Hector Anchondo Band is the winner of the 2014-15 Nebraska Blues Challenge held Sunday, Sept. 21, at The 21st Saloon. The band will represent the Blues Society of Omaha in the 2015 International Blues Challenge (IBC) Jan. 20-24 in Memphis. The prestigious showcase and competition sponsored by the Blues Foundation gives great exposure to up and coming talent. See blues.org/ibc.
2014 IBC Winner at 21st
An example of what the IBC can do for an artist is Mr. Sipp, also known as The Mississippi Blues Child. He hits The 21st Saloon Thursday, Sept 25, 6—9 p.m. Mr. Sipp is the 2014 International Blues Challenge Winner and was recognized with the event’s 2014 Gibson Best Guitarist Award. The Cascade Blues Association says of Mr. Sipp “This is everything that made you fall in love with the blues to begin with. Soulful, gritty, guitar excellence and vocal power.” See mrsippthemississippiblueschild.com.
Chicago blues guitarist and singer John Primer is at The 21st Saloon next Thursday, Oct. 2, 6-9 p.m. See more about Primer in the Zoo section below.
Zoo Blues
Lincoln’s Zoo Bar hosts Brad Cordle Band Friday, Sept. 26, 5-7 p.m. Igor & The Red Elvises bring their comedic rockabilly to The Zoo next Monday, Sept. 29, 6-9 p.m. Chicago bluesman John Primer plugs in at the club next Wednesday, Oct. 1, 6-9 p.m. Primer was Magic Slim’s longtime sideman and has enjoyed a successful career fronting his own band, with many Blues Music Award nominations on his resume. Primer is a 2010 Grammy nominee for the CD Chicago Blues: A Living History, shared with collaborators Billy Boy Arnold, Billy Branch and Lurrie Bell. The disc also won the 2010 Blues Music Award for Album of the Year. See johnprimerblues.com.
Hot Notes
Lincoln’s Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers are putting the finishing touches on a new disc. Recorded at Omaha’s ARC Studios, Living by the Minute is slated for a Nov. 7 release party at The Bourbon Theatre and a Nov. 8 celebration concert at Slowdown. It’s a timely follow-up to Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers’ self-titled debut disc. That CD came out earlier this spring and spent 24 straight weeks in the Top Ten for Soul and R&B on the Roots Music Report charts. See rootsmusicreport.com. The band has a 14-city West Coast tour booked for November, getting back just in time to play Thanksgiving night at The Zoo Bar. See joshhoyerandtheshadowboxers.com.
Justin Townes Earle plays Friday, Sept 26, at Lincoln’s Bourbon Theatre, 8 p.m. American Aquarium opens.