Big Al Carter To Represent CBA In Best Self-Produced CD Competition

The entries for acts seeking to have their CD sent to Memphis to represent the Cascade Blues Association in The Blues Foundation Best Self-Produced CD competition were tremendous this year. We had the most entries ever with thirteen, and all were outstanding albums worthy of representing the CBA. But alas, we are only permitted one entry.

A group of CBA board members gathered together and listened to each of the discs, then scored each entry based upon blues content, musicianship, sound quality, artwork, and liner notes. The entries this year came from Ben Rice Trio, Big Al Carter, Bottleneck Blues Band, Hank Shreve Band, James Clem, King Louie & LaRhonda Steele, Lil’ Queenie, Pete Karnes Blues Band, Rae Gordon, Roseland Hunters, Sister Mercy, The Sportin’ Lifers, and Tracey Fordice & The 8 Balls. After all the entries were heard and scores tallied, the judges chose Big Al Carter’s disc Fresh Blues to represent the CBA.

We will be sending four copies of the album to Memphis where it will be then be scored by select judges, with multiple rounds whittling down the entries to the finals where the overall winner will be announced at the International Blues Challenge finals on January 30, 2016.

Thank you to all those who submitted their discs for our regional competition. All were amazing and well deserving of being heard.