Blues artist is rising star
Published 9:05 am Thursday, May 12, 2016
Blues artist Mr. Sipp, who won the 2014 International Blues Competition in Memphis, Tenn. representing the Vicksburg Blues Society, was honored with the rising star award at the 37th Blues Music Awards May 5 in Memphis sponsored by The Blues Foundation.
“He was one of two Vicksburg Blues Society artists nominated for the award,” said Shirley Waring, Vicksburg Blues Society president. “Eddie Cotton, who represented the Blues Society when he won the international competition in 2015, was also nominated for the rising star title.”
Mr. Sipp, whose real name is Castro Coleman, first performed at the Vicksburg Blues Society’s blues competition in 2012. His band won the local competition in 2013, making the finals of the International Blues Competition in Memphis. The group won it all in 2014.
Waring said two of his band members, Stanley Dixon and Jeff Flanagan, both of Jackson, also attended the awards ceremony.
“He has become an international star since he first stepped in the stage in 2012 for the Vicksburg blues competition,” Waring said. “Artists sponsored by the Vicksburg Blues Society have been in the finals on the International Blues Competition for the last four years, and we have won it twice, we’re the only group to have back-to-back winners.”
She said the back-to-back honors have put the Vicksburg Blues Society and the city in the spotlight “as pursuing and presenting first-class blues acts.”
Coleman, who has been a professional gospel musician since he was 17, lives in McComb, but was billed as representing Vicksburg when he participated in the International Blues Competition out of recognition of the city as the birthplace of his blues career.