On October 13 and October 20 the Blues Blowtorch Society, in cooperation with the River City Blues Society, hosted the first of what will be an annual event -- the Central Illinois Blues Challenge. The winner of the local Blues Challenge will be sent to Memphis in early 2003 to compete as our representative in the International Blues Challenge.

There was so much interest that the event had to be spread across two weeks, with four bands performing each week. Bands were judged by the same criteria that is used in Memphis for the International competition. Each band has 30 minutes to perform and is given points based on stage presence, musical ability, and the originality of their work. Bands are penalized if they exceed the time limit.

In addition to the overall winner of the Blues Challenge, each week the audience voted for their favorite band and a "People's Choice" award was presented to the band receiving the most votes.

This first Blues Challenge was successful beyond our expectations. Many people contributed their time and effort to make certain that everything ran smoothly, but much of that success can be credited to hard work and careful planning by Julie Swanberg.

Thanks also go to Daddio's for hosting the event and contributing a portion of the beer sales to the Blues Blowtorch Society. A special thanks also goes to Samuel Music, for helping with sound and equipment.

  
         
 
 
         
 
BLUES CHALLENGE WINNERS

Overall Winner: 6V6

Week 1 People's Choice Award: Katie O'Neall

Week 2 People's Choice Award: Bill Porter Project
  
         
 
 
         
 
 
  
         
 
Week 1 -- October 13, 2002
  
   
 
    
 
Billy Galt and
Steve "the Harp" Mehlberg
 
     
 
Pocket Change
 
         
 
Katie O'Neall
People's Choice Award
Winner for Week 1
 
         
 
 

Full Circle
 
         
         
 
 
   
         
 
Week 1 Judges
James Walker, Brian Wilkinson, Bruce Bergathon and Eric Tapley
Julie Swanberg, Timekeeper
  
         
 
 
         
 
Week 2 -- October 20, 2002
  
         
 
Electrik Trybe
 
         
 
6V6
Blues Challenge Winners!!!
 
         
 
Robin Crowe Band
 
         
 
 
     
 
Bill Porter Project
People's Choice Award Winners for Week 2
  
         
         
   
   
         
 
Week 2 Judges
James Walker, Richard Goff, Brian Wilkinson, and Dave Long
  
         
   
   
         
 
Julie Swanberg announces the winner.
  
         
 
 
         
   

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