Presented by The Capital Region Blues Network

Come be part of the audience that helps vote to send a local band to Memphis

For the past 33 years in January the Memphis based Blues Foundation hosts The International Blues challenge. The International Blues Challenge is an international search by The Blues Foundation and its Affiliated Organizations (of which our own Capital Region Blues Network is one) for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to perform on a national stage, but just need that extra break. Each Affiliate of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and solo/duo act to represent the organization at the IBC Semi-Finals on Beale Street in Memphis, TN.

The Capital Region Blues Network offers local blues bands the opportunity to compete locally for a chance to then compete in the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis and win a prize package including:

-$1500 cash

-Nomination to the International Blues Competition in Memphis

-Premium Guitar Setup from Kokotele Guitar Works (1 for each guitarist/bassist in

the winning band)

This year’s competitors

Andrew Wheeler Band (2015 Albany winner in the solo/duo category)

The Andrew Wheeler Band crafts new interpretations from American blues and roots. Guitarist and vocalist Andrew Wheeler recently released his first CD, Stone Cross, and has played hundreds of gigs, including opening for globally known musicians Tinsley Ellis and Elliot Murphy. The band includes vocalist Donna Marie Tritico, who opened for Robin Trower and Kenny Wayne Shepherd; drummer Matt Carey, who toured the UK and US on Polydor records; keyboardist Sonny Speed, a NYS Blues Hall of Fame inductee (2015); bassist David Bacheldor who opened for several large acts including Richie Havens and Luther Johnson; harp player Michael LaPorte who performed extensively in the US Southwest. In 2015, Wheeler represented the Capital Region Blues Network in the band category at the Memphis International Blues Challenge.

Amy Ryan Band (2015 Albany winner in the band category)

Witnessing Amy’s solo performances at open mic sessions in New York’s Capital Region, guitarist Richard Green saw an opportunity to combine his own blues guitar chops with a gutsy female singer with the potential to lead a great blues band.  The Amy Ryan Band was soon born. Melding  together Amy’s country blues mojo and Richard’s urban blues sensibilities, this musical partnership is rounded out by the addition of bassist Steve Dietemann and drummer Al Bauman, whose jazz,  funk and rock capabilities complete a great band.  With a repertoire that includes band adaptations of Amy’s self-penned solo tunes, new originals and select covers, the Amy Ryan Band rocks the blues.  In 2015, the Amy Ryan Band represented the Capital Region Blues Network in the band category at the Memphis International Blues Challenge.

Silver Chain

Silver Chain has played throughout the Capital Region as well as famous Beale Street clubs in Memphis, and have opened for Squirrel Nut Zippers founder Jimbo Mathus.  Silver Chain builds on a solid foundation of folk and Chicago blues styles and adds influences from Texas blues, including influences from artists such as ZZ Top, Sonny Boy Williamson, Junior Wells, Paul Butterfield, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King, Albert King, and Bill Perry, among many others.  Silver Chain is competing in the International Blues Challenge for the first time this year.