The band led by veteran blues guitarist and singer Weezil Malone was a late addition to Sunday’s contest, but will now advance to the national competition in Memphis.
Blues Lovers Galore: The crowd cheering the Backdoor Blues Band on Sunday at Billy’s Lounge. (Photo/Terry DeBoer)
A late addition to the lineup took the top prize at Sunday’s regional International Blues Competition (IBC) at Billy’s Lounge in Grand Rapids.
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The Weezil Malone Band outpointed four other blues ensembles to advance to the national competition in Memphis next January.
“We got a call saying one of the bands (the Steve Hilger Band) couldn’t do it and asked us if we’d like to,” said lead singer Larry Fitzgerald, whose band had played in past years.
The competition was sponsored by the West Michigan Blues Society. A four-judge panel – including writer Terry DeBoer from Local Spins – scored the artist performances.
Regional Winner: Weezil Malone (Larry Fitzgerald) with his trophy from Sunday. (Photo/Terry DeBoer)
Fitzgerald and his band had the opening slot: not always the best assignment in a competitive situation.
“I liked it,” remarked Fitzgerald, 74, following the event. “I wanted to set the bar high and even inspire the other bands.”
In second place was the Kelly Quinn Blues Experience, followed by the Backdoor Blues Band. Also performing were 56 Tornados and Tonya Martini & The Bluetones.
The turnout for Sunday’s event was tremendous. “It was packed when we started and still packed when the last band was done,” Fitzgerald added.
A first this year: there is now a trophy for the regional winner. It’s a miniature flaming blues guitar on a base with an inscription noting the victory.
Last year’s regional winners were Citizen Jones (duo) and Sunny Bleau & The Moons (band). The Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association, meanwhile, sent Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish (duo) and The Kennedy Affair (band) as its representatives last year to the competition in Memphis.
Held in January, the International Blues Challenge is the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians, hosted by The Blues Foundation while serving as a global competition for blues bands.
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