Regional Blues Challenge

Article from The Enterprise Tocsin, November 8, 2007

It was a night of blues music at Club Ebony last Saturday night when the Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola held its 4th Annual Mississippi Delta Regional Blues Challenge.

Blues acts from all over the state came to perform for a distinguished panel of judges and a club full of fans.

Seventy-nine year old blues legend, L. C. Ulmer, and 16-year-old Chase Holifield from Laurel were the 1st Place Winners in the Solo/Duo Competition. Pat Thomas from Leland came in 2nd Place.

Mickey Rogers & the Soul Master Band featuring Barbara Looney took home 1st Place in the Band Competition. Mickey and Barbara had the dance floor packed as Barbara belted out her authentic blues. The band calls Greenville home. Issippi from Jackson came in 2nd Place in the band category.

"We are very excited about our winners. They are legends in the blues world and excellent performers," said Janet Webb. "Both of our entrants for the 24th International Blues Challenge are Mississippi blues artists who are mentoring and teaching this art form/heritage to a younger generation who will be joining them at the IBC. Our blues society is very proud to be a part of this."

The winners of this year's Challenge will advance to the 24th International Blues Challenge in Memphis which will be held January 31-February 2, 2008. The IBC takes place on Beale Street. The finals will be held in the Orpheum on Saturday February 2.

Last year there were over 156 blues acts participating in the IBC from 48 states, Canada, and 8 foreign countries. The Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola came home with a 2nd Place win in the band competition with Homemade Jamz Blues Band from Tupelo.

Past Challenge Winners

2004 Challenge Winners

Solo: Pat Thomas Leland, MS

Band: David Lee Durham & the True Blues Band Indianola, MS

2005 Challenge Winners

Solo: Eden Brent Greenville, MS

IBC Solo 1st Place Winner – 2006

Band: Bill “Howl N’ Madd” Perry Abbeville, MS

2006 Challenge Winner

Solo: Terry “Harmonica” Bean Pontotoc, MS

Band: Homemade Jamz Blues Band Tupelo, MS

IBC Band 2nd Place Winner – 2007