Hi, I'm Donnella (Briscoe) Rucker - born & raised in Washington, DC, and proud frontwoman of the blues band Nella B. & the Noise. We're a passionate group of musicians from the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) area, and we've just earned the chance of a lifetime: to represent our region at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee!

Music has always been the heartbeat of my life. Growing up in a house filled with the sounds of Ray Charles, Etta James, Nancy Wilson, Sam Cooke, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, I found my voice early - singing in the glee club, gospel choirs, karaoke, and anywhere I could carry a tune. But it wasn't until the pandemic that I truly stepped into the spotlight. What started as singing for fun turned into something much deeper: a calling.

In 2022, my husband, Anthony B. Rucker (a talented bassist), and I began attending blues jams hosted by the DC Blues Society. Inspired by the energy and community, we formed Nella B. & The Noise and entered the 2024 Battle of the Bands - placing 3rd! In 2025, we came back stronger and won the band division, earning a spot at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis - the world's largest gathering of blues musicians, with over 260 acts from around the globe performing across 20 venues on historic Beale Street.

This is a dream come true - but dreams need fuel. We're raising $12,000 to cover transportation and lodging for our six band members during the 5-day event. That's $2,000 per musician to ensure we can focus on what we do best: sharing our music and representing DC blues with pride.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us get one step closer to Memphis. Whether you give $5 or $500, you're helping us bring our sound to the international stage - and we'll carry your support with us every note of the way.

Thank you for believing in us, for supporting local music, and for helping Nella B. & The Noise make some joyful noise in Memphis!

With Gratitude,

Donnella "Nella B." Rucker

Anthony "DaBassMan" Rucker

Paul Pinkham - Guitar

David Roy - Guitar

Jay Waldon - Drums

Dan Latt - Keys