Bands I saw at the IBC

100 bands..10/venue..60 solo/duo's in 6 venues..well, you can see why it was impossible to see very many. Plus, I stayed in my bands venue thru the 1st night to check out the competition..in the Hard Rock with Nothin But Trouble...I loved Andy Walo Band representing Southern California Blues Society..discovered in Denmark in 1992 by Albert Collins' bass player..got him to move to Chicago.He's played with Buddy Guy, Jimmy Johnson and Otis Clay..He then was Junior Well's guitar player for 3 years (Albert Castiglia got the gig after him and kept it until Jr's death)..Also the drummer off Andy's CD's is the new drummer for Walter Trout..It's a power trio driven by serious guitar licks..YUM..and he's a fan of Joe's. Check him out!! The Charlotte Blues Society's entry was WSNB..a swampy, Dr. John voiced, harmonica driven group..lot's of fun and the 2nd favorite for many in my group..Patrick McLaughlin, a finalist in 2004, is only 28! He now is part of a power trio..very good player whose name we will continue to hear I'm certain..not a blues/rocker but a very serious guitar player from the Columbus Blues Society in Ohio. Black~n~Blues, from Billtown Blues Society in Pa. were another high energy band. AWEK. the band that won our venue were from France. Really nice guys..Harmonica and guitar in an interpreted "Old School Blues" style..Sadly, it didn't come over as well in the finals..sounded flat..In other venues I went to see my friends..lower case blues..young'ins from the Delaware Blues Society..They are wonderful young men, again Jake plays in a full out blues/rock style, (not the judge's favorite) but did so well they were asked to stay over Sunday night and play at their venue..They are also big Joe fans..Little Rodger and the Cheap Thrills from Virgnia made it to the finals. The guitar player, Reid Doughten was spot on...wish he would have been allowed to cut loose instead of being a background for "Lil" Rodger's 300lbs of harp playing..also, whoever was doing the lighting at the finals was on crack! It was awful..Reid would be playing a solo and they would keep the light on the harp player..grumble! They played 1st so I'm certain it didn't help. There were so many that I would only get to catch a snippet of many...The good news..There's tons of good bands out there..Go support live, local shows!         Cathy