blues music, with some of Madison's newest Blues Artists.

These South Madison youths, ages 7-16, have been learning to play Blues harmonica, write kid-based blues songs and lyrics - just for you! These teaching sessions often bring out leadership and communication skills in the "Blues Kids."

Joe Nosek, with The Cash Box Kings, has been educating Madison youth groups over the past 6 years for Madison Blues Society. He is, again, working with a youth group, this time from South Madison. This program provides an opportunity for the community to turn away troubles and come together in a celebration of great music.

Two presentations by the "South Madison Blues Kids" and The Cash Box Kings will take place on Saturday, 8/16/08. The first will be a private performance at the south side's Madison Senior Center and Quaker Housing in cooperation with the South Madison Coalition of the Elderly. Residents with a history in the Blues will interact with the kids in an enjoyable exchange of musical experience.

This will be followed by a public presentation, at 3:30 in Penn Park. The "Blues Kids" will perform the first set with the band, followed by a full set of Chicago-style Blues, by The Cash Box Kings.

Madison Blues Society is dedicated to presenting and fostering blues music in the Madison and surrounding area. The organization's future plans include sponsoring more blues performances and workshops, developing the Blues News newsletter and continuing with our Annual Madison Blues Society's "Blues Picnic."

1ST GRAFTON BLUES CHALLENGE - HELD ON MAY 10
Check out out the winners

The 1st Grafton Blues Challenge was held on May 10 with a lot of great Wisconsin Blues talent competing. The winner goes to Memphis February 4-7, 2009 for the 25th International Blues Challenge held every year by the Blues Foundation. In the competition were Hounds Tooth, The Back Alley Band, The Charles Walker Band, Maple Road, Kenny J & Blue Wagon, Queenie & the Blue Cats, Sue DaBaco & Wise Fools and The Alex Wilson Band.

AND THE WINNERS WERE:

THE 2008 BLUES MUSIC AWARDS!
These results just in from Tunica, Mississippi

The Blues Foundation 2008 Blues Music Awards were held at the Grand Casino and Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi on Thursday, May 8, sponsored by The Gibson Foundation as well as BMI, Casey Family Programs, Eagle Rock Entertainment, FedEx, and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. More than 65 nominees are featured at this sold-out show.

THE 2008 BLUES FESTIVAL SEASON STARTS IN MAY!
Check out our WISCONSIN AREA BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE 2008

The shows are getting scheduled and it's gonna be a great Blues Festival Season! Lot's of bands are already scheduled and there are quite a few Blues Festivals in "reasonable striking distance." Lots of great food and drink like BBQ and beer add to the fun. Don't miss out!

See our WISCONSIN AREA BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE 2008. We're updating it regularly as more information becomes available. So far, we're up to 20 festivals playin' the Blues and still counting! Check often!

See how they fit into the Events and Shows Calendar and make your plans for a good time.

MADISON AREA MUSIC AWARDS
(the MAMAS) 2008
Helping fund kids music programs!
Madison Area Music Awards


The MAMAs were held on May 10 and we have winners. The MAMAs have been a great supporter of the Madison music scene for years and the Blues is a big part of it. Check out what the Madison Community Pages has to say.

This great work is all to benefit music programs for kids in Madison. The school system keeps cutting back programs so this is more important than ever. Thanks also goes to Broadjam, long time sponsor of the MAMAs.

AND HERE ARE THE BLUES WINNERS:

Your very low contribution of $5 goes directly to the kids music programs so get on over to the Broadjam hosted voting website, JOIN and help out the kids!

Check out the MAMAs news and information page with

Please donate what you can to help kids music programs then scroll down for FAQ's about the MAMAs.

EBONY EXPRESSIONS PRESENTS
THE BEST OF EBONY
A Celebration of African American Cultural and Performing Arts
Ebony Expressions Youth Show

The Cultural Awareness Project, founded in 1982, addresses the need for education in the Madison Community about the contributions of African American Culture. The Ebony Expressions Project addresses a wide range of social and cultural issues using this unique and original stage production to communicate their thought-provoking message to the community.

Director Ed Holmes, an 18-year veteran of the Madison Public School system and former principal of Wright Middle School has been principal at West High School since 2004. While principal at Wright Middle School, Holmes received the prestigious Milken Family Foundation educator award for his work in building strong community ties in an environment of political and racial tension on Madison's south side. His cultural awareness work continues to break down the barriers between ethnic groups at West High School and the larger community with this far reaching program.

The Best of Ebony show starts it all off followed by a Reunion Luncheon and the Ebony Dance.

Contact Tanika Wilson Kromah, Event Coordinator at 658-1725.

MUSIC AND BOOKSTORE MEMBER DISCOUNTS DURING FEBRUARY
Several Music and Book Stores Offer Discounts to MBS members this month, the Blues "Month of Love"

Be sure to stop in to these great stores during the month of February and don't forget to bring your Madison Blues Society membership card. You'll get a 10-15% discount on purchases. These folks definitely "have the Blues!"

Madcity Music Exchange - 15% discount during February

Mad City Music Exchange is located at 600 Williamson St. in down town Madison, in the strip mall at Blair. Call 251-8558 if you have questions.

They were voted "Best Place for Vinyl" in the 2007 Isthmus magazine's readers poll and carry a large selection of new and used CDs and LPs, hard to find DVDs and a general selection of stuff you ain't gonna find anywhere else! This shop has a really excellent selection of used Blues, Folk, Reggae, Rock and a special rack that is for Local Blues CDs, like Paul Black, Cash Box Kings, Paul Filipowicz and more. They have a great collection of new Blues CD's too. Very friendly, but hands-off staff with NO pressure.

Store hours: Mon thru Fri 11 a.m.-7p.m., Sat. 10a.m.- 5p.m., Sun. noon-5p.m.

HALF PRICE BOOKS EAST - 10% discount during February

Find this store in Essex Square (this is the small strip mall where the East Pier I and Milio's are) at 4250 East Towne Blvd. Call them at 244-1189.

They have about 40% new books and 60% used. They sell CDs, some music DVDs and have a pretty steady turn-over. They will also buy used books and CDs/DVDs. Half Price is also environment friendly. Say NO to a bag and bring your own in. A 5 cent discount for doing so.

Store hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.

SUGAR SHACK RECORDS - 15% discount during February

Find this store 2301 Atwood Avenue (just a block down from the Harmony, same side of Atwood). Call them at 256-7155.

Sugar Shack sez "Greetings! Sugar Shack, our brick-and-mortar store in Madison, Wisconsin, has been in business since 1981. In the last 26 years we've bought a lot more than we've sold, so now we have a warehouse full of records, CDs, cassettes, and videos ready to find good homes. Our soon-to-be-launched website will feature a diverse selection of titles in our inventory available for online purchase."

This is a great used music store! Quite a few music videos, CDs, BLUES. Stop in and say hi to the Owner, Gary, and thank him for this opportunity for MBS members to get to know his store better!

Store hours: Mon-Thu 12 p.m.-7 p.m., Fri 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

HALF PRICE BOOKS WEST - 15% discount during February

Find this store at 626 S Whitney Way (In the strip mall, by Copps Foods, behind the Walgreen's). Call them at 273-1140.

This shop sells a lot of used Blues and Jazz. They have music DVDs, lots of great books and more! Check them out. Say hi to Gene and say thanks for offering MBS this opportunity.

Store hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.

2008 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE!
Band Competition Finalists and Winners
Trampled Under Foot

All night Thursday and all night Friday, the clubs up and down Beale Street in Memphis were playin' the Blues! 99 bands and 66 solo/duo acts were competing in the semi-finals of the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge.

After the semi-finals in the clubs, the finals were held at the Orpheum Theater downtown on Saturday. Trampled Under Foot, winners of the 2007 Kansas City Blues Challenge, took first place in the Band Finals. This exceptional family band features extraordinary guitar work and vocals by brother and sister team Nick and Danielle Schnebelen backed up by some great drumming by their brother Kris. Danielle's powerful vocals really got the crowd to their feet!

Great performances were also turned in by the Toronto Blues Society's Shakura S'Aida whose soulful vocals brought in a second place win. Third place was taken by The Baton Rouge Blues Society's Lil' Ray Neal Blues Band from Baton Rouge's First Family of the Blues - The Neals. You can really hear the great Blues history in the music Lil' Ray played to a full house at the Orpheum Theater.

And don't forget the very fine performances by the other 7 Bands finalists!

Nick Schnebelen


Trampled Under Foot really was having a great night when it was announced that Nick Schnebelen was the winner of the Most Promising Guitarist competition and got to take home a beautiful Gibson custom "Les Paul" ES-335 Guitar as well as a custom Category 5 guitar amp. The only other amp like this is owned by Sean Carney who won the prize last year.

Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players
Bobby Bryan

Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players winners of the first Wisconsin Blues Challenge really showed how it was done on Thursday and Friday night at the Rum Boogie Cafe. Sadly, with 99 bands competing, 89 could not make the finals and Bobby's band was among the 89. It just goes to show that officials don't always get it right!

But to judge from all the fans in the club who couldn't stop dancing, Bobby was really layin' it down! And it wasn't just the Wisconsin people who were lovin' it! The dance floor got so crowded that folks had to keep it really tight!

Bobby is cool with how it played out and is happy to have gotten a chance to join the competition. And with all the connections being made with music people, who knows what will come out of it? All Bobby's fans and the Madison Blues Society offer their best congratulations on a job well done and know that Bobby and the band will be getting a lot of attention in the months to come.

Solo/Duo Competition Finalists and Winners
Lionel Young

Long time friend of the Blues Foundation Michael "Hawkeye" Herman emceed a great night of individuals and duos who performances showed that really fine Blues does not need to come from a full band.

The Solo/Duo winner, Colorado Blues Society's Lionel Young, played some amazing Blues on an electric violin which he used with remarkable skill. His quick switches between the bow and fingers while singing moving Blues lyrics gave the crowd a real taste of what one musician can do.

The second place winner, Ben Prestage also really delivered as he sang and played guitar, harp and drums. The Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast brought us an artist who is really shows the roots of the Blues. Ben is the grandson of a Mississippi share cropper and has been soaked in Blues tradition and Mississippi culture since birth.

The other finalists also showed really fine work that deserves our attention and support. Check out these fine artists.

Best Self Produced CD

Every year, many Blues artists make the special effort to produce their own CD to get their music out to the fans. The Blues Foundation shows their appreciation with the Best Self Produced CD award. This year's prize went to Sue Palmer, the Queen of Boogie Woogie, and her Motel Swing Orchestra, for "Sophisticated Ladies". The Blues Lovers United of San Diego brought Sue to the IBC this year.

Four other CD's managed to make it to the final round of judging. These are well worth checking out.

To check out all of the great Blues CD's that started out in the original rounds of judging, check out the Blues Foundation Self Produced CD's site.

BOBBY BRYAN GETS COMMENDATION FROM GOVERNOR DOYLE
Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players to represent Wisconsin in Memphis
Governor Doyle's Commendation for Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players

Wisconsin's Governor Jim Doyle has issued a special commendation to Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players, winners of the April 15, 2007 statewide First Wisconsin Blues Challenge. This Certificate of Commendation congratulates the band and outlines the substantial competition that they expect to be up against in Memphis with 160 competing acts from "6 continents, 11 countries and 36 states and the District of Columbia." Quite a challenge, indeed!

The Madison Blues Society offers our own congratulations and sincere appreciation for the terrific job that the band has done and expects to do as they represent Wisconsin at the end of this month in Memphis. Those that are lucky enough to be going down to Memphis will be cheering them on in the Beale Street clubs on Thursday 1/31 and Friday 2/1. We are all really hoping to see Bobby and the band bringing us great Blues at the Finals in the Orpheum Theater on Saturday 2/2. The best of luck to Bobby and the band!

2008 BAMFEST NEWS
The lineup for the 2008 BAMFest is here and the 2007 CD is coming soon!
Belleville Park

This summer, Belleville will be the place to be! On July 11 and 12, the 3rd Annual Belleville American Music Festival will be bringing world class musicians like Sonny Landreth and Jeremy Spencer to this great park for two nights of great music and fun in a really beautiful setting!

You can hear some of the music of these top acts by checking out "top friends" on the Beau Geste Productions MySpace page.

Check out what Steve Hecht of Piedmont Talent, Inc. has to say about Jeremy Spencer:

"Jeremy Spencer, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his role as a founding member of Fleetwood Mac. Spencer will be accompanied by his five-piece Norwegian band.

"Spencer had been out of the spotlight for decades when, two years ago, the promoter of the Notodden Blues Festival in Norway, Jostein Forsberg, convinced Spencer to perform publicly again. He paired the rock legend with some of the best musicians in Norway, some of whom had been playing together for twenty-five years. Their performance at the Festival was a huge success.

Completely taken by the sympathetic backing provided by the Norwegian musicians, Spencer used the group to record his first album in many years, Precious Little, which Vintage Guitar magazine said "may well be the pop music comeback of the past several decades."

In 2007 Spencer returned to the Notodden festival with his Norwegian band and again wowed the crowds and the critics. Art Tipaldi, senior editor for Blues Revue and Blues Wax, said, "In the past two years, I've seen Jeremy Spencer perform four shows at the of the Notodden Blues Festival and I can tell you that each show was better than the previous. Jeremy has lost none of the fire from those Fleetwood Mac days. His slide guitar still sends chills. Every note I've heard Jeremy play showcases his great commitment to the blues. I've seen him ignite the stage with a mixture of classic Chicago blues and smart contemporary songs. This tour is the music rediscovery of 2008."

And don't forget to stay tuned for
news about the release of
"Live From Bamfest 1",
coming real soon!

Here's the 2008 BAMFest Lineup!

Friday July 11

Saturday July 12

BOBBY BRYAN AND THE ORIGINAL DOWNTOWN PLAYERS GO TO MEMPHIS
See Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players represent Wisconsin at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis
Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players with Mayor Dave

Bobby Bryan's press release/photo shoot with Mayor Dave for last summer's MBS Picnic shows this great blues man is getting the recognition he deserves! Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players, winners of the First Wisconsin Blues Challenge leave for Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge at the end of the month.

Bobby and the band were playing great at the Grand Opening of "R" Place, the new club on South Park Street started by the band's drummer Rick Flowers. It's great to have another live music venue in Madison, especially on the South side. Great idea, Rick!

Bobby and the band have been working hard to do their best to represent Wisconsin in the Blues Foundation's annual event that showcases great Blues talent from all over the world. Blues Societies like MBS host competitions to find the best talent and sponsor fundraisers to get the band and their families down to Memphis. The fundraiser this Saturday will be a night of great music for a great cause. Don't miss it!

CHECK OUT THE BAND'S MUSIC ON
BOBBY'S MYSPACE PAGE!

BLUES 'N' BREWS IS BACK
Get over to Murphy's Tavern on Fridays at 8:00PM
Blues 'n' Brews at Murphy's Tavern

Dan Shilling and the Shake Daddys have brought back Blues 'n' Brews, the weekly Blues Jam which has been a long time favorite of Madison Blues fans. Get over to Murphy's Tavern (formerly TailGator's) at 3737 East Washington Avenue every Friday from 8:00PM 12:00AM.

Blues 'n' Brews has special guests nearly every week. Check out the MadBlues Yahoo Group to catch the latest updates for Blues 'n' Brews and lots of other music news in the Madison Area. Get on down to Murphy's for Blues on Friday nights!

IKE TURNER PASSES AWAY AT 76
Rock and Blues legend dies at his suburban San Diego home
Ike Turner





Ike Turner, one of rock's critical architects died Wednesday at his home in suburban San Diego. He was 76. "He did pass away this morning" at his home in San Marcos, in northern San Diego County, said Scott M. Hanover of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's musical career.

There was no immediate word on the cause of death, which was first reported by celebrity website TMZ.com. Read the full story at iketurner.com.

BLUES FOUNDATION TO HOLD FIRST BLUES MUSIC AWARDS
Nominations anounced for May 8, 2008 Event in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi
Blues Foundation Blues Music Awards

The Blues Foundation will present the Blues Music Awards for the first time in their 29-year history in the Mississippi Delta, the birthplace of the Blues. Performers, industry representatives and fans from around the globe will celebrate the best in Blues recording and performance from the previous year on May 8, 2008 at the Grand Casino Event Center in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, just down the road from Memphis, the Awards' home since their 1980 inception.

Nominees include Bobby Rush, Watermelon Slim and the Workers, Koko Taylor, Omar Dykes and Jimmie Vaughan, Bettye LaVette, Nick Moss and the Flip Tops James Blood Ulmer and Lurie Bell.

Read the Press Release from the Blues Foundation. You can also go to Blues Music Awards at Blues.org.

TOP 10 BLUES ALBUMS OF 2007 FROM WXPN
Blues Show Host Jonny Meister's 10 Best Blues Albums of 2007
WXPN'S Blues Show with Jonny Meister

With audio samples featured on NPR's Morning Edition, the University of Pennsylvania's WXPN 88.5 Public Radio has a weekly Blues Show with available Podcasts and MP3 Downloads. The show's host, Jonny Meister has come up with a great list of best Blues albums of 2007, including harmonica player Bobby Rush, guitarist James Blood Ulmer and singer Marie Knight.

Be sure to check them out!

THE BLUE SHOE PROJECT GETS GRAMMY NOMINATION
Album being hailed as one of the top live blues recordings of all-time
The Blue Shoe Project's Grammy nominated Album

Dallas - The Blue Shoe Project, a nationally-recognized educational charity based in Texas, has received the 2007 Grammy Nomination for the album entitled "Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen - Live in Dallas." This album is being hailed as one of the top live blues recordings of all-time. It features stellar musical performances by blues legends Henry James "The Mule" Townsend, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, and David "Honeyboy" Edwards, who ranged in age from 89 to 94 years-old at the time of the recording.

The concert was preceded by an education program held for several hundred area students participating in a scholarship program sponsored by Blue Shoe. Students were treated to a storyteller performance by these living blues legends, who shared their lives, their experiences and their music.

When the concert began, explained Jeff Dyson, founder of The Blue Shoe Project, "The artists were as excited to be there as we were. They were like family members who hadn't seen each other in years. Once they hit the stage, they blew us away! It was like they were 20 again."

The album includes an impressive 18-page booklet complete with brief artist biographies and a collection of photographs from the event. The album is available through The Blue Shoe Project Web site, I-Tunes, and CD-Baby.

The mission of The Blue Shoe Project is to ensure that American youth have exposure to the music of the blues, its history and its impact. All proceeds from the album benefit The Blue Shoe Project's educational programs. Since it was founded in 2004, Blue Shoe has delivered programs to more than 20,000 students in Texas and the Washington D.C. area. Blue Shoe plans to reach more students across the country in coming years. For more information, visit www.BlueShoeProject.org or contact Michael Dyson 817-689-2416 or email mike@blueshoeproject.org.

OTIS REDDING TRIBUTE AT MONONA TERRACE
40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGIC LAKE MONONA CRASH
Otis Redding

On Monday, December 3, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center held a special celebration to pay tribute to rhythm and blues legend Otis Redding. The event marked the 40th anniversary of the Lake Monona airplane crash that took Redding's life. A proclamation by Governor Jim Doyle read by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz declared December 10 to be "Otis Redding Day". Some very special guests attended, including the one surviving member of the group, trumpeter Ben Cauley who performed Redding's last hit "Dock of the Bay".

In addition, Craig Inciardi, curator from Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, spoke of Redding who was inducted in 1989 and also showed slides of the Hall of Fame buildings and a memorabilia collection of Redding's widow, Zelma Redding.

The recently released DVD "Dreams to Remember - The Legacy of Otis Redding" was shown in the Lecture Hall featuring many classic recordings of Redding's best performances as well as interviews with Redding's widow Zelma Redding, co-performer and co-writer Steve Cropper and Jim Stewart, founder of Memphis' famous Stax Records.

The Redding Memorial can be seen on the rooftop of the Convention Center.

BLUES AND THE SPIRIT
A Symposium on the Legacy of Blues and Gospel Music
Blues and the Spirit

Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, 9 miles west of Chicago's Loop will be holding a symposium with many distinguished guests from May 22 through May 24, 2008 to explore the heritage of African American music in Chicago. There will be discussion, debate, live performances and workshops.

For information or registration, call 708-524-6050 or email bluesandthespirit@dom.edu. You can also check out their website. Check out the details on the Blues and the Spirit poster.

HOMEMADE JAMZ BAND
2ND PLACE 2007 IBC WINNER AN INSPIRATION FOR KIDS AND ADULTS, TOO!
Homemade Jamz Band

The Homemade Jamz Band is composed of Ryan Perry, age 15 on guitar and vocals, Kyle Perry, age 13 on bass and Taya Perry, age 9 on drums from Tupelo, Mississippi. These kids play like they've been doing the Blues for many years. And the judges at last years International Blues Challenge thought so too, giving them the 2nd Place Prize.

Also check them out at the Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola, MS

They really got the crowd jumping at the Chicago Blues Fest last summer where Ryan toured the audience really showing his stuff. Be sure to check out Homemade Jamz on MySpace.

They were featured on the CBS Sunday Morning Show on December 2, 2007 You can also see them on YouTube right now!

BLUES FOUNDATION
KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AWARDS 2008
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
FEBRUARY 2, 2008
Keeping The Blues Alive

Twenty-one individuals and organizations will be honored with The Blues Foundation's 2008 Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award during a recognition brunch at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel Saturday, February 2, 2008, in Memphis Tennessee. The KBA ceremony will be held in conjunction with the 24th 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, presentations, and receptions for blues societies, fans, and professionals.

Read all about it in the Press Release.

Check out the 2008 KBA Award Recipients.

INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE 2008
THE WORLD'S LARGEST GATHERING OF BLUES BANDS

IF YOU CAN POSSIBLY GO, MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW!

Check out the latest details on tickets, merchandise and hotels.

BOBBY BRYAN AND THE ORIGINAL DOWNTOWN PLAYERS
WIN THE WISCONSIN BLUES CHALLENGE

Last spring, the Madison Blues Society hosted the Wisconsin Blues Challenge.   Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players, winner of the Wisconsin event, will be going to Memphis to represent the great blues coming out of Wisconsin.

HELP BOBBY AND HIS BAND RAISE MONEY FOR THE MEMPHIS TRIP!

Be sure to pick up a Band T-shirt at Bobby's shows for only $18. The proceeds will help the band go to Memphis.

*** See Bobby in the Madison Area ***

MBS Fund Raiser at the
Brink Lounge on Saturday 1/12 from 8:00PM

Be sure to catch Bobby back in the Madison Area after the IBC

2008 International Blues Challenge

For the 24th year, Blues musicians from around the world will compete for cash, prizes, and industry recognition as The Blues Foundation presents the International Blues Challenge beginning January 31 and continuing February 1-2, 2008 in Memphis, TN. The world's largest gathering of Blues acts represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its affiliated organizations for the Blues band and Blues solo/duo most deserving of taking their act to the international stage. In 2007, over 90 bands and 60 solo/duo acts from 34 states and 8 countries competed. Even greater participation is expected in 2008, as musicians and fans fill the clubs up and down Beale Street beginning at 5:00pm for the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday and at the Band finals (1:00pm) and the Solo/Duo finals (7:30pm) at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday.

Advance tickets, host hotel information, merchandise and preliminary event schedule will be available at www.blues.org beginning October 1.

Thanks for this update goes to the Blues Festival Guide.   For the complete article, click HERE.