Blues showdown awards trip to Memphis

Posted by Stephen Centanni | Aug 27, 2014 | Music Briefs | 0 |

The blues have been an integral part of American music. The southern-based genre crawled out of the swamps of the Mississippi Delta in the early 20th century and has been collecting a legion of enthusiasts ever since. Along the way, the blues also paved the way for the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. The sacred form of American music is lauded around the world, and The Blues Foundation has been there to preserve its many traditions.

EXB Ric McNaughton

In order to find the best and brightest in modern blues, The Blues Foundation holds its annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Blues societies from around the globe send the best to compete for a plethora of prizes, which can include everything from publicity work to festival spots.

Each year, The Gulf Coast Blues Society selects a blues act from along the Gulf Coast to represent the area in Memphis. The organization selects their representing band with a day-long, judged showcase that includes the best of Gulf Coast blues. The top band will travel to Memphis to compete in the 2015 International Blues Challenge in late January.

This year’s line-up of competing bands includes Tony Vegas Band, Michael Vincent, Midnight Ramblers, Josh Garrett Band, Johnny No, Ric McNaughton Band, Rock Bottom, Meacham Motor Company, Blues Injectors, Doc Johnson and Smokin’ Toasters. As is tradition, the crew at The Blues Tavern will also be serving up free food throughout the event.

International Blues Challenge
Date: Saturday, Aug. 30, noon
Venue: The Blues Tavern, 2818 Government Blvd.,
www.bluestavern.com
Tickets: Free

About The Author

Stephen Centanni

With the exception of two years spent at Auburn University, Steve Centanni has spent his life in Mobile County while focusing on his two passions: music and the written word. As soon as he was issued his driver’s license, Centanni began to explore the local music scene in the early ‘90s. He filled his weekend with visits classic local venues such as the Four Strong Winds Coffee House, Vincent Van Go-Go’s and Culture Shock, all of which welcomed those who had yet to reach 18. After high school, Centanni traded Mobile for Auburn to complete his B.A. in English with an emphasis on general writing. While at Auburn, he had the honor of studying under the Pulitzer-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, who served as the nation’s Poet Laureate in 2012 and 2014. After receiving his diploma, Centanni quickly moved back to Mobile and completed the University of South Alabama’s graduate program with a M.Ed. Eventually, he was tapped by the nationally distributed Volume Entertainment Magazine to serve as the magazine’s managing editor/senior writer. His time with Volume allowed him to exercise his love for both music and writing. As Volume began to fade, Lagniappe recruited Centanni as their Music Writer and later their Music Editor, where he has remained for a little over a decade. As far as his involvement in the local music scene, Centanni organized Cess Fest at the Langan Park, which was a mini-festival focused on original local music in a time when original local music was veritably taboo in Downtown Mobile. For a short time, he brought original music to Downtown Mobile as the in-house promoter for the now deceased venue Cell Block. He managed local underground powerhouse Fry Cook, until the members parted ways. Centanni has lent his bass to bands such as Keychain Pistol and The F’n A-Holes, and he toured nationally as a member of Abstract Artimus & the Torture Children. Currently, he provides vocals for the garage blues rock outfit Johnny No. Ultimately, Centanni’s experience in the local music scene as both a participant and an observer has allowed him to witness the ever-changing persona of Mobile’s enigmatic music scene, which continues to leave him with more questions than answers.