Grand Island musician wins blues competition

Michael DeLano, a 17-year-old member of the Grand Island High School and Erie 1 BOCES Harkness senior class, won the Blues Society of WNY’s Memphis Bound competition for solo artist at Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo on Aug. 28.

DeLano will next compete in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge, representing the Blues Society of WNY. A panel of esteemed judges determined a winner for a solo/duo and a band act using the Blues Foundation’s blues criteria.

The Blues Society of WNY participates in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis with other affiliate blues societies from the U.S., Canada and beyond. Over 260 blues acts, industry professionals and over 3,000 blues fans participate each year with this year’s International Blues Challenge taking place from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 on Beale Street in Memphis.

DeLano, pictured, can next be seen performing at the Music is Art festival on the Rail Barn stage at 11 a.m. on Sept. 7.

(Photo by Aaron Bobeck)