(MEMPHIS, TN) – The Blues Festival Guide (BFG) will have a table set up at the official IBC Registration area at the Tin Roof (315 Beale St.). Be sure to drop by and meet BFG Representatives Tom Andrews and Belinda Holloway and drop off your business card for a chance to win FREE advertising with Blues Festival Guide! While you’re there you can grab some Mardi Gras beads (while they last) that were actually caught during parades at the 2018 Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The International Blues Challenge represents the worldwide search for those Blues Bands and Solo/Duo Blues Acts ready to perform on the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. Each Affiliate (blues society) of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and a solo/duo act to represent its organization at the IBC. Affiliates can also submit a CD for the Best Self-Produced category.
There are over 111 entries in the band, solo/duo and youth divisions from around the blues globe. The majority of the acts are from US blues societies, but nearly 20 of them are arriving in Memphis to compete from Australia, Canada, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.
The 2019 Best Self-Produced CD Finalists are: Tales of a Rich Girl Kings + Associates (Adelaide Roots and Blues Association-Australia); Lock Up the Liquor The Little Red Rooster Blues Band (Central Delaware Blues Society); Get Off On It Robbert Fossen Band (Dutch Blues Foundation); Front Street Blues Jake James (Northeast Ohio Blues Association (NEOBA); Long Road Home Midnite Johnny (South Florida Blues Society).
The IBC is judged by blues professionals from across the world who have years of experience in listening to, producing, and creating blues music. The Blues Foundation has established a set of criteria by which all acts are evaluated throughout the five days of the IBC.
If you’re going, there’s tons going on so check the website, get your tickets and have a ball.
