Gerry Hundt and Ronnie Shellist BITS 9/25/13

Crossroads Blues Society Volunteer Party 9/22/13 at 3 PM!

The festivals are over and it is time for our volunteer appreciation party.  If you volunteered at Byron Crossroads Blues Festival or even the Field of Blues Festival, this party is to honor you!

3 to 6 PM, Sunday, September 22nd, 2013 at the Byron American Legion!  Australia's top blues and root music band, first American tour!

Sample of their music videos: Storm Cellar Videos.   It is a very cool mix of blues and roots with a rocking feel.

Free food for volunteers provided by our bar and restaurant partners.  Others can attend the show with a $5 cover, no food included.  Cash bar- very low prices.

50-50 raffle and other prizes!

Crossroads Blues Challenge

Sunday October 13th 

Crossroads Blues Society

presents the

2013 Crossroads

Blues Challenge

RULES

1.      Open to all bands who live within 150 miles of Rockford AND who have played within 50 miles of Rockford at least twice in the last year (September 2012 through August 2013).

2.      Entries must complete the entry application and provide a photograph of the band.

3.      Entries must be accompanied with a $25 entry fee which will be returned only if the band is not selected to compete in the Crossroads Blues Challenge (CBC).

4.      Entries must be accompanied by a three song sampler of the band.  If more than three songs are provided, the first three songs on the entry sampler will be used, 

5.      The band must be willing and able to perform in the Crossroads Blues Challenge on Sunday, October 13th at the Adriatic Bar in Rockford and if they win they must be able to perform at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) held in Memphis, Tennessee from January 21-25, 2014.  If the winning band does not compete in Memphis they will forfeit and refund all travel expenses raised by Crossroads Blues Society back to Crossroads.

6.      If a  band was ever nominated for a Blues Music Award (or the former W.C. Handy Award), the act or band is ineligible to compete in the CBC and IBC.

7.      A band is limited to two consecutive appearances at the IBC and must then sit out at least one year before being eligible to compete again. Any act under the same name will not be allowed to compete three consecutive years.

8.      An individual may not compete in more than one act in any capacity.  A musician cannot compete in the Band Division and the Solo/Duo Division, even if that musician represents a different Affiliate in each. 

9.      The CBC and IBC adhere to the following criteria for what constitutes a band:  any act with three or more musicians. Vocalists are counted as musicians for the purpose of this competition. Both electric and acoustic instruments are allowed..

10.   The signature on the entry form signifies that the above rules are understood and will be complied with.  Failure to perform in Memphis as agreed to will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of all privileges and prizes.

The winners of the 2013 CBC (1 band) will receive:

1.      The total of all entry fees received for the 2013 CBC.

2.      A paid engagement at either the 2014 Field of Blues Festival in Loves Park or the 2014 Byron Crossroads Blues Festival in Byron.  The band will paid at least $600 (negotiable).

3.      Crossroads will assist with other fundraising efforts to be agreed to after the CBC.

All judges decisions are final.

 Entry Form (must be submitted with entry fee by 10/9/13)
Mail to Crossroads Blues Society
c/o 1043 Kingsway Lane
Byron, IL 61010

Band Name _____________________________________________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________

Band Member ____________________ Instrument _____________         

Contact Information:

Band Leader ________________________________________ 

Phone _____________________

Other Contact _______________________________________ 

Phone: _____________________

E-mail: ____________________________

Website: ___________________________________________

2013 BCBF

 

Advanced tickets on line $7 plus $1 service charge.

 

Selwyn Birchwoodat at the Adriatic

Inaugural Field of Blues Fest

It's here!  Saturday June 22nd is the Inaugural Field of Blues Festival!

Field of Blues Festival Link

 

Reminder- Ana Popovic at the Adriatic May 24th!

Friday May 24th at 9 PM at the Adriatic Live Music Bar on 327 West Jefferson St in Rockford.  Advanced tickets are $20 and are expected to sell out, so get yours soon!  Tickets are at the club, available through Steve Jones and at CD Source on State Street.  When they are gone they are gone.  Admission at the door (if any tickets are left) will be $25.  Can you stand the heat???????

Linda Valori to Make First Rockford Appearances

Press Release

Crossroads Blues Society is proud to be bringing Italy's female blues sensation Linda Valori to Rockford for two great shows.  Linda has a brand new CD entitled "Day's Like This" with some scorching hot vocals that amazes all listeners!  She was "discovered" in 2005 at Italy's huge San Remo Festival and has gone on to fame in Italy's music and television scene.  This new CD introduces her to the American market and Crossroads is proud to be among the first to host her here.

"Linda's voice is huge and expressed," noted Crossroads President Steve Jones.  "She reminds me a little bit of a young Ruth Brown, with hints of Sarah Vaughn and Martha Reeves woven into the textures of her voice.  I was floored when I put this CD on for the first time and I remain impressed every time I hear her sing."  The two shows are on Thursday, April 18th and Friday April 19th.  Thursday's show is at the Adriatic Bar on 327 West Jefferson Street (the former Jacks or Better Club) at 7 PM with a $5 cover charge.  On Friday night, Linda appears at the Venetian Club on 2180 Elmwood Road with an 8 PM start.  The show is open to the public and is free of charge.

Linda hails from San Benedetto del Tronto of the Province of Ascoli Piceno in the Marches region on Adriatic side of Italy. Her guitar player and mentor for the American blues music scene is Luca Giordano, who was born in Teramo (Province of Teramo in the Abruzzi region) and now splits his time between a home on the Adriatic and Chicago. Luca will join Linda for both of these shows, and backing both of them will be Barstool Bob Levis and his band. Bob lives in Rockford and garnered fame touring and playing guitar for several decades with blues greats Otis Rush and Lonnie Brooks.

Here is a sample of Linda doing Etta James' classic "At Last."

There shows will be huge events and a great opportunity to hear this great vocalist for some of her first shows in the US.  You will not want to miss them!  Call 779-537-4006 for more information on either show.

Goal 800

Goal 800 

What that means our goal is to sell at least 800 advanced tickets for the FOB festival between now and June 1st.  Can we do it?  I don't know but you can help.  Go to our  Field of Blues Festival Web Site.  and purchase tickets on line or send a check for tickets and a SASE to 1043 Kingsway Lane, Byron, IL 61010 to buy tickets on line or by mail.

You can also stop by the Adriatic  Live Music Bar on W Jefferson Street or Kryptonite on W State Street to buy tickets in Rockford.  CD Source on East State also has tickets available now as do many Crossroads members.

Tickets will also be available at the Aviators Box Office and other locations that will soon be announced.

$10 advanced seats. What a deal!

Bobby Messano Returns to the Forest City