Bill Peterson likes the blues.
So much so, that the 63-year-old city resident was perfectly willing to plunk down $10 to listen to a number of bands and solo-duo acts showcase their talents during the annual Billtown Blues Challenge Sunday at the Genetti Hotel.
"People think blues is only for African-Americans," he said as he stood with a kind of serene look in his eyes, listening to one of the musicians perform.
The fact is, he said, all music is for anyone.
"I like Willie Nelson," he said, referring to one of the giants of country-western music.
The comment struck a kind of musical chord with Bill Wilson, music editor of Billtown Blue Notes, a local publication covering the local blues scene.
Looking up from his wheelchair at Peterson, he said, "Hank Williams."
"Oh yeah. Hank Williams," said Peterson, a blues musician who has performed for many years in area bands.
The two men agreed that so much of modern music springs from the blues.
"He (Williams) learned to play guitar from a traveling blues musician," Wilson said.
The two were among a standing-room-only crowd for the event held to determine the winners of the band and solo-duo competitions for the right to perform at the Billtown Blues Festival June 12.
Shawn Strickland wowed the audience to win the solo-duo category.
Described as a musician who plays an acoustic blend of blues, funk and soul, he appeared to receive the loudest cheers from the crowd of among the four acts, which also included Kim and Ed Rhoades, Great American Architects, and Alligator Crossing.
"He (Strickland) really stuck to the blues," said Blues Association Secretary Bonnie Tallman.
Porkroll Project, from Philadelphia, took the band competition.
Other band acts were The Blind Chitlin Kahunas, which took second, and The SheilaMark Blues Band, The Dirty Nickels, and PA Crude.
Winners were selected by ballots submitted by Billtown Blues members in the audience with each act considered in five categories: content, vocals, instrumental, originality, and stage presence.
Charles Lockard, a radio disc jockey known as Good Time Charlie who hosts his own blues shows, said this year's event drew a lot of great talent.
But he was perhaps most excited about the large turnout of people.
"This looks like the biggest ever crowd," he said.
Wilson noted that with the growing popularity of the Blues Challenge, more musicians are trying to compete.
"Since we got a web presence, it's stretched things out a bit," he said. "We've had bands from as far away as Peru that want to audition."
Wilson said a competition such as the Blues Challenge is the best way to decide what acts get the right to perform in the ever-popular Billtown Blues Festival. The winners also are eligible to vie for a spot to represent the Blues Association at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next year, a showcase of the very best blues acts.
Tallman said the Blues Challenge is a culmination of a lot of hard work.
She credited a "core group" of some 10 people who really make it happen.
Wilson said the competition always gives an unknown act the chance to shine.
"I love the little guys," he said.
