Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

Four days in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge…. that was the place and that was the mission. As the airport, streets, hotels, and bars filled with blues lovers from around the world, the air was definitely charged with anticipation. Despite the cold weather, high winds, and rain, the clubs were gearing for a scorching four days. The enthusiasm and excitement were contagious no matter where you went. It was spreading faster than the flu. The pre-jitters were settling in as we stepped out of the cab. Band members scurried to the clubs with their tools of the trade. Blues members were aggressively searching out the fun. We, the blues fans, were back and Memphis was opening its arms to welcome all of us. All of the usual sites were there, in place and ready. The BBQ aromas and the searing sounds of the blues were floating in the air.

The competition officially started on Thursday when the bands checked in and the fans received their programs. The programs were snatched up quickly to find out where and when “their” band would play. The fans were animated as they plotted their weekend jaunts. The first round of the competition was scheduled to start at 5:00 P.M. The instrument-carrying musicians hurried to “their gig.” The fans rushed to get started for an endless foray of good music. The music soared to amazing heights on that first “official” night of the competition. The fans scrambled in and out of the various venues. They readily shared information about what they had heard and were anxious to get tips on what was to come. It was unanimous…everyone, everywhere raved about the amazing talent, the presence, the ambition and the possibilities. Every band and performer was a winner…there was not a loser in the crowd. There were one hundred and fifty entries in the 24th Annual International Blues Challenge. The contestants came from all over the United States. Some came great distances to compete…. Canada, England, France, and Japan. It was ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC. The fans were not disappointed. Many times over the weekend, I heard, “Wow, if this band was this good, can you imagine what I missed at the same time in the other clubs.” It was an evening(s) of sharing, experiencing, and savoring. The music was the common thread that had brought the people to Memphis.

The after jams were everywhere. The musicians flocked to them to participate despite being in the midst of a grueling competition. They were there to learn, listen and again to share.

The second day of competition proved to be more exuberant. The WORD was out. People were seeking out bands. Venue owners, festival owners, and fans were seeking out those that so many had raved about. The competition wrapped up around midnight on Friday and the winners from the various venues were announced. The waiting for the announcements were agony. The losing bands took their loss in stride and headed off to participate in the jams. The opinions varied about the judges’ choices. Again, it was a competition. As Jill West commented, “ If the judge likes harmonica players, then I am not the one for them. If they like big chicks, then I am the one for them.”

The finals were on Saturday at the historic Orpheum Theater. Again, the excitement and the expectations were running rampant among the spectators and the performers. Many of the fans and the bands were again upset by the choices. Many did not understand why one band was chosen over another…and at times for good reason.

There were ninety-nine entries in the band category. Only ten would be chosen as finalists in the band category. Only three of those would place. The solo/ duo category had sixty-six entries. There would be only six finalists and only two would place. After a long day in the theater watching the finals, the many band members again headed to the clubs to do what they do best, just play and enjoy the music. There were no losers in the entire competition. Bands had come from all over to share their honed skills. They all gave and they all received.

Many had gotten bookings while they were in Memphis. The IBC has proven to be an “opportunity” for the future for many contestants. It was all about the talent and the visibility. The “seen and being seen” was to the advantage of each and every participant. It added a new dimension to the allure of Beale Street and to those amazing four days.

Jill West and The Blues Attack played at the Double Deuce. The first night, the dance floor was so crowded that the judges, as reported, had difficulty seeing their performance. That coupled with an amp that blew during their second number gave them the “Lousy Luck Award.” However, as the band took to the stage on the second night, our local blues girls “subtly” kept the frenzied crowd away from the judges’ table so that they could really “see” the show. The judges got a large dose of the Blues Attack that night. The showmanship, the skills, the stage presence was spectacular. They did Pittsburgh proud! People up and down Beale Street were stopping Jill and her group and showering them with praise and thanking them for the great performance. The Pittsburgh Blues fans should have been given “the amazing fan award” for their loyal and vocal support of our band, Jill West and the Blues Attack.

Jeff Kelly, our solo’s representative, was hosted at the 152 Club where he presented his unique style of Piedmont Blues. The audience became engaged in the how’s and why’s of his songs. The fans were given the opportunity to “experience” the depths of his music. As I stood to the side of the stage to assist Jeff with his equipment, a young couple from California praised Jeff’s talent. The duo had competed earlier at the same venue and stated “Jeff is the real deal.” They had said that he was not flashy, boasting or being aggressive like some musicians. They added, “We knew that he had to be good at his craft long before we heard him.”

Although Billy Evanko and the Regulators were representing West Virginia, the “Pittsburgh” gang joined forces and gave him their support. The first night, Bill seemed nervous. The second night, with the fans in place, he put on a sizzling performance at B.B. King’s. Chris and Izzy, the duo that represented West Virginia but are not strangers to Western Pennsylvania, were on our list. However, due to scheduling changes at the venue, Pig on Beale, they went on earlier than expected. Donna Bennet, however, was at the scene and reported that it was an “awesome” experience watching them perform.

As we headed back to the airport on Sunday, we saw many of the Blues fans that we had encountered during our adventure. We all recapped the events and vowed to return another day. We had all just taken “a walk in Memphis.” Jonnye Weber