The suspense is over…The Holla Pointe will be representing San Diego in Memphis in January!  Formerly of Red Lotus Revue, Jimmy Zollo and Karl Kabbage have been playing together for the past six years.  Their rhythm section consists of Marcus Poe on bass and the amazing barefoot drummer James Brown.   This marks Karl’s third trip to the IBCs…first as a member of the Smokin’ Knights in 2010, and then as a duo with Jimmy Zollo in 2011.   We wish The Holla Pointe the best of luck!

Everybody turned in amazing performances at the finals on 10/24, and we had great turnout. Thanks to Aqua-Fi, John January & Linda Berry w/ JJ Crew, Backwater Blues Band, Give Me Back My Wig, the Dave Keefer Band and Casey Hensley Band for participating…hope to see them back next time! And thanks to all the judges: Donna Mallen, Michele Lundeen, Barney Roach, Dana Duplan, Al Schneider, Steve Douglas, David Lewis and Ken Boozer, who had to make some VERY tough decisions. And special thanks to our awesome volunteers who helped make the whole thing possible: Nancy Tiger, Richard Farrell and Kathy McLean. See you all in January for the send-off party!

The Blues Foundation presents the International Blues Challenge in Memphis every winter. The 2016 event takes place January 26-30. Bands from around the world compete for wider recognition and a coveted spot performing on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. 2004 IBC winner Zac Harmon said that winning the competition was worth more than $100,000 in publicity. BLUSD sends a band or solo/duo act each year, and the results thus far have been very impressive. Nathan James and Ben Hernandez won for best solo/duo act in 2007. Aunt Kizzy’s Boys placed second in the band category in 2006. Sue Palmer won for best self-produced CD in 2008.