01/13/14 IBC Preview Show #2 - Jimi Hocking, Mick Kolassa & Little G Weevil plus Hank Mowery News

Our second IBC Preview Show before the real deal begins next Tuesday.

We explore the IBC's from 2005 through last year with two winners and a gentleman who is totally involved in all things Blues.

01/06/14 International Blues Challenge Preview Show 1

First show of 2014 and the first of two IBC Preview shows this year, before the main event begins on January 21st with our first live show from Beale at 7pm, and then at 8pm we begin simulcasting the first two hours of the Tas Cru Jam for Generation Blues from the Rum Boogie Cafe.

On this night we welcomed in:
2013 IBC Band Winner, Selwyn Birchwood
2008 Solo/Duo Winner & 2011 Band Winner, Lionel Young and
Tas Cru, who leads the opening night Jam for the IBC each year.

01/21/13 The WIRED! Band Sat On The Couch

Last year's band Challenge winners, The WIRED! Band takes their seats.

I was joined by drummer Rick Jacobson and Bassist Keith Bakke as Guitarist Kevin Sutton suffered from the flu.

01/21/13 Chef Chris Sat On The Couch

With his band, The Nairobi Trio, Chef Chris came to Memphis in 2002 for the 18th IBC and they took first place in the Band Challenge.

Throughout his life two passions have driven him, cooking and the blues. What has Chef Chris been up to since winning 11 years ago?

 He talked about the whirlwind he and the band experienced following the IBC and how one passion has taken a larger role in his life today.

Chris talked about the Challenge and his thoughts on what an act needs to do to do well here in Memphis.

We also checked out some tunes from the 2002 album, Ruff Cuts.

CHEF CHRIS WEB SITE


Listen Live to Music On The Couch with Vinny Bond
each Monday at 9pm Central on Blog Talk Radio

Chef Chris’ Segment Begins At The
38:26 Mark

01/21/13 Joe Whitmer Sits On The Couch

Joe Whitmer is Deputy Director of the IBC and is the main lead on the International Blues Challenge, ensuring it runs smoothly each year.

of course, he could not do it without the legion of volunteers. These folks take time off from their jobs, fly in, pay for their hotels and meals and still put in 15 hour days!

01/07/13 Toby Walker Sat On The Couch

Known then as “Little” Toby Walker, he came to Memphis and walked away with the top spot in the 18 IBC Solo/Duo Challenge in 2002.

 Now, Toby Walker tours the world sharing his skillful finger-picking technique, songs and music with all who come to listen.

01/07/13 Tom Gray from Delta Moon Sat On The Couch

Back in 2003, Tom Gray and Mark Johnson brought Delta Moon to Memphis and won the 19th IBC Band Challenge.

They did not stop there and 9 years later they just released their 7th album, Black Cat Oil, expanding their sound even further.

01/07/13 Ray Bonneville Sat On The Couch

Ray Bonneville took first place in the 28 IBC Solo/Duo Challenge last year in Memphis. Since then he has been traveling almost constantly throughout the US, Canada and Europe, playing over 150 shows a year.

Ray and I discussed his career before the IBC and what it has been like afterward.