Looking Back…The BSWPA’s 2009 Blues Challenge
Last year we had a long, talent-filled day at Cefalo’s in Carnegie for the IBCs (International Blues Challenge). This year, Jim Weber thought that we should expand and have four semi-finals throughout Western Pennsylvania. As it turned out, we streamlined to two semis and a final. The first was at D’Vine wine in Pittsburgh, the second was at Kendrews in Aliquippa, the finals were at Moondogs in Blawnox. We had more acts participate than ever before. In total, there were eighteen bands and eight solo/duo acts. The talent and diversity were incredible. We had bands enter that most of us had never heard before. We had bands that had been around for years. We had bands that are young and talented and improving. We were blessed with three outstanding days of music. The first two venues featured eighteen bands from all over the state and some from Ohio. We were treated to some imaginative and incredible talent proving how much talent that we have in the area.
We had great crowds at all three venues. Between the three shows, there were over 350 people attending, proving that the blues are alive and well in the ‘burg. I hope that the audience enjoyed it as much as I did. The semi-final winners were Craig King and Kings Ransom, Felix and the Hurricanes, Jill West and Blues Attack and Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle. The finals’ voting was so close between ALL four bands that I had to recheck the scoring three times. The winner was Felix and the Hurricanes from Altoona, PA. The solo/duo winner was Bubs McKeg and Dr. Blue who had two perfect scores and their other scores were near perfect. Way to go, guys! We also did a live feed from Moondogs to our leader, Jim Weber, who was too ill to attend. He enjoyed it immensely.
Good luck to our winners in Memphis next year. I hope to be there with them and hope that many of you can come support them as well. Thank you to all of the acts that made this year unforgettable. Thanks to the fans that crowed the place to hear some great acts.
We had great crowds at all three venues. Between the three shows, there were over 350 people attending, proving that the blues are alive and well in the ‘burg. I hope that the audience enjoyed it as much as I did. The semi-final winners were Craig King and Kings Ransom, Felix and the Hurricanes, Jill West and Blues Attack and Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle. The finals’ voting was so close between ALL four bands that I had to recheck the scoring three times. The winner was Felix and the Hurricanes from Altoona, PA. The solo/duo winner was Bubs McKeg and Dr. Blue who had two perfect scores and their other scores were near perfect. Way to go, guys! We also did a live feed from Moondogs to our leader, Jim Weber, who was too ill to attend. He enjoyed it immensely.
Good luck to our winners in Memphis next year. I hope to be there with them and hope that many of you can come support them as well. Thank you to all of the acts that made this year unforgettable. Thanks to the fans that crowed the place to hear some great acts.
~Don Vecchio
