Each year affiliates of The Blues Foundation send their areas best Blues acts to Memphis, Tennessee to compete in the International Blues Challenge. January 31-February 2, 2008 marked the 24th year that the best of the best Blues acts from around the world converged on Memphis.
The Blues Foundation and its affiliate's work hard to insure that the music we love is preserved and promoted to the next generation of Blues fans. This year once again saw talented musicians from around the world. They were represented in every venue and at both solo/duo and band finals
Musicians from each act played for two nights in venues on Beale Street. Acts saw two different sets of three judges. The panels of judges were selected from society officers, all forms of Blues media, Blues promoters, and Blues performers. The entire spectrum of Blues professionals followed a specific set of criteria set by The Blues Foundation. Each venue sent one act to compete in finals. The venues as well as finals are separated into two separate divisions. (Bands and solo/duo) Both are judged by the same set of criteria. Band finals started at 2:00 pm at the elegant Orpheum Theatre and Solo/duo finals where held at 8:00pm there.
Musicians from around the world have commented that just getting the chance to play on historic Beale Street is worth the trip. After the event they are amazed with the amount of friendships that where formed, not only with other musicians, but with global fans and blues industry insiders. The networking opportunities for the professional blues musicians at IBC are priceless. Watch your local Blues festivals not only for the winning acts, but for any of the 160 acts that played on historic Beale Street.
And the winners were:
Bands
1st place: Trampled Under Foot - Kansas City Blues Society
2nd place: Shakura S'Aida - Toronto Blues Society
3rd place: 'Lil' Ray Neal Blues Band - Baton Rouge Blues Society
Duo/Solo
1st place: Lionel Young - Colorado Blues Society
2nd place: Ben Prestage - Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast
'Lil' RAY NEAL
Lil Ray Neal, was born, Raful Neal, III, on March 16, 1960, third eldest of ten siblings, in Erwinville, La., a small rural hamlet just outside of Baton Rouge.
Li'l Ray began his musical odyssey as a child in the presence of his harmonica playing father, Mr. Raful Neal, Jr.Being exposed to his father's band members and other musicians all the time, the house was filled with music. Lil Ray's uncle owned a “store"/club, called Spooners and his father and his band would play there. At the end of the night, after the gig, Lil Ray, then about 12, would sneak out into one of the vans and play one of the guitars, always breaking strings and stealthily placing the guitar back in the case, as if nothing had happened.One night, his father's band members didn't show for a gigand he began backing his father in the band.
In 1975, he formed a band with his brothers, Ronnie, Larry and Noel. On Saturdays, they played for a local radio station in Baton Rouge, WXOK. In 1980, he went to Canada to play with his oldest brother, Kenny. Upon returning, he played with his father off and on until his passing a few years ago. He also, went on the road, playing with James Cotton, Lil Milton Campbell, Bobby Rush and Bobby Blue Bland.He has played festivals in Europe and Switzerland. In 1996, he took a hiatus and returned home, weary of the road.
Now, he's back, with his dynamic sound and the history and experience to put it all together. Dubbed by some, as the “gentle giant of the blues," he's ready, willing and able to provide a blues sound that will have you standing in the isles and stompin' yo feet! His motto “nothing but the blues" is truly for blues lovers. His prowess on the guitar is surpassed by none. He is the road-warrior for the blues greats in his quest to keep this genre alive. Those that have “got their hats" would be very proud.
Contact:Li'l Ray Neal Blues Band
Telephone 866-648-7764
[email protected]
For more information contact Just Roots PR.
