The Road to Memphis Starts Aug. 26 at Katie’s in Smithtown

The cream of the local blues crop gathers Aug. 26 at Katie’s in Smithtownfor a 5-hour blues bash that will help raise money to send Long Island winners to the International Blues Challengein Memphis, Tenn., in January.

Noted Long Island blues players Bobby Nathan and Kerry Kearney and their bands will be joined by this year’s local representatives Harmonica Bill and Marked Deck, winners in the band category, and duo/solo pick Frilucha, which features Lee Taylor on vocals and Michaela Gomez on guitar.

Also on the bill at Katie’s, 145 W. Main St. in Smithtown, will be Ryan Hartt, backed by an all-star local band. A small $10 door charge covers a full day of music.

“These players show the Memphis IBC judges that we have deep roots in the blues,”

said Long Island Blues SocietyPresident Jim Kolman of the show, which starts at 2 p.m.

If you get hungry, Katie’s Food Truck will be on hand to keep you fueled up for dancing and grooving.

The local reps going to Memphis, who will reap the proceeds of the day, will be strutting their stuff on the iconic Beale Street, at clubs such as BB King’s Blues Club. The competition runs from Jan.22 though Jan. 26.

The Long Island contingent heading south this year to face off with bands from across the globe will also include The Piano Matt 6tet, which wowed the judges at the Long Island competition at the Big Kahuna in Huntington earlier in the year and will represent the Island in the youth category.

The competition to represent Long Island at the international event was stiff.

HB and Marked Deckplayed a smoking hot set to edge Long Island blues stalwarts the Double A Blues Band, fronted by WUSB radio host Ahmad Ali, and the John Byrne Band.

The Piano Matt 6tetkicked off the show and wowed the crowd with a sizzling set that had the patrons buzzing.

In the solo/duo competition, Friluchablew the masses away with a mix of blues standards such as Bessie Smith’s “Nobody Knows You when Your Down and Out” and some stunning original songs.

“We are excited to send our reps down to Memphis,” said board member Ray Hauck. “Now we have to work to make sure they can all get down south to represent us.”

The Long Island Blues Society will be holding events and the bands themselves will be playing across Nassau and Suffolk in the coming months to help Long Island’s representatives get themselves on the road to Memphis. Join them to show the world that the blues -- and the live music scene – are thriving on Long Island.