
IBC Band Announcement
IBC Band Announcement
Calling all musicians…
The Suncoast Blues Society (SBS) has announced the call for Bands and Solo/Duo Acts to compete in the Suncoast Blues Society “Road To Memphis” Competition.
This will be held July 23, 2023 beginning SHARPLY at 1:00pm at the Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Entry fee for this year is $25 per act. All acts MUST be members of the Suncoast Blues Society.
Additionally, the Suncoast Blues Society is looking for a “Youth Showcase” Act to represent our Society. All members of the band must be under 21 years of age.
One Band and one Solo/Duo act will be chosen by a set of 5 judges for the honor of representing the Suncoast Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge held January 16th – 20th, 2024, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Here are some of the basic rules as established by the Blues Foundation:
- An act is limited to two consecutive appearances at the IBC and must then sit out at least one year before being eligible to compete again.
- An act can only compete in the IBC three times total.
- An individual may not compete in more than one act in any capacity.
- A performer who has previously been nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Blues Award) shall not be eligible for this competition.
- A musician cannot compete in the Band Division and the Solo/Duo Division, even if that musician represents a different Affiliate in each.
The IBC adheres to the following criteria for what constitutes a band, what constitutes a solo/duo act, and what constitutes as a youth act:
- Band – any act with three or more musicians. Vocalists are counted as musicians for the purpose of this competition. Both electric and acoustic instruments are allowed.
- Solo/Duo – any act with one or two musicians. Vocalists are counted as musicians for the purpose of this competition. Both electric and acoustic instruments are allowed.
- Youth – any act that all members are under the age of 21 at the time of the International Blues Challenge in Suncoast. PLEASE NOTE: the SBS can appoint a Youth Showcase Act without a local challenge, but if there are multiple acts that would like to try, we will have one.
- Additionally, this year the Suncoast Blues Society has instituted the following for the “Road To The Challenge”… Any act wishing to be considered must have a current social media presence (Website, Facebook, ReverbNation)
BEST SELF-PRODUCED CD COMPETITION
FINALLY, the SBS is also soliciting entrants for the “Best Self-Produced CD” competition. Entrants must send the SBS 6 copies of their self-produced CD for ranking by an independent panel of judges SELECTED BY THE Suncoast Blues Society Board.
The SBS will then pay for the reproduction of the winners CD and distribution to the national selection panel selected by the Blues Foundation.
RULES AS ESTABLISHED BY THE BLUES FOUNDATION:
- The CD entered does not have to be performed by the band entered in the 2024 International Blues Challenge.
- The CD must have been released during November 1, 2022 – October 31, 2023.
- Judges will evaluate:
(1) Blues Content
(2) Musical Performance
(2) Audio Quality of the Presentation
(3) Cover Art and Design
(4) Credits and Liner Information. - A performer who has previously been nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Blues Award) shall not be eligible for this competition.
- A CD issued in the name of an otherwise eligible performer, which also includes the contributions of a Blues Music Award nominee may be ineligible, depending on the extent of the contribution.
- A CD on a record label that has been previously nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Blues Award) shall not be eligible for this competition.
- Compilations are not eligible.
- Singer, band, society, or local producer may produce the actual CD if the performer is a singer, band or other individual entity.
- Recordings with established or “known” producers within the industry are eligible if the recording is on the artist’s independent label and not on an established national blues label.
- If a recording was produced independently but an established blues label has purchased the master for distribution, the recording is still eligible until such time as the established blues label releases the recording.
For more information, contact Vinny Marini at events@suncoastblues.org
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION BELOW