by B.J. Huchtemann

There are two more shows celebrating local bands headed to the national Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (IBC) Jan. 31-Feb. 4 in Memphis.
Blues Society of Omaha BluesEd youth band Crimson Dawn will represent the BSO in the International Blues Challenge Youth Division. They open for The 9s at P.S. Collective inside Benson’s Pizza Shoppe Saturday, Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.

The Lil’ Slim Blues Band was chosen through a series of judged events in the first annual Nebraska Blues Challenge in the spring of 2011. The Lil’ Slim Blues Band features Magic Slim’s son Shawn Holt, along with Jeff Boehmer, son of Zoo Bar founder Larry Boehmer, plus Joshua Hoyer and Bo Rose. If you’re reading this Wednesday, Jan. 25, you can still catch their Omaha send-off party at McKenna’s, 6-8:30 p.m. Then the band gigs at the Zoo Bar Friday, Jan. 27, 8-10 p.m. The Lil’ Slim Blues Band will be one of 10 bands playing in Des Moines on six stages Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Central Iowa Blues Society’s Winter Blues Fest. The group will be featured along with other regional IBC finalists and headliner Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials.

Stone River Boys
Dave Gonzalez and The Stone River Boys featuring highly entertaining vocalist Mike Barfield have two Zoo dates. The country-soul ensemble gigs Thursday, Feb. 2, 6-9 p.m. and also Saturday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m.
Much of the band’s most recent CD, Love on the Dial, was recorded at Fuse Recording by Charlie Johnson of the Mezcal Brothers. High octane guitarist Dave Gonzalez is a local favorite from his previous bands the Hacienda Brothers and The Paladins. See stoneriverboys.com.

Rockabilly Anniversary
Omaha Rockabilly Night celebrates its one-year anniversary Saturday, Jan. 28, at Gator O’Malley’s, 8 p.m. Bands include Mezcal Brothers, The Blacktop Ramblers and The Willards.

Hot Notes
Mike Zito revs up his rockin’ electric blues at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Jan. 26, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials also play at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Feb. 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Ed and the guys put down their old-school Chicago blues at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Friday, Feb. 3, 5-8 p.m.
Brad Cordle Band is at Gator O’Malley’s Friday, Jan. 27, 9 p.m.
Vago hosts the Second Annual Burns Night celebrating Scottish poet Robert Burns Saturday, Jan. 28, at Barley Street Tavern with guests including 24 Hour Cardlock, Korey Anderson and Platte River Rain.

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