By Dennis Atkins
Early this year, South East Queensland blues artist Zed Charles, known for his relentless gigging and his Porch Blues shows in Caboolture, was quickly making a name for himself. He made it into the final rounds looking for the best original blues CD at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. And now that starter-kit of fame has grown some wings.
At the IBC in January, the Blues Boy from Bowen watched his CD, Hear My Word, advance through to the third round of competition before landing in the joint sixth position.
It was a fantastic effort for someone putting forward his debut CD in a contest he’d only dreamt about, especially as he was up against hundreds of fellow contestants from all over the world, including some of the cream of new American talent.
Back in Australia, Zed Charles was enjoying this success and getting on with his commitments in Central Queensland – he’s a staple at the hotels around Shute Harbour, in the Whitsundays – and preparing for his next Porch Blues afternoon at the beginning of May.
During this time, some more big news arrived from the US, with word that he was the outright winner of the best blues songwriter for 2025 in one of America’s most prestigious contests sponsored by the authority on American songwriting, American Songwriter.
Winning this contest carries great prestige, provides $US1000 in cash for the artist, features coverage in the magazine, and guarantees distribution of the winning material as well as tracking of radio play and streaming in major markets.
American Songwriter said the talent and hard work of all the artists “truly stood out”.
Zed has been demonstrating his commitment to living and promoting blues music, working in the Whitsundays to launch a local blues association, which will no doubt work closely with the Blues Association of South East Queensland to raise the profile of blues across the state.
Zed says he wants to build a larger blues network in Australia and support blues musicians by providing them with a local platform.
Here’s how Zed sums up how he sees the blues scene in his part of Queensland and elsewhere in the state: there are people who love traditional blues, and others who look to take the genre and evolve it a little more.
“I’d say I’m probably in the second category. It’s tricky to keep traditional sounds and styles while also evolving or pushing them in new directions. Put your stamp on it,” says Zed. “I think that’s, believe it or not, the reason why my album did so well in the competition.”
Anyone who wants to emulate Zed Charles or the exciting success of The 8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani Band, who reached the semi-finals in this year’s best band category, BASEQ is set to send another contestant to next January’s Blues Challenge.
The BASEQ is seeking expressions of interest from bands, duos, and solo acts to compete for a chance to go to Memphis for the 2027 contest in January.
BASEQ President Robin Jones has called for acts to come forward and start the march to an afternoon of blues music competition in August at Lefty’s Music Hall in Caxton Street, Paddington.
“The BASEQ intends to again provide this opportunity for South East Queensland Blues artists, with nominations for the 2027 Blues Challenge already open and the final scheduled for August,” said Robin.
Anyone interested in having a go should make sure they are a financial member of the BASEQ, get their material together and start practicing for another great afternoon of down-to-the-wire blues music.
Meanwhile, Robin said this was the perfect time to consider joining the SE Queensland Blues Association to keep live music alive.
“If you want to support the BASEQ in providing this and other opportunities, please consider joining the BASEQ. https://www.baseq.org.au/