Interesting Blues Challenge experience

["James D Rossen and Dina Janzen" <dlj@xxxxxx>]

My band entered the Blues Challenge (the one with the finals in Memphis) hosted
by a "blues society" based in a town about 60 mi away.  This "blues society" is
substantial in that it hosts a nationally known annual three day festival.
Three other bands, all local, played, and two would advance to the next round.
We put together, practiced and executed a pretty nice set (sounded fine in the
house as captured on a minidisk  player).  Before the winners were announced, a
judge approached my band mate and said that were were the best band, but that
they needed to advance bands that played rock, because rock was needed to do
well in the finals.  When the judging criteria which include blues content was
pointed out, he said said he needed to move out of swinging range, and split.
Apparently, only home boys need apply.