The Blues Foundation started the International Blues Challenge (IBC) to cultivate new talent and keep the blues alive. In 2004, 67 bands competed in the IBC finals in Memphis. There is only one winner, but the most beneficial aspect from participating in the IBC is networking. Competition is judged based on talent, blues content, stage presence, originality and overall impression and it is subjective.
If you think your band would like to sign-up for the Road to Memphis Gathering for Bands for a chance to be selected to compete in Memphis, 2005, please fill out the application form below. The Foundation imposes entry restrictions to afford the opportunity for discovery to musicians that are truly unknown and unsigned:
No Band or Solo Performer that enters the Challenge may have a contract with a nationally distributed recording company. No musician who is a member of a band with such a contract can compete as a solo performer. If a band formerly had such a contract but does not currently have one may complete only if that band has had no new product released nationally within the past ten years. Reissues do not apply to this criterion. A musician can only compete in one act of the competition. Any band that has released a CD on a label that is nationally or internationally distributed is ineligible. If a band has self-produced a CD, or has released a CD that has only regional distribution, the band retains its eligibility. No other entry restrictions apply. This means that management contracts and booking agent contracts have no bearing on eligibility. This also means that performance contracts, even those that include regular television or radio broadcast, but do not include a nationally distributed record contract, have no bearing on eligibility. Cautionary note on "ringers": The use of "ringers" - that is pairing side men who are professionals that may have appeared on nationally released albums - with an "unknown" front man is not prohibited by the entry criteria. However, use of such personnel falls outside the intentions and goals of this competition, and as such, is likely to be frowned upon by the semi-finals and finals judges.
Our Road to Memphis Gathering is designed to select a band to represent our Society in the 2005 IBC in Memphis. [Solo/duo Road to Memphis will be a separate gathering held in October] We have no funds to assist the band with IBC associated costs, BUT we will cooperate with the selected band to help them raise funds by holding "Get Out of Town" fundraisers. Please submit the following information to the Society no later than April 30th or by mail and postmarked no later than 12 midnight, April 30th. Each application must include the application fee. The fee is $5.00 per band member. All application fees will be dedicated to the Get Out of Town Fund for travel-related costs to the selected band. The Society will assign bands the date (June 6 or June 20) and their order of performance with finals slotted for June 27th. Depending upon number of entries, we will adjust the number of days dedicated to the Road to Memphis Gathering for Bands.
APPLICATION FOR 2004 ROAD TO MEMPHIS GATHERING
JUNE 6, 20 & 27 AT FLOYD'S
NAME OF BLUES BAND — __________________________________________________________
LIST BAND MEMBERS FULL NAMES AND THEIR ROLE IN THE BAND:
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CONTACT NAME/SPOKEPERSON FOR THE BAND _____________________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER _______________________
EMAIL_______________________
Best time to call ______________________________
ALTERNATE CONTACT NAME ________________________________
ALTERNATE CONTACT TELEPHONE ________________________________
Please make your check payable to GTCBMS (note Road 2004 in memo field) and mail it with this form to:
GTCBMS Road 2004
P.O. BOX 580704
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55458