Bluesday Tuesday Report: IBC results, Cruisin’ and why you need to go to Knuckleheads

The returns are in: No love for King King. The Kansas City Blues Society’s pick to compete in the 25th Annual International Blues Competition came up short as the South Florida Blues Society entrants JP Soars and the Red Hots took the best band category.

Note: JP Soars also took home the Best Guitarist award. Checking out his myspace page, you will find that JP Soars also dips in metal.

Getting more attention was Trampled Under Foot’s Nick Schnebelen, 2008’s Albert King Award/Best Guitarist winner, who was awarded a customized left-handed Gibson to replace the one he received last year. Presenting the award were Sean Carney (2007 Albert King winner) and Zac Harmon (leader of 2004’s Best Unsigned Band).

In other news, the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise rolled into port in Fort Lauderdale, two Saturdays ago. Finishing up with a lineup that consisted of Ana Popovic, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Bob Margolin, the “World’s Only Fully Chartered Blues Cruise,” operated by Roger Naber, seemed to be a success.