Florida Blues Societies' Representatives to the 2014 International Blues Challenge. (Updated 1/13/14!)

These winners of Florida's regional competitions will compete in Memphis, TN at the 30th Annuual International Blues Challenge (IBC) January 21 through 25, 2014:

• Lauren Mitchell Band
• Fatty Waters
• Joel DaSilva & The Midnight Howl (Advanced to Semi-final round)
• Pitbull of Blues Band  (Advanced to Semi-final round)
• Willie Green
• The R. Mutt Blues Band
• David Shelley & Bluestone (Advanced to Semi-final round)
• The Delta Swamp Rats (Advanced to Semi-final round)
• Nico Wayne Toussaint & Michel Foizon (Advanced to Semi-final round)
• Big Jim Adam (Advanced to Semi-final round)
• Rockin’ Jake Band
• Katie Schanze
• Michael McCarthy

The IBC will begin Tuesday Night (Jan 21). Quarter finals will be conducted Wednesday and Thursday night (January 22-23). Semi Finals will be held Friday night (Jan 24). Saturday (Jan 25) IBC will conclude with Finals in the Orpheum Theater.

COMPLETED COMPETITIONS

Aug 24, 2013: Blues Society of Northwest Florida hosted competition in Pensacola, Florida

WINNER - Solo/duo category: Dave Duncan and Stan Street (but disqualified due to being previous BMA winner.) 2nd place winner to compete in Memphis: Michael McCarthy
WINNER - Band category: Fatty Waters
   John Hart-Guitar and Vocal

   Tyler Mac-Guitar and Vocal

   Sean Peterson-Bass

   Justin Headley-Drums

Competitors:

Betsy Badwater (solo)

Brooks Hubbert (solo)

Dave Duncan and Stan Street (duo)

Jeff Glickman (solo)

Michael McCart: hy, & True Blue (duo)

Blues Injectors Band

Bluze Nuze Band

Cat Daddy

Cat Roads & The Truth

Dizzy Juke Band

Fatty Waters

Johnny No

Nick and the Ovorols

Mama Lucky

Wild Fruit

Sept 7, 2013: Orange Blosson Blues Society (Central Florida) hosted competition in Orlando, Florida. Judges were: Beautiful Bobby Blackmon, Ed Krout, Jackie Jones, Richard Boogart, and Bobby Hall.
WINNER - Band category: Joel DaSilva & The Midnight Howl
People's Choice: Paul Stott Band
Competing Bands:
Paul Stott Band
Smokin' Torpedoes
Joel DaSilva & The Midnight Howl
Blacktop Blues Band
Pit Bull of Blues Band
Daniel Heitz Band

Sept 15, 2013: Southwest Florida Blues Society hosted competition in Ft. Myers, Florida.
Event photos courtesy of Adrian Stanley-Pfeffer, can be seen at: 
https://www.facebook.com/adrian.stanleypfeffer/media_set?set=a.10202142745433892.1346097495&type=3
WINNER - Band category: Pitbull of Blues Band 
People's Choice: Marty Stokes Band
Competitors:
Kim Page Blues Band 
Little Eddie and the Fat Fingers 
Pitbull of Blues Band 
Frank Greathouse 
Marty Stokes Band 
Rex Bongo and the Sophisticated Hippies 
Big Buck and the Biscuit Boys 

Sept 15, 2013: North Central Florida Blues Society hosted competition in Gainesville, Florida.  Click here for COMPETITION PHOTOS.

WINNER - Solo/duo category: Willie Green
WINNER - Band category: The R. Mutt Blues Band
WINNER - Best Self-produced CD: The Bridget Kelly Band
Competitors:

Solo Acts

Willie Green

Rick Randlett

Bands

Bootleg Creek

The Bridget Kelly Band

Ole Skool

The R. Mutt Blues Band

Sept 22, 2013: South Florida Blues Society hosted band competition in West Palm Beach, Florida.
WINNER - Band category: David Shelley & Bluestone
Competitors:
Quasi Blue
LowDown 13
Kat Riggins Band
The Living Daylights
Nicole Hart Band
Marty Stokes Band
David Shelley & Bluestone

Sept 22, 2013:  Sun Coast Blues Society hosted Solo/Duo competition at Ace's in Bradenton, Florida
WINNER - Solo/duo category: The Delta Swamp Rats - Steve Arvey & Anthony "Tony" Smith
Competitors:
Lee Pons
The Delta Swamp Rats - Steve Arvey & Anthony "Tony" Smith
Cannon Quinn
Franc Robert
Sandy Atkinson

Sept 29, 2013: South Florida Blues Society hosted the solo/duo competition in Lauderhill, Florida 
WINNER - Solo/duo category: Nico Wayne Toussaint & Michel Foizon
Competitors:
Amy Arlo & Big Al
Blues Dragon Duo
Graham Wood Drout & Mitch Mestel
Joel Zoss
Nico Wayne Toussaint & Michel Foizon
Piano Bob & Nick Trill
Sista Marybeth & Tommy Benson

Oct 2, 2013: Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast hosted the competition in Stuart, Florida
WINNER - Solo/duo category: Big Jim Adam
WINNER - Band category: Rockin’ Jake Band
WINNER - Youth category: Katie Schanze
Competitors:
Katie Schanze (youth showcase)
Big Jim Adam (solo)
Mark Telesca and Allen Gibbs(duo)
Joel Zoss (solo)
Rockin’ Jake Band
LowDown 13

Oct 6, 2013: Sun Coast Blues Society hosted the band competition at Green Iquana Riverview.

WINNER - Band category: Lauren Mitchell Band
Competitors:
Marty Stokes Band
Mike Imbasciani & His Bluez Rockerz
Brian Leneschmidt Band
Betty Fox Band
Billy Seward & Greg Poulos
Lauren Mitchell Band
Joel Tatangelo Band
Kim Reteguiz Band
Woody and the WoodTones
Mike Quick Band 
Kettle of Fish

2012 Florida Regional IBC Competition results can be seen HERE .

Florida's blues history with the IBC includes:

• Roach Thompson Blues Band: 1991-92 W.C. Handy Award Winner-Recipient of the B.B. King Lucille Award for Best Unsigned Blues Band in the U.S.A.
• Piano Bob (Wilder) & The Snowman: 1992-93 W.C. Handy Award Winner-Recipient of the B.B. King Lucille Award for Best Unsigned Blues Band in the U.S.A.
• Joey Gilmore: 2006 winner of the International Blues Challenge.
• JP Soars and the Red Hots: 2009 International Blues Challenge winners.
• Selwyn Birchwood: 2013 International Blues Challenge winners.
• Ben Prestage: Three consecutive years took he 4th, 3rd, and 2nd place in the solo/duo category (need dates on this, please)

Watch this blog entry for updates and information on competitions, competitors and winners.

Please send updates, additions or corrections directly to Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com . Thank you!

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