HVBS - "Road to Memphis" Solo/Duo and Band Blues Challenge
As an affiliate member of The Blues Foundation, THE HUDSON VALLEY BLUES SOCIETY hosted the Inaugural HVBS Solo/Duo and Band Blues Challenge on Saturday, June 26, at Meadow Blues Coffee, 8 Greycourt Ave, Chester, NY 10918.
8 acts performed a 20-minute judged and timed set. The HVBS Blues Challenge winners, Adam Power Project (solo/duo) and the Menza Madison Band, will represent the Hudson Valley in the 37th International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, May 2022 (postponed from January 2022).
Message from HVBS President Paul Toscano...
"As president of the Hudson Valley Blues Society, I was so happy yesterday. Our team brought together some of the finest musicians the Hudson Valley has to offer to compete in our local challenge, with the winners heading to Memphis to compete on the world stage in January.
It was a long road to get this challenge off the ground. The HVBS only started toward the end of 2018 with our affiliation to the Blues Foundation happening in January of 2020 while I was there attending the IBC in Memphis. Jazzed to be an affiliate, we worked to get the 2020 challenge running only to be stopped by a pandemic. Almost 18 months later, we finally made that happen.
It was a result of hard work and determination. I will start by thanking that team of folks that make things happen:
Hillary Fontana, Steve Fontana, Bill McCann, Tom Forst, Cristy Cristy Bacon Benvenutti and Kat Plummer. Without you guys, none of this could happen. You guys are amazing.
I would like to thank Gina and Simone Stafford and the staff of Meadow Blues Coffee as they were the venue for this challenge. We love them and make sure to show them your love.
I would like to thank Kevin Bayersdorfer. His sound engineering is nothing short of incredible.
Huge thanks goes to our incredible judges: Sonny Rock, Tom Forst, Cristy Benvenutti, Bill Lifford and Vaneese Thomas.
Your job was not easy. There was so much competition that made the choices difficult.
I would like to thank all the Blues fans that came out to cheer on your favorite, or just to see live music competition.
Thank you to all the solo/duo artists and the bands who came ready to play: Chris Raabe (Solo), Adam Power Project (Solo), The Full Stop Blues Band, Roadhouse Roosters, Chris Raabe Band, Robert Hill Band, The Chills and Thrills Blues Band and the Menza Madison Band. You all brought your "A" game. A fine group of musicians each and every one of you. I love you guys!
Finally, to our winners!
Adam Power Project winner of solo/duo challenge - what a great, heartfelt performance. We wish you great success in Memphis. I plan to be there to see you do it again my friend! Each time as there will be many!
The Menza Madison Band winner of the band challenge - I have watched you guys grow. TMMB performance yesterday was absolutely brilliant. As I mentioned to Adam, I will also be there for your performances!"
8 acts performed a 20-minute judged and timed set. The HVBS Blues Challenge winners, Adam Power Project (solo/duo) and the Menza Madison Band, will represent the Hudson Valley in the 37th International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, May 2022 (postponed from January 2022).
Message from HVBS President Paul Toscano...
"As president of the Hudson Valley Blues Society, I was so happy yesterday. Our team brought together some of the finest musicians the Hudson Valley has to offer to compete in our local challenge, with the winners heading to Memphis to compete on the world stage in January.
It was a long road to get this challenge off the ground. The HVBS only started toward the end of 2018 with our affiliation to the Blues Foundation happening in January of 2020 while I was there attending the IBC in Memphis. Jazzed to be an affiliate, we worked to get the 2020 challenge running only to be stopped by a pandemic. Almost 18 months later, we finally made that happen.
It was a result of hard work and determination. I will start by thanking that team of folks that make things happen:
Hillary Fontana, Steve Fontana, Bill McCann, Tom Forst, Cristy Cristy Bacon Benvenutti and Kat Plummer. Without you guys, none of this could happen. You guys are amazing.
I would like to thank Gina and Simone Stafford and the staff of Meadow Blues Coffee as they were the venue for this challenge. We love them and make sure to show them your love.
I would like to thank Kevin Bayersdorfer. His sound engineering is nothing short of incredible.
Huge thanks goes to our incredible judges: Sonny Rock, Tom Forst, Cristy Benvenutti, Bill Lifford and Vaneese Thomas.
Your job was not easy. There was so much competition that made the choices difficult.
I would like to thank all the Blues fans that came out to cheer on your favorite, or just to see live music competition.
Thank you to all the solo/duo artists and the bands who came ready to play: Chris Raabe (Solo), Adam Power Project (Solo), The Full Stop Blues Band, Roadhouse Roosters, Chris Raabe Band, Robert Hill Band, The Chills and Thrills Blues Band and the Menza Madison Band. You all brought your "A" game. A fine group of musicians each and every one of you. I love you guys!
Finally, to our winners!
Adam Power Project winner of solo/duo challenge - what a great, heartfelt performance. We wish you great success in Memphis. I plan to be there to see you do it again my friend! Each time as there will be many!
The Menza Madison Band winner of the band challenge - I have watched you guys grow. TMMB performance yesterday was absolutely brilliant. As I mentioned to Adam, I will also be there for your performances!"
