I’m at the IBC’s in Memphis, and first order of business is a meeting of Blues Society leaders! Meet Kimberly Horton - Interim President of The Blues Foundation.
With the recent departure of former President and CEO Judith Black, Horton says she looks forward to leading The Blues Foundation to its next chapter and the organization’s upcoming signature events, including International Blues Challenge in January 2023 and the Blues Music Awards in May 2023.
A native of Jackson, Mississippi, the longtime manager and agent, and the founder of Heathrow Muzik Box, LLC, Horton has guided the careers of many internationally renowned Blues artists, including Johnny Rawls, Billy Price, Lattimore, Dexter Allen, Lady A, Big Lou Johnson, and Eric Nolan of the famed R&B and soul group, The O’Jays, and more during her 15-year career as a manager/agent.
For over 35 years, the Memphis-based Blues Foundation has hosted the International Blues Challenge (IBC). The challenge builds in communities around the world, where affiliate blues societies host regional competitions to crown their strongest talents. It’s these regional winners who are invited to compete in the IBC, making it the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians—routinely involving more than 200 bands, solo acts and duos.
Dick Earl's Electric Witness
All roads lead to Memphis! Wishing the Las Vegas Blues Society’s own Dick Earl's Electric Witness the best of luck for #IBC2023
Qualifying @ the Vegas Valley Blues Brawl
About Generation Blues
The Blues Foundation expanded its longstanding Blues in the Schools youth education efforts with a new initiative that began in 2010 entitled Generation Blues. Generation Blues was created to provide financial assistance to aspiring young Blues musicians whose limited financial resources might prohibit them from attending a Blues music learning opportunity. This scholarship program is available for those under the age of 21 to study their instrument of choice at reputable camps, seminars, and workshop programs in the United States and Canada. The Scholarship does not fund individual lessons or tuition.
Night 1 @ IBC2023
@ Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street
Thanks to LVBS President, Jimmy Carpenter, for posting a couple songs from our 5-song set at the Hard Rock last night! We are honored to be representing Las Vegas, and look forward to being on stage again tonight. Thanks for the love from back home, y'all! - Dick Earl (Dick Earl's Electric Witness)
Night 2 @ IBC2023
@ Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street
Representing the #LasVegasBluesSociety in the #quarterfinals of #InternationalBluesChallenge!
Hanging with Dick Earl's Electric Witness, waiting for the quarter final results.. exciting!! #lasvegasbluessociety - Jimmy Carpenter
Quarter Final Results
Day 3 @ IBC2023
Semifinals Schedule
Keep checking back for more...
#MarissaHollenback and #CadenPowell just got into town, and tonight #DickEarlsElectricWitness competes in the Semifinal!!!
The Semifinals
Watch this space for details - WAITING TO SEE WHO MAKES IT THROUGH TO THE FINALS!!!
UPDATE ⬇️
Guess Who's going to finals?!?
WATCH THEIR FULL SET HERE
#live streamed by Dick Earl's Electric Witness
➡️ Here’s wishing all the good juju for Dick Earl's Electric Witness as they move forward to the FINALS for #IBC2023 - 130 international acts, 72 bands, 28 semifinalists, 6 final bands (and 6 solo/duo) today at noon at the historic #OrpheumTheatre, #Memphis, #Tennessee. Epic. #IBC #Memphis #lasvegasblues #intothefire #bluesband
Orpheum Theatre (Memphis)
The Orpheum has been the Mid-South home of touring Broadway productions since 1977. In addition to the Broadway Series, the theatre also hosts performances by Ballet Memphis, various concerts, and local cultural and community events such as Memphis in May and the International Blues Challenge.
THE FINALS IBC2023
IBC Finals & Best Self-Produced CD Winner - Noon | Orpheum Theatre (203 S. Main Street) - Doors open at 11:30 am
The Results Are In...
Congratulations to the IBC winners #MathiasLattinBand from Houstan & #FrankSultana from Australia!!
A Winning Performance
"Mathias Lattin is an up-and-coming young Texas guitarist and a product of the acclaimed Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts. He’s heavily influenced by music legends B.B. King, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Albert Collins, and Wes Montgomery..."
Check Out Their Website to LEARN MORE
