approach make him stand was nominated in the 2018 impact on the young artist’s talents of eclectic artist, band over the years. Blues out. As a writer, he creates a Blues Blast Music Awards. life. He has five independent Wally B. Ford. The Lizzard The Movers has always been a big influ- sound all his own that clev- Ivy Ford shares the stage albums thus far in a career Kings captures the essences & Shakers ence in their playing style, PIKES PEAK BLUES erly blurs the lines between with long time bass player spanning several years. He’s of the music that influenced COMMUNITY traditional and modern blues. the real deal. its members and distills The Movers & Shakers are a Based in Williamsport, Penn- them into their own unique dynamic collaboration of sylvania, Gabe is thrilled to sound. Now, 30 years in, family and friends. Their live be back in Memphis for his The Jonny performances have become second attempt at the IBC. Monster Band SMOKY MOUNTAIN the stuff of legend in the BLUES SOCIETY The Halfway The Jonny Monster Band though it has become more Crooks steams into any venue with a prevalent in recent years with FORT SMITH RIVERFRONT high octane mix of rock ’n’ the addition of the harmon- BLUES SOCIETY roll and fast-paced blues. ica, creating an improvisa- The Halfway Crooks are a They deliver hard-driving orig- tional dueling element four-piece blues and rock and inal tunes and faithful covers they continue to deliver a between the harmonica and roll band hailing from Fort from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, finely honed and diverse guitar. The Natural State Smith, Arkansas, who are and friend, Willie Rauch and Johnny Winter, and Paul But- repertoire of their “Original Band is a hard-hitting blues quickly taking Western Arkan- drummer, Dave Axen. Ivy terfield. They are known up Deep-Fried Memphis Music.” band that will not disappoint. sas by storm. With primary Ford is noted for her high and down the East Coast for The Lizzard Kings are influences ranging from the caliber performances and their energetic live perfor- spreading their “Lizzard The Roosters stomping vamps of Northern showmanship. mances. Because they pour Fever” far and wide. Catch THUNDER BAY Hill Country Mississippi, the their heart and soul into yourself a case and you will BLUES SOCIETY every track played, any audi- see what it’s all about. Rooted at the northern end The Joel ence can feel the electric Rocky Mountain region. The of Highway 61, the Roosters energy that vibrates from any DaSilva Band band’s energy and chemistry are a versatile four-piece ORANGE BLOSSOM of the Jonny Monster Band’s The Motion BLUES SOCIETY ORANGE COUNTY are the result of longstand- ensemble from Thunder Bay, BLUES SOCIETY ing friendships and family Ontario, Canada. They per- Joel DaSilva is an American/ ties. Each member is either The Motion is a Los Angeles form original music, as well Brazilian/Ukrainian guitarist, related to or has one or more based grouped formed by as an eclectic mix of blues, singer, and songwriter from friendships in the group swampy slide guitar of the original members Andy Vimar folk, country and some good Chicago, Illinois, and based which date back a decade or Florida-Alabama line, and the and Mike Moody. Together ol’ rock and roll. Originally in Florida. His sound is influ- more. They offer blues in- raunchy organ swells of a they have developed a formed in 2005, the present enced by Chicago, the Florida fused rock and soul played sweaty revival tent, the four smooth blend between blues lineup has been together for swamp, his family, the mud, straight from the heart, pow- members have developed a and soul music, while paying two years and features and the city. They all melt ered by horns, and fueled by unique style of soul-inspiring respect to the sentiments of together in a tasty gumbo fun! We’re the Movers & blues that is sure to keep a rhythm and blues, funk, and that is Joel DaSilva. He often Shakers. We come to play! crowd’s ears open and feet tours the states and overseas the pop song form. The four- moving. and is the son of traveling piece band consists of Andy Vimar’s blazing guitar solos, performances. Hailing from The Natural The Ivy Ford Band Knoxville, Tennessee, the State Band CROSSROADS BLUES BUFFALO RIVER SOCIETY OF ILLINOIS Jonny Monster Band is sure BLUES SOCIETY to give the crowd an experi- Ivy Ford, “The Chicago Blues ence like no other. The Natural State Band is a Kitten,” at age 25 is a re- four-piece blues-rock band Calum Robertson (guitar/ spected artist in Chicago’s from Mountain Home, Arkan- vocals), Gary Hare (keys/ blues and live music scene. The Lizzard Kings Jacob Argueta’s funk driven sas formed in 2012. They harp/vocals), and the ‘double In 2015 Ivy Ford opened for MEMPHIS BLUES SOCIETY bass, and Julian Ho’s irresist- perform mostly original music Mike’ rhythm section of Mike Buddy Guy at his club in Chi- Formed in the 1980s, Mem- ible groove, all fronted by with a handful of cover Carson (bass/vocals), and cago which kicked started phis, Tennessee’s own, The powerhouse vocalist, Mike songs. Starting out as a rock Mike Schan (drums). All the her career. Ford wrote and musicians from Brazil. Lizzard Kings, is but one of Moody. They are regulars and band with one foot in the players are well-seasoned produced her first original DaSilva lost his father at age the creative outlets for the currently active in the Los blues, they have transformed blues lovers looking forward album, Time to Shine, which three, which had a profound musical and songwriting Angeles area. into a full-on blues-rock jam to the IBC experience.

104 H BANDS THE BLUES FOUNDATION • BLUES.ORG INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE #35 BANDS H 105