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..> ..> INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE FINALS - Nov 11 - 2007 - Moondog's
It was a rainy, Sunday afternoon on November 11,2007. The storm clouds were gathering over Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers had just pounded the Cleveland Browns. The storm clouds gathered for a different reason over Moondogs'. The Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania unleashed a fury of music while hosting their 3rd Annual Blues Challenge. The sounds of the thundering applause from those in attendance were overwhelming. Each band took the stage as gladiators and gave their best twenty-minute performance to date. The competitors included: Jill West and Blues Attack, Ms. Fredi and Blue Faze, The Dave Iglar Band, and Blue Lunch. The judges worked feverishly to decide the winner. Blue Lunch, all the way in from Cleveland, Ohio, started the day with their "hep cat" aura that included sounds of R&B, Doo –Wap, and "straight blues." Ms. Freddie and Blue Faze followed. Having been together only five years and having been influenced by Greg "Fingers" Taylor, they offered an overwhelming selection of vocals, guitar, harp, bass, and drums. Jill West and The Blues Attack provided their own brand of hard-edged blues that followed the likes of the Vaughn brothers, BB King, and Muddy Waters. Their vocals were accompanied by lightening guitar work and a thundering rhythm section. The Dave Iglar Band rounded out the competition. Dave's twenty years of experience brought his compilation of rock, blues, and fusion to the event. His sax-playing daughter, Andrea, accompanied him and the band. The steam is still coming off of the stage from her solos. Jill West and Blues Attack was declared the winner by only one point. Whew! The judges had worked up a sweat over the closeness of their decision.
Jeff Kelly, the Solo/Duo winner from Clymar, Pa, rounded out the day. He brought his style of traditional delta blues to Pittsburgh and delighted a captivated audience.    Both winners were presented their cash prizes and their chance to go to the International Blues Challenge in January of 2008 as OUR representatives for the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania. We wish them well in their quest.    The winner of the signed guitar, Sharon Prochnik, has been contacted and arrangements have been made for its delivery.    See you all at the next International Blues Challenge scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Cefalo's in Carnegie, PA. BLUES SOCIETY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA http://www.bswpa.org
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October is upon us. This year it brings the International Blues Challenge (IBC) into town.

The judges will have quite a task on their hands! Some of the finest acts ever to grace the stage in the tri-state area will be lined up for the showdown!

90% of these bands are national quality acts that just haven't broken through into the national scene yet.

The IBC competition is designed to give them exactly that opportunity.

I truly believe that all of them deserve to win.
However, only one Band and one Solo / Duo act will rise to the occasion and champion this region, as they find fame and glory competing against an international field of their peers in Memphis, Tennessee.

--- Jim Hamel, President BSWPA

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