GLTC

2005 Winners of The Columbus Blues Alliance Challenge

The Columbus Blues Alliance’s Sixth Annual Blues Challenge was, as it was promised to be, one of the Greatest Blues Parties of the year!  Willie Pooch & The Upsetters walked away with the $1000 prize and will be representing the CBA at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis this January in the band category. Damian Knapp & Gary Lee McKimmie will represent the CBA in the Solo/Duo competition at the IBC in January. The competition was again really stiff in both the Solo/Duo Category and the Band Category. The Judges had to work hard at picking the winners. This year the CBA Panel of non-partisan Judges included: Charlie Noble (Owner of the Key Palace Theater, Red Key, IN - voted one of the top 10 best blues bars in the US), Fred and Barb Coffin (North Central Ohio Blues Society), Jerry “Pickle” Felter (Pickle’s Blues Extravaganza, Lima, OH), Keith Little (Musician and Founder/President of Cincinnati’s United Local Artists Network, Inc.), and Terry O’Brian (President of the Blues Society of Western PA). The CBA thanks the Judges for volunteering their time and blues experience for this event. Also, we would like to extend an extra special thanks to Whiskey Dick’s for their hospitality and cooperation in helping make this competition successful. Second place in the solo/duo category went to Andy “Robo” Robinson. Andy normally plays with Willie Pooch and the Upsetters, but chose to enter as a solo act. The IBC rules prevent artists from performing in both solo and group acts. Second place in the band category went to Soul Satyr. Hadden Sayers & the Hillbillies finished Third.