OTTAWA BLUES SOCIETY - INT'L BLUES CHALLENGE (REMINDER)

PRESS RELEASE
25 September 2008

“On the Road to Memphis”
Ottawa Blues Society - Blues Challenge

Round #1 of the Semi-Finals for The Ottawa Blues Society’s (OBS) “On the Road to Memphis – Blues Challenge” took place Wednesday, September 24, to a packed house at Tucson’s. It was a huge success! Ottawa’s own musician, J.W. Jones, was MC for the event and the enthusiastic crowd was treated to an all-band jam at the end of the evening’s competition.

Judges Bob Cabana (owner of Ottawa’s FabGear64), James Doran (organizer of the “Blues on the Rideau”series) and Todd Bernard (from DAWG-FM, Canada and North America’s first ever all-blues commercial radio, expected to hit the airwaves by Summer 2009) had their own “blues challenge” choosing the two lucky winners.

The two winning bands from Round #1, who will now advance to The Finals, include:

Elyssa Mahoney & Lucas Haneman and Wicked Grin

This local “Band” category competition is Ottawa’s first opportunity to participate in the prestigious Blues Foundation’s, “International Blues Challenge”. One talented band will be chosen the winner and represent Ottawa in Memphis, TN, February 2009 at the 25th International Blues Challenge.

During the local competition, bands are judged by the same criteria used for the International Competition in Memphis. Each band provides a 25-minute performance and is judged by regional volunteers knowledgeable about The Blues. The $5.00 cover charge and impressive raffle draws serve as fundraising support for travel and accommodation expenses for the winning OBS representative.

Round #2 of the Semi-Finals takes place Wednesday, October 1, 7:00 p.m. at Tucson’s, 2440 Bank St., Ottawa. Competing bands for Round #2 will include:

Phlegm
Tell Mama
Monkey Junk

The two highest scoring bands from each Semi-Final Round will advance as the four finalists for the “On The Road to Memphis”, Blues Challenge Finals taking place Thursday, October 2, 7:00 p.m. at Tucson’s, 2440 Bank St., Ottawa.


For further information:
Debra Thornington, Director OBS
Tele: 819-684-4984 (evenings)
E-mail: debra@ottawabluessociety.com

http://www.ottawabluessociety.com/events.php



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