Congratulations to The Avey Brothers, winners of the 2009 Iowa Blues Challenge held May 16th at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. This Quad-Cities band received $500 cash plus $1,200 travel expenses to Memphis as our local representative at the International Blues Challenge in January 2010. The Avey Brothers also receive 8 hours of studio time from Junior’s Motel as well as several paid gigs including the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest, Simply The Blues Fest and more. Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts placed second, earning them $400 cash. The Blues Explosion placed third, earning them $300 cash. Rounding out the competition was Trouble No More, earning $200 cash.

The Iowa Blues Challenge features one of the finest prize packages, for a contest of this kind, in the country. Prizes are awarded to the top bands, including---cash, travel expenses, recording time, as well as spots in the 2009 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, IA, 2010 Simply The Blues Fest in Ft. Madison, IA and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in 2010.

The 2009 Iowa Blues Challenge is proudly sponsored by Central Iowa Blues Society, Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Lizard Creek Blues Society, Budweiser, Citadel Broadcasting/94.9KGGO & 98.3WOW, Junior’s Motel and Rieman Music.

Iowa Blues Challenge Archives

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This year’s Winter Blues Fest has a little bit of everything to satisfy the soul; be it, incredible blues harmonica, fabulous guitar, Delta and Hill Country Mississippi Style Blues or howlin’-at the-moon blues!

	Case of the Blues 2008 IA Blues Challenge solo/duo winner Chequers Lounge - 7:00pm web>>
	Bill Lupkin & the Workers Grand Ballroom - 7:30pm web>>
	Moreland & Arbuckle Wedgwood Room - 7:45pm web>>
	Avey Brothers 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge band winner State Ballroom - 8:00pm web>>
	King King 2008 KC Blues Challenge Winner Independence Hall - 8:30pm web>>
	Brothers Curtis 2008 Greater Twin Cities solo/duo winner Chequers Lounge - 9:45pm web>>
	Jason Ricci & New Blood Grand Ballroom - 10:30pm web>>
	Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts 2007 Iowa Blues Challenge Winner Wedgewood Room - 10:45pm web>>
	Joe Moss Band State Ballroom - 11:00pm web>>
	Trouble No More Independence Hall - 12:00am After Hours Jam - 1:00am web>>

It may be cold outside, but the Hotel Fort Des Moines Ballrooms & Chequers Lounge will have temperatures rising on Valentine’s Day Saturday, February 14th when the Central Iowa Blues Society welcomes 10 acts on 5 different stages. This multi-band event will culminate with an After Hours Jam in the Independence Hall in the Hotel Fort Des Moines.

Wristbands for the event are only $12.00 in advance and will give you admission to all of the Ballrooms on the 2nd floor, as well as Chequers Lounge on the first level. Tickets are available at the Hotel Fort Des Moines and Blues on Grand now. Price will be $15 on February 14th.

The Hotel Fort Des Moines is offering special Blues Fest rates for the night. You can make room reservations by calling 1-800-532-1466 or 515-243-1161. Be sure to mention that you are going to be there for the Blues Fest to receive your special rate.

Sponsors for this event are the Central Iowa Blues Society, Budweiser, 95KGGO/98.3WOW, Cityview, and Hotel Fort Des Moines.

For more information on the Winter Blues Fest, you can call (515) 225-6638 or (515) 830-4213. Listen to KGGO (94.9) and 98.3 WOW for wristband giveaways. Do not miss this sure-fire cure for cabin fever!

Carol Thomas Endowment Fund

Carol Thomas was a long-time blues singer and keyboard player, a founding member of the Central Iowa Blues Society, and served as the Newsletter Editor for CIBS from 1992 until her death in 1997 from cancer. Carol was loved and is missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. In her honor, the Central Iowa Blues Society has established the Carol Thomas Memorial Endowment Fund. Monies collected will be used for youth educational programs.

Tax deductible contributions to the fund may be made in care of:

• The Central Iowa Blues Society
  P.O. Box 13016
  Des Moines IA 50310

see info & photos from the 2007 BITS program >>