The world's largest gathering of Blues acts represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its affiliated organizations for the Blues band and Blues solo/duo most deserving of taking their act to the international stage.
In 2007, over 90 bands and 60 solo/duo acts from 34 states and 8 countries competed. Even greater participation is expected in 2008, as musicians and fans fill the clubs up and down Beale Street beginning at 5:00pm for the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday and at the Band finals (1:00pm) and the Solo/Duo finals (7:30pm) at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday.
Advance tickets, host hotel information, merchandise and preliminary event schedule will be available at http://www.blues.org beginning October 1.
The IBC has evolved into the world's biggest and most respected showcase for Blues musicians ready to move beyond their regional base. Acts play a short set for a panel of judges who score them on an established set of criteria. Blues acts may not enter the challenge directly but rather each of The Blues Foundation's 165 affiliates has the right to sponsor one band and one solo/duo act. Accordingly, those who make it to Memphis are already the best of the best.
The IBC weekend gets an early kickoff Wednesday, January 30 with a Meet & Greet hosted by the Beale Street Merchants Association at the New Daisy Theater and the performance of multiple IBC participants at the FedEx Forum during the Memphis Grizzlies v. Denver Nuggets NBA game.
In addition to the evening Blues competition, the days are filled with seminars and workshops and topped off in a moving Saturday morning brunch in which the Blues community will honor its own with the prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Awards that honor the men and women, who have made significant contributions to the Blues music world, in 20 categories such as journalism, literature and photography and to the best clubs and festivals, as well as managers, promoters and producers.
Throughout the week, The Blues Foundation will be sponsoring Blues in the Schools programming featuring Gary Allegretto, Spencer Bohren and the duo of James Nixon and Shannon Williford in elementary and middle schools in the Greater Memphis area, as well as special presentations for children facing a wide range of physical or emotional disadvantages.
Media Sponsors include XM Satellite Radio, House of Blues Radio Hour, Big City Rhythm and Blues, Blues Festival Guide, Blues Revue, BluesWax, Downtowner magazine, Living Blues and WREG-TV. The 24th International Blues Challenge is sponsored by ArtsMemphis, bandVillage, Beale Street Merchants Association, Budweiser and its local distributor, D.Canale Beverages, FedEx, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sonicbids, T. Clifton Art and XM Satellite Radio.
The list of blues artists whose career included the International Blues Challenge over the years includes: Susan Tedeschi, Michelle Wilson, Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, Albert Cummings, Larry Garner, Richard Johnston, Slick Ballinger, Zac Harmon, Diunna Greenleaf and Matthew Skoller, among many others.
“I say this every year, but if you love the Blues and you miss this event, you are missing out on the most exciting event in Blues." Lee Mitchell, Magic City Blues Society, Birmingham, AL.
“Winning the International Blues Challenge is better than having a $100,000 publicity budget"--2004 IBC winner and 2006 Blues Music Award Best New Artist Zac Harmon.
“This was my first year attending the International Blues Challenge and it was better than any festival I have ever attended."--Eddie Bagwell, Vice-President, Tulsa Blues Society.
The International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards are produced by The Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization established to preserve Blues history, celebrate Blues excellence, support Blues education and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form.. The Foundation consists of a worldwide network of 150 affiliated Blues societies and has individual memberships spanning the globe. In addition, the Foundation also produces the Blues Music Awards and the Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. For more information or to join The Blues Foundation, log onto http://www.blues.org . For more information and to purchase advance tickets, call 901.527.2583.
Jay Sieleman, Executive DirectorThe Blues Foundation
901-527-2583 x 12
Email: [email protected]
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