Thanks for Cruisin’ With Us—and Congrats to Our Journey to Memphis Winners!

What. A. Day.

To everyone who joined us Saturday (July 5) on the sold-out Cruisin’ to Memphis Blues Cruise—thank you. You brought the energy, the love, and the unmistakable spirit of the blues. From the river views to the riveting performances, it was a day to remember.

We were honored to host the Journey to Memphis Finals on board, showcasing some of the region’s top-tier blues talent. Every act brought their A-game, making it a tough call for our judges, Ben Jones, Daniel Castro and Casey Sutton—and a total joy for the crowd.

Now, without further ado…

Congratulations to the 2025 Journey to Memphis Winners:
The Nikki Jones Band (Band Category)
Lilla (Solo/Duo Category)

These phenomenal artists will represent the Pacific Northwest at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee this January—and we have no doubt they’ll do us proud.

We also want to send huge congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the outstanding runners-up:
Juliet Sings (Solo/Duo)
Kit’s Bag o’ Cats (Band)

Each performance was a masterclass in musicianship, passion, and pure blues soul.

And let’s talk about that Main Stage.
The boat was literally rocking as the Journey to Memphis All Stars took over, featuring a who’s who of regional blues royalty:
Jonn Del Toro Richardson
Timmer Blakely
Dave Melyan
Rae Gordon
Dave Fleschner
Fenix Sanders
Brady Goss
Chad Rupp
Ty Curtis
TJ Wong

Each of these performers has competed at the International Blues Challenge in years past, and their combined energy was electric—firing up the crowd and showing exactly why Portland’s blues scene punches way above its weight.

Meanwhile, the Kivett Bednar Band lit up the lower deck with an hour-long set that had folks grooving from stem to stern, and JT Thomas held court up top, soloing with the wind in his hair and the river rolling behind him like a scene straight out of a blues ballad.

It all added up to one unforgettable ride—and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing community.

A massive thank you to the Waterfront Blues Festival for inviting the Cascade Blues Association to host this very special cruise. Your partnership and support make a world of difference.

And to those of you who just discovered us for the first time—welcome! Whether you joined the CBA yesterday or are thinking about it now, we’re so glad you found us. You’re officially part of the blues family.

Photos from the cruise will be added to our Photo Gallery soon—keep an eye out!

Support the Blues—Join or Donate Today!

Help us keep the blues alive and get our winners to Memphis!

Join the Cascade Blues Association – It’s just $25/year, and it comes with perks like free admission to our monthly showcases, discounted events, and the joy of knowing you’re backing the local blues scene in a big way.

Support the artists on their Journey to Memphis Fund – Your support helps cover travel and lodging for the artists representing our region on the international stage. Every dollar counts. Every donation counts. Dates for fundraisers will be shared soon.

• Make a financial contribution now,  follow this link.
• If you would like to donate a gift card or item for the Journey to Memphis Fundraiser events, please send an email to cbastaff@cascadeblues.org, our volunteers will reach out soon.

Thank you for following the Journey to Memphis!

Together, we’re preserving the past, supporting the present, and building the future of the blues—one note at a time.
—Your friends at the Cascade Blues Association