In 2005, Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy bested more than 80 bands to take top honors at the 21st Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, putting the Texas band on the fast track to blues stardom. A native of Houston, Greenleaf is the latest in the long line of blues men and women from the Lone Star State to meld gospel, soul and the blues into a mighty roar. Greenleaf and Blue Mercy—guitarist John Richardson (winner of the Albert King Award in 2005), bass player Fred Arceneaux and drummer Kevin Michael Barry—have performed at blues festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada and in Switzerland, France, Norway, Australia, England and Italy. Greenleaf has two albums to her credit, Cotton Field to Coffee House and Crazy But Live in Houston, and was the winner of the Best New Artist Debut award at the 2008 Blues Music Awards. She is nominated this year for “Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year.”