Tag Archive for: Tevis Hodge

Ben Rice Band Captures 2013 Journey To Memphis

Ben Rice Band J2M winners photo by Greg Johnson

Ben Rice Band J2M winners photo by Greg Johnson

Four acts won the right to take part in the Journey To Memphis finals at the Trails End Saloon in early June, The Mojo Blasters, Tevis Hodge Jr., Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band and the Ben Rice Band. The finals were held on July 4th on The Oregonian Front Porch Stage at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival before a huge crowd with all four acts presenting dynamic performances. And when it was all said and done, the judges voted for the Ben Rice Band to represent the Cascade Blues Association in Memphis next January at the International Blues Challenge.

This year’s event was unique. Tevis Hodge Jr. had already won the right to go to Memphis prior to the Waterfront as he was the only solo/duo act that had advanced to the finals. He was competing against the bands for Read more

Lisa Mann

Greetings, blues people! The band and I would like to thank the many among you who supported our Indiegogo campaign for tour sponsorship, and all the rest of you who sent us well-wishes. While we were sadly forced to cut the tour short, it was an adventure to travel the western states with Jeff Knudson, Brian Harris and the hilarious Dave Melyan. And thank you from Allen and I for the condolences on the death of his father. Hank Markel was a loving father and husband, a Korean War vet and a Yankees fan, he will be sorely missed.

The show must go on, as they say, and in July it is going on outside… July 4th we will be competing in the Journey to Memphis Finals at the Waterfront Blues Festival, the competition is from Noon to 3pm. Congrats to the Mojoblasters, Ben Rice Band and Tevis Hodge Jr for also making it to the finals! Then later that day, I will take the Read more

Journey To Memphis Finals To Be Held At Waterfront Blues Festival On July 4th

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Ben Rice

Ben Rice

Please join the Cascade Blues Festival first thing July 4th when you attend the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival as we present the finals for our Journey To Memphis competition starting at noon on the Front Porch Stage. Four acts will compete to see who will represent the CBA and the region at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN next January.

Eleven acts participated in the first round, held at The Trails End in Oregon City the first weekend of June. Those acts included: Alan Hager & Dave Fleschner, Chad Rupp & Josh Makosky, David Pinsky & Phil Newton, Howard Wade, Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band, Rae Gordon & Gaddis Cavenah, Tevis Hodge Jr., The Ben Rice Band, The Hitmen, The Mojoblasters, and The Rae Gordon Band. All acts were judged in five catagories, following the guidelines set by The Blues Foundation and the top two scoring acts from each night advanced to the finals at the Waterfront Blues Festival. Those winners were: Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band, Tevis Hodge Jr., The Ben Rice Band and The Mojoblasters.

 

Lisa Mann

Lisa Mann

A huge thanks to The Trails End for letting us hold our opening round at their venue, and to our judges: longtime musician Jim Mayer, music publicist & promoter Matt Kalinowski and sound engineer, music product specialist & KBOO DJ Phil Garfinkel. Also a quick thanks in advance to the Oregon Food Bank and the Waterfront Blues Festival for allowing us to use the Front Porch Stage for our event finals and for the prize package they offer as well.

 

Make a point to also check out 2012 Journey To Memphis winners The Muddy Sons and Franco & The Stingers, as well as 2012 International Blues Challenge Solo/Duo winner Ray Bonneville and 2013 Band winners Selwyn Birchwood Band, all performing at the Waterfront Blues Festival.

 

 

What’s on Tap for July’s General Membership Meeting . . .

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What’s on Tap for July’s General Membership Meeting . . .
Melody Ballroom – 615 SE Alder St, Portland
Wednesday, July 3rd – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $3.00
Opening Acoustic Act – Tevis Hodge, Jr.
Second Electric Act – Joanne Broh Band

Tevis Hodges Jr.

Tevis Hodges Jr.

As everybody knows, the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is the biggest blues event of the year in Portland happening annually over the 4th of July weekend. So every year I am asked when the Cascade Blues Association’s general membership meeting will occur? Here is my rule of thumb. If the festival is a five day event, meaning it runs during the first Wednesday in July, then we move the meeting to the second Wednesday. If it starts on a Thursday, then the meeting is held that first week. We do so to offer an opportunity to those coming into Portland for the Waterfront to get a taste of the organization and a little more focus on some of the wonderful performers who reside in our area. And I routinely try to schedule a strong line-up for this meeting. This month is no exception.
Opening the meeting will be one of the strongest young acoustic players in Portland, Read more