Battle of the Blues Bands - THE WINNER

The winner of the competition to find a British blues band to go to the Harvest Blues Festival in Fredricton, New Brunswick, Canada in September was London based band 24 Pesos.  They will be appearing on all three days of the festival.

There will be a review of the whole event in the May edition of BiTS.

Congrats to 24 Pesos,  and commiserations to all the runners-up.

Thanks to Stan Cockeram for drawing this to attention

Check out this wonderful ebay item and PLEASE look at the comments and questions towards the foot of the page
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Les-Paul-guitar-body-need-attention-/250795555230?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a6494799e&afsrc=1

This made me laugh out loud. Wonderful!

British Blues Awards: Nominations

Just a few more days before the nomination process for artists closes (March 31) for the Kevin Thorpe British Blues Song of the year voting to select songs from the 'heats'  closes on 13th April. Go to http://www.bluesinthesouth/BBA to hear the selection of songs made by Ian McKenzie of Wednesday's Even Worse on Phonic FM.  To find out about the other potential nominees go to www.britishblueswards.com and click on K.T Award.  The more voters there are the more credible the award becomes.  You do not have to be British to vote.

British Blues Awards: Nominations for Blues Song of the Year

Ian McKenzie, editor of Blues In the South and DJ of Wednesday's Even Worse on Phonic FM (www.phonic.fm/listen-online) is one of 6 UK blues DJs  who has been asked by the organizers of the British Blues Awards to offer a shortlist of four songs for consideration for inclusion in the final selection of six songs to be voted on as the FINAL choice for The Kevin Thorpe Memorial Award for Best British Blues Song 2011.

Ian's choice of FOUR songs was played on his blues show on Wednesday 23rd March 2011.

If you missed it and want to hear the whole show go to www.bluesinthesouth.com/music.htm where there is a 'listen-again' facility.

If you just want hear the songs go to www.bluesinthesouth.com/BBA/ and use the music player.  To vote go to http://www.britishbluesawards.co.uk/phonic

For more info about the other shows proposing songs go to: http://britishbluesawards.com/#/kt-award/4548794081

VOTING FOR ALL SONG CHOICES WILL END ON  13TH APRIL

Battle of the Blues Bands - Competition for Tickets

The winner of the competition for two tickets for the final of the Battle of the Blues Bands Competition, to be held in London on 29th March at the 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street, is Phillip Skiba of Exeter.

The answers to the two questions were:

What was the 'frosty' nickname of blues man Albert Collins?  Answer: The Iceman
What particular type of instrument was Albert Collins famous for playing? Answer: A Fender Telecaster guitar

There were a number of entries.  Thanks to all those who entered.

Pinetop Perkins Passes On

Pinetop Perkins (Joe Willie Perkins) died in his sleep on Monday March 21, 2011. He was 97 years old. A piano player with Muddy Waters's band, Pinetop continued working to the last and this year was the recipient of a Grammy for his CD "Joined At The Hip" with Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith.  More at http://tinyurl.com/49uzdv3

Latest Phonic Blues Show Now On Line

The Latest show by Julian Piper is now on line at http://www.bluesinthesouth.com/Music.htm

British Blues Awards: The Kevin Thorpe Award (Best British Original Blues Song)

Kevin Thorpe was a singer/ songwriter and blues musician who passed away unexpectedly during last year's Nottingham Blues Festival.  Now the organisers of the 2011 British Blues Awards are initiating an award 'in memoriam': The Kevin Thorpe Award for the Best Original British Blues Song. 

Six blues DJs around the country have each prepared a different shortlist of 4 songs for their listeners to consider as suitable to go forward to the final list. (see www.britishbluesawards.com click KT Award for more info on the DJs and shows) 

Ian McKenzie of Wednesday's Even Worse, (Phonic FM (www.phonic.fm/listen-online/) Wed 6-8pm) is one of the six DJs and will be playing his 'shortlist' on his show on Wed 23rd March. 

YOU will be able to vote for the song you consider should go forward to the final.  Details of the voting process will be given during the show!  Come on have a bit of fun!

British Blues Awards: Nominations (a reminder)

UK Blues Awards

It's that time of year again......when you're invited to make your nominations for The British Blues Awards. 

You don't have to be British to nominate or to vote in the awards. You just have to choose British artists and musicians. Here is the link to make your nominations.

For the broadcast category, you might want to consider Wednesday's Even Worse on Phonic FM