The Second Annual Louisiana Blues Preservation Week has much to celebrate this year. Governor Bobby Jindal will be issuing a State Proclamation declaring the week of September 18 through the 25 as Blues Preservation week in Louisiana.
As the highlight of the week, the New Orleans Voodoo Blues Krewe blues society is presenting the Second Annual New Orleans Voodoo Blues Challenge (NOVBC) to find the best blues band and solo/duo act in New Orleans. The winning band and solo/duo artist will receive prize money, performance slots at area festivals, and will be given the opportunity to compete in Memphis at the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge.
The NOVBC Solo/Duo Challenge took place August 28 at Chickie Wah Wah and announced Big Daddy ‘O’ (Owen Tufts) as their challenge winner. “I’m just glad I was not a judge,” Tufts says. “All the musicians here tonight were outstanding, and I promise to represent them well in Memphis!”
The first round of the Band Challenge will take place on September 18 (the kickoff of Louisiana Blues Preservation week) at 7 p.m. at Big Al’s Saloon and Blues Club (1440B Westbank Expressway). Six bands will compete for two slots in the final round. The finals of the NOVBC will take place on October 8 at Rock N Bowl to determine which band will take their act to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge. The finals at Rock N Bowl will be broadcast live on WWOZ 90.7 FM and wwoz.com.
The Voodoo Blues Krewe New Orleans Blues Society will also present the Snooks Eaglin Lifetime Achievement Award for Blues Excellence the night of the finals. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame executive director Mike Shepherd will induct this year’s recipient into the New Orleans Region of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. The induction will be capped off with a proclamation from Mayor Mitch Landrieu declaring the day in the recipient’s honor as their day in New Orleans.
For more information on how to become a member of the Voodoo Blues Krewe and updates on events, visit voodooblueskrewe.com.
