You are invited to the Topeka Blues Society’s “Kick-Off Party to Memphis”, Saturday, Jan. 26that Uncle Bo’s!
The Topeka Blues Society (TBS) is proud to be well represented by the Josh Vowell Band and Rachelle Coba at the 2013 International Blues Competition (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee,Jan. 29th through Feb. 2nd.
The Josh Vowell Band (JVB) will represent TBS in the “Band” category. The Topeka Capital Journalwrites, “Originally called Josh Vowell and the Rumble, the group recently grew into the Josh Vowell Band with the addition of a new bassist and harmonica player. The group’s lineup consists of Josh Vowell, guitar and vocals; Justin Shelton, blues harmonica; Mark Toelkes, bass; and David Spritzer, drums. Influenced by artists such as Albert Collins, Albert King, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, the band will be releasing its first original album in 2013.” JVB won the 2012 TBS Blues Challenge in “Band” category, qualifying them to compete on Beale Street for the 2013 IBC.
Rachelle Coba will be competing in the“Solo/Duo” category. Her website shows that Rachelle mastered the finger-picking techniques of classical guitar while earning a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Miami. She then chose to apply that facility to electric guitar and began playing the blues. Consequently, Rachelle has developed her own unique approach to blues guitar lead and rhythm playing. She has had extended national engagements with Grady Champion, Junior Drinkwater, and Ray Drew. Additionally, she has toured as an opener for blues/rock legend Johnny Winter and Coco Montoya. She’s opened for countless artists including A.C. Reed, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Dr. John. Rachelle resides in Wichita, KS, where she has developed a strong blues solo act. She won the 2012 TBS Blues Challenge in the“Solo/Duo” category, which qualifies her to head to Memphis to compete in the 2013 IBC.
The International Blues Challenge (IBC) will be the 29th year of Blues musicians from around the world competing for cash, prizes, and industry recognition. The Blues Foundation will present the 29th International Blues Challenge January 29-February 2, 2013 in Memphis, TN on famous Beale Street. The world’s largest gathering of Blues acts 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. In 2012, 119 bands and 86 solo/duo acts entered, filling the clubs up and down Beale Street for the quarter-finals on Wednesday and Thursday, the semi-finals on Friday and the finals at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday. There are at least that many entries for the 2013 challenge. Doors will open at 6:30 pm at Uncle Bo’s for the Topeka Blues Society’s “Kick-Off Party to Memphis”, where the Josh Vowell Band and Rachelle Coba will perform. Live music starts at8:30pm. There is a $7.00 cover charge and a silent auction, to raise funds to help our bands make the trip to Memphis. Please join us Saturday, Jan. 26th at Uncle Bo’s in wishing the Josh Vowell Band and Rachelle Coba GOOD LUCK at the 2013 IBC in Memphis!!!!
