Photo by Glynn Wilson

The Magic City Blues Society staged a full house of local talent Sunday at Zydeco on Southside and two lucky acts will compete Jan. 31- Feb. 2 at the 2008 International Blues Challenge finals to be held in Memphis, Tennessee. Todd Simpson and Mojo Child, pictured above, took first in the Band category, followed closely by Dan and the Dusters in second and Midnight Train in third.

Glynn Wilson

With Bruce Andrews on vocals and blues harp and George Dudley on guitar, 2BLU came in first in the Solo/Duo category. Second place went to Sam Pointer. Troy Bland came in third.

The International Blues Challenge has evolved into the nation’s largest and most respected showcase for Blues musicians ready to take their act to the national stage, according to the Memphis Blues Foundation Website.

Note: Locust Fork News and Journal editor and publisher Glynn Wilson was happy to serve as a judge for the competition and would like to thank the Magic City Blues Society for putting on such a great show to promote the traditions of American blues. Like a lot of things in modern society, without good stewards, historic and cultural artifacts might be lost - including art forms like the blues.