CHARLOTTE ó As the winner of the Charlotte Blues Society’s 2009 Solo/Duo Challenge held in Charlotte, Blazin’ Blues Bob Paolino of Salisbury will compete at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 5-8.
More than 160 acts are expected to participate, with 100 bands and 60 solo/duo acts from around the world.
This is Paolino’s third trip to the competition. He will perform as a solo act.
“Mostly I play old roots blues from the Mississippi Delta,” he says, although he also plays Piedmont and Texas-style blues.
He hasn’t yet decided what he’ll play for the competition.
“It’s amazing,” he says of the Memphis event. “It’s just an absolute great time.”
Blues musicians take over “virtually every club” on Beale Street, Paolino says, for three or four blocks.
Contestants are assigned a venue and play twice, for two different sets of judges. Finals are held Saturday night.
Winners are typically offered a recording contract at the national level, Paolino says.
Details about the International Blues Challenge can be found at www.blues.org.
You can hear Paolino perform from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at the Wooden Stone in Salisbury for an artist reception for John Morehead.He’ll have CDs available for purchase.
The Wooden Stone is located at 106 S. Main St. in Salisbury.