August 5, 2025

St. Louis is heading to the IBC!

Pictured L-R: Devin Williams, Ms Hy-C, and Rum Drum Ramblers band members Mat Wilson and Ryan Koenig.

By Michael Higgins

WISHING A HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS to Devin Williams and The Rum Drum Ramblers — Mat Wilson, Ryan Koenig and Joe Glynn (not pictured) for advancing to the IBC Championship in Memphis next year !!

St Louis will be bringing some true old time blues and roots with a heavy sense of respect for the early sounds of the 1920’s thru the 1940’s. Both Devin (solo/duo winner) and the Ramblers (band winner) are going to fire up Memphis with their tremendously unique and driving sounds.

Great job guys!!

The event was bound to be close and it took awhile for the judges to bring forth their decision. The rest of the performances were equally fantastic. The talent was VERY STRONG across the board — I mean we got to enjoy a full day of great blues!!

Everyone who performed was spot on, and the assortment of different styles truly shined. Whether it was the STL styled soul blues of Al Holliday and Eve Rigby, the Chicago blues drive of Cole Allen’s Coldwater Creek Band, the gospel inspired vocals of Herrie Pullom with Jason David Cooper’s Catapult, or the witty song originality of Marty Spikener’s On Call Band, any one of these performers could have repped STL proud next year. Personal thanks from here !!

Finally, thank you Ms Hy-C (great outfit by the way!) for emceeing and inviting The St Louis Blues Society to your monthly home post at VFW Auxiliary 3944. We never knew that The Rum Drum Ramblers once performed in a bathroom!

And thank you for making me shake in my shoes to explain The Greenwood Cemetery, St. Louis, MO CD project

For those who are unaware, Ms Hy-C is one of the fabulous singers on the project and she’ll be recording her version of Signifying Mary Johnson’s “Rattlesnake Blues” at the famed Ecko Studios (think of Barbara Carr) in Memphis. We’re planning on early October and talking of taking a party bus there where she’ll be performing live. I’m sure better details will come later. Anyway, thanks Jacinta and additional thanks to Lee Howland, John May and The STL Blues Society for putting this together yesterday. Great job

And once again, congratulations Devin and The Rum Drum Ramblers!!

Michael Higgins

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