photo by Marilyn Stringer
All of us at Lightning In A Bottle records (LIAB records) wish to extend congratulations to all of the participants and to the winners of the Blues Foundation’s ‘23 International Blues Challenge;
BAND DIVISION Winner: Mathias Lattin
SOLO/DUO DIVISION Winner: Frank Sultana
BEST SELF-PRODUCED CD Winner: Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal – Green Light
LIAB records and the Pacific Northwest music community were well represented at this years event. LIAB records artists the TJ Wong trio (Timothy James, Chandler Bowerman, Timmer Blakely) and Andrew Matthews represented the Cascade Blues Association (CBA) in the band and junior representative categories, respectively.
Both presented stellar performances in their showcases. Johnny Wheels, while unable to attend the event in person, was there in spirit and represented as a finalist in the “Best Self Produced CD” category for his LIAB records release “Keep On Pushin’”.
Additionally, Timmer and Chad Rupp, (leader of the Sugar Root’s) were seen at several of the pro jams run nightly through the duration of the event, including the IBC kick off event “the Mississippi Mingle” pro jam held in Clarksdale Mississippi and hosted by Stan Street at his beautiful “Hambone” art gallery.
Other PNW representatives seen performing through the week included vocalist Rae Gordon (CBA president and ‘17 IBC third place finalist), vocalist/guitarist Ben Rice (2014 IBC band finalist, 2015 IBC solo/duo finalist, 2015 recipient of the Best Guitarist award for solo/duo, 3x BMA nominee), Portland drum legend Dave Melyan, first call Portland bassist Joseph Conrad and Portland’s popular vocalist Melissa Buchanan.
LIAB records artists are already making preparations to compete in the ‘23 Journey To Memphis (J2M). The CBA’s next years IBC representative are determined through this event and the finalists win a slot at Portland’s historic Waterfront Blues Festival.
In preparations for this years J2M competitions, Rae Gordon and Timmer Blakely will be hosting a clinic at Catfish Lou’s in Beaverton, OR on Sunday 2/26/23 from 2-4 pm (free to CBA members, $5.00 for non members). The clinic will include topics that provide an overview of the benefits of entering the J2M and competing in the IBC, in addition to strategies and insights from experienced competitors. Go to the CBA website for more details.
