For blues musicians, it's a big deal to go to Memphis to play in the International Blues Challenge, or IBC.
Just ask Bonnie Tallman, of Hughesville, Billtown Blues Festival secretary and area music producer.
Tallman thought it was great that "Fall Into the Blues" raised money Sunday for funding the expenses of two local bands to head to Memphis.
"We have sent two acts down there for years," said Tallman, a founding member of Billtown Blues. "Even if you don't win, it's an experience."
John "JT Blues" Thompson and Miz Ida and the All-Nightas will be competing at IBC in February.
The two bands earned that right by winning this year's Billtown Blues Association Challenge. Both performed at Sunday's "Fall Into the Blues."
"Diamond Dave" Thompson, a harmonica player with Miz Ida, is excited about the prospect of going to Memphis.
"Thank you for coming out and supporting us," he told members of the Uptown Music Collective's Young Blood Blues Band, which along with Jack & Lilly, entertained blues fans to help raise money for other musicians to go to Tennessee.
Guitar player Maverick Vicars said it was no big deal.
"I'm glad to do it," he said.
Fellow band member Gabe Stillman agreed.
After all, playing the blues is his passion.
He said he hopes someday to go to Memphis too.
"I think it's great, said Charlie Lockard, treasurer of the Billtown Blues.
Lockard, known as host "Good Time Charlie" of local radio blues shows, said Sunday's event, in addition to helping pay the bands' trip expenses, promotes the Billtown Blues Association.
Billtown Blues Association President Bill VanCampen, noting the crowd of some 150 people attending "Fall Into the Blues," said the organization's various events are well attended, including the annual Billtown Blues Festival in Hughesville in June.
But it's the International Blues Challenge that bands around the world get really excited about.
"It's the largest gathering of blues bands in the world," Tallman said.
The week-long competition involves some 120 or more bands.
As the winner of last year's Billtown Blues Challenge, Jack & Lilly competed in this year's IBC.
That the Billtown Blues Association each year sends two bands to Memphis to compete against so many other talented groups says something about the local organization.
She marveled that Lycoming County has had an organization supporting blues music for some 20 years.
In addition to Thompson, members of Miz Ida and the All Nightas are Cheryl "Miz Ida" Miller on vocals, "Nuclear" Dave Krempasky on bass, Lori Smith and Big Al Meck on guitars, and Roy Pursel.
John "JT Blues" Thompson is joined in his band by drummer Ron Kent and guitarist Randy Lees.
