Randy McAllister, Lil' Ed & Mike Garrett fundraiser, KBAs & IBCs

Memphis in the Meantime, Keeping the Blues Alive Awards and 2015 International Blues Challenge
See my column in the February monthly print issue of The Reader for one of my favorite stories from my time in Memphis. I visited the city during the third week of January. I was honored to receive the Keeping the Blues Alive award for Journalism from the Blues Foundation at a luncheon that featured 15 international recipients honored for their contributions to the blues in various behind-the-scenes categories. Everyone had a personal story of how the blues had impacted them and in many cases literally changed their lives. It was amazing to be part of this group of blues lovers honored for following their hearts.

Memphis is brimming in music history and Beale Street is overflowing with blues acts and blues fans during the International Blues Challenge (IBC). Blues artists come from around the world to be seen, heard and network in Memphis. The Keeping the Blues Alive awards are held in conjunction with the International Blues Challenge.

I was honored to be asked to judge the IBC finals along with fellow KBA winner, legendary producer Mike Vernon. Other judges with me in the Band category were musicians Zac Harmon, Karen Lovely and Liz Mandeville and Alligator Records' president Bruce Iglauer. Vernon was part of the solo/duo judging panel along with musicians Colin Linden, Hawkeye Herman, Andy Cohen and Earwig label president Michael Frank. Everyone was diligent in their judging duties and I can tell you it's a very difficult task. You can't help but be subjective even when you try your best to be objective. In the end, all that one judge can provide is their professional impressions of each act based on the judging criteria.

The judges score the artists on a point system that is set up by the Blues Foundation, including Vocal talent, Instrumental talent, Stage Presence, Originality and Blues Content. The Blues Content category is multiplied for each act and seems to be the area that is most subjective based on each judges' interpretation of what “the blues” consists of, though the Blues Foundation's own website notes that panels “will include members with varying opinions of Blues, covering the spectrum of Blues whenever possible, from the most traditional to soul/blues and rock/blues. Bands should pick material carefully.” See the full details on the judging criteria at blues.org/international-blues-challenge.


At the end of a seven-plus-hour day in which eight solo/duo acts and eight bands were scheduled to perform, the final judges' votes put Vicksburg, Mississippi, representative Eddie Cotton and his soul-blues band in first place. Hot guitarist Noah Wotherspoon from Cincinnati (representing the Dayton Blues Society) took second place with his trio and also took home the Gibson Guitarist award for best guitarist in the Band category (again determined by judges scoring on a pre-determined point system). Third place went to French band Nico Wayne Toussaint who advanced to the IBCs through the Southern California Blues Society's competition.


My fellow KBA recipient Mike Vernon, noted for his early producing work with Eric Clapton and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green along with many classic blues artists, later expressed particular enthusiasm for Noah Wotherspoon. I'd say this makes Wotherspoon a real odds-on act to keep an eye on in the coming year.


The final solo/duo act was a curious no-show, so the IBCs only awarded first and second place in the solo/duo category. Since I was judging the bands, I was able to just sit back and enjoy the solo/duo acts. Winner Randy McQuay was definitely my favorite in this category. He performed representing the Cape Fear Blues Society and put on a musically diverse and engaging set that featured both a humorous singalong and a heart-felt ballad. When he won he literally kissed the stage floor. Second place in the solo/duo category went to Brian Keith Wallen representing the Dayton Blues Society. Wallen also played an excellent set. Ben Rice from the Ashland Blues Society took home the St. Blues Guitars' best guitarist award, after performing with Lucy Hammond.


Did I mention that all the finals acts played mere 20-minute sets with 10-minute turnarounds? The pressure is on when over 250 acts have been whittled down to sixteen in the finals. They have only 20 minutes to show what they can do and going overtime means losing points. Playing in Memphis' beautiful Orpheum Theatre definitely seemed to keep some of the bands I had seen sizzling the previous night in the clubs perform a little more subdued sets.


Blues Society of Omaha's representative Hector Anchondo Band made it through to the semi-finals, which means they survived the cut from some 250 acts down to about 50 acts. That's a big accomplishment. In the semi-finals round they drew a venue with several excellent bands, drew the final slot and played their best show of the week. They didn't make it on to the finals but they said they received lots of positive comments from fans and fellow musicians and achieved their goal of making it to the semi-finals. Being seen and heart and making the most of networking opportunities is definitely as important as what sort of points a band scores with judges.

I want to make note of Betty Fox and her band as an act I think is one to watch. Fox advanced to the finals from the venue that Anchondo played. She is the real-deal with a big, beautiful voice, dazzling star quality, plenty of heart and a band to match, particularly the dynamic Kid Royal on guitar. Fox represented Florida's Suncoast Blues Society. Keep an eye out for her. Look up her music at bettyfox.net.


Your next chance to see the Hector Anchondo Band here at home is Friday, Jan. 30, at The Slowdown as part of a benefit for Josh Lorimer, who is currently on the kidney transplant wait list. Anchondo performs along with a number of other local artists 730-midnight. See details at https://www.facebook.com/events/397736697068688. Follow Anchondo at hectoranchondo.com. The band has a new CD, Young Guns, released in December.

Randy McAllister Returns
The first show out of the gate this week is the wonderful Texas troubadour Randy McAllister and his crack band, throwing down a great mix of original roots sounds in the service of his fine songwriting. McAllister always puts on an entertaining show. Catch him at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Jan. 29, 6-9 p.m. Next week the 21st Saloon presents singer-guitarist Shannon Curfman Thursday, Feb. 5, 6-9 p.m. Curfman broke onto the scene a decade or so ago as a talented teen and is now back on the road as a bandleader.


Mike Garrett Fundraiser 
Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials hit Lincoln's Zoo Bar Saturday, Jan. 31, 6-9 p.m. with special guest J.R. Clark filling in for Mike Garrett. Garrett, Ed's longtime second guitarist, suffered a heart attack Jan. 7 and had quintuple bypass surgery on Jan. 8 in a hospital near his suburban Chicago home. On Jan. 13 he was allowed to go home and he is working toward a full recovery. On Jan. 27 his wife Lisa wrote “Mike had some good news today, His home health nurse told him that he is progressing so well that she no longer needs to come to see him. On another bright note Mike is starting to feel well enough to play his favorite Gibson. He is chomping at the bit to get playing.” See gofundme.com/kbeon0 for updates.

Donations are being gathered by the Zoo Bar and the Blues Society of Omaha. BSO donations will be collected at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Randy McAllister show. The Zoo Bar hosts a “Bring your Chicken and Gravy, We’ll Have the Biscuits” pot luck Saturday, Jan. 31, starting at 4 p.m. where they will be collecting a free-will offering towards Garrett's recovery fund. The event name is a nod to one of Ed's most popular party songs, "Chicken, Gravy & Biscuits."  The Zoo Bar will raffle a three-month pass to the bar at $10 per ticket. Lil' Ed will draw the winner during his show. Scott Kirk at The 21st Saloon has offered to match the Zoo's gift and will raffle a three-month pass to The 21 Saloon at the Jan. 29 show. The donations will be combined into one gift from the Nebraska blues community to Garrett and his family. (Writer's Note: the combined donations totaled over $800, according to organizers.) 

Benefit for Hayden
Young Omahan Hayden Owen was seriously injured in November when he tried to climb up on a dresser and it fell on top of him along with a tube television. He is currently at the Madonna Rehab Hospital in Lincoln where he is relearning basic motor skills. Several local bands are joining forces at The Sydney Friday, Jan. 30, 9 p.m. to raise money to help with the Owen family's expenses. Performers include Matt Cox, The Willards, Jeremy Mercy and The Pink Flamingos. Admission is $5.

Davina at the Zoo
Hoodoo favorite Davina & The Vagabonds hit Lincoln's Zoo Bar next Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m. Davina and her horn-driven band play some of the most joyous jump and swing music around. They have been wowing crowds at major festivals in the U.S. and Europe. The band is touring in support of their latest disc, Sunshine, and will not be back in Nebraska until they have a 21st Saloon gig on March 26. See davinaandthevagabonds.com and head out to the Zoo to soak up some pure swingin' musical sunshine. (Writer's Note: Due to the inclement weather on Feb. 4, Davina & The Vagabonds postponed their Zoo Bar show until Wednesday, March 25.)

Hot Notes & Shadowboxers Finish Strong
Catch the Lil' Slim Blues Band featuring Shawn Holt at Lincoln's Zoo Bar Friday, Jan. 30, 9 p.m. The Bottletops have the 5-7 p.m. FAC slot.
Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers are at #2 on the Roots Music Report's Top 100 Soul Album Chart for 2014, behind Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. See  rootsmusicreport.com/charts. The band is currently on a southern and upper Midwest tour in support of their second disc, Living by The Minute (Silver Street Records) that is taking them from Texas and Louisisana to New Orleans, Florida and through Chicago. See joshhoyerandtheshadowboxers.com.