On the 10th of January, the Houston Blues Society held a fund raiser at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar to help pay the costs to send the Houston Blues Challenge winners (Sonny Boy Terry and Depree) to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. The Blues Foundation’s 26th International Blues Challenge set for January 20-23, 2010, will see a record number of participants: 111 bands; 83 solo/duo acts; and 32 youth. Participants hail from 39 US states, plus the District of Columbia and 13 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Sweden.
Joy and I are looking forward to attending this year’s challenge in support of our Houston representatives.
As was noted a couple of entries back, the Sonny Boy Terry Band won the Houston International Blues Challenge this past Sunday. One of the tunes they performed was one of Terry’s own, “Miss Ann’s Playpen. The lighting at Dan Electro’s is not good for doing digital HD, so the video is a little grainy.
Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar was packed on a warm sunny fall Sunday afternoon in the old Heights area of Houston – the reason, the Houston finals of the International Blues Challenge, sponsored by the Houston Blues Society (HBS). The competition, which started two Sunday’s ago, involved the four finalists in each of the solo/duo and band categories.
SOLO DUO COMPETITION
DuPREE
BYRON HUDSON
RORY JAGDEO
WILD BILL NELSON
BAND COMPETITION
BOURBON STREET
BLUES MAFIA
CLAY MELTON BAND
SONNY BOY TERRY
It has been several years since we last attended the annual finals competition, this time encouraged by one of our Houston Blues favorites and friend, Sonny Boy Terry being a finalist. Not able to make it to Dan Electro’s in time to see but one of the solo/duo finalists, we eagerly waited to hear the band appearance order — learning that Terry was last, we were encouraged. Talent is important, but when musicians are performing at this level, the psychological edge of being last can make the difference. Having the edge or not, Sonny Boy Terry and his band were selected to be one of over 160 acts at the 26th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, January 20th – 23rd. DuPree was the winner in the solo/duo category. Congratulations to the winners!
Those attending the competition had an opportunity to experience some excellent musicians who perform regularly at venues throughout Houston and the gulf coast region. Everyone is encouraged to support live music, and the Blues, by attending local venues, such as Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, and by joining the Houston Blues Society.
