An enthusiastic youth blues musician from Nanaimo made his way to Memphis last month to play on an international stage.
After auditioning in Abbotsford in June, 14-year-old James Vickers and his father Noel Vickers were notified last summer that the young musician was B次元官网网址済iven the thumbs upB次元官网网址� to play at the International Blues Challenge, held Jan. 16-20.
B次元官网网址淗e had a few of us crying in his performance,B次元官网网址� Noel said with a laugh. B次元官网网址淎nd the judges were all unanimous with three thumbs up B次元官网网址� That, itself was an amazing experience.B次元官网网址�
The QueenB次元官网网址檚 Hotel on Victoria Crescent in downtown Nanaimo gave its stage to James for three nights last year, as well as printing off posters and tickets, so he could raise money to attend the challenge.
B次元官网网址淭wo of the three were sold out B次元官网网址� like, wall-to-wall B次元官网网址� they even had tables on the dance floor,B次元官网网址� Noel said.
Father and son arrived in Memphis mid-January and between performances, were able to enjoy the sights and experiences of the city.
B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e a blues lover or even a music lover, Memphis has got to go on your bucket list because Beale Street in unbelievable. There are juke-joints and blues clubs on both sides of the street,B次元官网网址� Noel said.
The two checked out the Memphis Rock B次元官网网址榥B次元官网网址� Soul Museum, the Rum Boogie Caf茅, and caught their first NBA game at the FedExForum. One of the many wonders, Noel said, was noticing the small brass notes engraved and dedicated to musicians like BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan all along Beale Street.
During one of JamesB次元官网网址檚 performances at the Blues Hall Juke Joint, his father was asked by blues musician Vince Johnson to encourage his son to continue playing Robert Johnson since that sound was B次元官网网址渃oming from his soul.B次元官网网址� Noel said he would do his best.
As part of the International Blues Challenge, James performed four songs in a 20-minute set in the youth jam. Although youths didnB次元官网网址檛 compete in the challenge itself, judges were present and provided notes after the close of the challenge.
B次元官网网址淲hen he was finished, and I had tears rolling down my cheeks, one of the judges motioned me over and said B次元官网网址榊our sonB次元官网网址檚 amazing.B次元官网网址� And another judge said B次元官网网址楬e is definitely going to make it. I hope you keep supporting him,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Noel said of the experience.
James said he was more excited than nervous to play on stage before judges, and would do the international challenge again in a heartbeat.
Since first being part of the Nanaimo Blues Festival in 2022, the young musician has played all over town, including at last yearB次元官网网址檚 Nanaimo Fringe Festival, opening for Myc Sharratt, Wide Mouth Mason and playing at the Michael Patrick annual fundraiser B次元官网网址� as well as multiple other fundraisers in and outside of Nanaimo. James also performed at last yearB次元官网网址檚 blues festival at Maffeo Sutton Park, often plays the Sunday Blues Jams at the QueenB次元官网网址檚 on Sunday afternoons, and is part of John Barsby Secondary SchoolB次元官网网址檚 Barsby School of Rock group.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been really overwhelming. The support from a lot of the locals at the QueenB次元官网网址檚 and a lot of my friends. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a pretty amazing experience and crazy sometimes. I would not be where I am without them,B次元官网网址� said James.
Mostly under-wraps for now, the youth musician has an EP of original music in the works.
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