Local 2011 IBC Competitions Heat Up Worldwide by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

Feb. 1-5, 2011

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Local competitions are taking place everywhere to determine winning contestants to travel to Memphis for this year's International Blues Challenge sponsored by the Blues Foundation. Over 185 affiliate Blues societies will be hosting regional preliminary competitions and sending contestants in the band, solo and duo, and youth categories.

Don't miss your chance to compete this year during February 1-5 in Memphis, Tennessee, Home of the Blues and headquarters of the Blues Foundation. Blues fans, professional musicians, industry professionals and representatives of recording labels will all gather for this yearly spectacle which has grown into a massive enclave of musical performances and the initiation of new, up and coming Blues stars to the constellation of the Blues pantheon.

Orpheum Theater, Main and Beale Streets, from orpheum.com

This year, the IBC will move to a four day format, 2 days of quarter finals (Feb 2-3), one day of semi-finals (Feb 4) , concluding with finals in the beautiful Orpheum Theater (Feb 5).

From the Blues Foundation's website, Blues.org:

"The 2011 International Blues Challenge will be the 27th year of Blues musicians from around the world competing for cash, prizes, and industry recognition. The Blues Foundation will present the 27th International Blues Challenge February 1-5, 2011 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 Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to take their act to the international stage. In 2010, 110 bands and 80 solo/duo acts entered, filling the clubs up and down Beale Street for the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday and the finals at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday. We will have at least that many in 2011.

Michaela Rae performs on Memphis television during the 2010 IBC
Michaela competed in the youth category of the IBC

The 27th year of the International Blues Challenge will once again include a youth showcase for those under the age of 21. Smokin' Bluz of Charlotte, NC has signed on again as the Presenting Sponsor. The 27^th IBC will include an afternoon (Friday, February 4, 2011) of talented young people showcasing their talents for record labels, media, festivals, managers, talent buyers and the fans.

Laura Chavez, Barbara Blue, Candye Kane at the 2010 IBC

The week of events will once again kick off Tuesday night with a Meet & Greet hosted by the Beale Street Merchants Association at the New Daisy Theater, followed by the FedEx International Showcase.

Michaela Rae with 2010 KBA Journalism award winner David Fricke of Rolling Stone

In addition to the evening Blues competition, the days are filled with seminars and workshops and topped off in a moving Saturday morning brunch in which the Blues community will honor its own with the prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) awards that honor the men and women, who have made significant contributions to the Blues music world, in 20 categories such as journalism, literature and photography and to the best clubs and festivals, as well as managers, promoters and producers."

Email Joe Whitmer joe@blues.org if you have any questions.

Joe Whitmer of the Blues Foundation runs operations at the 2010 IBC

American Blues News will be covering every day's events of the 2011 International Blues Challenge and provide live reporting from several reporters as well as daily updates to provide unmatched coverage to our audience of worldwide blues fans. Join us each day at Ameriblues.com

JOIN the Blues Foundation today! Click here, it's easy: Join

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Here's just a smattering of the excitement generated by local and regional competitions and their announcements:

Smoky Mountain Blues Society

Do you have a band or know of a band that might be interested in competing in the 2011 International Blues Challenge!!?? We are signing up bands NOW!! Our judges will select a winning band/ a duo or solo and a child band to send to Memphis early next year!! Labron & LA3 were finalists this year!! Let's show up again!! Call 973-0408

Southern Fried Blues Society-North Carolina

Attention NC Blues Bands and Musicians
Compete in the 2010 TBS Blues Challenge and Qualify to compete in the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Win a paid performance at one of the 2011 Bull Durham Blues Festival events. Receive money to travel and compete in the 2011 International Blues Challenge (note: you must attend the IBC to receive this money) and more prizes TBA. 2010 TBS Blues Challenge Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 Berkeley Cafe www.berkeleycafe.net 217 West Martin St., Raleigh, NC. This is a qualifying event for the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge (IBC)) in Memphis, TN. Winners in the band and solo/duo categories will be eligible to compete in the IBC (Feb. 2011). The TBS Blues Challenge is a professionally judged competition open to North Carolina blues acts.
Solo/duo acts and bands have until August 31 to get their application in and compete in the TBS Blues Challenge.

Atlanta Blues Society

Attention Musicians!!!

The Atlanta heat of the International Blues Challenge is
right around the corner. This year’s challenge will be on September
19th at Mudcatz Bayou Bar & Grill. Get your sponsor now and email
absmail@mindspring.com to g...et your application. Applications and entry
...fees are due by September 10th....

Prizes are as follows: Band - $1,000; Youth - $500; Solo/Duo - $300;
People’s Choice - $250. Don’t miss your chance to go to Memphis to
represent Atlanta in the IBC! Contact Kelli Stripling at
ABSKelli@live.com with any questions or concerns.

Golden Gate Blues Society

Congratulations to the winner of the final Golden Gate Blues Society preliminary round of the International Blues Challenge: TIP OF THE TOP! It was a wonderful day of music with Brothercat, Alabama Mike, and Tip of the Top. Come join us at the FINALS on November 7 (location and other details to be announced) to cheer on JC Smith, Twice as Good, Wendy DeWitt, and Tip of the Top!! Congrats ALL!

South Florida

We'll be there at Tobacco Road in Miami on Sunday Sept. 19th---the competition will be 'stiff' but we plan to rock the house!

South Florida Local International Blues Challenge - The Road To Memphis

Location: Tobacco Road

Time: 2:00PM Sunday, September 19th

Chicago-Windy City Blues Society

You are invited to participate in the 2010 Chicago Blues Challenge (CBC), a musical competition for Chicago area blues musicians. The winner of this competition will represent the Windy City Blues Society in Memphis this February at the 2011 International Blues Challenge (IBC).

There are three divisions for the competition:

• Band Competition
• Solo / Duo Competition
• Youth Showcase

WCBS commits to supporting the musicians by sponsoring them at the IBC. WCBS will provide a portion of the musician’s travel expenses to Memphis for Band and Solo/Duo, amount to be determined.

Eligibility

• Musicians must be from the Chicago area or primarily perform in the Chicago area
• Musicians must not have previously been listed on the final ballot for Blues Music Award (formerly known and as W.C. Handy Award). NOTE: If a musician was on the final ballot as a sideman or part of a band, they ARE eligible.
• Performers must make a commitment to representing the Windy City Blues Society and Chicago at Memphis from February 1, 2011 through February 5, 2011
• Performers can only compete as a band leader in one division
• Performers can be a sideman with more than one band but the sideman must disclose that they are working with more than one band to each bandleader and the WCBS
• Youth category only: All performers, including sidemen must be under the age of 21 as of the start of IBC (February 1,2011)

Timeline

• Applications for solo/duo and youth must be received by September 1,2010
• Application for band competition must be received by September 15,2010
• Chicago Blues Challenge Finals, Chicago, IL, November 7,2010
• International Blues Challenge, Memphis, Tennessee February 1,2011 – February 5,2011

Information

• For more information on the Windy City Blues Society, please see our website www.windycityblues.org. You can find more information about the Windy City Blues Society and the Chicago Blues Challenge on our Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter sites.

LINK: http://windycityblues.org/?page_id=3418

Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin hosted his annual blues jam on Beale Street
at the Rumboogie Cafe during the 2010 IBC

Colorado Blues Society

Third Colorado Blues Society (CBS) International Blues Challenge is TODAY ---->Sunday from 2 PM-7PM: Boulder Outlook, 800 28th St, Boulder. Bands include The Bobby K Blues Band, Blue Recluse featuring Shawntel Royale, The Taylor Marvin Band, The Lionel Young Band, The Mighty Jivesters, and Boa & the Constrictors. Winner advances to the finals on Sept 12. The CBS winner is entered in the Blues Foundation IBC Finals in ... See More February in Memphis. $5 cover charge. Hope to see you there!!!

Colorado Blues Society | Home

www.coblues.com

Non-profit organization supporting the blues in Colorado. Provides blues event calendar, venues, newsletter article submission, photo gallery, membership.

RCT

© photographs and text by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms,2010

The Blues is not Dying but ALIVE and Well, a repudiation of ignorance by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

(Memphis, Tennessee) My dear friend, Jeff Fedora, who is the uncle of my guitarist buddy, Josh Roberts, posted a response to an article in the Wall Street Journal by Jim Fusilli. It's called "Lamenting the Future of the Blues." By the way, the people pictured above are all BLUES FANS photographed at a BLUES FESTIVAL in Jacksonville, Florida this very year. I do not think you can convince them that the future of the Blues is dismal. My contrary opinion is at the bottom of the page.

Here's a link to Fusilli's article of lament: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704002104575290532300233738.html

Jeff Fedora

Here's words of wisdom from Jeff Fedora:

Will the Blues Die?

Share

Today at 5:17pm

Recently the new President of the Daytona Blues Society, August Wenger, forwarded me an article from the Wall Street Journal that questions the longevity of the Blues-- I encourage you to read it. It's a good article and is attached at the end of this note. But, it speaks to the heart of an issue and a long-standing thorn in my side regarding how we handle this prospect of “preserving the Blues”.

The article is an accurate telling of the delicate balance of one’s considerations to make in adhering to “keeping the blues alive” as one's mantra. Once somebody makes a connection to the blues, or even the roots let’s say, then begins that listener’s pilgrimage or divination to purity— truth. And, spanning from the birth of the “music industry” into this new millennia the blues have been kept alive from young lads making progressive rock albums and, when asked where they got their inspiration for this remarkable sound, they pointed their bleeding fingers to the likes of Muddy Waters or Willie Dixon in allegiance. But the trend of college students “turning on” and following the lead of their new icons and their anthemic bombast and swagger single handedly revitalized the careers of blues and folk artists from generations past. That is still the movement that we remain a part of today— to find the source and jump in that river and take the ride-- not bottleneck it and store it away. A “blues purist” is self-motivated and will continue to sleuth out the source— everyone else must be shown the way.

The plight of an artist whose goal is to remain inspired while inspiring the multitudes is the same today as it was then— to remain one generation removed from the roots—the wellspring. There simply is no other way lest that artist falls into the easy trap of repeating the formula of the popular artist before them to fast track themselves to a record deal and that begets Britney Spears ultimately and, who in this culturally depraved and vacuous world needs that?

My message to the Daytona Blues Society, or any blues society, has always been to employ any method or resource available to fulfill its mission at any cost— the rules are, there are no rules! New blues fans must be created then edified—in that order. Help them find themselves and then show them the way-- and that road is wide my friends. It is important for any institution about this business to fully understand this mechanism. You can “preserve” what’s left of a mastodon-- those are long gone and are not coming back. The blues, on the other hand and as of the time of this writing, are very much alive. What are the blues? I dunno, the verdict is still out as it evolves day by day like it has for generations upon multiplied generations. I can say with certainty that Robert Johnson is “the Blues”. Or I can say with the same certainty that the North Mississippi All-stars is “the Blues”. West African Griot music is “the Blues”. The roar of Johnny Lowebow is the blues. In fact, the blues is not even a sound but, more accurately, a mind set that regards a truthful alignment to the human condition—it’s rejoicing in your suffering, I say, and what ever the hell that might sound like, that’s what the blues are!

It’s rarely the artists that are confused about this. My dear brothers in the Church of Memphis understand: Josh Roberts, Reba Russell, Robert Tooms, Doug McMinn, Jeff Burch, Vic Wainwright, Greg Gumpel, John Lowe, Brandon Santini, Brad Webb, Sliver Michaels, and more – they know the drill and, more importantly, they understand the importance of a close nit community.

My Daytona and Central Florida Brethren and band mates: Bob Thames, Franklin “Slim” Williams, Cynthia Renee, Ronnie “Bird” Foster, Aaron “Pops” Watson, Ben Bost, Chad Dant, Toots Lorraine, Anthony Wild, Stephen Dees, Mark Hodgson, Joe King, Dan Walters, Mike Welch, Walt Andrews, Brian Bassett, Toby "Lefty" Fletcher, Reno Mussatto, Bird Dog Bobby, Big Rick, August Wenger, Shaun Rounds, JW Gillmore, Joe Caruso, Paul Zerra, Homegrown Roots Jamborie, Joe Alegro, Don Oulette, Ernie Lancaster, Moe Jackson, Louisiana Steve Hutter, Reuben Morgan, Jake Nicely and countless others I’m omitting for brevity—they’re never confused about the music they play and their relation to the Blues and they always bring their best to the blues fans in our community.

And to the entire staff (past and present) of the Daytona Blues Society-- the future of the Blues in Volusia County has always been kept safe by the work of your generous hearts.

But sadly, the folks who loose their way are those individuals who devote precious time and energy to proliferate blues societies and other organizations across America with the intention of “supporting” the blues. But some of these folks get so snared by their own narrow definitions and limited understanding of what “blues” are and should sound like that, in an attempt to protect the institution they serve, eventually snuff the life right out of it. In this industry we call those “Blues Nazis” and by definition would be those who would employ genocide to preserve their own notions of cultural or racial purity. I am a rabid blues fan, so much so, that I would start a blues society and serve it for 6 years till now and more going further. I can say, with my credentials in hand, that my energies were spent entirely in resisting the “Blues Nazi Movement” to keep the front door of the church propped open at any cost in the event a new stray blues-convert could find his way into the fold. In that moment in time, all that “convert” knows about any of this business is that “something in that music” resonated in him. The Fact is, a new “blues fan” knows no more about the blues than a heathen knows about the Lord Jesus Christ!

So, again to the question of how do we promulgate and nurture the Blues? We remain open-minded to challenging and inspiring our selves as artists and, as listeners, we remain open eared to the work and contributions of the artists in our community. If we don’t “like” something, it just simply means we don’t personally like it—perhaps avoid it and nothing more. Most importantly, we all remember the important need and value of a progressive community of Artists, Fans and Venues willing to buck the system to nurture this country’s most valuable resource—American Roots Music.

Can the Blues die? Maybe by the feet of the very people who set out to “pickle” the blues on a dusty shelf (albeit with good intention) lest they take heed and change their ways. Having said all that, if anything, let’s preserve the “blues fan” because that is who stands the risk of going the way of the mastodons and becoming extinct if they don’t receive a check up from the neck up and open their minds and hearts.

But I’m going to side with Grant Green here. He was an artist that played blue-note jazz renditions of popular Negro Spirituals. I heard his soul and I believe I trust his judgment. He said, “the Blues is Spirit and you can’t kill spirit”.

Kind Regards and please repost to your fans!

Jeff Fedora
Founding President, Trustee
Daytona Blues Society

My friends Jeff and Amyah

And now some unvarnished opinion from the American Blues News:

What Fusilli did not discern is that men like Pinetop Perkins and Buddy Guy, who both played for Muddy Waters, are revered by blues fans and their fellow musicians, not only because they are the last direct line to our beloved music's origins, but because their unique contributions are still shaping the music and young people who play it in the modern day. Fusilli complains that he did not hear any "new blues" but this complaint can only be laid at his feet, not at the genre.

Had Fusilli ventured out past his hotel room or the Marriott ballroom where the awards were held, say a few blocks south to Beale Street, he would have had his ears filled with lots of new Blues from the mouths and instruments of Brandon Santini and Delta Highway, the Eric Hughes Band, Miss Zeno or any of a myriad of new artists who jammed on the street after the awards. I myself jammed with Zac Harmon and a bunch of highly competent Chicago Blues guys at Mr. Handy's Blues Hall until 3 AM. Had he walked or taken the trolley two or three blocks south to the Madison Hotel he could have heard new Blues as Reba Russell played that hotel's beautiful rooftop party before the awards ceremony.

Good blues, like other niche music forms, requires just a little exploration to discover the new, exciting and original proponents of the idiom. Fusilli does not demonstrate that he is versed in Blues music and his article comes across as the whining of an uninformed dilettante who neither had his dream "new Blues" delivered by room service nor was willing to take the time to go six or seven blocks to find it. In fact there was no mention of any up and coming Blues artists in his article, only a couple of mentions of some artists attempting to put some Blues in their Rap music. That hardly counts and comes off as lazy reporting. At least try a search for "Blues" on itunes next time.

The truth is that the Wall Street Journal as a newspaper is more likely to become extinct more quickly than the Blues will. This article as an example of their insightful perspective is certain confirmation. Perhaps they should stick to the financial markets and other subjective topics like astrology, stock market trend predictions and tea leaf reading at which they can at least feign more knowledge than this.

Fusilli writes, "If you can sound like Stevie Ray Vaughan on electric guitar, you can find a place in today's blues world." I don't know who he is talking about here as the Stevie Ray Vaughn-a-be copycat syndrome passed many years ago. None of the winners of this year's IBC (which Fusilli obviously did not attend) could be described as Stevie Ray imitators, not a one of them. I was there. Did this guy actually talk to anybody before writing this sad little article or just get drunk in his hotel room and make this stuff up? What seems more likely is that here we have the Journal's Pop and Rock music contributor completely out of his element and way over his head in regard to his knowledge of Blues or the modern artists who play it.

I wonder how many blues shows he has attended or how many blues recordings the man has ever bought? Not many, I imagine, although he has written a fictional novel called "Tribeca Blues" which has nothing whatsoever to do with Blues music...he just liked the name. Perhaps his writing inadvertently shifted into fiction mode. Nonetheless, after a few moments with Buddy Guy in a telephone interview he has determined that the future of the Blues is dismal.

Here we have a guy from Tribeca who wrote a book about the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds commenting on the future of the Blues. Mr. Fusilli, Robert Gordon you ain't.

An excerpt:

"The blues establishment seems to have little interest in reaching out to other musical communities. No rock, hip-hop or jazz artists with a musical debt to the blues were part of the activities in Memphis. Perhaps in turn, blues musicians aren't invited to participate in most major rock festivals: There were no traditional blues artists at this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, nor will there be any at the Glastonbury Festival in Britain later this month."

Amazing! Stop the presses! This just released, this week there were shockingly few Jews in the Baptist Church and fewer Baptists seen in synagogues! Thank you, Captain Obvious. What he failed to mention is that Blues is indeed often represented at events billed as "music festivals" and also "jazz festivals." I wonder what he figures are the influences of Jeff Beck or Eric Clapton?...Wonder if he thinks they play blues?

Moreover, I have toured in Great Britain, Mr. Fusilli, and they have much more love and appreciation for Blues than you, sir. Speak for yourself. Contrary to Fusilli's inaccurate reporting, Glastonbury will indeed have Blues acts, here's the poster: http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/line-up-poster/.

Fusilli seems petulant that blues fans do not particularly appreciate nor buy recordings that mix rap with blues. So what? Do classical or country fans go for it?... since we are waxing absurd how about some bluegrass electronica with a side of trombone, perhaps? He then concludes that not many blues artists were present at Bonnaroo...wow, do tell. His "conclusions" are either so wrong or so obvious, so startlingly rudimentary as to not be worthy of a bathroom stall read. Lacking knowledge of modern Blues artists and having a deadline to make he fell back on writing about what he actually knew about, Rock and Pop. I suppose the gloomy title for the article is to try to gain a few readers with the old tired, tried and not-so-true sensationalism.

Fusilli seems to fault the Blues and question its survival because it is not Pop, Rock or Rap and it is not "reaching out"to those music forms as if there is no future life or music appreciation possible without Pop, Rock or Rap. Here's what I believe to be the greater truth. Fusilli does not particularly like Blues music. This is the guy they sent to the Blues Music Awards and Hall of Fame Induction? Mr. Fusilli, since you have not noticed it, the Blues was alive long before any of those other music forms and will likely be alive and well after some or all of them have perished. Furthermore, Jazz and Blues are irrefutably the ONLY true indigenous American music forms and all the other stuff can thank Jazz and Blues for their existence, e.g., your beloved Beach Boys lifted the preponderance of "Surfin' USA" from Chuck Berry who started his career as a blues man. Years after the song's initial release, Chuck Berry successfully sued the Beach Boys, causing all subsequent releases of "Surfin' U.S.A." on compilation albums to credit Berry alongside Brian Wilson, who wrote the new lyrics.

As a positive note, as history continues to repeat itself, the Wall Street Journal, in it's continuing efforts to appeal to a wider audience and diversify it's reporting to include music and art criticism, still does a fine job of relaying stock prices.

On an even more positive note, The Blues Foundation is flourishing, there are over 185 affiliate Blues societies across the world and it is more financially sound than ever before in its 30 year history. The Blues is ALIVE and well. You failed to note that in your gloomy prognostication despite allegedly talking to Jay Sieleman, the Executive Director of the Blues Foundation. My, what an in depth interview that must have been.

Here's another response to the 'Fusilli lament" from the Memphis Commercial Appeal's Mark Jordan, who is a fine music writer,

CD Reviews: The blues is alive and well and producing offspring

Here's an excerpt that mentions yours truly:

"Finally, back in Memphis, underappreciated belter Reba Russell has been the local standard bearer of the blues for decades. A much-in-demand session singer, the West Virginia native has always had the vocal chops, and her control and confidence have just improved with age. But only in recent years has her material — originals and her choice of covers — caught up.

Russell and her eponymous group’s eighth record, titled, in typical direct, no-nonsense style, 8 (Blue Eyed Bitches, 3 Stars), may be their finest achievement yet. The record is even more of a grab bag than Williams’, with some jazz and even a little light rock squeezed in. But Russell and the band, including husband Wayne and keyboardist Robert Nighthawk Tooms, nail it all."


Join the Blues Foundation and support the BLUES! Click here.

This weekend I will be traveling with the Reba Russell Band to visit "Gatorman" Terry Lape and hit the Chicago club scene on Friday, then off to Kankakee, Illinois, to play at the River Bend Club for the Friends of the Blues on Saturday and then to play more alive and well Blues in LeClaire Park on the beautiful Mississippi River, on July 4th at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, Iowa. I will be reporting on all this fun with little or no mention of Pop, Rock or Urban music on next Monday's article here at the American Blues News.

The author at the Blues Foundation's 2010 Blues Hall of Fame Inductions

These opinions are not necessarily held by all the writers and owners of this site but are the sole opinion of this author, who is, obviously, correct in his observations.

If you think the BLUES are ALIVE and well, please join the American Blues News facebook page, just click here and click on the "Like" button.

RCT

© Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms, 2010

May 2010 How Blue Are We? By Monica Yasher

Welcome to another edition of How Blue Are We? May is an exciting month for the Blues!  May hosts thee BIGGEST event of the year.  The Blues Music Awards!  And, American Blues News was on top of the coverage for you, offering up to the minute coverage of this great event!

We reminded you who was up for the coveted Blues Awards. We talked about the Hall of Fame Inductees and offered photos of the event the following day! The best in blues coverage was right here at American Blues News with our  Real Time Announcements of the Blues Awards.  Many, many of you logged in to view the coverage as it happens.  And, American Blues News thanks you for your support!  And, our newest writer, Chefjimi Patricola, offered things he saw and overheard at the awards with BMA Amuse Bouche.  And, this was Chefjimi's first writing and may I say it?  Amuse Bouche! We have a lot more good things to look forward to from Chefjimi!

              

We interviewed many of the artists mentioned at the Blues Music Awards.  We talked to the outgoing Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year, Bobby Rush. And, the new artist with the crown, Curtis Salgado, (pictured above) told us a thing or two about his life.

We had the privilege of catching up with the following winners:  Mike Zito (pictured right) and Ruthie Foster. 

Congratulations to all of the Blues Music Award Winners and Nominees!  We are so appreciative of your art!  Thank you for the great CD's, DVD's and shows that you tirelessly share with us every year!

And, of course there is a world of Blues Artists to catch up with outside of Memphis!

Blake met Mike Bram (pictured left) while he was in NYC.  We caught up with Laurie Morvan while in Washington, DC. Tim Woods, who recorded with "Honey Boy" Edwards, found time to speak with us in Pittsburgh, PA.  We went to the big ol' state of Texas to meet up with the Regional Touring Band, The Otis Jones Project.  We then headed to LA to speak with Melinda, who is working with Grammy winning producer/songwriter Kevin Bowe (Jonny Lang, Etta James, Lynyrd Skynyrd).  And, for those blues rockers out there, we shared some time with The Yardbirds.

Nelson once again brought us a world by looking into his small lens with some big views!  He shared with us Sugar Blue (interview coming!), Delbert McClinton,  and Joe Louis Walker.

It may be hard to believe!  It is time to prepare for the 2011 International Blues Challenge.  We covered Pittsburgh's talent in the Pittsburgh's International Blues Challenge and things to do.   Look for Gary Prisby and Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle in Memphis in January 2011. 

American Blues News can be found throughout the United States.  In May we shared a great place called the Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis, Indiana.  And, we don't have to tell you how much we love festivals! 

So, off we went to the French Quarter Festival (pictured right),  

Osceaola Music Festival, and we let you know a bit more about the upcoming Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival.  And, yes!  Nighthawk will be there!  Nighthawk has played at a Night at Ground Zero.  He could be seen with the Reba Russell Band playing Poplar Bluff, and he is always Recording at I55 Productions!  You will see and hear a lot more about Nighthawk in the months to come.  Bluesman shared his hometown of Washington DC Places to go and people to see.  Thanks Bluesman!

We offered reviews of performances such as Tony Fazio (pictured left) and Jimmie Vaughan.  And, we welcome a new writer from the California Coast, Casey Reagan.  There is a lot of Blues happenings on the West Coast, and we are glad Casey has joined us at American Blues News!  Catch Casey's first offering Marcia Ball Live at The Mint (pictured right). 

Blake offered his take on two new CD's, Renegade Creation CD and Exile On Main St.

The month of May has been a tough month for our music friends.  With the floods from Nashville to Millington, TN.  Nighthawk was there helping out in the Millington Flood Victims Benefit and for his friend in a Benefit for Harry Peel.

Did I mention it is always nice when we have the Bob Corritore Newsletter?  We always appreciate the news that Bob has to offer!  Thanks Bob!

We have talked to a lot of people, went to a lot of places and listened to a lot of music!  We can't wait for June!  Until next month, all of you Dads out there have a Great Father's Day, and everyone enjoy your kids while school is out, and help to keep our motorcycle friends safe out there.  Take care.  Monica

Ruthie Foster and her band

Did you miss our other months?  Maybe you would like to read April's edition.

Copyright © 2010 Copyright Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph Copyright © 2010 Maureen Ceidro. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph Copyright © 2010 Jim Stick.  All Rights Reserved.

Photograph Copyright © 2010 J. Blake. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph Copyright © 2010 Robin Murray. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph Copyright © 2010 Bluesman. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph Copyright © 2010 Casey Reagan. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph Copyright © 2010 Nelson Onofre. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph Copyright © 2010 Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph Copyright © 2010 Amy Brat.  All Rights Reserved.

More 2010 Blues Hall of Fame Coverage by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

(Memphis, Tennessee) Here's more photographs from last night's Blues Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at the Downtown Memphis Marriott Hotel Ballroom. It was an elegant dinner gala with many distinguished musicians and guests attending from around the world. That's Magic Slim pictured above.

It was a night of laughs, a few sentimental tears and a truly wonderful event that blues lovers would enjoy. Hopefully these photographs will tell some of the story of the evening. Some of these folks have made tremendous contributions to the music and these awards were hard earned.

Terry Lape of Electraglide Records

As I walked to the hotel, I met my old friend Terry "Gatorman" Lape and Magic Slim hanging outside enjoying the beautiful spring afternoon. It was sunny, 78 degrees and all was right with the world.

Terry Lape and the author

Magic Slim and the author

Brad Webb, the author and Steve Bryson

Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms and my friend Joe Whitmer of the Blues Foundation

the author and Jay Sieleman, Executive Director of the Blues Foundation

Jay Seilman and Brad Webb of I55 Productions

Latimore

Billy Branch

Gaye Adegbalola

author and friend Eden Brent

Joe Whitmer in a sea of lovely ladies

Bobby Rush

Suppertime and the awards commence.

Sonny Payne accepts his award.

Charlie Musselwhite accepts his award

Charlie Musselwhite

Lonnie Brooks accepts his award

Lonnie Brooks, the lovely redhead in the foreground is Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie Raitt is inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame
to a standing ovation.

Bill Wax and Joe Whitmer enjoy the show.

XM radio's Bill Wax and Latimore

On behalf of the American Blues News and the author we would like to thank Bill Wax, who not only puts out truly outstanding content on XM/Sirus satellite radio, but who has quietly supported blues performers and our art with his contributions of his time and effort to the Blues Foundation and fostered a newfound respect for the music from legions of new listeners. If Bill feels a recording is of high quality he will play it and learn all about the artist to spread the good word across the international airwaves. His B. B. King's Bluesville program has no peer and he is a genuinely kind, affable friend and protagonist for the blues. Bill did a fine job presenting at this year's awards. Thank you, Bill. You are a class act.

Eden Brent and Brad Webb

Bobby "Blue" Bland and Steve Bryson of I55 Productions

All the photos above were taken by the author and my good friend Jo Teri, who was very kind to share these images with us. Thanks, Jo!

Stay tuned as we present coverage of the Blues Music Awards tonight and tomorrow here at the American Blues News.

On Monday we will share more photographs and stories of the 2010 Blues Music Awards.

If you have not done so already please take a moment to support the BLUES by joining the Blues Foundation. It is simple and painless to join online. Just click here:

https://www.blues.org/#ref=members_index

Check out my website here: http://www.RobertNighthawkTooms.com/

RCT

text and photographs © Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms, 2010
photographs © Jo Teri, 2010