Congratulations to Florida representation advancing to the semi-finals of the International Blues Challenge tonight (1/10/25), and everyone else!
North Central Florida Blues Society - Sauce Boss (solo/duo)
First Coast Blues Society - Street Preacher (band)
Treasure Coast Blues Society - The Jake Walden Band (band)
Full list:
9/29/24
Florida regional competitions were held in 2024 to determine contenders at the International Blues Challenge 2025, presented by The Blues Foundation, in Memphis TN on January 7-11, 2025.
The International Blues Challenge represents the worldwide search for blues bands and solo/duo blues performers ready for the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. The world’s largest gathering of blues musicians will take place on Beale Street, with over 20 clubs hosting the challengers and fans. In addition to featuring these final rounds of the prestigious blues music competition, the IBC event week will offer seminars, showcases, master classes, film screenings, networking events, book signings, and receptions for blues societies, fans, and professionals.
STATUS AND INFO FOR FLORIDA COMPETITIONS
(In Date Order)
COMPETITION DATE: Sunday, August 18, 2024
LOCATION: Seville Quarter, Pensacola, FL
CONTENDERS:
Charlie & the Hammerheads
Rocky Denney & Judge Maygarden
Prodigal Blues
Michael McCartan
Harrison Avenue
Cat Daddy Blues Duo
Cat Rhodes & the Truth
WINNERS:
Band - Harrison Avenue
Solo/Duo - Cat Daddy Blues Duo
COMPETITION DATE: Sunday, August 25, 2024 | 1-6p
LOCATION: Mango Rita’s Rhythm House - Fort Myers
WINNERS:
Band - Artache Band
Solo/Duo - Glendafell
COMPETITION DATE: Saturday, September 15, 2024 | 4-9p
LOCATION: Whiskey Jax Baymeadows, JAX
CONTENDERS:
Band Category:
SoulShine
Street Preacher
Shari Pine & Righteous Rhythm
No Filter
Solo/Duo Category:
Lonesome Jim Weber
Sweet William Ennis
Andersson & Duncan
WINNERS:
Band - Street Preacher
Melissa Smith / Lead Vocals
Keith Allen / Guitar
Isaiah Hart / Guitar
Joe Dolci / Bass
Sammy Buonocore Sr. / Drums
Anaijah Hart / Backing Vocals
Barry Rapp/ Keys
Solo/Duo - Andersson & Duncan
COMPETITION DATE: Sunday, September 15, 2024 | 2p
LOCATION: Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg, FL
CONTENDERS:
Solo/Duo Category:
Mike Davis (Solo)
Phil Coale (Solo)
Swamp Blues Band (Duo)
Harold Davis (Solo)
Band Category:
Stoney Brooks
The NightBumpers
Black Snake Bayou
WINNERS:
Band - Stoney Brooks
Stoney Brooks
Josh Minucci
Skyler Saufley
Pete Maier
Solo/Duo - Mike Davis
North Central Florida Blues Society
COMPETITION DATE: Sunday, September 29, 2024 | 3-9p
LOCATION: Heartwood Soundstage, Gainesville FL
CONTENDERS:
Solo/Duo:
Rick Guerry
Band:
4th Dimension
Jimmy Young & Passion
WINNERS:
Self-Produced CD: Sauce Boss - The Sauce
Solo/Duo: Sauce Boss
Band: Blues Prescription
Orange Blossom Blues Society
COMPETITION DATE: Sunday, September 29, 2024 | 1-5p
LOCATION: Renningers Mount Dora Flea Market and Antique Center
CONTENDERS:
WINNER:
Raehn DeBell (drums/vocals)
Jeremy Zorn (bass/vocals)
Elliott Countess (guitar/vocals)
COMPETITION DATE: Sunday, September 29, 2024 | 2p
LOCATION: Hop Life Brewery, Port St. Lucie, FL
WINNERS:
Solo/Duo: Robert Ross
Band: Jake Walden Band
NOT PARTICIPATING.
STATUS UNKNOWN:
UNAFFILIATED WITH THE BLUES FOUNDATION (2023):
ATTN: Florida Blues Societies
If you would like to have your organization's IBC info posted here, including results, please email details to Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com. Thank you.
2025 International Blues Challenge Worldwide Contenders:
Adelaide Roots and Blues Association - 63 Deluxe, Band Australia
Adelaide Roots and Blues Association - Craig Atkins, Solo/Duo Australia
Atlanta Blues Society - Cash's Juke Joint, Solo/Duo US
Atlanta Blues Society - The Garrett Collins Project, Band US
Atlanta Blues Society - Time Crunch, Youth Act US
Belgian Blues Federation - Thomas Frank Hopper, Solo/Duo Belgium
Billtown Blues Association - Nick Andrew Staver, Solo/Duo US
Billtown Blues Association - The Cadillac Cats, Band US
Blue Steel Blues Society - Derek Caruso and The Blue Fuse, Band US
Blue Steel Blues Society - The Fresh Bears, Youth Act US
Blues Society of Northwest Florida - Cat Daddy Blues Duo, Solo/Duo US
Blues Society of Northwest Florida - Harrison Avenue, Band US
Blues Society of Omaha - Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, Band US
Blues Society of Omaha - Steve Lovett, Solo/Duo US
Blues Society of Omaha - The Memphis Project, Youth Act US
Blues Society of the Ozarks - The Art Bentley Trio, Band US
Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Guitar Zack, Band US
Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - McKeg and DeCola, Solo/Duo US
BluesBaltica - Richie Arndt, Solo/Duo Germany
BluesBaltica - The See See Riders, Band Germany
Boston Blues Society - The Duke Blues Machine, Band US
Boston Blues Society - TROY MERCY & HADLEY LLOYD, Solo/Duo US
Canada South Blues Society - The Joel Dupuis Band, Band Canada
Capital Area Blues Society - Mike Espy and Jeff Thompson Duo, Solo/Duo US
Capital Area Blues Society - Ralph McKee Blues Band, Band US
Capital Region Blues Network - Diego Mongue Band, Band US
Capital Region Blues Network - Forever, Youth Act US
Capital Region Blues Network - Michael Eck, Solo/Duo US
Cascade Blues Association - Beacon Street Titans, Band US
Cascade Blues Association - Dave Fleschner, Solo/Duo US
Cascade Blues Association - Oregon Bluesberries, Youth Act US
Central Delaware Blues Society - The Blues Reincarnation Project, Band US
Central Iowa Blues Society - Cedar County Cobras, Solo/Duo US
Central Iowa Blues Society - John Resch & Doggin' Out, Band US
Central Kentucky Blues Society - Dobro LSD, Solo/Duo US
Central Kentucky Blues Society - Donovan Howard Trio, Band US
Central Kentucky Blues Society - Voodoo Dolls, Youth Act US
Charlotte Blues Society - Cory Luetjen & The Traveling Blues Band Duo, Solo/Duo US
Charlotte Blues Society - Datrian Johnson & The Family Tree, Band US
Charlotte Blues Society - Jackson Slater, Youth Act US
Cincy Blues Society - Gina and Johnny, Band US
Cincy Blues Society - Vudu Childe, Solo/Duo US
Colorado Blues Society - 100LB HOUSECAT, Solo/Duo US
Colorado Blues Society - Vince Converse and Big Brother, Band US
Columbus Blues Alliance - 614 Blues Ed Allstars, Youth Act US
Columbus Blues Alliance - Blue Spectrum Band, Band US
Columbus Blues Alliance - Christopher Soulsby, Solo/Duo US
Connecticut Blues Society - Carl Ricci & 706 UnionAve, Band US
Connecticut Blues Society - James Limerick Kerr Duo, Solo/Duo US
DC Blues Society Inc - Kingpin, Band US
DC Blues Society Inc - Little Joe Bourgeois, Solo/Duo US
Delta Blues - Umberto Porcaro Band, Band Italy
Detroit Blues Society - Krawl and the KingSnakes, Band US
Detroit Blues Society - Michigan Mick, Solo/Duo US
Dutch Blues Foundation - John F. Klaver, Solo/Duo
Netherlands East Coast Blues Society - Joce Reyome, Solo/Duo
Canada East Coast Blues Society - Jon Hines, Band Canada
Finnish Blues Society - Little Willie Mehto, Solo/Duo Finland
First Coast Blues Society - Andersson & Duncan, Solo/Duo US
First Coast Blues Society - Street Preacher, Band US
Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Society - Connor Helm, Solo/Duo US
Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Society - Truck Stop Poets, Band US
France Blues - ADY ONE WOMAN BAND, Solo/Duo France
France Blues - MAZINGO, Band France
Grand River Blues Society - Big Dan Jeffares Band, Band Canada
Grand River Blues Society - Fraidy Scats, Youth Act Canada
Grand River Blues Society - Glenn Marais, Solo/Duo Canada
Granite State Blues Society - Frankie Boy & The Blues Express, Band US
Greater West Texas Blues Society - Sam Barlow & His True Blue Band, Band US
Greater West Texas Blues Society - The Corbells, Solo/Duo US
Houston Blues Society - Cris Crochemore & Marcelo Naves, Solo/Duo US
Houston Blues Society - Melon Jelly, Band US
Houston Blues Society - The Allie Rae Band, Youth Act US
Huntington Blues Society - Letty Smith, Solo/Duo US
Huntington Blues Society - The Chuck Robertson Project, Band US
Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association - Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, Solo/Duo US
Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association - THE KENNEDY AFFAIR BLUES BAND, Band US
Kansas City Blues Society - Big Luke and The Soul Disciples, Band US
Kansas City Blues Society - Kelsey Miles, Solo/Duo US
Kentuckiana Blues Society - THE TRAVLIN MOJOS, Band US
Kentuckiana Blues Society - Zeno Jones, Solo/Duo US
Las Vegas Blues Society - ROT'n Blues, Youth Act US
Las Vegas Blues Society - String Bean Syndicate, Band US
Long Island Blues Society - Casey Baron, Solo/Duo US
Long Island Blues Society - Wolfden, Band US
Magic City Blues Society - Ra'Shad The Blues Kid, Band US
Magic City Blues Society - Regi Yarbrough, Solo/Duo US
Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - Nardia, Band Australia
Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - Nick Charles, Solo/Duo Australia
Memphis Blues Society - Kiersi Joli, Youth Act US
Memphis Blues Society - Melika Miller and Southern Explosion, Band US
Memphis Blues Society - Singa B, Solo/Duo US
Mile High Blues Society - George Street and the Drive, Band US
Mile High Blues Society - Mz. Tracy, Solo/Duo US
Minnesota Blues Society - Brother Jon and Frensz, Solo/Duo US
Minnesota Blues Society - Dylan Salfer Band, Band US
Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola - 2 Blue for You, Solo/Duo US
Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola - John Clayton White, Youth Act US
Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola - John Clayton White, Band US
Mojo Station - Spookyman & His Acousmatic Orchestra, Solo/Duo Italy
Nashville Blues and Roots Alliance - Alex Kilroy, Band US
Nashville Blues and Roots Alliance - Meg Williams & Travis Bowlin, Solo/Duo US
New Orleans Blues Society - Chris Vincent, Solo/Duo US
North Central Florida Blues Society - Blues Prescription, Band US
North Central Florida Blues Society - Sauce Boss, Solo/Duo US
North Jersey Blues Society - BLUES People, Band US
North Jersey Blues Society - Ed Alstrom, Solo/Duo US
North Jersey Blues Society - The Nitro Blues Band, Youth Act US
Orange Blossom Blues Society - Shreddie King, Band US
Ottawa Blues Society - Bonecat, Band Canada
Ottawa Blues Society - Jeff Dunn, Solo/Duo Canada
Ouachita River Blues Society - Doug Duffey and Dan Sumner, Solo/Duo US
Ouachita River Blues Society - Mr Taylormade, Band US
Ozark Blues Society of NW Arkansas - Batterton and Edwards, Solo/Duo US
Ozark Blues Society of NW Arkansas - Blues City Limits, Band US
Phoenix Blues Society - Isaac Ford and Philip Mazzio, Solo/Duo US
Phoenix Blues Society - JC & The Juke Rockers, Band US
Piedmont Blues Preservation Society - Africa Unplugged, Band US
Piedmont Blues Preservation Society - The Right Reverend Dr. Dillon and Bob, Solo/Duo US
River City Blues Society (VA) - David B. Frank, Solo/Duo US
River City Blues Society (VA) - THE Vagabonds, Youth Act US
Sacramento Blues Society - Matt Rainey & Bert Thomas, Solo/Duo US
Sacramento Blues Society - Rowland & Tumblin', Band US
Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society - John Nevolo Trio, Band US
Saskatoon Blues Society - Ross Neilsen, Solo/Duo Canada
Smoky Mountain Blues Society - Blake O'Connor, Solo/Duo US
Smoky Mountain Blues Society - Danny Garwood and Company, Youth Act US
Smoky Mountain Blues Society - The Low Down Blues Band, Band US
Southern California Blues Society - fatherdaddy, Band US
Southwest Florida Blues Society - Artache, Band US
Southwest Florida Blues Society - glenda fell & Billy Blues, Solo/Duo US
Suncoast Blues Society - Mike Davis, Solo/Duo US
Suncoast Blues Society - Stoney Brooks Band, Band US
Swiss Blues Society - Mark Slate & Rotosphere, Band Switzerland
Sydney Blues Society - Beretta Sullivan, Solo/Duo Australia
Sydney Blues Society - LilG, Youth Act Australia
Sydney Blues Society - Matt Ross and the Mavericks, Band Australia
The Golden Gate Blues Society - Jeffrey James Trio, Band US
Toulouse Blues Society - ATUA BLUES, Solo/Duo France
Toulouse Blues Society - Thomas Sarrodie & Bi-polar Blues, Band France
Treasure Coast Blues Society - Robert Ross, Solo/Duo US
Treasure Coast Blues Society - The Jake Walden Band, Band US
Triangle Blues Society - Acisse Jay & The Gents, Band US
Triangle Blues Society - Lynnette Barber and Will Ellis Duo, Solo/Duo
US Triangle Blues Society - Table for 7, Youth Act US
Trinity River Blues Society - EJ Mathews, Solo/Duo US
Trinity River Blues Society - Izaiah Forman Trio, Youth Act US
Trinity River Blues Society - The Shake Anderson Band, Band US
UK Blues Federation - Alice Armstrong, Band United Kingdom
Washington Blues Society - Brian Butler, Solo/Duo US
Washington Blues Society - Joel Astley, Band US
Washmo Blues Society - Joe Metzka Band, Band US
Washmo Blues Society - Meaza Joy and Haley Burke, Youth Act US
West Michigan Blues Society - Daniel Jones, Solo/Duo US
West Michigan Blues Society - Lexie Blue, Band US
Windy City Blues Society - Alex Olsen, Youth Act US
Windy City Blues Society - Stefan Hillesheim Trio, Band US
Windy City Blues Society - Windy City Rev Ups Duet, Solo/Duo US
STATS-n-FACTS
Affiliated Blues Societies by State
As of 8/21/23.
Florida - 10 (Includes First Coast, which is not listed as an affiliate for unknown reason.)
California - 6
Texas - 6
Arkansas - 5
Illinois - 5
Iowa - 5
Michigan - 4
Missouri - 4
New York - 4
Ohio - 4
Arizona - 3
Colorado - 3
Indiana - 3
North Carolina - 3
Pennsylvania - 3
Tennessee - 3
Kansas - 2
Kentucky - 2
Nevada - 2
New Jersey - 2
Oregon - 2
Virginia - 2
Washington - 2
Wisconsin - 2
Alabama - 1
Connecticut - 1
Delaware - 1
Georgia - 1
Louisiana - 1
Maine - 1
Maryland - 1
Massachusetts - 1
Minnesota - 1
Mississippi - 1
Nebraska - 1
New Hampshire - 1
South Carolina - 1
Vermont - 1
West Virginia - 1
Alaska - 0
Hawaii - 0
Idaho - 0
Montana - 0
New Mexico - 0
North Dakota - 0
Oklahoma - 0
Rhode Island - 0
South Dakota - 0
Utah - 0
Wyoming - 0
~ ~ ~
Distribution by
(561)313-7432
#JazzBluesFlorida #Jazz #Blues #Clubs #Concerts #Festivals
Making the scene since 2006!
If you wish to be included in our personalized
subscriber list please use this FORM.
Join us on INSTAGRAM!
See what we see on YOUTUBE!
(Maxed out at 5K on the personal page since 2016)
We link to business on LINKEDIN.
And, yes, PINTEREST, too!
~ ~ ~ ~
And, if you like what you see here, please
HIT THAT FACEBOOK SHARE BUTTON below!
