World Famous ROCK N BOWL was rockin’ & bluesin' as the Voodoo Blues Krewe New Orleans Blues Society held the blues band competition finals there last Saturday night. Scoring the most points with the judges, Ed Wills & Blues 4 $ale won the competition and will receive $1000 to help get them to Memphis, TN next February 2012 for the International Blues Competition (IBC) held every year by the Blues Foundation. Ed and his band will also get some upcoming gigs, most notably, at the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival next month.
The night started with a performance by The Nomads, a young group of musicians from the Northshore, definitely channeling some old blues masters. The Nomads will be showcased at the IBC in February in the Youth category. This will be a great opportunity for them to do some networking in the industry.
Next up was a rousing set by Kenny Acosta, winner of this year's Solo/Duo competition. He will be competing in Memphis next February in that category.
There was stiff competition among the 4 challenge bands. JD Hill & The Jammers played first. Troy Turner & 3rd Gear, and John Lisi & Delta Funk quickly followed. The music had the dance floor filled during all 4 performances. But Ed and his band came out on top. Blues 4 $ale consists of guitar player/singer/writer Ed Wills, bass player, LeRoy Freeman, Brad Keith on drums, Jeff Jones playing the keys.
Also on the program, Ernie Vincent and Walter "Wolfman" Washington were inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, for their contributions to and promotion of the musical heritage of Louisiana. LMHF director, Mike Shepherd made the presentation.
The VBK bestowed the 3rd Annual Snooks Eaglin Lifetime Achievement Award to Deacon John Moore. The award traditionally honors someone who has devoted their lives and careers to the promotion, enhancement and performance of blues and the styles of music and influences from which it came. Also for the 3rd year in a row, artist Ben Bullins created the unique award, which highlighted the original Dew Drop Inn sign, along with the Deacon’s signature bow tie.
The VBK would like to thank the judges who gave their time to pick our winners: Singer/Songwriter Leslie Blackshear Smith, Professor Joe Burns of Southeastern University, Libra Lagrone, Talent Curator of the Ogden Museum, Musician/Composer and WWOZ DJ David Torkanowski, and also Coach/Actor appearing in the HBO series Treme, Lance Nichols.