The Crossroads Blues Society of Rosedale, MS is once again sending nominees to the International Blues Competition (IBC) in Memphis, TN. The IBC is being held on historic Beale Street on February 1 – 5. This year’s nominees in the band division is Vinnie C. and the Rosedale Stomp, a group from Northeast Mississippi that emphasizes Hill Country and Delta blues. Vinny C. is best known for performing as Willie Foster’s guitarist in the late ’90’s. This year’s entrants in the Solo/Duo division are Alponso Sanders and Bill “Howlin’ Madd” Perry, who took 2nd place in the Solo/Duo division in 2010. This pair of accomplished musicians has plans to take top honors home to the Delta when they go back to Memphis.
In order to support our nominees for this year’s IBC, the Crossroads Blues Society, in conjunction with the Delta Center for Culture and Learning and the Airport Grocery, will sponsor the Second Annual IBC Fundraiser on Tuesday, January 25th at the Airport Grocery starting at 7:00 pm. This year’s nominees will take turns on the stage, with each nominee playing a 20 minute set using the format established for the blues challenge in Memphis. The sets will be short and smoking hot, with small breaks between each act, performing round-robin blues into the night. A minimum $5 donation is requested to help these blues artists with expenses in Memphis as they show the world that The Delta still is the Capital of the Blues! Come out and show your support for these Ambassadors of Rosedale and the Delta Blues!