On February 7, 2009 Little Joe realized a goal, four years in the making, by taking first place at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge held in Memphis. With three stellar sets in his fourth consecutive trip to the IBC, twice as a duo act and once with his band, Little Joe walked away with the crown; all by himself.
Little Joe McLerran, "Perhaps the finest Piedmont Blues player on the face of God's green earth", writes Billy Austin, editor of "Blues News". No small wonder. Little Joe had spent 17 of his 25 years on God's green earth working on his Piedmont chops. For his first public performance Joe sang a Leadbelly song and played another by the Rev. Gary Davis as his 4th grade classmates provided theatrical support. Joe was only 8 years old.
Since winning the IBC, Little Joe has toured coast to coast performing at blues festivals and club dates as a solo performer and with his band. With the release of is fourth album, “Believe I’ll Make a Change”, a finalist in the Blues Foundation’s 2010 “Best Self produced CD competition, and his upcoming tour with his band on behalf of the State Dept. and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rhythm Road to the Middle East, Little Joe has established himself as one of the premier roots blues players in America.
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