Blues Society of Omaha Hosts

 Third Annual Nebraska Blues Challenge

OMAHA, NE/USA (March 5, 2013) - The Blues Society of Omaha (BSO) is hosting the Third Annual Nebraska Blues Challenge beginning Sunday, March 24. The Nebraska Blues Challenge will send the winning band on to compete in the 2014 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN. Three preliminary showcase events will be held March 24, April 7 and April 21 with the band receiving the most points in each round advancing to the finals. The finals will take place Sunday, May 19^th, 5 p.m. at The 21^st Saloon. The BSO invites all fans to attend, support their favorite bands and discover new artists. Everyone will enjoy this celebration of Nebraska blues and its many talented musicians.

  

All local events showcase Omaha and Lincoln talent performing for the opportunity to represent the BSO in Memphis in 2014. Each event is open to the public.  A $5 cover charge goes toward the costs of sponsoring the band that will represent the BSO in the 2014 International Blues Challenge taking place in Memphis January 21 through January 25, 2014. See blues.org/ibc for more on the International Blues Challenge.

Last year’s second Nebraska Blues Challenge sent Levi William to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2013. The first-ever Nebraska Blues Challenge in 2011 sent the Lil’ Slim Blues Band to the IBCs in February 2012, where they made it into the semi-finals of the IBCs.

From an open call for entries, the following bands have submitted materials and are scheduled to perform at participating venues. For more about the Blues Society of Omaha visit omahablues.com.

Fourteen bands from the Omaha/Lincoln area are performing. Preliminary round start times vary, see below.

Sunday, March 24, Zoo Bar, 136 N. 14^TH St., Lincoln, NE  zoobar.com

3:30 p.m.            Crimson Dawn
4:40 p.m.            Thrift Shop Radio

5:50 p.m.            Lou DeLuca & The R & M Blues Band
7 p.m.                 Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers

Sunday, April 7, Gator O’Malley’s, 12143 West Center Road, Omaha, NE  gatoromalleys.com
3:00 p.m.            The Honeyboy Turner Band
4:10 p.m.            Church House Blues Band

5:20 p.m.            The Neptunes
6:30 p.m.            Hector Anchondo Band
7:40 p.m.            Christy Rossiter & 112 North Duck  

Sunday, April 21, McKenna’s Blues, Booze & BBQ, 7425 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE mckennasbbb.com

3:00 p.m.            Marcos & Sabor
4:10 p.m.            Blind Willie McChitlin (MoJoPo)

5:20 p.m.            Back Alley Blues Band
6:30 p.m.            Levi William
7:40 p.m.            Drew Jude & The Cool Tones   

All schedules are subject to change if deemed necessary

The finals will be held at The 21^st Saloon, 96^th & L, on Sunday, May 19, at 5 p.m., with the three bands receiving the most points in the individual showcases advancing to the final round. Bands are scored by judges following the scoring system that is used by the International Blues Challenge.

The band selected to represent the BSO will receive a $400 cash prize and a prize package that includes $1200 toward the expenses of their trip to Memphis. Other First Place prizes include 12 hours of studio recording time from The Moose Lodge Recording Studio. See mooselodgestudio.com. Richard Allen Photography has donated a Promotional Photo Package valued at $360 for the band going to Memphis. The prize includes a studio session for the band and each member. The NBC band will also have the opportunity to perform several paid gigs in the region representing the Blues Society of Omaha as the Nebraska Blues Challenge winner, including the Central Iowa Blues Society’s Winter Blues Fest in Des Moines. Second Place finalists receive a $300 cash prize and 6 hours of Moose Lodge Studio time.

Third Place finalists receive a $200 cash prize and 4 hours of Moose Lodge Studio time.

 

The IBC has evolved into the nation's biggest and most respected showcase for Blues musicians ready to take their act to the national stage. Industry professionals say that winning the International Blues Challenge gives the top band the equivalent of $100,000 in blues industry awareness and publicity.  

Performing in the IBCs in Memphis is a huge opportunity for artists looking to further their professional career to a regional or national level. This is the world's largest blues gathering. Artists competing in Memphis perform in front of blues labels, promoters, booking agents, publicists and journalists. They also have the opportunity to network with other artists and professionals. Previous notable competitors in the International Blues Challenge include Tommy Castro, the late Michael Burks, Susan Tedeschi, the late Sean Costello, Trampled Under Foot, J.P. Soars, Karen Lovely, Fiona Boyes, Eden Brent, Watermelon Slim, Jason Ricci, Shakura S’Aida, Stacy Mitchhart and Davina & the Vagabonds.

Phoenix, AZ, bluesman Bob Corritore, Blues Music Award winner and Keeping the Blues Alive Award recipient, says of the IBCs “I once thought that going to the IBCs (International Blues Challenge) was all about the band competition, and perhaps for some it is. But for a number of years now I have chosen to attend to be a part of what I feel is the bigger picture of this event. To me this event is a family gathering of blues people who come to get the feeling of community that is so powerfully demonstrated in these few days. Everyone is there for the blues, and that's a powerful thing.”

The 30th International Blues Challenge is set to begin Tuesday, January 21, 2014 and conclude on Saturday January 25, 2014. The competition will be held in Memphis, Tennessee, in the Beale Street entertainment district.  Visit www.blues.org/ibc for additional information.

The Blues Society of Omaha is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1998. They are an all-volunteer organization. Their mission of “Keeping the Blues Alive” can be seen through their efforts in supporting blues music, musicians, venues, festivals and special events such as the Nebraska Blues Challenge. They are recognized by artists and industry leaders as one of the most active and enthusiastic blues societies in the country. Their decision to participate in the International Blues Challenge underlines their focus on showcasing Nebraska’s amazing musicians, creating a broader recognition of this talent and supporting the blues music genre at both the local and national levels. More information on the BSO can be found at www.omahablues.com, including how to support the BSO’s mission on an individual or corporate level.