The Illinois Central Blues Club formed in 1986 and
since then the group has hosted more than 42,000 musicians and 1500 live
performances. Each week the club hosts blues artists from across the
country, including a great many with local ties and talents. The
Club’s Blue Monday takes place at The Alamo (just north of Washington
on Fifth) each Monday evening from 8:30 – midnight. Admission
is $2.
The early hours of this Saturday’s Blues and
BBQ event gives blues lovers a chance to hear eight of central
Illinois’ finest blues players as they compete to win $1000 and
represent the ICBC at the 2009 Blues Foundation International Blues
Challenge in Memphis Tennessee. The contest was open to any band with
a member in the club.
The Blue’s Challenge stage is at Washington and
Fifth; the music starts at noon and continues non-stop until the judges
announce the winner around 5pm. Each band will play a full half hour.
Event judges include Karen McFarland, a member of the
Blues Foundation board of directors and here representing the Mississippi
Valley Blues Society. Mike Goza (Michael G) who hosts the Blues Power
radio show on WQNA 88.3 on Mondays from 5-7pm. Dave Wright, who hosts
Dave’s Tuesday Blues radio show on WEFT 90.1 in Champaign. Mark
Edmiston, President of the Illinois Central Blues Club and Sharon Whalen,
publisher of Illinois Times and an ICBC member. Cheri Alyse of
Neuhoff Media will serve as event emcee.
FrankÂ’s Creation – Inner City Blues Band 12-12:30pm
Frank Dunbar (bass/harp/sax/keyboards), Keith Robinson (drums), Anthony Butler and Veronica McFadden.
The voodoo blues band 12:30-1pm
Paul Consuegra (Lead Guitar/vocals), Eric Marshall (piano), Craig Thorton (bass), Darel White (drums), Rob Endicott (horn), and Willie “Blind Willie” Dineen (horn).
Bobby taylor & the blue soul band 1-1:30pm (picture not available)
Bobby Taylor (vocals), Adrian “Al” Muex (bass), Marcus “Tha Kid” Taylor (drums), Santiago “Dean” Roberts (guitar), and Conrad Lee (lead guitar).
Sofa kings 1:30-2pm
David Lumsden (guitar), Dion Doss (drums), Eric Tinsley (bass/vocals) have recruited two original (1999) band members Blake Everist (lead vocal) and Perry Zubek (keyboard/vocals).
Lorrie eden blues band 2-2:30pm
Lorrie Eden (vocals), David Lumsden (guitar), Ed Eden (bass/vocals), and Dion Doss (drums).
Pleasure chest 2:30-3pm
Kieth Altevought (guitar/vocals), Shane Denney (drums/vocals), Rich Hohmann (guitar), Robert Sampson (keyboard/vocals/slide guitar/electric guitar/harp), and Steve Suiter (bass/vocals).
Nothin but trouble 3-3:30pm
Mike Boos (lead guitar), Tammy Ushman (drums), Dennis Heyen (bass), Larry Daly (vocals).
Pike Station 3:30-4pm
Ben Cordes (guitar/vocals), Tony Cordes (drums/vocals), Jeff Davidsmeyer (keyboards), and Sean Holland (bass).
Cabin Fever 4-4:30pm
Tod Cima (drums), Zacj Johnson (harp/vocals), Tommy Rebbe (bass/guitar), Mike Davis (guitar), and Mike Eck (guitar/bass).
This article appears in Aug 14-20, 2008.
