Bobble Tiki doesn't just love the blues, he is the blues.Themes that define the genre also define Bobble Tiki's very life. Yes, Bobble Tiki has seen a lot of pain - he's had many girlfriends leave, he's squandered plenty of money, and he's seen the bottom of a box of wine on plenty of occasions. Bobble Tiki is like a living, breathing Tiki-fication of everything the blues is about.

Speaking of blues, the South Sound Blues Association (SSBA) has the blues so bad, they added it to their name.

In fact, the SSBA takes their blues so seriously, they make an annual trip to the Blues Big Dance - the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. SSBA has made the trip the last eight years; ponying up for a South Sound blues band to enter the contest. The organization has notified the IBC their bringing another band. But first, they need a band. To avoid making the industry they serve blue, SSBA hosts several competitions to choose the band, judged by folks outside the organization. The first Back to Beale Street Blues Preliminary Competition will be held June 1 at Jazzbones. Schedule to perform before three judges are Clover Creek, The Julie Duke Band, Phat Daddy and the Zone, Pacific Drive, Aaron Jones and the Way, Thai Barker Band, Rafael Tranquilino Band, Palmer Junction, The CD Woodbury Band, Blues County Sheriff and Brian Lee and the Orbiters. Those in the know recognize four of the bands represent the Puget Sound Music for Youth Association, which is cool. Yes, 13 bands playing 25-minute sets is a lot of blues. Don't worry. Bobble Tiki has made sure Jazzbones has plenty of wine.

BACK TO BEALE STREET BLUES PRELIMINARY COMPETITION, 2-10:30 p.m., Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, $8-$10, 253.396.9169