March/April Blues News
In January our Battle of the Blues Bands winners' "Hurricane" Elaine Hudson and Earl "Guitar" Williams competed in the Blues Foundations International Blues Competition in Memphis. There were 121 bands from all over the world entered. 58 of these entrants made the semi-finals and only 11, fewer than ten percent made the finals. Proud to report that our bands represented Alabama well and both made the semi-finals. We would like to thank the Alabama State Council on the Arts whose grant helped substantially with the stipends we were able to give our winners to assist with their travel and accommodation costs of going to Memphis. The grant also allowed us to give each of our competing bands a high-quality video of their performance in our competition which they can use to critique their performance and for promotion.
Saturday April 18th at 6:30pm Misty Blues Band headed by Gina Coleman will be at Elysian Gardens. Based in Massachusetts this band tours south only once a year. Gina has been nominated for two Independent Blues Awards for writing songs in the Best Contemporary Blues category. Gina and the band have had the pleasure of recording with the Neville Brothers, Eric Gales, Kat Riggins, Matt Cusson, Early Times and Joe Louis Walker. They have also opened for blues staples: Tab Benoit, John Primer, Roomful Of Blues, Albert Cummings and Michael Powers. Musical influences include Koko Taylor, Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton, Ruth Brown, Billie Holiday, Tuck & Patti, and the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Gina has a powerful voice. She recently cut a CD tribute to Odetta, and her newest project is a tribute to Ida Cox. This is certainly a recommended event. Gina has many Birmingham friends so expect a good crowd. Also possibly a special guest will perform!
Saturday April 25 starting @ noon is the 15th Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival in Debardeleben Park, downtown Bessemer. National acts include Li'l Ed & the Blues Imperials, Selwyn Birchwood, Karen Wolfe, Dexter Allen and of course some of our areas best musicians led by Rick Harris. Mark your calendar & stay tuned for more information.
Upcoming Jam's:
1st Friday Jam at Ranelli's - April 3rd @ 7:30pm
3rd Thursday Jam at True Story Brewing - April 16th @ 7:30pm