News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 6/24/04   KSLU AND SUGACANES JAZZ & BLUES CLUB PRESENT SECOND ANNUAL HOT AUGUST BLUES CONTEST       HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University’s radio station, 90.9FM KSLU Alternative Public Radio, and SugaCanes Jazz & Blues Club in downtown Hammond are again sponsoring the Hot August Blues Contest to crown the “2005 Best New Blues Artist on the North Shore.”        Auditions will be held in July and early August, with the final competition to be broadcast live on 90.9FM KSLU during Hammond’s August 20 Hot August Night celebration.       Open mike auditions to find the area’s best new blues talent will begin July 21 at SugaCanes. Each Wednesday from July 21-August 11 blues musicians will have the opportunity to audition in front of a live audience and a panel of selected judges. Auditions will be held from 6-8 p.m.        Two finalists and one alternate will be selected to compete for the “Best New Blues Artist” title.        Hot August Night, hosted annually by downtown businesses, will include wine tasting, music and a gallery and art stroll from 5- 9 p.m.         “This is our second year, and the event keeps getting better and better,” said Ted Hudspeth of SugaCanes.  “This year, Johnny Palazzotto, a renowned music producer and organizer of the Baton Rouge Blues Week, has agreed to be one of our judges.”       The winner of the Hot August Blues Contest will receive a live demo session recorded at SugaCanes, 50 mass-produced CDs, on-air radio interviews and radio play on KSLU during the Blues Cruise segment.        For more information about entering the contest, contact KSLU’s Liz Black at 985-549-2330.