The local group Wicked Blues Band, has entered to compete in the Road to Memphis 2013 challenge, hosted by the Maine Blues Society.

Wicked Blues Band was formed in the summer of 2012 by Jason Simonds of Jefferson and Pat Ginnaty of Bremen. They added Annette Rundall of Nobleboro playing Bass in August, and Bill Rice of Alna as drummer in October.

Wicked plays a wide variety of blues, that is designed to get people dancing and is available for functions and entertainment. More info on Wicked Blues Band can be found on their Facebook Page or by visiting their website at www.wickedbluesband.me/.

Every year, hundreds of blues acts from around the world gather in Memphis Tennessee for the International Blues Challenge (IBC). These acts are selected by their local Blues Foundation affiliates through competition only, and are sent to represent their region of the world at the IBC, most at their own expense.

This year, Wicked is one of 14 acts that have signed up to compete on May 19 at the Legion Hall in Auburn starting noon, where there will be a blind draw to establish playing order. Each act will have 20 minutes to impress the judges.

For 2013 there are 9 bands and 5 solo/duo acts competing, including some of the best known blues acts in the State. The IBC challenge rules are used for scoring. They can be found here.

The Road to Memphis is a free event, but donations are being accepted to help the MBS build the Blues Hall of Fame by "buying a brick." The kitchen will be open during the event as well as the bar. The Maine Blues Society and the Wicked Blues Band invite you to come to Auburn on the May 19 and see 14 of the best blues acts in the state duke it out to see who goes to Memphis. More information can be found at www.mainebluessociety.com/.