Anyone attending the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February?

Hello Bluesfolk,

We were just wondering who might be planning to make the pilgrimage to Memphis to attend the IBC February 5-7. We're looking for recommendations on acts to catch - plus we're always interested in saying hi and meeting the folks we talk to online. We weren't planning to attend this year but we keep remembering how much fun Beale Street and the IBC is so we don't think we'll be able to resist hopping in the car and heading for Tennessee. Its a 12-hour drive from Michigan so that should say a lot about the fun factor of this event! (Last year Eden Brent confided that the IBC was something akin to a religious experience because of the great music and the camaraderie and the general magical vibe of the entire weekend.)

Tags: Blues, Challenge, Foundation, IBC, International

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Permalink Reply by Doug McMinn on January 9, 2009 at 8:04pm

Hello,
Doug McMinn here from Memphis. I will be at the IBC this year as a spectator and music lover. Its a gas plus there is a ton of promoters and festival/club organizers at the event. It might be a good time to pass out a promo pack or 2. If you do end up coming to Memphis, please let me know and maybe we can meet in person. The Rum Boogie Band has a killer singer by the name of James Govan. If you get the chance to check him out, its well worth your while.

Hope to see yall in Memphis.

Doug McMinn
www.kpnbeatproductions.com

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Permalink Reply by The Rusty Wright Band on January 11, 2009 at 1:41am

Hi Doug, We'll be sure to give a holler your way if we are able to make the trip down. I think we may have caught James performing at the Rum Boogie last February during the IBC. If its the same fella I'm thinking of, he was very good!

All the best,
Laurie LaCross-Wright
Rusty Wright Band

www.rustywrightband.com
www.youtube.com/rustywrightband

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Permalink Reply by The Underground Blues Division on January 11, 2009 at 12:33pm

Hey, Dirk from The Underground Blues Division here...We will be competeing at The IBC for the first time this year, representing the Blues Society of The Ozarks...We're really looking forward to it, hope to see ya'll there.

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Permalink Reply by The Rusty Wright Band on January 12, 2009 at 1:22am

Hey, we'll try to catch one of your sets. Good luck in the competition. Get plenty of rest before you go because you won't get much sleep while you're there!

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Permalink Reply by Stacy Brooks on January 12, 2009 at 10:00am

Hey, this will be my second year as a spectator/musician. I'm not competing but last year I sang at allot of the jams on Beale. It's a blues fan paradise and great for networking. I made allot of connections and we're meeting up in Memphis again this year. I'm traveling with Clarence "The Bluesman" Turner's Band (www.bluesmanturner.com) representing the Baltimore Blues Society. Good Luck to all the bands attending.

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Permalink Reply by Lightning Red on January 12, 2009 at 5:35pm

My friend JIMI LEE is the acoustic/solo representative from the Austin Blues Society (Austin, TX)
He's GREAT, so be sure to catch him.

He can be heard on my latest - LIGHTNING RED the groovemaster which is currently being promoted by Bob Putignano.

Hasta,
Red

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Permalink Reply by Rick Moore on January 13, 2009 at 11:45am

Might I recommend my friends The Silvertones with Joe Jonas. This band is from Dallas and they are solid entertainers. See their Myspace page. www.myspace.com/thesilvertonesband

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Permalink Reply by Nothin' But Trouble on January 13, 2009 at 5:39pm

Come see Nothin' But Trouble. Two guitars, bass, drums, Four Singers, four frontmen, four writers all rolled into four. Please stop by and say HI!

Greg

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Permalink Reply by Sveinung Lervåg on January 13, 2009 at 6:08pm

Yep, I'll be flying in from Norway. The Norwegian Blues Union are supporting a norwegian band named Shuffle Service which will be competing there for the first time this year.

A pretty long trip so we need to do a bit more than just the IBC. So we're planning to drive down to Mississippi afterwards... :-)

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Permalink Reply by The Rusty Wright Band on January 13, 2009 at 9:10pm

We'll try to catch your set and introduce ourselves. We're looking forward to hearing a whole bunch of new acts this year, as well as catching up with some folks we've met in previous years. What day are you flying in on, Sveinung?

Hey, we ought to plan an informal LiveBluesWorld meet & greet sometime during the weekend - or maybe toward the end of the weekend after things slow down a bit for the competing musicians.

All the best from Michigan,
Laurie & Rusty Wright
www.rustywrightband.com

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Permalink Reply by Adam Gussow on January 14, 2009 at 11:49am

I just wanted everybody to know that I'll be hosting a very informal get together for friends of Modern Blues Harmonica during the IBCs. It will take place on Thursday, Feb. 5th from 4-6 PM in my hotel room: The Best Western Benchmark Hotel (164 Union St.), directly across the street from the Peabody Hotel. Ask for Adam Gussow's room at the front desk. BYOB, although I'll have some beer and potato chips on hand. Obviously there will be a LOT of blues harmonica players there--which means you're welcome to bring your own harps, but even more welcome to bring a guitar, if you feel like backing up a few jammers.

This is a low-key, unofficial, informal event. We love to talk harp. Please check out my website to get a sense of what we're about:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

--Adam G.

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Permalink Reply by Stacy Brooks on January 22, 2009 at 9:53am

I'm actually staying inTunica this year so I can be near some my other local musician friends. I will be at most of the jams on Beal though. I will be looking forward to seeing you guys.