Main Blues

The blues talent in the Pacific NW is plentiful and has been garnering national attention for awhile. Next month, several well desrved acts will be going to Memphis to represent Washington State at the 27th International Blues Challenge (IBC) February 1-5. The IBC is the world's largest gathering of Blues acts and represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its Affiliated Organizations for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to take their act to the international stage.

The Washington Blues Society (WBS) will be sending The WIRED! Band and Back Porch Stomp, along with the South Sound Blues Association who will be sending The Randy Oxford Band and JD Hobson. There is one last chance to help support these acts in getting to Memphis. Come to the Beale Street Kick-Off Party and fundraiser January 16th at Jazzbones in Tacoma, WA. You can Click here for more details.

I thought you might like to read a little about these blues artists, so this post is dedicated to the 2011 Washington delegation heading to Memphis. Good luck!!!

The WIRED! Band -
Kevin Sutton has roamed the back roads of America for years. From the smoky bars of Soulard in St. Louis, through Texas and across the west coast, he wound up in the rain-soaked Pacific Northwest. It was there he met up with fellow bluesman and drummer Rick Jacobson. After several years of cover bands, Kevin and Rick hooked up with veteran bassist Keith Bakke and formed the band called Wired! The desire was to bring rockabilly energy to the already robust Seattle blues scene. What they created was greater than the sum of its parts. Swinging, up-tempo blues and attitude; they’re Wired!

Back Porch Stomp -
Back Porch Stomp’s Nick Vigarino radiates an unpredictable fervor with slashing slide guitar, powerful vocals, funky licks, modern lyrics, and his "slop-jar delta funk" blues. He consistently captures and rivets listeners with precise, passionate performances. Bringing a wealth of blues/rock experience to the duo, percussionist Larry Dennis elevates this style to a place where roots are respected, yet nudged towards the future. Nick’s released 3 CDs, appears on 24 others, toured 13 countries, and won 14 various music awards including 2010’s induction into the Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame. Be it a juke or a major festival Nick delivers the story with a stinging guitar that is second to none.

The Randy Oxford Band -
Randy Oxford - trombonist, band leader, and Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise jam host - returns to Memphis, having experienced success in four previous IBC events, including reaching the top-five with his third Cd, "Memphis to Motown." Randy's band reflects his respect for the skill and creativity of great musicians and his love of the blues. Jada Amy (vocals), Rafael Tranquilino and Jho Blenis (guitars), Richard Sabol (drums), Farko Dosumov (bass), and Randy Oxford infuse their shows with inspired solos, well-crafted arrangements, and a lively sense of fun. With these players - from different parts of the world - the Randy Oxford Band represents the blues in all its beautiful incarnations.

JD Hobson -
JD Hobson has been performing acoustic Delta blues for the past eight years. His take on this traditional form is anything but stagnant or mundane. While honoring the history of the music, he brings new breadth and energy to the genre. This is JD's second year in a row representing the South Sound Blues Association at the competition.