The 19th Annual Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival brought great blues musicians from all over to small town Rentiesville, OK on Labor Day Weekend. Though many of the great entertainers were from abroad, some came from right around the local corner. One such band, Mojo Sonata from Stilwell, OK and a regular at the Down Home Blues Club, showed up and whooed us with their unique soothing style of blues only they can perform.
The festival kicked off Friday night with a Battle of the Bands. Mojo Sonata won $100, a paid spot on next year's 20th Annual Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival line-up, and the opportunity to compete at the International Blues Challenge on Beale Street in Memphis, TN on January 20 - 23, 2010. Last year, 100 top blues bands, and 60 solo/duo acts competed for top honors. from the words of Deb "We are truly thrilled to represent Friends of Rentiesville Blues, Inc. at this event!"
Short Bio from Mojo Sonata:
"Mojo Sonata is: Tina Southworth, lead vocals; Deb Bynum, guitar & vocals; Steve Hahn, guitar & vocals; Karen Woody, bass & vocals; Wendell Austin, drums.
Mo So plays originals by Tina and Deb, as well as blues, rock, and gospel covers. We've performed at BBQ's, family reunions, birthday and anniversary parties, and at the Down Home Blues Club in Rentiesville. We hope to improve our skills and knowledge, to record, and to play lots more shows.
Mojo Sonata began its hip-shakin' groove-fest on April Fool's Day, 2007. Looking back, it seems utterly appropriate. There's been anxiety and pain. The band was formed as a result of a back injury Deb sustained while unplugging a guitar amp. Deb went to Tina's chiropractic office for treatment, wearing a Black Keys t-shirt, which revealed a common interest in music. Tina auditioned on the spot. She sang a stunning rendition of "Milk Cow Blues," now a band staple. Within a few months, Tina, Deb and Steve started rehearsals in Stilwell, OK on a steady basis. (Previously, in 2004, for Deb's birthday, she and husband, Steve purchased Fender Strats, cancelled Dish Net, and began jamming nightly) The band went through several incarnations, before finding a permanent bassist in Karen "Mo Bottom" Woody. Karen has years of experience on the Seattle music scene. The missing link was the addition of Wendell Austin of Springdale, AR on drums. Multi-talented Wendell has been musically active for years in the Northwest Arkansas area.
Yeah, there's been extreme anxiety and pain, but most of all, there's been laughter. And, only a true fool, an imbecile, a borderline moron could experience laughter as we've known it. That's the reason we stay together: the fun. We hope you'll come out to a gig soon, and shake your tail feather."
Congratulations and good luck to Mojo Sonata!
Tags: Blues Mojo Sonata Battle Of The Bands Blues Festival
