Austin Blues Society

Attention, Blues artists! 

It is time for the International Blues Competition!!!

For 27 years, The Blues Foundation in Memphis has sponsored the International Blues Challenge. Blues Societies like ours from all over the world send their best musicians to Beale Street to compete for prizes and recognition. Austin has been well-represented by local greats such as Jimi Lee & PB Shane and Mike Milligan & the Altar Boyz in the past. The future could be YOURS! 

There are 2 performance categories:

1) Band -- trio, quartet or more

2) Solo/Duo

So before you start packing your gear for Memphis, you'll have to take on your peers in preliminary rounds here in Austin. We will have 4 nights of musical competition in Austin's legendary Home of the Blues, Antone's, as well as their neighbors The Lucky Lounge. There will be a panel of judges that will make the determination as to who advances. However, make sure your fans know where you will be -- we're including audience preferences in the scoring! 

We will start the competition in October, working our way to the Finals at Antone's in mid-November. The winners will be on their way to Memphis for the IBC competition that runs from January 31 to February 4th, 2012.

There are a few basic eligibility rules. At least one member of each unit MUST be a member in good standing with the ABS. This is an IBC requirement, as well. Download the IBC Rules for details and enrollment, or stop by Antone's during one of our Monday night jams to speak with an ABS representative. Also, your band roster has to be the same throughout all levels of the competition. Once eligible, you will need to provide:

$50 for entry in any category

Entry fees will be used to help send the winners to Memphis. 

So now all you have to do is pick your strongest songs for a 20-minute set, practice hard and let 'er rip! And in case the competitive juices haven't already been stirred enough, go to www.blues.org/search/handys.php#ref=ibc_prizes to see what great rewards await the big winners!

Click here to get your entry form and sign up. Austin has some amazing Blues talent that should be shared with the world! This is the first step, so enter today!!!

IBC Entry Form

GOOD LUCK!