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" Memphis group ties for third. "
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Staff Report
Smiling Vic and the Soul Monkeys, representing the Oklahoma Blues Society, were named the winner of the 13th annual International Blues Talent Competition. The seven-member band takes home $1,000 in cash and recording time a the House of Blues Recording Studio in Memphis. They also will perform at several blues events in 1997, including the Ultimate Rhythm and Blues Cruise, the Springing the Blues Festival, the King Biscuit Blues Festival and the 18th annual W.C. Handy Awards. The International Blues Talent Competition, presented by the Blues Foundation, took place Oct. 10 in Helena, Ark., and Oct. 12 in Memphis. Each blues society was able to enter a band in the contest. Most societies conduct amateur contests throughout the year to determine which will represent them. "The competition was a great success," said Vicki Davis Bean, chairman of the event. "Each year the interest grows, talent gets better, the blues societies get more involved and sponsorship money increases. As a result, every year is better than the last and everyone is exited about the competition." Sistah Blue of the Phoenix Blues Society took second place. There was a tie for third between the Matthew Skoller Band from the Fox Valley Blues Society in Aurora, Ill., and Little Boys Blue, representing the Beale Street Blues Society here in Memphis. Each of these bands received cash prizes. Will Crosby of the Matthew Skoller Band was awarded the Albert King Award for most-promising guitarist. He received a Gibson Blueshawk guitar. Judging this year's contest were Bob Porter, a producer and radio personality; Malcolm Springer and Pam Morrison, producers from House of Blues Records; Terry Porter and Rick Ginger of Flat Rock Records; George Myers and Roger Naber of the Ultimate Rhythm and Blues Cruise; and promoter Sharon Coleman.
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