Mighty Lester, a raucous 8-piece group from Raleigh, NC, won the 19th Annual PBPS Blues Challenge, held Saturday and Sunday, September 24th and 25th at the Lion's Lair, 2107 Kirkwood Street, High Point.Soloist Patrick Fitzsimons of Asheville, NC, finished second and the Gary Redd Band, from High Point, NC placed third.
Mighty Lester will go on to represent the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society at the International Blues Challenge in February, 2006 in Memphis, TN. They will also perform at the 20th Annual Carolina Blues Festival, scheduled for May, 2006. As the highest placing North Carolina-based band, they will also perform at the Bull Durham Blues Festival, scheduled for September of 2006.
(UPDATE: Click here for an account of Mighty Lester's experience at the International Blues Festival.)
The high-energy 8-piece ensemble is comprised of: Todd Newberry on lead vocals, Lenny Terenzi on guitar, Dave Falardeau on bass, Rick Cassidy on drums, Jon Newell on piano, Alex Almasy on trumpet, Jeff Thomas on tenor saxophone and Joe Sunseri on baritone saxophone.
After the awards ceremony, guitarist Lenny Terenzi stated, "This band has been together for five years, and (the current line-up) is the best version we've had so far. To come in to the Triad and win this contest, it's awesome for us."
Second place finisher Patrick Fitzsimons became the second solo artist in as many years to place in the top three. He won $200 cash as first runner-up. It was Fitzsimons' first appearance at the PBPS Blues Challenge.
High Point's Gary Redd Band, in their inaugural appearance in the Blues Challenge, placed third and received $100 cash. The band is comprised of: Gary Redd on lead vocals, Tremaine Long on drums, Jordan Luther on bass, Pete Harrell on alto saxophone and Joey Tucker and Billy Martin on guitars.
