The 2008 Best Self-Produced CD is Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra, “Sophisticated Ladies” sponsored by the Blues Lovers United of San Diego. Thanks to the record label executives who had the tough task of making the final selection: Alligator Records' Bruce Iglauer; Delta Groove's Rand Chortkoff; NorthernBlues Music's Fred Litwin; Ruf Records' Thomas Ruf; and Yellow Dog Records' Michael Powers.
The CDs that move to the final round of judging in Memphis are:
The Beat Daddys, “Five Moons” - Kentucky Blues Society
The Randy Oxford Band, “Memphis to Motown” - South Sound Blues Association
Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra, “Sophisticated Ladies” Blues Lovers United of San Diego
James Hinkle, “Blues Now, Jazz Later” - North Texas Blues Society
Laurie Morvan, “Cures What Ails Ya” - Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society
The winner will be announced at Band finals on February 2, 2008 at the Orpheum Thearter.
The judges reported another tough round. You might think it is easier to just listen to two CDs and pick the best. The judges below will argue with you! The talent, as well as production of the submitted CDs is stellar. Please go to the artist’s individual websites and pick one up and judge for yourself! We want to thank Elliott Gross - WPFW Washington DC, Dana Fargnoli - WCNI-FM New London CT, Keith Castleberry - WYDH FM-105.9 Atmore, AL, Dave Warford - WNOP-AM 740 Cincinnati, OH, and Lloyd K. Stires - WIUP-FM Indiana, PA. for their hard work!
The first round of judging for the BSPCD has wrapped up. The judges reported a tight field with a lot of great blues being produced. But only ten can go to the next round.
Round 2 CDs are:
Dave Fields, “Time's A Wastin'” - Jersey Shore Jazz Blues Society
Gregg Juke & the Mighty No-Stars, “Blues Power” - Blues Society of Western New York
Harmonica Red and the New Heard, “I was Born in Louisiana” - Kentuckiana Blues Society
James Hinkle, “Blues Now, Jazz Later” - North Texas Blues Society
Laurie Morvan, “Cures What Ails Ya” - Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society
Paul Gabriel and his Blues Band, “Shuffle the Deck” - Connecticut Blues Society
Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra, “Sophisticated Ladies” Blues Lovers United of San Diego
The Beat Daddys, “Five Moons” - Kentucky Blues Society
The Randy Oxford Band, “Memphis to Motown” - South Sound Blues Association
The Soul Searchers, “The Soul Searchers” - Mississippi Valley Blues Society
Judges for round 1 came from dues paying radio personalities across the continent. Those who donated their time and talents are,
Brett Fleming, WEVL-FM
Cam Hayden, CKUA-Canada
Doug Ketchum, WRFG-FM
Janine Harty, KSDS-FM
Mike Kirchen, WMTN-FM
The following CDs where submitted by affiliates world wide. This is a complete list of eligable CDs for The Best Self Produced CD. Check back in December to see who goes to the second round of judging.
Adam Posnak, "Ragged and Dirty" - Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Ark. Arkansas
Al Smyth, "Comfort Me" - The Creekside Blues Society, Ohio
Big Beat Blues, "Piano Bob's 88s" with Lou Abbott - South Florida Blues Society, Florida
Big Jim Adam, "Rock Island Line" - Pikes Peak Blues Community, Colorado
Bobby Bryan, "Stranger Blues" - Madison Blues Society, Wisconsin
Brethren, "The Fellowship of Suffering" - Spa City Blues Society, Arkansas
Buck 69, "When She Whispers Your Name" - Black Swamp Blues Society, Ohio
Charles "Big Daddy" Stallings, "Blues Evolution" - DC Blues Society, DC
Contagious Blues Band, "Ride" Triangle Blues Society, North Carolina
Cookie and the Vegrantz "Live at Sebastian Beach Inn" - EARTH Awareness of Brevard, Florida
Crash Kole and the BlueSouls, "Two Weeks Notice" - Memphis Blues Society, Tennessee
Dave Fields, "Time's A Wastin'" - Jersey Shore Jazz Blues Society, New Jersey
Derren J. Trio "Panhandle Blues" - Blues Society of Northwest Florida, Florida
Gregg & the Mighty No-Stars, "Blues Power" - Blues Society of Western New York, New York
Harmonica Red and the New Heard "I was Born in Louisiana" - Kentuckiana Blues Society, Kentucky
Hot Tamale & the Red Hots, "Hot off the Grill" - Lizard Creek Blues Society, Iowa
James Hinkle, "Blues Now, Jazz Later" - North Texas Blues Society, Texas
Jeff & the Jet City Fliers, "High Livin' Blues" - Washington Blues Society, Washington
JT Watkins, "Why Not Tonight Girl" - Central Mississippi Blues Society, Mississippi
Julie Black, "Call me Angel for Blues" - Suncoast Blues Society, Florida
Kim Massie, "Sings Aretha" - ST Louis Blues Society, Missouri
Laurie Morvan, "Cures What Ails Ya" - Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society, California
Little JC, "Blues Straight from the Heart" - Geneva Blues Summit, Switzerland
Malkum Gibson and the Mighty Juke, "Its Gonna Be Alright" Cincy Blues Society, Ohio
Matt Woods and the Thunderbolts "Be My Friend" - Central Iowa Blues Society, Iowa
Mojo Collins, "Live" - Cape Fear Blues Society, North Carolina
Paul Gabriel and his Blues Band, "Shuffle the Deck" - Connecticut Blues Society, Connecticut
Paul Metsa & Sonny Earl, "White Boys Lost in the Blues" - Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society, Minnesota
Root Doctor, "Change Our Ways" - Capital Area Blues Society, Michigan
Rosebud Blues Sauce, "About Love" - Blues sur Seine, France
Soul Satyr, "No Slackin"- Columbus Blues Society, Ohio
Sue Palmer, "Sophisticated Ladies" - Blues Lovers United of San Diego, California
Sweet Suzi & the Blues Experiance, "Unbroken" - Blues Society of Western PA, Pennsylvania
The Beat Daddys, "Five Moons" - Kentucky Blues Society, Kentucky
The Dinosaurs, "Dinosaurs" - Blues Society of Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Lyman, "Blue Harvest" - Melbourne Blues Appreciation, Australia
The Randy Oxford Band, "Memphis to Motown" - South Sound Blues Association, Washington
The Soul Searchers, "The Soul Searchers" - Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Iowa
Tommy Keys, "Side Street Boogie" - The Long Island Blues Society, New York
Ty Curtis Band, "Stubborn Mind" - Cascade Blues Association, Oregon
WT Feaster Band, "Long Overdue" - Crossroads Blues Society of Indiana, Indiana
