International Blues Challenge Winners

By Candice Ludlow

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Memphis, TN – The 27th International Blues Challenge wrapped up Saturday at the Orpheum Theatre. More than 220 acts from North America and around the world competed for top honors in the band and solo/duo categories.

The central US took the top honors in the band category with The Lionel Young Band from Colorado who won first place. Lionel Young is no stranger to the IBC's. In 2008, he was the solo/duo winner. The Mary Bridget Davies Group of Kansas City took second and Rob Blaine's Big Otis Blues from Chicago won third.

Then, in the solo/duos category, Georg Schroeter and Marc Breitfelder from Germany came in first. And second place went to Harrison Sweet Tea' Kennedy of Ontario, Canada.

The IBC's are put on annually by the Blues Foundation in an effort to foster new talent and to keep the blues alive