I love the way you make acoustic blues sound fresh and modern. Your songs are strong and interesting with arrangements that make them memorable – which is unique in today's world of music that all sounds the same. With some sweet playing and great lead singing "Back In My Hometown" made me feel at home, in a place where food is tasty and the blues is played the way it should be.

Thank you again for the music. I will be happy to play it on the air in my shows.

Keep in touch and best wishes from Poland,
Przemek Draheim


Portion of "IBC Update" by Chick Cavallero
as seen in The Holler (Dec 09/Jan 10) Edition

Congratulations to Boa & the Constrictors and Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen for winning the 2010 (Colorado Blues Society) International Blues Challenge (IBC) Band and Solo/Duo competition winners!  They're going to Memphis for the Blues Foundation IBC Finals January 20-23, 2010.  The 2010 Colorado Blues Society Finals were held Sept 13th at the Boulder Outlook.  It was an amazing afternoon of performances which left me totally impressed by the amount of blues talent we have here in Colorado.  That afternoon Boa & the Constrictors nailed the Band Finals with a killer set.

Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen from Colorado Springs took the Solo/Duo Final.  Many in the crowd and earlier compeition were not familiar with this duo but they filled the room with more energy and sound than any two guys should be able to pull off.  Sitting tall in his chair, Big Jim accompanied his honeyed voice on guitar and two unique wood boxes under his feet that he stomped on to get a drum beat and even some tambourine rattling from.  John Stilwagen rounded out their set with his impressive keyboard skills and a lot of humor.  These guys are a class act you need to see and become familiar with!

I am very proud to be part of the 2010 IBC event and I'd like to thank everyone for making the Finals a special event.  Most of all, thanks to ALL the musicians and Blues Fans for supporting the 2010 International Blues Challenge!