The 2011 Mississippi Valley Blues Society Holiday Party will be held Saturday, December 10 at The Muddy Waters,
James Armstrong is one of a very few seasoned artists who manages to honor the sound of traditional blues while giving it the contemporary grit to which fans love to groove. Over the years he’s worked with Albert Collins, Keb Mo', Coco Montoya, Roy Brown, Chaka Khan, Ricky Lee Jones, Jan & Dean, Mitch Michell (Jimi Hendrix's drummer) and Tommy Castro, to name just a few.
As both a performer and storyteller, James works with mood, humor and atmosphere, a skill that has not gone unnoticed by filmmakers. Several of his songs have been chosen for movie soundtracks. Bank of Love was used in "Hear No Evil" and "The Florentine.". Two Sides to Every Story is featured in "Speechless."
James Armstrong has been described by one music writer as “an artist in a world of craftsmen, harking back to a time when each bluesman had a distinctive musical voice.” James shares with the legends the ability to go beyond rocking the roadhouse (though he excels at that), to telling the kind of story that the blues tells the best.
The Mississippi Valley Blues Society invites submissions of artwork to be considered for the 2012 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival t-shirt and poster design.
The 28th Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is being held June 29 to July 1, 2012 at LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa. Acceptable media include painting, drawing, printmaking or photography.
For an application and contest guidelines, click here (Adobe Acrobat required).
Deadline for submissions is 2 January 2012.
Congratulations to Bryce Janey, winner of the 2011 Iowa Blues Solo/Duo Challenge held August 28, 2011 at Zimm’s Food and Spirits in Des Moines.
Bryce Janey received $250 cash plus $300 travel expenses to Memphis as our state representative at the International Blues Challenge to be held January 31-February 4, 2012. Bryce was one of six acts from across Iowa to participate in this event.
Bryce Janey began his career in his hometown of Marion, IA at the age of 3 in a Blues-Rock trio called The Janeys. With his mother on drums and his father on guitar, The Janeys played regionally and nationally from Chicago to Los Angeles. They have shared the stage with over 75 national acts, including Buddy Guy, Delbert McClinton, Blues Traveler, Johnny Winter and Koko Taylor.
The 2011 Iowa Blues Challenge has been proudly sponsored by Central Iowa Blues Society, Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Lizard Creek Blues Society, Budweiser, Summit Brewing Co., Citadel Broadcasting/94.9KGGO & 98.3WOW and Cityview.
