September 9, 2013 – Los Angeles, CA – Media Entertainment Management Group (MEMG) announced that their premier artist Lane Baldwin won the Sacramento, CA, International Blues Challenge regional solo/duo competition yesterday, performing on bass guitar and vocals. This is the first time a solo bassist has represented the city in the IBC competitions. It may also be the first time a solo bassist has competed in the final rounds of the IBC.

MEMG President Polo Jones is proud of his feature artist’s unique sound and approach. “I’ve never seen a performer like him,” Jones said of his long-time friend. “He’s got a very deep Old School presence but with a distinctive new twist. And he brings an amazing level of passion that’s hard to match. The fact that he does it all on bass just makes it that much more captivating.”

Lane is currently performing in the Sacramento and Bay areas with his trio Deeper Blues. He is also rehearsing a larger band to tour in support of his upcoming second release, The View From Here.

Acting as producer (as well as engineer) for the new CD, Jones brought in an array of the Bay Area’s top talent, including drummers Bryant Mills (John Lee Hooker, Sly Stone) and Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Paul McCartney), keyboardists Nate Ginsberg (Herbie Hancock, Larry Graham) and Danny B (Sista Monica Parker), guitarists Terry Hiatt (Laura Price and Artist), Dave Adams ( Prairie Prince, Ronnie Montrose, Steve Miller), vocalist Tammy Brown (Stanley Jordan, Spyro Gyra) Saxophonists Noel Catura (Joe Luis Walker, Chris Cain) and Lisa Simpson, to name a few.

Lane’s set for the IBC competition included four of his own songs and Lane’s imaginative arrangement of an old favorite. “I wanted to offer a broad range of styles to demonstrate what the Blues can be,” Baldwin said. “But I wanted to focus on the stories more than anything, that old way of releasing your pain.”

The secret behind Baldwin’s solo sound is his extended range bass guitar. “It’s pretty unusual in the Blues, Rock and Americana,” said Baldwin, “but for 17 years, my main instrument has been my Spector 6-string bass guitar. It’s an extremely important part of what I do. In fact, it’s a requirement.”

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Two time contender and judge for the contest, Sean McGroarty was very impressed with Lane’s performance. “Lane’s performance was very unique and very powerful, which is why the judges all voted to send him to Memphis to compete against musicians from around the world. I have no doubt Lane will be a serious contender.”

From January 21st through 25th, 2014, Baldwin will compete in the final rounds of the IBC competition, comprised of two quarterfinal nights, a semifinal, and the final round, which will take place in the historic Orpheum Theater.

As for his chances of winning, Baldwin says he’s just thrilled to take part in the event. “ This is the biggest event of its kind,” he said, “and it attracts some of the best players in the world. I just want to represent Sacramento to the best of my ability. I’m going to bring the deepest Blues I have, and we’ll see if they’re deep enough.”

Lane Baldwin is an internationally acclaimed singer, bassist, songwriter and author. His 2008 release, Dig the Hole, has been hailed as the “best Blues in decades.” Iconic Blues bassist Johnny B. Gayden (Albert Collins) calls Lane one of the best of his generation. For more information, visit his web site: LaneBaldwin.com

MEMG is an umbrella artist development firm that uses an “all under one roof” approach to bring organic artists to the forefront of today’s entertainment industry. In addition to development and management services, MEMG operates world-class audio, film and TV recording facilities, and full tour production services for its artists.