Editor’s note: Rod Peterson, harmonica player and vocalist for his own Back Porch Blues Band, became part of Nick Hern’s Band at the 2012 IBC. Here is his moving account of his time in Memphis.
Blues acts go to the International Blues Challenge for a variety of reasons. For some, winning the IBC, or even making the finals, gives them a level of notoriety and credibility that can be a huge boost to their music career. For others, the networking opportunities and meeting countless booking agents, publicists and managers can mean more in the long run than where they place in the competition. For others still, it’s all about the music, meeting people, making new friends, connecting with old ones and having a good time. Count me in the last group.
Playing music is not my career nor do I ever intend it to be. I went to the IBC to support my friend Nick [Hern] and to enjoy the experience. And boy did I ever enjoy the experience. Let’s get the competition stuff out of the way first – we did not advance to the semi-finals. No big deal. That’s just a small part of the Memphis experience. The music is overwhelming. Showcases start at 11:00am. Every day. In multiple venues. It seemed like we never saw an entire set of one act because there was another one that we wanted to see just as much playing in another club at the same time. Good thing Beale Street is only two blocks long. Lots of back and forth.
Once the showcases ended, the matinee performances started up. Mr. Handy’s, Rum Boogie, pick a spot. There was likely to be music pouring out of it. Late afternoon meant the start of the competitions. Again, hurrying from one club to another so as not to miss that hot band that everyone was just SURE was going to win. As soon as the competitions were over, the jams started. BB Kings, Rum Boogie again, Alfred’s, all going on at once and all featuring the best blues talent in the world. Jams would run until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. Back to the hotel to crash for a few hours, get up, grab some breakfast at Miss Polly’s and do it all over again. For four days straight!
Obviously there is great music and great food. There is also the chance to slip away and visit Graceland or Sun Studios. But by far the best thing about going to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge is the people. Of course we couldn’t go anywhere without bumping into someone from the Topeka Blues Society. I’m telling you, we all had a presence there! But where else can you walk down the street and bump into Georg Schroeter and Mark Breitfelder, winners of the 2011 Solo/Duo Competition? Or stand on the street corner and chat with Phil Pemberton and Doug Woolverton from Roomful of Blues? How about sitting in with Brandon Santini at Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall? Or Tas Cru at his annual jam event? Sharing a booth with Bill Wax? (and not having any idea who he was!)
We got a chance to see old friends like Bart Walker, Paul Ossola and Reese Wynans. Josh Spence from the Sugar Prophets. The guys (and gal) from Levee Town and Grand Marquis. Davina, with the Vagabonds in tow. And oh, the new friends we made. Robert Sampson, Ron Tanski, Jeremiah Johnson and his band, Sonny Rock, Jeremy Wall, Annie Mack, Chad Thorne and Ron Gill from Poke Chop and the Other White Meats, the 24th Street Wailers, that crazy band from Pittsburgh. All very special, very talented people drawn by a common bond – a love of blues music.
There were many more encounters with folks I don’t remember their names or never got them in the first place. But I hope that gives you some idea of what it’s like to spend a week on Beale Street in early February. If you are a true lover of that great American musical art form known as “the blues” you should make darn sure that a trip to the IBC is on your bucket list!
