Some fine weekend blues; the IBCs

There are some good blues in the Burgh this weekend, including some fine old R&B, and the first round of the Western Pa. Blues Society's bands lining up for the 2009 International Blues Challenge.

Once again there are competing blues shows, although the two Saturday night concerts probably appeal to different kinds of fans.

Jeff Ingersoll's Bondeog Records is bringing Atlanta blues shouter Tommy Brown to the Palisades in McKeesport for Bonedog's Spring Review, a show that also includes one of the purest blues guitarists in the region, Eugene Morgan. The Hoodoo Drugstore, a rootsy creation of local songwriter/musician Mike Sweeney  opens the show. The PG's Scott Mervis talked to Ingersoll about the show in an article yesterday.

Jeff is to be commended for his constant work to bring great talent to the area, often for a recording session. Brown is to record his second CD for Bonedog on this trip. Looking forward to it.

 Meanwhile, the aging but still fierce blues-rocker Johnny Winter brings a show to the Rex Theater on the South Side. Winter has been getting his groove back for the past couple of years, and also focusing a little more on traditional blues.

If I had to pick one of those Saturday shows, I'd pick the Bonedog fest -- Brown isn't usually around for local shows, and he brings a music that you don't hear much anymore performed by the people who created it.

Then on SUnday night, you can check out the first round of the local IBCs at the D'Vine Wine Bar & Lounge in Wexford. Here's the complete schedule for the IBCs, courtesy of Jim Hamel of the Western P. Blues Society:

March 22nd 2009 International Blues Challenge
International Blues Challenge,
Sunday March 22nd Round1
D'Vine Wine Bar & Lounge
www.dvinewinepa.com
12017 Perry Hwy
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 933-5533

(just North of Pittsburgh)

2:00pm Blues Junkies
2:30pm Soul Shakers
3:00pm Shot o Soul
3:30pm Big House Pete
4:00pm Pamela Bick and the Warehouse Blues Band
4:30pm Angel Blue and the Prophets
5:00pm Dave Iglar Band
5:30pm Craig King & Kings Ransom
6:00pm Felix and the Hurricanes

Sunday April 5th Round 2

Kendrew's
Aliquippa, PA to represent Beaver County
Sunday, April 5
Application Deadline: March 15, 2009
LINEUP:
2:00 Blue Guitar
2:30 Freeport Road Gang
3:00 Off-the Hook
3:30 Ian Arthurs Band
4:00 Memphis Cradle
4:30 Ron Yaros
5:00 Charlie Wheeler Band
5:30 Jill West and Blues Attack
6:00 Billy the Kid and the Regulators
6:30 Magic Mama Latte


FINALS
Moondog's
Blawnox, PA
Sunday, April 26, 2009
SOLO/DUO's + 2 finalists from DVine Wine and Kendrews

LINEUP

2:00 Monica Yasher and Steve S. -
2:30 Dave Iglar
3:00 Gary Prisby
3:30 Guitar John
4:00 Winner from Kendrews
4:30 Ink Blues
5:00 Mack Jump
5:30 Winner from D'Vine Wine
6:00 Turk and Paul
6:30 Bubs McKeg and Dr. Blue
7:00 Winner from Kendrews
7:30 Sal Barberra and Gary Applegate
8:00 Winner from D'Vine Wine

$1000 prize to winning band at Finals, $500 prize to winning Solo,Duo at Finals