Pioneer Blues

05/09/2025

Get behind Australian blues musicians 8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani along with their bandmates Nik and Norman who won the BASEQ Memphis Blues Challenge. 🏆🎶🎸

The next journey is going to USA to compete in the International Blues Challenge. The Blues Association of South East Queensland (BASEQ) are helping to send them to Memphis, Tennessee in January 2026. Costs are enormous to get a 4 piece band there though so they need your support.

Give a few dollars as every dollar helps. 💪😊

Australian blues musicians 8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani along w… Eightball Aitken needs your support for 8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani - Memphis Blues Challenge Trip

25/08/2025

Congratulations to 8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani on winning the BASEQ Memphis Blues Challenge and thanks to
• Dillion James Band,
• Sugarbag Blonde,
• LR Marsh,
• Shotgun Sam and HWFBB,
• Shade Hadie,
• The Midnight Sound Machine and
• Zed Charles.
For putting on such entertaining, accomplished, professional performances.
Thanks to the audience and Leftys for their support and a very big thanks to our three judges for their time and effort and every one that made the event the success it was.

24/08/2025

Come and see top musicians compete to win the chance to go to Memphis USA for the opportunity to be in the International Blues Challenge and rub shoulders with Blues musicians from around the world 🌎

Take a plane, catch a train, drive your car or walk, but get to Leftys Music Lefty's Music Hall for the BASEQ International Blues Challenge, Today 12pm
Get your tickets now, as tickets are limited.
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/516c442e-621c-4b4c-96b3-81deda9a6e29
The countdown is on to find the best blues act — a band or solo performer — to represent The Blues Association of South East Queensland in Memphis, the day is here.
Eight finalists will be pitted against one another in an afternoon contest at Lefty's Music Hall in Caxton Street, Paddington on August 24.
Doors open at 12pm first act on stage 1pm.
The wining act will be announced on the day.
8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani 1pm – 1.20
Shade Hadie 1.30pm – 1.50
LR Marsh 2pm – 2.20
Dillion James Band 2.30pm – 2.50
The Midnight Sound Machine 3.pm – 3.20
Zed Charles 3.30pm – 3.50
Shotgun Sam and HWFBB 4.00pm – 4.20
Sugarbag Blonde 4.30pm – 4.50
Winner announced 5.30pm

23/08/2025

Only a couple more sleeps.
International Blues Challenge, Leftys Music Hall, Augus 24th 12pm
Get your tickets now. Don't wait until the day as tickets are limited.
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/516c442e-621c-4b4c-96b3-81deda9a6e29
The countdown is on to find the best blues act — a band or solo performer — to represent The Blues Association of South East Queensland in Memphis, the day is here.
Eight finalists will be pitted against one another in an afternoon contest at Lefty's Music Hall in Caxton Street, Paddington on August 24.
Doors open at 12pm first act on stage 1pm.
The wining act will be announced on the day.
8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani 1pm – 1.20
Shade Hadie 1.30pm – 1.50
LR Marsh 2pm – 2.20
Dillion James Band 2.30pm – 2.50
The Midnight Sound Machine 3.pm – 3.20
Zed Charles 3.30pm – 3.50
Shotgun Sam and HWFBB 4.00pm – 4.20
Sugarbag Blonde 4.30pm – 4.50
Winner announced 5.30pm

01/08/2025

BASEQ are writing individual stories about each of the incredible artists performing at the Memphis Blues Challenge at Lefty's on Sunday 24th August.
This is the first one on 8 Ball Aitken and Taya Chani.

Introducing the artists No 1
8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani 1pm – 1.20

8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani are stars in their own right and now are combining their talents to explore new musical adventures, as seen with a recent album, Nightbird, released early this year.
The eponymous title track hit No 1 on the most reliable regional charts, run by the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project. This success was followed by another No 1 Hit with Miss You The Most. Their band is rounded out with drummer Nik Downing and bassist Norman Downing.
https://www.facebook.com/8ballaitkenmusic
Come along and support sending an act to the Memphis blues Challenge.
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/516c442e-621c-4b4c-96b3-81deda9a6e29

11/07/2025

International Blues Challenge, Leftys Music Hall, Augus 24th 12pm

Support the Blues, support the Acts. Let the Judges know your favourite. Get your tickets now.

https://tickets.oztix.com.au/.../516c442e-621c-4b4c-96b3...

International Blues Challenge, Leftys Music Hall, Augus 24th 12pm

Support the Blues, support the acts. Let the Judges know your favourite. Get your tickets now. Don't wait, tickets are limited.

https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/516c442e-621c-4b4c-96b3-81deda9a6e29

The countdown is on to find the best blues act — a band or solo performer — to represent The Blues Association of South East Queensland in Memphis, the day is here.

Eight finalists will be pitted against one another in an afternoon contest at Lefty's Music Hall in Caxton Street, Paddington on August 24.
Doors open at 12pm first act on stage 1pm.
The wining act will be announced on the day.

These are the acts performing on the day, although not in this order:
• 8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani,
• Dillion James Band,
• Sugarbag Blonde,
• LR Marsh,
• Shotgun Sam and HWFBB,
• Shade Hadie,
• The Midnight Sound Machine and
• Zed Charles.

11/07/2025

International Blues Challenge, Leftys Music Hall, Augus 24th 12pm
Support the Blues, support the Acts. Get your tickets now. 🤩

https://tickets.oztix.com.au/.../516c442e-621c-4b4c-96b3...

The countdown is on to find the best blues act — a band or solo performer — to represent The Blues Association of South East Queensland in Memphis, the day is here.

Eight finalists will be pitted against one another in an afternoon contest at Lefty's Music Hall in Caxton Street, Paddington on August 24.

Doors open at 12pm first act on stage 1pm.
The wining act will be announced on the day.

These are the acts performing on the day, although not in this order:
• 8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani,
• Dillion James Band,
• Sugarbag Blonde,
• LR Marsh,
• Shotgun Sam and HWFBB,
• Shade Hadie,
• The Midnight Sound Machine and
• Zed Charles.

International Blues Challenge, Leftys Music Hall, Augus 24th 12pm

Support the Blues, support the acts. Let the Judges know your favourite. Get your tickets now. Don't wait, tickets are limited.

https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/516c442e-621c-4b4c-96b3-81deda9a6e29

The countdown is on to find the best blues act — a band or solo performer — to represent The Blues Association of South East Queensland in Memphis, the day is here.

Eight finalists will be pitted against one another in an afternoon contest at Lefty's Music Hall in Caxton Street, Paddington on August 24.
Doors open at 12pm first act on stage 1pm.
The wining act will be announced on the day.

These are the acts performing on the day, although not in this order:
• 8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani,
• Dillion James Band,
• Sugarbag Blonde,
• LR Marsh,
• Shotgun Sam and HWFBB,
• Shade Hadie,
• The Midnight Sound Machine and
• Zed Charles.

28/01/2025

It's massively exciting 🤩 that SE Queensland is having a Blues Challenge this year organized by Blues Association of South East Queensland BASEQ to send an artist/artists to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge in January 2026. https://www.baseq.org.au/ibc-2026-expression-of-interest/
Check out the link on the BASEQ page to find out more about it.