http://www.blues.org/ News form the Blues Foundation offices in Memphis http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=972 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=972 Hotels in Downtown Memphis are now taking reservations for the 27th International Blues Challenge set for February 1-5, 2011. Click on the IBC icon above and then click on the Travel and Lodging link. http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=949 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=949 We have completed the drawing for the complimentary cabin for two on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise sailing the Pacific October 17-24. We will announce all winners as soon as the winners have been notified. Check out the details at <a href="http://www.bluescruise.com"target="_blank">www.bluescruise.com</a>, but you will be sailing, dining, drinking, talking and dancing with Johnny & Edgar Winter, Irma Thomas, Elvin Bishop, Los Lobos, Tommy Castro, Kim Wilson, Marcia Ball, Eric Bibb and ... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=971 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=971 <b>Robin Rogers </b> has been in the intensive care unit at her local hospital in North Carolina. She has ongoing serious liver issues and recently underwent a medical procedure. We all wish her the best as she faces this very serious health situation. Robin has no health insurance and this hospital stay is going to cost a bundle. Donations of any size will be cheerfully accepted at The Robin Rogers Medical Fund at Bank of America, Account No: 0006-5617-0216.The Account Statements are address... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=969 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=969 In a summary of membership news this week, The Blues Foundation is proud to announce: Mike DeGroot, Gregory Harrison and Bruce Wheeler renewed as Blues Supporters and Dan Woodard increased his membership to that level. Bassist for the Workers Cliff Belcher and Jon Tiven renewed. Jon's latest project is Troy Turner' Evidence CD <i>whole lotta blues</i>. KBA Recipient Craig Hopkins, harpists Phil Berkowitz and Steve "the Harp" Mehlberg renewed as did Michelle Castiglia. Welcome new m... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=970 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=970 Some people call him the Space Cowboy. Some call him the Gangster of Love. But when Steve Miller, one of rock music’s all-time greats, joins the University of Southern California faculty this fall, he will have to get used another moniker: Professor. During the 2010-2011 school year, Miller will teach at the USC Thornton School of Music, named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top music schools in the country and noted for its broad curriculum, internationally renowned faculty and im... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=967 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=967 The Blues Foundation, the international organization dedicated to the past, present and future of blues music, has completed its election of its Board of Directors and officers, selecting ten individuals to join the 25-person Board. Board members help to develop the vision for The Blues Foundation and acquire the resources to implement those plans. These new members join the board as The Blues Foundation investigates the possibility of a permanent home in downtown Memphis, to centralize the Fou... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=965 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=965 Blues for the Gulf is a global initiative by members of the Blues community, including musicians, club owners and fans who are donating their time and talents raising money to assist the people of the Gulf Coast States suffering economic devastation from the oil disaster. On Sunday, September 26, 2010, Blues musicians, Blues fans and Blues club owners will be performing, attending and hosting a global musical event to raise money to help those in the Gulf of Mexico who are losing their livel... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=966 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=966 Daddy Mack is featured in the latest issue of AARP magazine. Check it out at <a href="http://www.aarp.org/personal-growth/life-long-learning/info-07-2010/unleash_your_inner_genius.html"target="_blank">here</a>. http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=958 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=958 West Virginia Public Broadcasting is airing the 30th Blues Music Awards, August 24, 2010 at 8:00 pm on WVPBS2. Thanks to our affiliate West Virginia Blues Society for making the effort to reach out to its local (or statewide) PBS station to make sure they capture and then air the 30th Blues Music Awards. WYES in New Orleans will broadcast the 30th Blues Music Awards on Tuesday, October 26 at 10:30 pm. The Voodoo Blues Krewe New Orleans will be pushing this as part of Louisiana Blues Preservati... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=956 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=956 CURVE MAGAZINE is the best selling lesbian magazine (glossy & in color, too). For its 20th Anniversary Issue (the July/August issue), it features "35 Sexy Lesbian Musicians." Gaye Adegbalola has a one page spread and there's good reference to the "Gaye Without Shame" CD. Gaye reports that "this honor is especially exciting because I've never played the "women's circuit," just the blues circuit." The blues gets a double whammy because Ruthie Foster has a spread, too! Also, there is a nod to ... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=925 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=925 The Blues Foundation is pleased to announce the debut novel and accompanying CD of author Allen Whitley. His novel, “Where Southern Cross the Dog,” is currently available at <a href="http://www.allenwhitley.com"target="_blank">www.allenwhitely.com</a>. As a former and current board member in the non-profit world, Allen will be donating some of the proceeds of the book to The Blues Foundation. While Allen has no Memphis book signings scheduled, he will be in Clarksdale, MS in August and Oc... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=952 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=952 Gibson.com posts many articles in its Lifestyle section of the site, including interviews with guitarists, spotlights on albums, best-of lists and features on specific artists. Genre-wise, their range is pretty wide (from jazz to rock, metal, punk and more), but they do have a lot of blues-related features. For instance, recent features have included Mike Bloomfield with a rundown of his best albums. Check it out <a href="http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/michael-bloomfield-0... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=946 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=946 ArtsMemphis announces $1,905,553 in funding support to 21 area arts organizations for the 2011 fiscal year. This is an increase of nearly 5 percent over last year’s grants to these same organizations. Annual grants are the cornerstone of ArtsMemphis’ mission and are a direct result of financial support given to ArtsMemphis from individual donors, businesses and foundations. In addition to its annual fundraising efforts, ArtsMemphis is pleased to announce a three-year grant award totalin... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=813 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=813 The Blues Foundation has partnered with Sound Healthcare, a Nashville entity that offers an approach to the humanization of America's healthcare system, creating access to health insurance and advocacy for the greater good. Its goal is to provide access to specific insurance and discount products custom-designed to meet the needs of Blues music industry professionals. They strive to customize programs of protection designed to balance your budget with your needs. They offer a line-up of prod... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=962 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=962 So much to do and so little time to do it? There are so many things to do and see in Memphis that sometimes it's hard to choose. There are four websites that we recommend for helping with your decisions. <a href="http://www.memphistravel.com"target="_blank"><b>www.memphistravel.com</b></a> is the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau's website, <a href="http://www.downtownmemphis.com"target="_blank"><b>www.downtownmemphis.com</b></a> is the Center City Commission's website, <a href="http://www... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=926 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=926 Looking for a quote about Blues music. Check out the fantastic list at <a href="http://www.saturdayblues.com/blues-quotations"target="_blank">Saturday Blues with Brother Frank and Father Jay</a> on WPIT, a National Public Radio member station serving the Space Coast. Programming and broadcast originate at Florida Institute of Technology's Roberts Hall in Melbourne, Florida. http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=39 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=39 Looking for Blues music on your radio dial. A very helpful website for finding Blues radio programs is <a href="http://www.mary4music.com/Radio.html"target="_blank">Mary4Music</a>. When you go to the Blewzzman's site, you might just find something more of bluesy interest to you. Smokin' Bluz out of Charlotte, NC is the sponsor of the Smokin' Bluz Youth Showcase each year at the International Blues Challenge. Check out Rick Ballew's Smokin' Bluz 24/7 at <a href="http://www.smokinbluz.com"t... http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=32 http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=32 For information on summer blues festivals. Visit <a href="http://www.bluesfestivalguide.com"target="_blank">Blues Festival Guide</a> or check out the list at <a href=" http://www.bluesrevue.com"target="_blank">Blues Revue</a>.