Although the weather outside the Coffee Grounds, 1579 Hamline Ave, St Paul on Sunday October 17th was rainy and cold, the music inside was anything but, and a great afternoon for blues fans and customers just stopping by for something warm to drink. For the second year The Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society sponsored a showcase of blues talent to select a solo or duo act to represent Minnesota in Memphis, TN early next year at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Competition. Everyone who attended these 20 minute sets was there to not only enjoy local blues artists, but to encourage each other as the judges selected one act as the Twin Cities Blues solo/duo representative.

Performances were by: Rena Haus, Knee Deep & Drowning (Tremblay, Babb), John Kolstad & Clint Hoover, Brothers Curtis (Curtis Marlatt & Curtis Blake), Paul Barlow, Glen Bowen, Pete Meyer & Bill Finke, Jon Hoffman & Tim McDonough, Nigel Egg (Eccleston), Scott Graves, Don King & Dan Emerson, Scott Miller and Dan Rumsey. Often during the afternoon both performers and the audience alike commented on how this was not a competition, but a celebration of the talent and spirit of camaraderie among fans, performers and the Twin Cities blues community. And the finalist to represent Minnesota is......Scott Miller, a talented keyboardist/vocalist who also competed in last year's Road to Memphis.

Watch throughout the fall and winter for opportunities to help Scott "Get Out of Town" as we solicit donations to defray the costs of Scott's trip and stay in Memphis during the competition. If you're not a member of the GTCBMS please takes a minute to join the word about the terrific blues scene here in the Twin Cities. Join us in congratulating Scott and wishing him all the success he deserves as well as the other performers who donated their time and talent to make it another successful blues event. See you in the clubs and don't forget to tip your server and the collection jar for the "Road to Memphis"!

The acts were judged in 5 categories: 1) blues content, 2) originality, 3) talent, 4) stage presence and 5) overall impression.

You can read about the IBC by going to the foundation's website at www.bluesfoundation.org.

Support local musicians and visit the GTBMS and Blues Foundation websites in February to see how Scott fared against artists from across the country.

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