The Topeka Blues Society is happy to announce our International Blues Challenge Kick-Off Party next Saturday, Jan. 18th, at Uncle Bo’s! Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7:30pm. with a $7 cover. Solo blues act Dave Bostwick and blues band The Old No. 5’s will be performing!
The Topeka Blues Society (TBS), an Affiliate of The Blues Foundation, held its Blues Challenge last August. Winning that challenge, and representing the TBS for the 30th annual International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, are Dave Bostwick, Solo Blues Act and The Old No. 5’s, Blues Band. These artists will be heading to Memphis to meet, greet and maybe even beat over 500 other artists performing up and down Beale Street on Tuesday, Jan. 21st through Saturday, Jan. 25th.
About the IBC: the IBC has evolved into the nation’s biggest and most respected showcase for Blues musicians ready to take their act to the national stage. The IBC is a judged “Battle of the Bands” in which competitors take the stage and play a short set for a panel of judges. The acts are judged based on an established set of criteria.
The IBC represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its Affiliated Organizations (mostly blues societies) for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to perform on a national stage, but just need that extra break. Each Affiliate of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and solo/duo act to represent the organization at the IBC Semi-Finals on Beale Street in Memphis, TN.
Affiliates are required to stage a regional preliminary IBC competition, with the winner of that competition representing the organization in the Memphis international competition. Usually, these preliminary rounds are held in clubs as part of a fundraiser or simply an excitement-building event. Each organization is free to structure the preliminary round as it sees fit, as long as a single band and/or solo/duo act is identified. However, since The Blues Foundation scoring criteria will determine the ultimate winner, we strongly encourage our Affiliates to use the same system in the preliminary competitions.
The International Blues Challenge also includes a youth showcase for those under the age of 21. It’s an afternoon of talented young people showcasing their talents for record labels, media, festivals, managers, talent buyers and the fans.
About the challengers representing TBS:
Making music means multitasking for Dave Bostwick. He simultaneously blends his acoustic guitar and harmonica skills to provide a background for his original lyrics. He honed his blues songwriting skills as part of the Kansas-based acoustic group 5 Man Trio. As a result of over 25 years spent performing in venues across the Midwest, his lyrics are flavored with a variety of real-life observations and humorous experiences. Adding keyboards to his instrumental repertoire, Bostwick also performs regularly with the popular Kansas City blues/rock band the Groove Pilots. www.groovepilots.com
The Old No. 5’s are marching along the familiar forefront of the American Folk music tradition. These newcomers from Kansas City fuse influences as far ranging as Blues, Reggae, Roots Rock, Country, Folk and Funk; beating into existence their own chapter of musical tradition which spans as long as the country is old. The Old No. 5’s are guitarist/vocalist Brock Alexander, percussionist Aaron Thomas, and Derek Tucker on bass guitar. These Kansas natives’ musical influences and heritage run deep with formal musical training. www.oldno5s.com
Please consider coming to Uncle Bo’s next Saturday, the 18th, and support our challengers as they prepare for their trip to the 30th Annual IBC in Memphis!
