Battle of the Blues Bands 2008
The Battle of Blues Bands is this coming Sunday, July 27 at Matthews Bar and Grill. The doors open at 1pm with music starting at 2pm. The admission fee is $5. That is pretty inexpensive for 13 acts. That right.. there will be 13 acts competing for the chance to represent the state of Alabama in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. There will be 3 solo/duo acts and 10 bands competing. The solo/duo acts will go first. They will play 20 minutes sets with 10 minute changeovers.
Everybody who pays the $5 admission fee will be given a ballot worth one point to vote in both categories. It will be factored in with the judge’s score to determine the winners. That means that your voice does count in this contest. Again, here are the basics. Pass the word on to everybody you know.
What: Battle of the Blues Bands
When: Sunday July 27, 2008 – 2PM to 9PM
Where: Matthews Bar & Grill
2208 Morris Ave
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 488-9191
(click on “read more” to see a map, and to read the rules.)
How much: $5 admission for the public
BOBB lineup (not in the order they will play. Play times will be determined by a draw from the hat on Sunday)
Solo/duo
Michael Carpenter
Sam Pointer
Soul Collision
Bands
Bob Walters Banned
Curtis Files and the Blues Masters
Dan & the Dusters
Electric Voodoo
Erin Mitchell Band
George and the G-men
Plum Loco
Po Monkey
The Persuaders
Thomas Henry Band
The winner will represent the state of Alabama in Memphis in 2009 at the International Blues Challenge. This event is sponsored by the Blues Foundation, which is the mother so to speak of all the Blues societies in the world (http://www.blues.org ). At last count, there are about 160 societies around the world who are keepin’ the blues alive. The competition is broken up into two categories. We will crown the best “band” and the best “solo/duo” group.
Last year’s local competition was incredible, with 12 Blues acts vying for the title. We had six hours of great blues last year at Zydeco. Todd Simpson and Mojo Child won the band category. 2BLU won the solo/duo contest. Bruce Andrews and George Dudley of 2BLU ended up placing in the top six in the world at the IBC in the solo/duo contest! We have a lot of local talent here in the Alabama and we compete each year to see who will represent our state against the rest of the world.
Even though we are a few months away from what we affectionately call BOBB, we want to get the word out so that everybody within our great state of Alabama has the opportunity to get involved. If you read my From the Prez article, then you know that joining the MCBS as a band is a great benefit. I encourage all of you to get involved with the Magic City Blues Society.
The winners will be booked for paying gigs, playing for MCBS events. The first place winner of the band competition this year will headline one of the Phelan Park shows in the fall. The second place winner will open up for Blues Ball in December. The third place winner will play for our birthday party in January. The solo/duo winner will play at a future Junkyard Juke in 2009.
Here are the rules:
1. At least 1 member of your band MUST be a member of the MCBS. The best value you will get is to join the MCBS with a band membership.
2. Bands must have all members from the state of Alabama.
3. You will be required to play a 20 minute set and will be penalized for going over your allotted time. You will not be penalized for playing less than 20 minutes. There will be a time keeper present that will give you a 1 minute warning.
4. You must check your equipment in to the stage manager before the competition begins.
5. We will supply a high quality drum kit and bass rig for you. You can change out the snare, kick pedal and cymbals.
You will be judged on the following weighted criteria:
1. Talent
2. Showmanship
3. Originality
4. Blues content
5. Overall impression
Let the Battle begin! Please contact Paul Walters at for complete details and to answer any questions you may have.
The Battle of Blues Bands application can be found on our web site here. Print it out and send it in. You will need the free adobe reader (which you probably have, but if you don’t you can get it from Adobe).
Posted by bluesy on 06/29 at 02:00 PM
BOBB •
