30th International Blues Challenge Winners

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 30th International Blues Challenge (IBC)--the world's largest gathering of blues acts—concluded its five-day run on world famous Beale Street in downtown Memphis with a full day of performances before a full house at the Orpheum Theatre.  Narrowed from a record 255 acts from 40 states and 16 countries (and four continents), the 8 solo/ duo and 9 band finalists vied for the top prizes before an esteemed panel of judge .  Here are the results:

Band

1st Place:  Mr. Sipp Vicksburg Blues Society

2nd Place:  Ghost Town Blues Band Memphis Blues Society

3rd Place:   Billy the Kid & Regulators Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania

Gibson Guitarist (top guitarist among band finalists):   Mr. Sipp Vicksburg Blues Society

Solo/Duo

1st Place: Tim Williams Calgary Blues Music Association

2nd Place:   Lucious Spiller Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas Inc.

St. Blues Guitarist (top guitarist among solo/duo finalists):   Tim Williams Calgary Blues Music Association

Lee Oskar Harmonica Player (top harmonica player among semi-finalists):    Jerome Godboo  (Toronto Blues Society)

Best Self-Produced CD:  Account to Me - Hank Mowery  (West Michigan Blues Society)

For more information, contact Jay Sieleman at [email protected] or visit www.blues.org.

Major funding is provided by ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission.  The 30th International Blues Challenge are also sponsored by BMI, Beale Street Merchants Association, Catfood Records, Consulate General of Canada – Atlanta, First Tennessee Foundation, Gibson, Jontaar Creative Services, Lee Oskar Harmonicas, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Reactor Watches, St. Blues Guitars, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Vividpix & Design.

The Blues Foundation is Memphis-based, but world-renown as THE organization dedicated to preserving our blues music history, celebrating recording and performance excellence, supporting blues education and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form.  Its signature honors and events--the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame, International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards--make it the international center of blues music.

SOURCE The Blues Foundation