News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Janelle Woolley Date: 6/26/03   90.9 KSLU AND SUGACANES IN HAMMOND TEAM UP FOR FIRST BLUES ARTIST CONTEST ON THE NORTHSHORE       HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s 90.9 KSLU Public Radio and Hammond’s SugaCanes Jazz and Blues Club are teaming up to sponsor the first blues artist contest on the Northshore.  Auditions will be held during the month of July and the finalists will perform live during the Hot August Nights Celebration from 5-7 p.m. in downtown Hammond on August 15.      Along with the staff of KSLU, SugaCanes will give blues musicians the opportunity to audition every Monday during Open Mike Night at SugaCanes in front of a live audience and a panel of selected judges.        “These auditions will be held to find the best unsigned new blues talent in the area,” said Ted Hudspeth and Preston Smith of SugaCanes.        The Hot August Blues Contest will be broadcast live from 6-8 p.m. on 90.9 KSLU.  “The contest is a natural fit between KSLU and SugaCanes,” said KSLU General Manager Wayne Cain.  “We broadcast     ‘The KSLU Blues Cruise every Monday through Friday, so the idea of a contest to find new talent in the area and to broadcast it live just fell into place.”      Sponsored by the Downtown Development District, Hot August Nights is held annually  in downtown Hammond.  It includes wine tasting, music, and a gallery and art stroll hosted by Hammond merchants and businesses.         Contest winner will receive a live demo session recorded at SugaCanes, 50 mass-produced compact discs, and on-air radio interviews and play on KSLU radio during “The KSLU Blues Cruise.”        For more information, contact Preston Smith at 985-507-8130.  Return to News Releases