LOOKING BACK: The 6th Annual Blues Challenge
For months we talked about where to hold this year's IBC competition. Do we have it at a bar, where we can make some money for the BSWPA? OR do we take a risk and have it at a hotel where we can get more people? Jonnye Weber and I discussed this several times with the board. When she was able to get the Ramada Inn - Greentree to give us some leeway, we decided to hold it there . We did a walk-through, and saw many positive things with the room, location , staff, etc.
On April 10 , 2010, we got there - new backdrop ready to hang (special thanks to Angelica for design help), tables to set , last look to make sure nothing was missing besides Diane Devine and her sick booby. (No, I don't mean Dave.) All seemed well, and we were off! The judges arrived. As I gave them the lowdown on the judging criteria, I noticed people arriving already. Quite early for that. Sean McDowell from WDVE came over to get info on the bands and the Blues Society to use as he emceed. I looked and saw at least 50 people there already. Wow! We knew we needed a good crowd- at least 125, just to break even. It looked good. I asked the hotel staff to put up a couple more tables, which they did. The competition had started, and I watched the first artist, the Olga Watkins Band. They were good! Great start to the competition. After I added their scores, I looked at the room. It was packed! Over a hundred people were here already. Within a few hours, there were well over 200 people there.
By the end of the day, there were well over 300 people! Amazing! That, added to the fact that we heard all day long, "This is the best competition I've ever been to." That came from judges, fans and band members. What a day! We did have a few glitches, but came through. Diane came with her bandaged body part and Dave joined Robb Patterson at the door. Was nice to see them. They are a big part of the BSWPA.
Our sound guy had disappeared. Jim Hamel stepped in to take control. That was the last problem we had. Artists continued to play all day and night to the crowd who seemed to be consumed in the music and the competition. We had bands that we had seen and loved for years and we had newer artists that grabbed our attention. By the end of the day, only three prizes would be given out: best band, best solo/duo act and the Jim Weber memorial award, given to the best guitarist.
The winners were as follows: Best Band -Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle, Best Solo/Duo -Gary Prisby, who had come in second place twice in prior years. We were happy he won, especially after a close second the year before. Lastly, Greg Krupa (from Jill West and Blues Attack) won the first Jim Weber memorial award. Congratulations to all the winners and all the participants!
I hope some of you can make it to Memphis next January to cheer them on AND I hope I can join you there.
~ Don Vecchio
