Representing MHBS in the Memphis, 2020 International Blues Challenge January 28 - February 1, 2020
Westside Joe and the Men of Soul
(Joe Schicke, Taylor Tester, Steve Amedee)
Solo / Duo: Jeffrey MarshallIn a world where it seems that most musicians are more concerned about their social media accounts and Instagram followers then talent and hard work, Jeffrey Marshall is trying to breathe life into the music industry one fan at a time. Born with a severe disability that left him without arms and in a wheelchair, Jeffrey uses his abilities to invoke audiences up on their feet and wanting more. Using his feet to maneuver the guitar and his mouth to belt out his feelings using voice and harmonica, Jeffrey‘s only desire in life is to share his talent with anyone willing to listen and experience his life through his art. Jeffrey began his musical journey as a teenager in Nashville and it has since taken him all over the planet playing with some of the best musicians in the world. He has shared the stage with international bands and has performed all over the United States as well as nearly a dozen countries. His music is raw, infectious, and genuine to its core. When Jeffrey is not recording or performing, he works as a documentary filmmaker and doing his weekly radio show on Ozcat Radio (89.5 FM KZCT) in Vallejo California. He is also vary passionate about his non profit (The Jeffrey Marshall Arts Foundation) that promotes self emancipation through artistic expression. Jeffrey Marshall is honored and humbled to be taking part in the IBC 2020 and his goal is to express to audiences that as much as the blues can be digested and learnt, it is much better served with heart and soul.
Youth Showcase: Alfonzo and Friends
(Alfred Dworak, Aidan Debie, Jeremy Schofield, Aidan Roberts)
Well beyond his years and hailed as a “real bluesman” Alfonzo brings music that transcends boundaries while taking you on an emotional ride from the Delta to Chicago and then into unexplored territory. As a performer, songwriter, producer and multi instrumentalist from Colorado, Alfonzo with his soul, blues and funk collective provides the stories of a thousand different cities. For the 2020 IBC Alfonzo will be backed by bassist, Jay Marshall, guitarist, Aidan Roberts and drummer Aidan Debie. Together they put on a fully immersive stage performance that leaves the audience begging for more!
Representing MHBS in the Memphis, 2020 International Blues Challenge January 28 - February 1, 2020
Stay tuned for our MHBS IBC Fundraiser / Benefits to support these fine musicians going to Memphis.
If you're planning to go to Memphis for the IBC in late January 2020, remember that the IBC member blocks of discounted hotel accommodation opens October 1st and they go really fast! Check out the Blues.org (Blues Foundation) website for more details. Below is a letter from Barbara Newman, President of the Blues Foundation in Memphis.
 Greetings from Barbara
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| Hello Blues Friends,
Tomorrow is the big day! We will open the IBC ticketing platform to allow you to begin purchasing International Blues Challenge passes. You will also be able to purchase upgrades for reserved finals seating in the Orpheum Theatre orchestra. Those premier seats are assigned on a first come, first served basis, so make sure to make your ticket purchases early. We will also share links and phone instructions for all of the downtown hotels with whom we have partnerships, so you can make your discounted rate reservations at a variety of hotels around the downtown Memphis area and all within walking distance to Beale Street.
This year, our host hotel will be the Holiday Inn, located on Union Avenue and just a few short blocks from all the action on Beale. We have had a wonderful relationship with the DoubleTree Hotel these past years. They will be available for IBC reservations, but immediately after the IBC concludes, they will fully close to begin major construction to re-brand and upgrade their facility, opening again in late 2021. While we will miss them as our host hotel, we are excited for our new partnership with the Holiday Inn, where we will present our Keeping the Blues Alive Awards Brunch along with some of our other panels and workshops. I hope you will consider joining us for our KBA event where we honor those members of the blues community who continue to work behind the scenes to ensure the genre remains viable and vibrant. We will be sharing the names of our KBA recipients later in the fall, so watch for that announcement.
Challenger registration opens next week, so if you are part of blues society leadership, please watch for communication from Joe Whitmer with formal instructions. We'll shortly begin publicizing the names of all the challengers. We are also working on the schedule of events for IBC week, to include panels, workshops, film, museum exhibit openings, book signing, and more. We hope to have that ever-growing schedule available for you in the next month.
And in the midst of IBC planning, let's not forget about the Blues Music Awards. The BMA submission process is moving into its final weeks. All submissions are due no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, October 15. If you are a musician who has released new blues music between November 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019 or are part of that musician's team, I hope you will consider submitting your music for consideration. Our nominators' job is to find the very best in blues recording and performance from the past year, and we depend upon blues creators to share their music in order for us to determine the most worthy for these nominations. If you don't submit, you cannot be considered. Last year we had close to 300 blues submissions and we are already fast approaching that number. Help us show the world how much great blues music is out there by making sure to submit your new music by October 15.
And finally, please allow me to remind you that it is not too late to be a part of The Blues Foundation's and Blues Hall of Fame's walkway entrance by purchasing one of our Bricks for the Blues. Your donation of either $250 or $500 for a 4"x8" or 8"x8" personally inscribed brick will both help us with our mission to preserve, celebrate, and expand awareness of the blues and allow you to share your own personalized and permanent message on a brick within that walkway. All bricks donated with completed inscription information by October 31 will be included in our next installation and you will be able to see our growing outdoor tribute during your visit for the International Blues Challenge.
I'm honored to sit at this desk and to work on behalf of this wonderful genre. Thank you for your support of our work. It means so much to me and to blues lovers the world round.
Best regards, Barbara Newman | |
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THE BMA'S - BLUES MUSIC AWARDS - MAY 7, 2020 IN MEMPHIS
This event brings together Blues performers, industry representatives, and fans from all over the world to celebrate the best in Blues recordings and performances from the previous year. The BMAs are generally recognized as the highest honor given to blues musicians and are awarded by vote of Blues Foundation members.
All musicians are invited to submit their recordings for Blues Music Award consideration.
The 41st Blues Music Awards submission process is now open.
Submission Deadlines
August 1 – August 31, 2019 – $155 USD per submission
September 1 – September 30, 2019 – $180 USD per submission
October 1 – October 15, 2019 – $225 USD per submission
For additional details go to the Blues Foundation's website at https://blues.org/blues-music-awards/#submission
| All musicians are invited to submit their Blues recordings for consideration.
Blues music released between November 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019 is eligible for consideration for a 2020 Blues Music Award Nomination. | |
You may now formally submit your album for consideration via our online service.
Your complete album music must be uploaded as a WAV file with album artwork uploaded as a JPEG or PDF file. If you need assistance with uploading your music, album artwork, and/or liner notes, please contact Joe Whitmer at joe@blues.org.
Submission fees and deadlines:
- Now until August 31, 2019 - $155 per submission
- September 1 – September 30, 2019 - $180 per submission
- October 1 – October 15, 2019 - $225 per submission
The submission process officially closes on October 15, 2019. You must upload your music and artwork and complete payment for your submission transaction no later than OCTOBER 15TH to be considered for a Blues Music Award nomination.
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| CATEGORY SELECTION
As you prepare to submit your music, please also be ready to choose the category in which you feel your music best falls. These choices include Acoustic Blues, Blues Rock, Contemporary Blues, Soul Blues, and Traditional Blues. If you feel that your recording represents your work as an emerging blues artist, you may also choose that category for consideration. Please note: for your album to be considered for Best Emerging Artist Album, you may have no more than two previous album releases prior to the album you wish to submit. With each full album recording submission, you will be required to include one song from that album for consideration as Song of the Year. In addition, please be prepared to list the names of all contributing musicians for consideration in BMA instrumentalist categories. All music will be screened ahead of ballots going to our nominators to ensure that your music does indeed fall into the category that you have chosen and that at least 51% of your recording constitutes blues music. The Blues Foundation reserves the right to move your music into a different category based upon our definitions, as follows:
Acoustic Blues Album: That album released during the eligibility period that best represents acoustic blues, in which non-electric/amplified instruments are prominently featured on at least 75% of the tracks.
Blues Rock Album: That album released to the public during the eligibility period with a majority of songs that best portrays the Rock Blues genre, that hybrid that combines elements of blues with elements of rock, generally employing heavy amplification and driving rhythms, and which may employ non-traditional blues song structures.
Contemporary Blues Album: That album released to the public during the eligibility period that best portrays Blues in which elements other than those traditionally found in Blues are part of the mix, e.g., different rhythms, different harmonies, more elaborate production values, etc. and which may offer a different approach to sounds, lyrics, instrumentation, arrangements, etc.
Soul Blues Album: That album released to the public during the eligibility period that best portrays Southern soul blues, a type of soul music that emerged from the Southern United States. The music originates from a combination of styles including blues (both 12 bar and jump) with a strong gospel influence.
Traditional Blues Album: That album released to the public during the eligibility period with a majority of songs that best portrays traditional electric blues employing traditional blues song structures, harmonic structures and rhythms, and which may also employ instruments such as electric guitar, piano, organ, amplified harmonica, electric bass, and drums. This category includes subgenres such as jump/swing blues and Chicago blues. | |
As you release future recordings, we encourage you to send at least one copy of your CD to: The Blues Foundation, 421 South Main, Memphis, TN 38103-4464. The earlier you do this the better. It informs The Blues Foundation staff that your CD has been released and allows us to log it for future BMA related communications.
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(Joe Schicke, Taylor Tester, Steve Amedee)
Eef & The Blues Express @ The Rusty Bucket
Scott "SHACK" Hackler will be playing solo EVERY MONDAY NIGHT
Lincoln Station, Lonetree, Colorado
