Memphis IBC 2011

Once again we made our yearly trip to Memphis for the International Blues Competition the first week in February. A large time was had by all. There were 110 bands in the competition, 80 solo/duo acts. and 30 youth acts. It's impossible to see them all - and IMHO many of of the best bands did not make the finals. 1st Place: The Lionel Young Band (Colorado Blues Society) 2nd Place: The Mary Bridget Davies Group (Kansas City Blues Society) 3rd Place: Rob Blaine's Big Otis Blues (Windy City Blues Society) Rob also won the Best Guitarist Award which is a custom Gibson 335 and a Category 5 amp. Stephane Bertolino won the first ever Best Harmonica Player Award presented by Lee Oskar. The Solo/Duo results were: 1st Place: George Schroeter & Marc Breitfelder, sponsored by the Baltic Blues Society, Eutin, Germany. 2nd Place: Harrison Kennedy, representing Canal Bank Shuffle in Ontario, Canada.