WHAT'S NEW at SFBS....  
NOT a member yet?
Join at one of our Music Series events!

Dec. 15, 2008: It's with great excitement that the steering committee of SOUTHERN FRIED BLUES SOCIETY announce our MEMPHIS OR BUST fundraiser!

 
For those of you who attended our first annual Blues Challenge in Nov, the winning band, the fantastic and gritty sounds of WSNB will be traveling to Memphis to compete in the Blues Foundation sponsored and prestigious 25th annual INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE (www.blues.org).
 
The Blues Foundation has added a new category this year called YOUTH SHOWCASE. And SFBS is sending the outstanding high school Blues band in our area, SKINNY LEGS & ALL.
 
So both bands need money for their traveling expenses and we're asking YOU to help them out. For your last minute Christmas gifts we'll be having a silent auction. Items include musical instruments, paintings, original photography, handmade jewelry and more.
 
We'll also be holding a raffle for those who donate $3.00 or more to the Southern Fried Blues Society buckets at the membership table, and you will receive a complimentary raffle ticket for your chance to win tickets to area music shows, personal services, T-shirts, CD's and more!
 
While it seems this holiday season many of us are strapped financially more then in past years, your presence at the event is enough. And if you can spare even just $5.00 in support of these bands and our area's Blues Society, the positive domino effect you'll create will allow our society to become viable enough to lift our diverse community in a myriad of ways for years to come. We thank you in advance for your love and support. 
 
Where? Westville Pub, 777 Haywood Road in West Asheville.
 
When? Wednesday, December 17, 2008,  7pm - 10pm
 
We're grateful for your support and we look forward to seeing you at the fundraiser.
 
From SFBS to you: Blessings to you during this holiday season.

The Blues are Alive and Kicking...

THANK YOU, Asheville NC!

Dec 15, 2008:  For those of you who didn’t attend, no better evidence of that came Sunday night, Nov 9th, 2008 at Mo Daddy's, 77 Biltmore Ave with a standing room only crowd for The Southern Fried Blues Society's first annual Blues Challenge. 

SFBS staged a phenomenal show/challenge with area bands such as Blonde Blues, Riyen Roots and the Family Tree Band, Leigh Glass Band, Peggy Ratusz & Daddy LongLegs and WSNB (We Sing Nasty Blues). Each presented stunning, 20 minute sets to a packed house and 3 judges. And while the judges tallied the scores, Asheville's own reigning princesses Grit Pixies entertained the anxiously awaiting musicians, members and general public.  

WSNB, from Hickory, NC came up the very gracious and outstanding winners on a very close race for the 3 highest spots. There was only 3/10th’s of a point separating them from 2nd place phenomenals, Peggy Ratusz & Daddy LongLegs. Leigh Glass’s Alt Country Blues band was the ringer in 3rd place.  

WSNB band includes the raw and spirited Willie Shane Johnston on harp and vocals, backed by stellar Big Daddy Brown on guitar, Clay Ford on bass with Jason Gardner on drums. Their swampy, dirty Blues set of originals edged out the very captivating and diverse sounds of the other acts. They'll now travel to Memphis in February supported by SFBS committee members Peggy Ratusz and Liz Cyriac going along for the ride. If there’s anyone else who’d like to come along, please contact Peggy at pmarie43@yahoo.com. 

This contingency of Blues aficionados is destined to grow as SFBS continues to make its mark in this area and around the country. Thank you to all the people who showed up for the first annual Blues Challenge and we look forward to seeing you and new faces at the upcoming fundraisers at Westville Pub in early December and Mo Daddy's in mid-January. So spread the word to your friends, family and neighbors, and encourage them to get "Bluesified" by becoming members of SFBS!

WE NEED MEMBER FEEDBACK!!!

ONE MORE THING WE’RE ASKING OF OUR MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED THE BLUES CHALLENGE: We’d like to include any positive comments from our members, regarding the Blues Challenge. We’re open for almost any kind of comments, but particularly we’re looking for good reviews from you, the audience, so that our member bands who competed, can use your positive feedback in their promo packs. Any comments about the venue, about how the challenge was run and what you’d suggest for next year, are also wholly welcomed! Email your reviews to pmarie43@yahoo.com and put in the subject line: SFBS Blues Challenge Review.

 

Please welcome our newest member bands!
 
Leigh Glass Band
Leigh Glass Band
 
Garry Segal & the ToDyeFor Band
 Garry Segal

 

BusterBuster
 



 

 

 

 

Side Alley Blues Band
 Side Alley Blues Band


Welcome to: RiYeN RoOtS & ThE FaMiLy TrEe BaNd

Tampa Bay Vocalist/Songwriter selected for 25TH Annual
International Blues Challenge

Julie Black and her band are breathing fresh air into the music scene,
reviving listeners with a sound that transcends time & genre.

Tampa Bay, FL – Internationally known recording artist, vocalist and songwriter Julie Black announced today she and her band have been chosen to represent the Loma Blues Society of Finland at the prestigious 25th International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis Tennessee early next year. The event takes place February 4-7, 2009 and is the world’s largest gathering of Blue’s musicians, drawing massive crowds of spectators & top record industry executives.

”We are so honored to have been selected for this great opportunity.” says Ms. Black, “As artists we are proud to create music that is uniquely identifiable as our own and are touched that it has gotten the attention of listeners around the world.”

IBC’s top performers will walk away with cash, prizes, industry contacts & artistic recognition. The Blues Foundation and its Affiliated Organizations conduct an international search to find the best & brightest acts to participate in the 3 day challenge.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Julie Black is a Contemporary Blues songwriter & vocalist from the Tampa Bay area. Among her influences are early greats like Solomon Burke, Etta James, Billie Holliday, Nina Simone, Big Joe Turner, Ella Fitzgerald & Otis Redding. Black’s own songwriting reflects a passion for Blues while incorporating flavors of other genres. Blues Revue Magazine calls Julie Black “a major singing and songwriting talent”. Black performs with her 4 piece band of master musicians including: Michael Johnn, keys; Dave Eichenberger, guitar; Bill Spicuglia, bass and Mike LaSala, drums.

Her unique sound has not only won her the loyal support of the Blues & Jazz communities, but also fans across genres around the world. She released her debut, all original CD Call Me Angel for Blues in January 2007. Since that time her album has received high praise from critics around the world, she has been featured in Blues Wax Magazine & Blues Revue Magazine, appeared on WFLA NBC’s The Daytime Show, CBS WTSP-TV Studio 10 and in April of this year her CD was released for international distribution in Japan.

Named one of the Top 5 Contemporary Blues Album of the Year by Blues Critic Radio, Call Me Angel for Blues hit the charts at XM Satellite Radio & Roots Music Report. Julie’s music can be heard locally on XM Bluesville, XM Beyond Jazz, Sirius Blues and on WMNF 88.5.

For more details about the dynamic songwriter/vocalist and her band, please visit www.angelforblues.com or www.myspace.com/angelforblues.

On their way to Memphis!
25th International Blues Challenge announces Youth Showcase.

The Blues Foundation will add a youth showcase for the 25th year of the International Blues Challenge. Smokin' Bluz of Charlotte, NC has signed on as the Presenting Sponsor. Over the years this event has witnessed the influx of younger musicians competing for top honors at this international event. In an effort gain maximum exposure to this new crop of talented artist, the 25th IBC will include an afternoon(Friday, February 6, 2009) of these talented young people showcasing their talents for record labels, media, festivals, managers, talent buyers and the fans.

This will be a showcase, not a competition. Acts may also be competing at night in the challenge, but they are not required to be the affiliate’s entry for the competition.

Each affiliate has the right to send a youth act for the showcase. While the definition for youth act is loose, we would expect no member of the band to be over 21. The essence of the showcase is to expose the blues world to future stars of this genre.

SFBS is proud to sponsor
SKINNY LEGS AND ALL to this showcase event. If you missed their recent Music Series performance, come out and support them at The Garage at Biltmore, Saturday, December 6th.

Check it out!!
Tour Tracker offers you the latest bookings for music coming to Asheville - by date and venue

Southern Fried Blues Music Series Submissions on SonicbidsWanna play an event?
If not a member of SFBS, submit through Sonicbids for SFBS Ongoing Music Series

eLEK-tRO- FYE'Yn
NEW BLUES RELEASES
~ updated weekly~

If you're looking for blues
radio airplay,
submit your new music directly
to CB Roy
c/o Power 90.5 FM
Western Carolina Univ.
What's New is periodically updated as new content is received. Last updated: